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Bennet council approves 5‑year USPS lease, adopts SS4A safety plan and OKs Quincy right‑of‑way
Summary
At its Jan. 19 meeting, the Bennet City Council approved a five‑year U.S. Postal Service lease, adopted the federally framed SS4A Safety Action Plan, approved a Quincy right‑of‑way project (one abstention), authorized fund transfers, and agreed to hire Ray Planning Solutions for permitting support.
Mayor Ryan Cheney called the Bennet City Council to order on Jan. 19, 2026, at 7:04 p.m. and the council moved through a series of operational items that included multiple resolutions and funding adjustments.
The council re‑introduced the U.S. Postal Service lease renewal and heard a review of the lease options from Matt Blaser, a colleague in the City Attorney’s office. After discussion the council asked Blaser to negotiate a five‑year renewal with the Postal Service leasing agent and present the negotiated terms at the February meeting. The council then considered Resolution 2026‑1.2 and approved a single five‑year lease term on a motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Jesse Schmidt. Roll‑call votes in favor were Josh Buck, Jesse Schmidt, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg.
The council approved the Quincy right‑of‑way project after a discussion about changes needed to several lots. City Attorney David Solheim recommended preparing a new plat showing the adjustments and obtaining signatures from all affected property owners; Solheim said Lancaster County confirmation will also be required. The motion to approve the project, moved by Pete Simmons and seconded by Jesse Schmidt, passed with Schmidt, Simmons and Zieg voting yes and Councilmember Josh Buck recorded as abstaining with a conflict.
Separately, the council accepted an agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to provide assistance on building permits and zoning requirements. Josh Buck moved to approve the agreement; Jesse Schmidt seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
On public‑safety planning, Kyle McLaughlin presented the final Bennet Safety Action Plan report and council members discussed grant opportunities to fund plan implementation. Mayor Cheney introduced Resolution 2026‑1.1 to adopt the SS4A Safety Action Plan; Pete Simmons moved and Dan Zieg seconded the resolution, which carried on a roll‑call vote.
Councilman Jesse Schmidt walked the council through several proposed fund transfers intended to consolidate and reposition city funds. The transfers included moving $143,000 from the Sewer Bond account to an NPAIT Debt Service subaccount; moving the entirety of the Park Fund Savings account into the NPAIT General Fund; and placing proceeds of two matured certificates of deposit (the Water Sinking Fund and Sewer Sinking Fund, both matured Dec. 29, 2025) into NPAIT Water and Sewer subaccounts. The council approved the transfers on a motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Jesse Schmidt; roll‑call votes were recorded in favor.
Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus alerted the council to a water main leak located near the Lancaster Rural Water meter by the city water tower. Fergus said Lovell Excavating will assist in locating and repairing the leak.
City Engineer Brian Schuele presented for review a concept to add a concrete parking lot on the east side of the T‑Ball field; the council took the plan under advisement but recorded no formal action on the proposal during the meeting.
The council briefly recessed into a closed session at 8:15 p.m. and returned to open session at 8:43 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
Next steps noted during the meeting include: Matt Blaser negotiating the USPS lease terms for presentation at the February meeting; preparing a new plat and securing Lancaster County confirmation for the Quincy right‑of‑way changes; and further work on grant applications to support implementation of the SS4A Safety Action Plan.
