Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Administration topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bennet council approves USPS lease, right-of-way project and planning contract; moves city funds
Summary
Council authorized a five-year U.S. Post Office lease renewal, approved the Quincy Right-of-Way project (one abstention), hired Ray Planning Solutions for permitting and zoning help, and approved internal fund transfers including a $143,000 shift from a sewer bond account.
At its Jan. 19 meeting the Bennet City Council approved multiple administrative items including a five-year lease renewal for the U.S. Post Office, finalization of a Quincy Right‑of‑Way project, a contract with Ray Planning Solutions, and several internal fund transfers.
Matt Blaser, a colleague in the City Attorney’s office, reviewed options for renewing the U.S. Post Office lease and the council asked him to negotiate a five-year renewal with the Postal Service leasing agent. The council then approved Resolution 2026-1.2 to authorize a single five-year lease term; Council Member Dan Zieg moved the resolution and Councilman Jesse Schmidt seconded. The roll-call vote was yes from Josh Buck, Jesse Schmidt, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg.
The council also discussed the Quincy Right‑of‑Way project and City Attorney David Solheim recommended preparing a new plat and obtaining signatures from affected property owners and confirmation from Lancaster County. The council approved the project on a motion by Pete Simmons seconded by Jesse Schmidt; Council Member Josh Buck abstained, citing a conflict.
Mayor Ryan Cheney presented an agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to assist the city with building permits and zoning. The council approved the agreement on a motion by Josh Buck and second by Jesse Schmidt.
Councilman Jesse Schmidt outlined transfers among city accounts: move $143,000 from the Sewer Bond account to the NPAIT Debt Service subaccount, transfer the Park Fund Savings Account into the NPAIT general fund, and move proceeds of two CDs that matured on Dec. 29, 2025 (Water Sinking Fund and Sewer Sinking Fund) at Union Bank & Trust to NPAIT Water and Sewer subaccounts. The council approved the fund transfers as presented.
Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus told the council of a water-main leak near the Lancaster Rural Water meter by the water tower; Lovell Excavating will locate and assist with repairs. The council entered closed session at 8:15 p.m., returned to open session at 8:43 p.m., and adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
