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Broken Bow City Council temporarily assumes Board of Public Works powers, adopts ordinance
Summary
The council unanimously adopted Ordinance No. 1249 to transfer the Board of Public Works’ powers to the council temporarily after the board fell below its three-member quorum following a member’s death; the ordinance returns powers to the board once a new member is appointed.
The Broken Bow City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 14 to adopt Ordinance No. 1249, temporarily assuming the powers and authority of the Broken Bow Board of Public Works after the board lost a member and no longer met its three-member quorum, City Administrator Dan Knoell said.
The council suspended the statutory rule requiring three readings so it could consider the ordinance immediately. Councilmember Chris Myers introduced the ordinance and moved to suspend the rules; Councilmember Larry Miller seconded. The roll-call vote on suspension recorded Ayes: Miller and Myers. The council then voted for final passage of Ordinance No. 1249; the Clerk recorded Ayes: Miller and Myers and the Mayor declared the ordinance adopted.
Knell told the council that the transfer of authority is temporary and that “the powers will then immediately return to the Board of Public Works once the Council approves the appointment of a new board member,” as stated in the meeting record. The ordinance directs the council to exercise the board’s duties only until the board reaches a three-member quorum again.
On the same night the council approved a related administrative change: on a motion by Miller, seconded by Myers, the council added the City Administrator as a designated enforcement official under Municipal Code section 91.02. The council also approved Board of Public Works bills as posted before adjourning at 7:05 p.m.
The council acted with two members present (Miller and Myers); two members (Jacob Holcomb and David Schmidt) were recorded as absent. No public testimony altering the council’s stated rationale is recorded in the minutes.
