Kearney aldermen unanimously pass budget reappropriation, park agreement, rezoning and final plat

The Kearney Board of Aldermen on Monday approved four ordinances on first and second reading, including a budget reappropriation, a park reservation with the local school district, a zoning change for infill housing, and a final plat, each by unanimous voice vote.

City Administrator Sheila Herndon, who presented the budget reappropriation ordinance, said the measure moves previously budgeted but unspent items from the prior fiscal year into FY2025 to allow planned projects to proceed. "This is moving money that was budgeted last year that didn't get spent into this year's to carry over those projects," Herndon said, adding that carryovers include a previously approved matching grant for body-camera equipment, funds to purchase a vehicle for a new public-works engineering technician, and additional unanticipated information-technology needs tied to the recent hire of an IT network staffer.

The board read the ordinance aloud and approved it on first and second reading. The motion to approve was made and seconded; the roll call recorded aye votes from Aldermen King, Holt, Lehman and Barker and the ordinance passed on its second reading.

Separately, the board authorized a park reservation agreement that will allow the Kearney R-1 School District to hold pickleball tournaments on city property. Eric Marshall, identified in the meeting record as the parks director, said the request came from Coach Warman and Coach Burchfield, who "want to have a couple of fundraisers in September and October to allow some extra funds for equipment and ... sets of uniforms," according to the presentation. The council approved the park-reservation ordinance unanimously on first and second reading.

The board also approved a rezoning requested by Larry and Karen Hampton for approximately 0.52 acres on East Washington Street to an RP-2 (two-family residential plan) district. Community Development Director David Pavlich said the concept plan shows a lot that would be narrower than typical but maintains the required setbacks; the new house would be accessed from Prospect Street with a rear- or side-entry garage rather than a garage facing Washington Street. Neighbors asked whether the garage would be attached or detached and raised setback concerns; Pavlich said the plan would meet setback requirements. The rezoning ordinance was approved unanimously on second reading.

Finally, the board approved the final plat for Groom's Addition (replat of Lots 8 and 9, Block D) and accepted dedication of right-of-way and easements; Pavlich said the proposed lot line is consistent with the plan and the ordinance passed on second reading.

All four measures were approved without recorded dissents. The mayor thanked applicants for their investment in the community and noted that the ordinances allow the projects to proceed to the next steps.

Note on record inconsistencies: the meeting record contains inconsistent spellings and parcel details (see audit); the article uses the city name spelling "Kearney" and reports the rezoning acreage (0.52 acres) and general street (East Washington Street) as stated in the meeting.