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Broken Bow council adopts multiple traffic ordinances, sets S. B Street speed limit and updates ATV rules
Summary
At its March 25 meeting the Broken Bow City Council unanimously approved a set of ordinances adding several stop signs (including new four-way stops), setting S. B Street west of S. 10th Avenue to 25 mph, and updating local ATV/UTV weight definitions to match recent state changes; council also handled routine consent-agenda business and received public safety comments.
BROKEN BOW, Neb. — The Broken Bow City Council on March 25 adopted a package of traffic- and vehicle-related ordinances aimed at improving pedestrian safety and aligning local regulations with state law.
The council amended and approved Ordinance 1295 to install a four-way stop at South 8th Avenue and South D Street after hearing a letter from resident Mason Holmes and discussion among council members. Councilmember Russ Smith moved the amendment to convert the single stop into a four-way stop, the council suspended the three-reading requirement and voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance.
The council also approved Ordinance 1296, which places stop signs at multiple South 6th/South 7th and South C/D intersections. During discussion police officers and staff recommended placing the stop signs on the east and west sides of the South 6th and South C intersection to improve sight lines near a laundromat and to keep the north-south placement at South 7th and South C for apartment safety. The amendment to the ordinance reflecting those placements was adopted and the council unanimously passed the ordinance after suspending the three-reading rule.
Councilmembers moved and unanimously adopted Ordinance 1297 to create a four-way stop at North 9th Avenue and North H Street. Several residents and officers urged quick action because of obstructed sight lines near a church and school and the expected increase in pedestrian traffic when school is out. Councilmember Travis Kleeb suggested the council coordinate with the county on a speed-tapering study; Administrator Schmidt reported the County Road Supervisor indicated willingness to cooperate and that advance signage would be permitted.
In a separate vote the council approved Ordinance 1298 to set the speed limit on South B Street, west of South 10th Avenue, to 25 mph, bringing that segment in line with the city’s residential speed standard. Administrator Schmidt noted the affected area includes residential, commercial and industrial zoning.
Finally, councilmembers adopted Ordinance 1299 to amend Chapter 73 (operation of all-terrain and utility-type vehicles within corporate limits) to update weight definitions to match changes in state law. City Attorney Jason White noted a typographical error on the published agenda that misidentified the chapter number, but the ordinance language as introduced properly references Chapter 73.
The council handled routine consent-agenda matters at the start of the meeting, including approval of minutes (amending the March 3 minutes to correct a bi-weekly payroll figure to $72,512.06), bills and payroll. Administrator Schmidt reported city recognition at a recent Chamber banquet and said the Hwy 2 construction project is scheduled to begin within a week with tentative completion in August 2025. During public comment Gary Storms asked the council to consider a four-way stop at North 12th Avenue and North H Street for child safety; the council did not vote on that request at the meeting.
All ordinance votes recorded were unanimous: Councilmembers Russ Smith, Travis Kleeb, Joe Wamsley and Paul Holland voted aye on the motions to adopt ordinances 1295 through 1299. The meeting adjourned at 6:53 p.m.
