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Broken Bow council approves consent agenda, hears resident plea to curb New Year fireworks; moves to closed session
Summary
At its Jan. 13 meeting the Broken Bow City Council approved its consent agenda and bills, heard a resident ask the city to reconsider New Year fireworks because of animal disturbance and litter, and briefly met in closed session to evaluate an employee.
Broken Bow’s City Council convened Jan. 13 in the municipal auditorium, approved routine business and the bills to date, and heard public comment urging reconsideration of the city’s New Year fireworks practices before adjourning after a short closed session.
The meeting opened at 6:00 p.m., Mayor Rod Sonnichsen announced the availability of the Open Meetings Act and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilmembers Russ Smith, Travis Kleeb, Joe Wamsley and Paul Holland and city staff — City Administrator David Schmidt, City Clerk Jennifer Waterhouse, Deputy Clerk Jacob Holcomb and City Treasurer LeeAnn Morgan — were present.
Early on the council approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of Dec. 9 and Dec. 12, bills to date and the November 2025 Treasurer’s Report. Councilmember Russ Smith moved the measure and Joe Wamsley seconded; the roll call vote was recorded as Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley and Holland voting aye and the motion carried. The minutes record a Grand Total of $513,982.33 in listed expenditures for the period.
During public comment, Stephanie Grafel, director of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce, thanked the city for supporting 10th Avenue holiday displays and said she hopes the event becomes an annual tradition. Resident Steve Weatherly of 1336 South F Street asked the council to "find a way to make the fireworks more neighbor-friendly," urging reevaluation of the city’s fireworks ordinance for New Year celebrations because of extended darkness in December, disturbance to animals and litter on streets. Mayor Sonnichsen thanked Weatherly and said the council would take the concerns under consideration.
Later in the meeting the council voted to enter closed session at 6:09 p.m. "for the purpose of evaluating the job performance of a person when necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person and if such person has not requested a public meeting," a motion that passed on a roll call vote listing Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley and Holland as voting aye. The minutes specify the closed session would include the mayor, council members and identified city staff. The council exited closed session at 6:34 p.m. and adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
The minutes do not record any formal action taken during the closed session; the record shows only the council’s motions to enter and exit the closed session and the final adjournment. Questions about any follow-up on the fireworks concern or personnel matter may be directed to City Administrator David Schmidt or the City Clerk’s office, which were listed as present at the meeting.
