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Ainsworth council approves appointments, loans, event funding and a 3% wage increase; tables cell‑tower sale
Summary
At the meeting the council approved mayoral park‑board appointments, a façade loan recommendation, a special‑designated liquor license, fireworks funding and a 3% cost‑of‑living increase for city wages; it also adopted a policy disallowing special Main Street parking (except posted handicapped) and tabled a cell‑tower purchase proposal.
The Ainsworth City Council approved a package of routine but material items during its meeting, including appointments, grant/loan recommendations, event funding, licensing and a wage adjustment.
Appointments and boards: The council approved the mayor’s park‑board appointments — Sean Furo to replace Brian Delmont (term ending 2028) and Robbie Ashcraft to fill the remainder of Robert Francis’ term (ending 2026) — by unanimous roll call.
Economic development and finance: The council approved the LB840 loan committee’s recommendation for façade Application 25‑01 (up to $10,000, reimbursable per program rules). Councilors discussed contract timing and noted that contract execution delays sometimes impede timely disbursement.
Events, licenses and downtown policy: The council approved a special‑designated liquor license for BCW Inc., doing business as Silver Circle Bar, for an event on June 28–29, 2025 (including a temporary alley closure). Council also approved a $2,500 contribution to the Ainsworth Commercial Club and Ainsworth Golf Course for a Fourth‑of‑July fireworks display (noting drought/burn bans could still prevent a display). On parking, the council adopted a motion that, as of today, there would be no special designated parking spaces on Main Street other than posted handicapped spots.
Compensation: The council approved a 3% cost‑of‑living adjustment for the 2025–26 wage schedule in response to a union proposal, referencing the CPI (~2.7%) and staff retention concerns.
Old business and executive session: Council unanimously tabled the Power Alliance proposal to buy the city’s cell tower pending additional information and later voted to enter executive session to discuss an economic development agreement with NCDC.
Votes at a glance: (all recorded roll calls were unanimous) • Mayor’s park‑board appointments — approved (yes: Heather, Dustin, Brad, Kent) • Resolution 252 (one‑and‑six‑year street plan) — approved (see separate article) • Silver Circle/BCW special liquor license — approved • No special Main Street parking other than posted handicapped — adopted • LB840 façade recommendation (Application 25‑01, up to $10,000) — approved • Ainsworth Betterment Committee $2,500 fireworks contribution — approved • Union 3% COLA for 2025–26 — approved • Power Alliance cell‑tower purchase proposal — tabled
What’s next: Staff will finalize contracts, manage LB840 timelines and bring any additional information on the cell‑tower proposal and the NCDC contract to the council in executive session or a future open meeting as appropriate.
