Bennet council approves water-rate change, Board of Adjustment update and Iris HD sewer camera

The Bennet City Council met Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at City Office and unanimously approved several items affecting city services and governance.

Mayor Ryan Cheney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and confirmed compliance with the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. After approving the consent agenda, the council approved the second reading of Ordinance 2025-8.1 to amend City Code 52.02 and adjust water usage rates. The motion for second reading was moved by Councilmember Pete Simmons and seconded by Council Member Schmidt; the roll-call vote recorded unanimous approval.

The council next considered Ordinance 2025-9.1, an amendment to City Code 32.02 concerning membership of the Board of Adjustment. Councilmember Dan Zieg moved and Pete Simmons seconded a motion to waive the three-reading rule; the council voted to waive the rule and then approved the ordinance on a subsequent motion (Zieg moved; Simmons seconded). Both the waiver and adoption passed by unanimous roll-call votes.

City Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus presented quotes for three sewer inspection cameras and recommended a preferred model. Councilmember Dan Zieg moved and Josh Buck seconded a motion to purchase the Iris HD sewer camera; the motion passed unanimously.

City Attorneys David Solheim and Matt Blaser reviewed a lease renewal received from the United States Postal Service; Attorney Blaser led the discussion and answered council questions about specific lease terms. The council also opened and reviewed two sealed bids for solid-waste services submitted in response to the city's RFP; no contract award was made at the meeting.

During public comment, resident Larry Kramer provided details about a requested banner to be placed across Monroe Street advertising the city’s Christmas in the Park event. Later in the meeting, the council recessed into closed session to discuss potential litigation; the record shows the council entered closed session at 8:29 p.m. and reconvened at 9:07 p.m., with no further public detail reported.

Votes at a glance • Consent agenda (minutes, claims, Treasurer’s report, Resolution 2025-10.1 reappointing Planning Commission members, Van Kirk payment #5, banner request): motion to approve (Zieg moved; Buck seconded) — Roll-call: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg — outcome: approved. • Ordinance 2025-8.1 (amend water usage rates) — Simmons moved; Schmidt seconded — Roll-call: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg, Buck — outcome: approved (second reading). • Ordinance 2025-9.1 (Board of Adjustment membership) — waiver of three-reading: Zieg moved; Simmons seconded — outcome: waived; adoption: Zieg moved; Simmons seconded — outcome: approved. • Iris HD sewer camera purchase — Zieg moved; Buck seconded — Roll-call: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg — outcome: approved. • Motion to enter closed session to discuss potential litigation — Zieg moved; Buck seconded — outcome: approved; entered at 8:29 p.m., reconvened at 9:07 p.m.

Attendance and staff Mayor Ryan Cheney presided. Council members identified in the public roll were Josh Buck, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg; roll-call vote records also show a councilmember listed as 'Schmidt' participating in votes (the transcript does not provide a first name). City Clerk Sue Biltoft, City Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus, City Attorneys David Solheim and Matt Blaser, and City Engineer Brian Schuele were recorded as present.

What happens next The city will implement the adopted ordinance changes and the utilities department will proceed with procurement of the approved camera. The solid-waste proposals will be evaluated further before the council makes a contract award. Any follow-up on the USPS lease or details arising from the closed-session matter will be reflected in future council agendas or public minutes as appropriate.