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Bennet council approves consent agenda, OKs curb cut and limited Saltillo Road access for Hunter’s Ridge well
Summary
At its March 9 meeting, the Bennet City Council approved its consent agenda, granted a curb-cut waiver and a limited access waiver on Saltillo Road to maintain the Hunter’s Ridge shared well (one abstention). Council also discussed childcare grant planning, drainage repairs and staffing updates.
Mayor Ryan Cheney called the Bennet City Council to order at 7:02 p.m. on March 9, 2026, at Bennet City Hall and announced compliance with the Open Meetings Act. City Clerk Sue Biltoft conducted roll call; Council Members Josh Buck, Jesse Schmidt, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg were present along with City Attorney David Solheim, Deputy City Attorney Matt Blaser, City Engineer Brian Schuele and Utility Superintendent Zach Fergus.
The council unanimously approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the Feb. 9, 2026 minutes, claims for payment, the treasurer’s report and RESOLUTION 2026-3.1 approving a Block Party for BEDA’s Firefly Festival.
Council Member Jesse Schmidt said he would begin pursuing a grant application through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) to support the reintroduction of the Bennet Palmyra Childcare Foundation; Schmidt said he would work on the grant process with assistance from other organizations. City Attorney David Solheim presented a draft Quincy Street right-of-way agreement and told the council he would amend the draft for consideration at the April meeting.
On a private-property request, Brandon Garvin asked the council for a curb-cut waiver. Council Member Dan Zieg moved and Council Member Jesse Schmidt seconded a motion to approve a curb cut not to exceed 12 feet in width with a paved approach; roll-call vote was YES — Jesse Schmidt, Pete Simmons, Dan Zieg and Josh Buck. The motion carried.
Dave Griffith explained the need for a driveway on Saltillo Road to provide maintenance access to the shared well house in the Hunter’s Ridge Addition. Council Member Josh Buck moved and Council Member Pete Simmons seconded a motion to approve waiver of relinquishment of direct vehicular access to Saltillo Road, limited to allowing vehicular access to maintain the shared well located in the northeast corner of Lot 7, Hunter’s Ridge Addition (Final Plat dated Sept. 21, 2006, Lancaster County Instrument No. 2006-052912). Roll-call vote was YES — Pete Simmons, Josh Buck, Jesse Schmidt; ABSTAIN (with conflict) — Dan Zieg. The motion carried.
Resident Kristi Sittner raised a concern about a drain on Fir Street between Monroe and Madison Streets. City Engineer Brian Schuele and Utility Superintendent Zach Fergus said they had inspected the location before the meeting; Schuele said the repair would be similar to a recently completed inlet repair and that he would include an estimated cost with the street plans later this year.
The council set the annual Clean Up Day for April 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon and encouraged council participation to assist residents. Fergus reported that Ricky Skillett was hired as Public Works Worker I and began at the end of February, that all recent water and wastewater tests were approved by the labs, and that the cost to remove roosting turkey vultures from the water tower was estimated at about $300.
Council moved into a closed session at 7:52 p.m. to receive legal advice (motion by Dan Zieg, second by Jesse Schmidt; unanimous roll-call). The council returned to open session at 8:09 p.m. and unanimously approved a motion to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Minutes were signed by City Clerk Sue Biltoft and Mayor Ryan Cheney.
