August 13, 2025
CITY COUNCIL
August 13, 2025 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on August 13, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Mayor Rod Petersen, Council Members Jerry McClun, Justin Barnes, Paul Pankonin and Jamion Biesterfeld. Also, present were City Attorney Roger Johnson, Public Works Director Joel Jones and guests. Mayor Petersen stated that the Open Meetings Act is posted at the rear of the room and a copy of all meeting materials is available with the clerk.
Notice of the regular meeting was given in advance thereof by posting in three (3) public places as shown by the certificate attached to these minutes. Notice was simultaneously given to all council members. Their acknowledgement of receipt of notice and the agenda is attached to these minutes. All proceedings thereafter were taken while the convened meeting was open to the public.
Mayor Petersen called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Barnes moves, McClun seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the claim for Jerry McClun for EMS School reimbursement. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried. Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to approve the claim to Jerry McClun. Roll call vote: ayes – Barnes, Pankonin; nays – none; abstain – McClun. Motion carried.
Councilman McClun gave a library report. Some things discussed: Their new computers are up and running in compliance with the Child Internet Protection Act.
Kevin Albert gave a report for the LBPA. Some things discussed: A brass plaque was gifted to the Legion’s recently retired head coach. The plaque is intended to hang on the concession stand. This will become a future agenda item should the legion want to hang the plaque. The backstop is still in the process of being fixed.
The owner of the two lots North of City Hall has placed the lots for sale, but is also considering using them for a trailer rental business. This item will be moved to closed session.
The city-owned lot in Southridge and the possible sale of it will be moved to closed session.
The 1&6 Year Road Plan was found to have typos and will be revised.
Julie Bauman CPA was present and reviewed options regarding the tax levy with City Council. She suggests attending the joint hearing to ask for the amount the city typically asked for before the statute changed. This will result in an additional $122,511.31 compared to the previous year’s ask. Postcards will be mailed with further information on the joint hearing. McClun moves, Pankonin seconds to attend the bond hearing in September to increase the tax request. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Ed Noyes; regarding nuisance property located at E 54’ of lots 271-272 and 2’ of E 54’ of lot 270; original town, Louisville, NE was discussed. Joel will speak to Ed Noyes about clean up of the remainder of the house.
Joel reported for street, water and sewer. Some items discussed: Parking pads are being poured on Eastwood Dr for apartments affected by the No Parking zones. Helisieve purchase is in the works, engineers are on hold for the N Main trail piece, contractors heading up the school expansion are inquiring about code cycles used in the city, and there are several nuisance properties that are requiring action. The nuisance properties will be on next month’s agenda.
Written sheriff, fire and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
There was no public comment.
Pankonin moves, Barnes seconds to approve Resolution 2025-11; Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance with NDOT. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve Resolution 2025-12; Call the Louisville Care Center bond for early payment. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve Resolution 2025-13; No Parking on Cherry St South of the 3rd St intersection for 75 feet, Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to enter closed session at 8:38 p.m. for the protection of the public interest to discuss (1) the possible purchase of the parking lot adjacent to City Hall if the landlord terminates the City’s lease or decides to operate a trailer rental business from the site if allowed in the zoning district; (2) the possible sale of Lot 27, Block 4, Southridge; (3) litigation entitled Melvin Sudbeck Homes, Inc. v. the Community Development Agency of the City of Louisville, NE and the City of Louisville, NE Case No. CI25-159; and (4) to receive legal advice pertaining to the sale of Louisville Care Center. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Barnes, Pankonin, Biesterfeld; nays – none. Motion carried. Mayor Petersen reiterated the reason for the closed session. After interested persons were invited to return to the meeting room, the Mayor reconvened the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
The Mayor advised that the Council was entering closed session at __:__ p.m. for the protection of the public interest to discuss: (1) the possible purchase of the parking lot adjacent to City Hall if the landlord terminates the City’s lease or decides to operate a trailer rental business from the site if allowed in the zoning district; (2) the possible sale of Lot 27, Block 4, Southridge; (3) litigation entitled Melvin Sudbeck Homes, Inc. v. the Community Development Agency of the City of Louisville, NE and the City of Louisville, NE Case No. CI25-159; and (4) to receive legal advice pertaining to the sale of Louisville Care Center.
With no persons remaining present for the meeting, the Mayor reconvened the meeting in open session at 9:06 p.m.
The Mayor stated that he would proceed as discussed in closed session related to the possible purchase of the parking lot adjacent to City Hall if the landlord terminates the City’s lease or decides to operate a trailer rental business from the site if allowed in the zoning district and the possible sale of Lot 27, Block 4, Southridge. The Mayor directed Mr. Johnson to proceed as discussed in closed session related to the litigation entitled Melvin Sudbeck Homes, Inc. v. the Community Development Agency of the City of Louisville, NE and the City of Louisville, NE Case No. CI25-159 and to receive legal advice pertaining to the sale of Louisville Care Center.
Barnes moves, Pankonin seconds to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
I, the undersigned clerk, hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the proceedings had and done by the Mayor and City Council of Louisville. To the best of my knowledge, the agenda was kept continually current and available for public inspection; and the minutes were in written form and available for public inspection within 10 working days. The minutes are published in summary form. Upon request a complete copy is available at City Hall.
Tava Tomanek-Powell, City Clerk