Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Historic Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Otoe County tables decision on declaring Bunten/Avondale Cemetery a pioneer cemetery amid ownership dispute
Summary
After competing public comments and a district court injunction, the Otoe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to table a decision on declaring Bunten/Avondale Cemetery a pioneer cemetery until the court establishes ownership and the status of a cemetery association.
The Otoe County Board opened a public hearing on whether to declare the Bunten/Avondale Cemetery a pioneer cemetery and to provide county maintenance funds. Proponents Jo Kreitman, Royce Kreitman and Connie Stall urged declaration, citing at least six graves predating 1900 and concerns that fence removal and tree clearing could obscure the cemetery boundary.
Opponent Doug Delhay said neighbors had maintained mowing and upkeep, and noted a cemetery association had filed paperwork with the county clerk in 2021 to establish authority to maintain the site. County Attorney Jenniffer Panko-Rahe told the board a district court injunction has been filed and entered and recommended tabling the matter until the court resolves legal ownership and the cemetery association’s status.
Following public comments and the county attorney’s recommendation, Commissioner Cole moved to table the declaration; Commissioner Freshman seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The board took no further action on maintenance funding pending the court determination.
