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Alma council approves $166,077.45 in claims, OKs EV station cameras and discusses flashing speed signs
Summary
At its Jan. 7 meeting, the Alma City Council approved $166,077.45 in claims, accepted the treasurer’s report, approved the $3,834.50 purchase of two cameras for the new EV charging station and creating an enterprise fund, and discussed placement and funding of flashing speed-limit signs while requesting an NDOT traffic study.
The Alma City Council on Jan. 7 approved claims totaling $166,077.45, accepted the treasurer’s report and authorized the purchase of two surveillance cameras for the city’s planned electric-vehicle charging station, council minutes show. The council also discussed placement of flashing speed-limit signs on state highways approaching Alma and asked staff to apply to the Nebraska Department of Transportation for a traffic study. The meeting included an executive session on pending litigation; no action followed.
Mayor Hal Haeker opened the regular meeting at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Councilmember Larry Casper moved, and Councilmember Tom Moulton seconded, to confirm the meeting had been properly publicized; the motion carried on a roll call vote recorded as yes from Casper, Moulton, Mahalek and Wheeler.
Councilmember Tom Moulton moved to approve the minutes of the Dec. 17, 2025 meeting; Joel Wheeler seconded and the motion carried with recorded yes votes from Moulton, Wheeler, Mahalek and Casper. The council then voted to approve claims and invoices covering Dec. 18, 2025 through Jan. 7, 2026 totaling $166,077.45. That motion, made by Moulton and seconded by Mahalek, passed on a 4–0 roll call vote.
Treasurer Tashia Butterfield presented updated certificate-of-deposit balances, unpaid utility balances and fiscal-year projections tied to gas and water sales. Councilmember Moulton moved and Councilmember Mahalek seconded to accept the treasurer’s report; the motion passed on a roll call vote.
City Administrator Steve Ardiana and Treasurer Butterfield presented a proposal to purchase two cameras for the planned EV charging station at a total cost of $3,834.50. Funding for the purchase was identified as coming from NPPD lease payments. Councilmember Moulton moved and Joel Wheeler seconded to approve the purchase and to create a separate enterprise fund for the EV station; the motion carried on a 4–0 vote.
The council discussed a resubmitted proposal to the State of Nebraska for three flashing speed-limit signs (proposed placements on Highway 183 north and south and on Highway 136 near the north side of Cumberland Street). The minutes record an approximate per-sign cost of up to $7,000 and note that the three signs had been budgeted for the year. Councilmembers raised additional concerns about the posted speed north of Alma and the possibility of adding a turning lane near the Dollar General entrance; council asked staff to apply to the Nebraska Department of Transportation for a traffic study to evaluate options.
At 6:27 p.m. the council moved into executive session to discuss pending litigation (motion by Casper, second by Wheeler). The body returned to open session at 6:37 p.m. on a subsequent Casper/Wheeler motion; the minutes state no action was taken after the executive session. The council then adjourned at 6:38 p.m.
The meeting record lists present officials as Mayor Hal Haeker; councilmembers Larry Casper, Chris Mahalek, Tom Moulton and Joel Wheeler; City Administrator Steve Ardiana; City Clerk Janet Dietz; Treasurer Tashia Butterfield; City Attorney Doug Walker; and City Utility Superintendent Russ Pfeil. The minutes also note that the Open Meetings Act is posted on the east wall of the meeting room.
