Bennet City Council approves water-rate ordinance, Board of Adjustment change and Iris HD sewer camera; reviews USPS lease and solid-waste bids

The Bennet City Council on Oct. 13, 2025 approved several measures and reviewed contract matters during a regular meeting at City Office, 685 Monroe Street.

Mayor Ryan Cheney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the council approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the Sept. 23 special meeting minutes; claims for payment; the treasurer’s report; Resolution 2025-10.1 re-appointing Planning Commission members; Van Kirk payment #5; and a banner request from Larry Kramer advertising “Christmas in the Park.” The consent agenda was approved on a motion by Councilmember Dan Zieg, seconded by Josh Buck; roll-call votes recorded yes from Buck, Schmidt, Simmons and Zieg.

The council advanced Ordinance 2025-8.1 on second reading, a change to City Code 52.02 that adjusts water-usage rates. Mayor Cheney introduced the ordinance; Councilmember Pete Simmons moved and Councilmember Schmidt seconded approval of the second reading. The motion passed on a recorded roll-call vote with yes votes from Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg and Buck.

The council also moved to amend membership requirements for the Board of Adjustment under Ordinance 2025-9.1. Councilmember Dan Zieg moved and Pete Simmons seconded a motion to waive the three-reading rule; the waiver passed. Zieg then moved and Simmons seconded approval of Ordinance 2025-9.1, which the council approved on a roll-call vote (yes: Zieg, Buck, Schmidt, Simmons).

City Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus presented three quotes for sewer-inspection cameras, outlined pros and cons, and recommended the Iris HD model. Councilmember Zieg moved and Buck seconded a motion to purchase the Iris HD sewer camera. The council approved the purchase on a recorded vote with yes votes from Buck, Schmidt, Simmons and Zieg.

City attorneys reviewed a USPS lease renewal; Attorney Matt Blaser led the discussion and answered council questions about several lease terms. The minutes record discussion but do not show a final action on the lease.

Two sealed bids for the city’s solid-waste services request for proposals were opened and reviewed; the council discussed differences in terms and conditions. The minutes reflect review of the bids but do not record an award or vote on them.

Mayor Cheney opened public comment; Larry Kramer provided additional detail about his banner request over Monroe Street advertising the city’s Christmas-in-the-Park event. The council had addressed the banner as part of the consent agenda.

Near the end of the meeting Councilmember Zieg moved and Buck seconded a motion to enter closed session at 8:29 p.m. to discuss potential litigation. The council recessed and returned from closed session at 9:07 p.m.; the minutes note times but do not summarize the closed-session discussion. With no further business, the council voted to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda (approved; motion: Zieg/Buck; yes: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg); Ordinance 2025-8.1 (second reading approved; motion: Simmons/Schmidt; yes: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg, Buck); Ordinance 2025-9.1 (waiver approved; motion: Zieg/Simmons; approval of ordinance: Zieg/Simmons; yes: Zieg, Buck, Schmidt, Simmons); Purchase of Iris HD sewer camera (approved; motion: Zieg/Buck; yes: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg); Motion to enter closed session for potential litigation (approved; motion: Zieg/Buck; council recessed at 8:29 p.m., returned at 9:07 p.m.).

The minutes record the council’s actions and discussions but do not include the full text of ordinances, the terms of the USPS lease under review, nor the detailed bid amounts or vendors for the solid-waste RFP. The council’s next procedural steps on the USPS lease and solid-waste bids were not specified in the minutes.