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Bennet City Council approves USPS lease renewal, adopts safety plan and OKs several city measures
Summary
At its Jan. 19 meeting the Bennet City Council approved a five-year U.S. Postal Service lease renewal, adopted an SS4A Safety Action Plan and approved planning and fund-transfer measures; council also reviewed a proposed T‑ball parking pad and heard a water‑main leak report.
The Bennet City Council voted on multiple administrative and planning measures at its regular meeting on Jan. 19, 2026 in Bennet City Hall.
The council approved a five-year renewal term for the U.S. Postal Service lease after City Attorney colleague Matt Blaser reviewed the lease and options; the council asked Blaser to negotiate with the USPS leasing agent and return proposed terms at the February meeting. The motion to approve Resolution 2026-1.2 for a single five-year term passed (motion: Dan Zieg moved; Jesse Schmidt seconded). The roll-call vote on the resolution was recorded as yes from Council Members Josh Buck, Jesse Schmidt, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg.
The council adopted the Bennet Safety Action Plan, the final report under the federal SS4A program, after an overview from Kyle McLaughlin and discussion about possible grant applications to fund implementation. Council Member Pete Simmons moved to adopt Resolution 2026-1.1; Dan Zieg seconded and the motion carried.
On a separate planning matter, the council approved the Quincy Right-of-Way project after discussion about required lot changes. City Attorney David Solheim recommended preparing a new plat and obtaining signatures from all affected property owners; the plat will also require confirmation from Lancaster County. The motion to approve the project passed with a recorded abstention from Council Member Josh Buck, who declared a conflict.
The council also approved a services agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to assist with building permits and zoning administration (motion: Josh Buck moved; Jesse Schmidt seconded). Council members approved a set of fund transfers recommended by Council Member Jesse Schmidt: moving $143,000 from the Sewer Bond to the NPAIT Debt Service subaccount, transferring the Park Fund Savings into the NPAIT general fund, and reallocating proceeds from two matured CDs (Water Sinking Fund and Sewer Sinking Fund, matured 12-29-25) at Union Bank & Trust into NPAIT Water and Sewer subaccounts. The transfers were approved by motion (Dan Zieg moved; Jesse Schmidt seconded).
City Engineer Brian Schuele presented a proposal for a concrete parking lot on the east side of the T‑Ball Field for council review; no funding decision for that project was recorded in the minutes. Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus reported a water main leak near the Lancaster Rural Water meter area by the water tower and said Lovell Excavating will locate and assist with repairs.
The council went into closed session at 8:15 PM and returned to open session at 8:43 PM. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM.
Next steps recorded in the minutes include negotiating the USPS lease renewal terms for a February report-back and preparing a new plat and property-owner signatures for the Quincy Right-of-Way project prior to Lancaster County confirmation.
