Broken Bow Mayor Rod Sonnichsen opened the city council meeting Tuesday evening in the absence of council members Paul Holland and Chris Myers.
During the meeting, two conditional use permits and one liquor license were approved.
Carmen Bumgarner of Tumbleweed Cafe has had an application for a liquor license approved for Tumbleweed Cafe. Bumgarner is currently working with Axe Kickers to create an axe-throwing area on the west end of the cafe that will offer alcoholic beverages and an original menu. She hopes to eventually host holiday parties and similar events.
The conditional building permit for 44100 Memorial Drive, for Industrial Tower West to replace and upgrade the Viaero cell tower at the fairgrounds, was presented to the council for discussion and decision. Assistant Secretary Jacob Holcomb and Water and Sewerage Director Bryan Jones emphasized that the request for more time to review additional information regarding the excavation work for the Eagle Crest development was helpful. The conditional building permit was approved, with the new tower footprint remaining the same as the previous one.
A conditional use permit has been issued for Burwell Livestock Market that would allow the company to operate an online auction services office in a residential neighborhood at 625 North B Street. Holcomb said it would be an office building with a phone and desk, with no additional traffic or equipment expected. The permit is valid for the entire duration of ownership of the property.
Mayor Sonnichsen was made aware of public comment on meeting procedure after a previous meeting. Ordinance 1204 Item J states, “Any person wishing to address the council shall first come to the podium and state his or her name and address…” The mayor said this is required by ordinance and law and is in no way a nuisance. The ordinance was drafted by a previous mayor and Sonnichsen plans to adopt it.
Council members set August 27 at 2:30 p.m. as the day for their budget workshop, with Schmidt emphasizing that the day will occur on a City Council night. The council also approved signing the annual municipal certification of program compliance with Nebraska Board of Public Roads classifications.
The council heard the annual audit report for the year ending September 30, 2023. Jeff Oeltjen of Dana F. Cole told the council that the audit was completed later due to personnel changes in the city. He also described the audit as “clean.”
City Manager David Schmidt thanked Jennifer Waterhouse and LeeAnn Taylor for their past service to the city. Mayor Sonnichsen closed the meeting at 6:46 p.m. and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 27.
