Bayard council approves city bills, adopts unsafe-building notice and places LB840 extension on November ballot; vacant-property ordinance to be drafted

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Bayard met in regular session on May 12, 2026, at City Council Chambers with Mayor Scot Ouderkirk presiding. Council Members Chris Baird, Garrett Schukei, Marty Marquez, Jamie Hernandez and Diane Kraus were present; Council member Tanner Henkel was absent. The council approved the meeting agenda and proceeded through a series of routine and substantive actions.

Most notably, the council approved all city bills and claims totaling $151,989.10 and separately approved Chimney Rock Villa bills and claims totaling $286,878.45. Council member Chris Baird moved to approve the city bills and claims; Council member Jamie Hernandez seconded and the motion passed on a unanimous roll call.

The council adopted Resolution 1062, which follows a finding by the City Code Official that the structure at 409 S Main Street (Lot Ten, Block Three, South Bayard Addition) is unsafe and unfit for human occupancy because of multiple violations of the City of Bayard Property Maintenance Code. Resolution 1062 orders that notice of the unsafe condition be posted and served and gives the owner 60 days to remedy the violations or demolish the structure; the resolution also authorizes the city to correct or abate the condition and place a lien on the property for any costs incurred if the owner fails to comply.

Council members also approved Resolution 1063 and the specific ballot language (Proposition No. 1) to appear on the November 3, 2026 municipal ballot. The proposition asks voters whether the City should continue appropriating up to 25% of the first $100,000 of annual city sales and use tax revenue (maximum $25,000 per year) to an Economic Development Program for a 10‑year period under the Nebraska Local Option Municipal Economic Development Act.

On operational items, the council approved purchase of an IWorQ code‑enforcement module for city use, and discussed implementing a vacant‑property registration program; City Clerk/Treasurer Bowlin was directed to work with the City Attorney to draft an ordinance for the council’s next meeting. Department heads delivered routine monthly reports covering utilities (valve exercises, treatment plant issues, sewer cleaning coordination), parks maintenance (leak repairs, weed spraying, reseeding) and police activity (36 assists to the public, 13 assists to other agencies, one citation, seven warnings, five complaints and four investigations). The Library reported 789 checkouts in April and planning for summer reading and story time.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of agenda — Mover: Council member Diane Kraus; Second: Council member Garrett Schukei; Ayes: Baird, Hernandez, Kraus, Marquez, Schukei; Outcome: approved. - Keno funds (painting/flowers) — Mover: Council member Garrett Schukei; Second: Council member Chris Baird; Outcome: tabled. - Keno funds (Library performers) — Mover: Council member Diane Kraus; Second: Council member Chris Baird; Outcome: recorded as carried (roll call shows ayes from Kraus, Marquez, Schukei, Baird, Hernandez). - City bills and claims ($151,989.10) — Mover: Council member Chris Baird; Second: Council member Jamie Hernandez; Outcome: approved. - Chimney Rock Villa bills and claims ($286,878.45) — Mover: Council member Jamie Hernandez; Second: Council member Diane Kraus; Outcome: approved. - Resolution 1062 (Notice of unsafe building, 409 S Main Street) — Mover: Council member Chris Baird; Second: Council member Jamie Hernandez; Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 1063 (Place LB840 extension on ballot) — Mover: Council member Jamie Hernandez; Second: Council member Garrett Schukei; Outcome: adopted. - IWorQ module purchase — Mover: Council member Chris Baird; Second: Council member Marty Marquez; Outcome: approved. - Adjournment at 8:21 p.m. — Mover: Council member Diane Kraus; Second: Council member Chris Baird; Outcome: approved.

The council tentatively scheduled budget workshops for June 16, July 9 and August 25 at 6:00 p.m. The meeting record shows no public comment. The meeting minutes were signed by Mayor Scot Ouderkirk and City Clerk/Treasurer Bowlin and the session was declared adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Next steps: City staff will draft a vacant‑property registration ordinance for council consideration; the LB840 extension will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot if the county election process proceeds as scheduled.