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Bennet council approves water-rate second reading, OKs Board of Adjustment change and sewer camera purchase
Summary
At its Oct. 13 meeting, the Bennet City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to adjust water usage rates, adopted an ordinance changing Board of Adjustment membership, authorized purchase of an Iris HD sewer camera, reviewed a USPS lease and solid-waste bids, and met in closed session on potential litigation.
The Bennet City Council on Monday approved the second reading of an ordinance to adjust water usage rates, adopted changes to the Board of Adjustment’s membership, and authorized the purchase of a new sewer-inspection camera during a regularly scheduled meeting at City Office.
Mayor Ryan Cheney opened the meeting at 7 p.m. and confirmed that public notice had been given under the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. After roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance, the council approved a consent agenda that included minutes from the Sept. 23 special meeting, claims for payment, the treasurer’s report, Resolution 2025-10.1 reappointing Planning Commission members, payment request Van Kirk #5, and a banner request for Christmas in the Park. Council member Dan Zieg moved and Josh Buck seconded approval of the consent items; the motion carried on a unanimous roll-call vote.
Why it matters: the water-rate ordinance affects how residents will be billed for water usage and was advanced on its required readings; the sewer-camera purchase is a maintenance investment for the city’s wastewater infrastructure.
Ordinances and votes Mayor Cheney introduced Ordinance 2025-8.1, which would amend City Code 52.02 relating to water usage rates. Pete Simmons moved and Council member Schmidt seconded approval of the ordinance’s second reading; the council voted in favor and the motion carried. The transcript records the approval of the second reading but contains no further detail about rate tables or effective dates.
On Ordinance 2025-9.1, which would amend City Code 32.02 regarding Board of Adjustment membership, the council first voted to waive the three-reading rule. Dan Zieg moved to waive the rule and Pete Simmons seconded; the waiver passed. Zieg then moved and Simmons seconded approval of Ordinance 2025-9.1; the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
Sewer camera procurement City Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus presented quotes for three models of sewer cameras, reviewed pros and cons, and recommended the Iris HD unit. The council approved the purchase after Dan Zieg moved and Josh Buck seconded the motion; the roll-call vote was recorded in the public minutes as unanimous among voting members present.
Other business City Attorney Matt Blaser led a review of a USPS lease renewal and answered council questions about several lease provisions; the transcript records discussion but no formal lease adoption. The council also opened and reviewed two sealed bids submitted in response to a solid-waste services request for proposals; the transcript documents comparative discussion of terms and conditions but does not record an award.
Public comment and closed session The council heard public comment from Larry Kramer, who provided additional details about a planned banner over Monroe Street to advertise Christmas in the Park; the banner request appeared on the consent agenda and was approved. Later in the meeting Dan Zieg moved and Josh Buck seconded that the council go into closed session at 8:29 p.m. to discuss potential litigation; the council reconvened at 9:07 p.m. The public minutes do not disclose details of the litigation discussion.
The meeting adjourned after reconvening from closed session.
What’s next: the minutes record approvals and the closed-session timing but do not specify implementation dates or rate schedules for the water ordinance; those details were not included in the public transcript.
