July 8, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
July 8, 2026 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on July 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Council Members Jerry McClun, Paul Pankonin, Justin Barnes, and Jamion Biesterfeld. Also, present were City Attorney Roger Johnson and guests. Mayor Petersen was absent. Council President McClun 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.
Council President McClun called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Council member Barnes requested that the appointment of Candy McClun to the Planning Commission be removed from the consent agenda to be discussed when Mayor Petersen is present. Barnes moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the appointment of Candy McClun to the Planning Commission. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
There was no report for the library. Council President McClun gave un update on the rehabilitation project and the library is set to reopen on July 13th.
Kevin Albert reported for the Louisville Ball Parents Association. Fewer games were played this year and the ball season has concluded until August 15th. LBPA has been approached about a kickball game to be held at the ballfields and hosted by Good Times Saloon. The bullpens built by the American Legion have not been well maintained and they are requesting permission to dismantle them; the item will be added to the agenda for next month.
Zach Wedekind, Zach McCauley, and Dave Wedekind presented their e-bike track located at a parcel near 1209 Sandhill Road. The parcel is zoned Light Industrial which does not allow for parks or recreation areas, and the owners were notified of the nonconforming use. Zach expressed his concern about children’s use of e-bikes on city streets, so he claims his track is providing a safe and supervised place for that activity, and he was approached by Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson to run promotional advertisements and offerings in connection with the sheriff’s office. This brought additional social media attention to the track which is when the city was alerted to the operations. There was much discussion regarding the safety and security of the track, and it was reiterated that the use is not permitted under the Light Industrial zoning. Zach asked how they could bring the business into compliance, and he was informed that he needed to request a zoning amendment and begin the formal process. He will visit with the clerk to arrange the next steps.
John Orwig was present to discuss the No Parking resolution on the North side of Koop Avenue and the effects on his residence. Their house is on the North side and they are now parking on the South side of Koop Avenue and crossing the street to get to their residence. He would like for council to consider changing the no parking resolution to exclude the area in front of his residence. No action was taken.
Bill Worlein and Paul and Kim Kavulak were present for the street closure request for the American Legion Toys 4 Tots car show on October 17th from 8:00am to 4:00pm. Council expressed their concerns with a Saturday car show and referenced the Omaha Volkswagen Club’s closure request that was denied due to the Saturday date. They said they’d be perfectly fine to move the date to Sunday the 18th of October. There was question over the exact street closures that are necessary, but that will be presented at the next meeting when details are solidified. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the American Legion Toys 4 Tots Car Show to take place on Sunday October 18th, 2026 with exact street closures to follow at the next meeting. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Scott Hrabik, Street Superintendent, was present to review the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan ahead of the next fiscal year. Council informed him that the Eastwood Culvert project has been finished this year, and there was discussion about adding the 5th and 6th street bridge projects, as well as the future Walnut and 6th street railroad crossing abandonments. The hearing will take place in September.
Monty Daganaar, former head coach, and Tim Garcia, team manager of the American Legion baseball team, were present to request approval to hang decorations at the ballfield commemorating the Legion’s state championship wins. The signs would be fashioned as baseballs with a four-foot diameter and they would list the players, coaches, and win/loss records of each championship team. Josh Magee, Public Works Foreman, will work with LBPA and the Legion to find the best placement for the decorations.
Josh Magee presented a cost estimate from JEO for construction of a lift station at the dead end on Cherry Street to supplement the insufficient fall of the sanitary sewer line. The cost estimate was missing quotes for the electrical work that will need to be completed ahead of construction. Josh will work with JEO and OPPD on plans for wiring the lift station and present at a later meeting.
Josh Magee presented a cost estimate of $22,000 from Soil Dynamics to mulch the tree pile at the city dump. Josh explained that the pile has grown much bigger than expected in the time between the last mulch and now due to some severe wind storms in the area. Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to approve the quote from Soil Dynamics to mulch the tree piles using Community Betterment funds. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
The clerk will work with Julie Bauman to set a date for the Budget Workshop for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.
Josh Magee gave an update on the invoice issued to OPPD for damages caused to a service line located near N Depot St and the subsequent repair. The City’s government liaison informed Josh that the claim will be paid.
Joshua Magee reported for Streets/Water/Wastewater. Some items discussed: The permanent stop signs for North and Southbound 2nd Street are in place, but the 3rd Street permanent signs will need consulting due to the Northbound sign lacking sufficient space on the corner. They will be painting STOP on the streets to help acclimate drivers. An employee has earned their Grade II Wastewater Operator’s license, bringing the licensed operator count up to two with another to follow in the coming months.
Written sheriff, fire, and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to approve and adopt resolution 26-09 proposing a resolution of necessity relating to the creation of a sewer district and certain sewer improvements within the City. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Barnes moves, Pankonin seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1079; An ordinance authorizing the issuance by the City of its General Obligation Various Purpose Bonds, Series 2026, in an amount not to exceed $415,000, to finance certain water and street improvements within the City. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Pankonin moves, Barnes seconds to adopt by title only on third and final reading Ordinance #1079. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 pm. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, 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