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Bennet City Council awards maintenance-building bid, approves July 4 fireworks and event permits
Summary
At its Feb. 9 meeting, the Bennet City Council awarded a maintenance-building bid to Sterup Construction LLC pending engineered drawings, approved a $14,000 fireworks budget for the city’s July 4 celebration and a Highway 43 parade closure, and voted to submit an intent-to-apply for a Nemaha NRD grant.
Bennet — The Bennet City Council on Feb. 9 awarded a maintenance-building bid to Sterup Construction LLC and approved multiple event- and grant-related items during a regularly scheduled meeting at Bennet City Hall.
Mayor Ryan Cheney called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. and the Council proceeded through a consent agenda that included approval of the Jan. 19 meeting minutes, claims for payment and the treasurer’s report. The council approved the consent agenda on a motion by Pete Simmons, seconded by Dan Zieg (roll call vote: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg — yes).
Utility Superintendent Zach Fergus presented five bids for a new maintenance building. Bids received were Sterup Construction LLC: $90,000; Vasa Construction: $122,279; Morton Buildings: $124,218; Ebbers Construction: $125,526.01; and Elevate Construction LLC: $129,722.04. The Council voted to award the project to Sterup Construction LLC, contingent on the company providing engineered drawings as requested (motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Jesse Schmidt; roll call YES: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg, Buck).
Lillie Chambers requested the temporary closure of Highway 43 for the city’s July 4 parade. Mayor Cheney introduced Resolution 2026-2.1 to authorize the temporary use of Highway 43 for the special event; the resolution passed on a motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Pete Simmons (roll call YES: Simmons, Zieg, Buck, Schmidt). Chambers also requested a fireworks budget for the city’s 250th U.S. birthday celebration; the council approved $14,000 for fireworks (motion by Pete Simmons, seconded by Dan Zieg; roll call YES: Zieg, Buck, Schmidt, Simmons).
Kristin Nelson responded to questions about a Block Party Application by BEDA to close Garden Street at Madison for the Firefly Festival planned for June 12–13. After discussion the council decided to close Garden Street on Saturday, June 13 from morning until midnight; a formal resolution will be presented for approval at the March 9 meeting.
Mayor Cheney presented a Nemaha Natural Resources District grant opportunity for potential trail work or native grass at Whispering Pines Park. The Council approved submitting an intent-to-apply form (motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Josh Buck; roll call YES: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg).
In personnel matters, Utility Superintendent Fergus reported that a previously hired Public Works applicant resigned before starting; the position will be reopened for applications.
Mayor Cheney opened the floor for public comment; the minutes record the opening but do not list any named commenters. Later in the meeting the Council voted to go into closed session to receive legal advice on threatening or pending litigation (motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Josh Buck; roll call YES: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg). The council returned to open session at 8:12 p.m., and the meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. (motion by Dan Zieg, seconded by Pete Simmons; roll call YES: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg).
The Council will consider a resolution on the Firefly Festival street closure at its March 9 meeting and will require engineered drawings from Sterup Construction LLC before finalizing the maintenance-building contract.
