April 9, 2025
CITY COUNCIL
April 9, 2025 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on April 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Mayor Rod Petersen, Council Members Jerry McClun, Justin Barnes, Jamion Biesterfeld and Paul Pankonin. 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. Biesterfeld moves, McClun seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the appointment to the Housing Agency and the claim for Jerry McClun for conference mileage reimbursement. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Pankonin moves, Barnes seconds to approve the claim to Jerry McClun. Roll call vote: ayes – Barnes, Pankonin, Biesterfeld; abstain – McClun. Motion carried.
Angie Buglewicz reported for the Care Center. Some items discussed: A census update and proposed use of memorial funds to make improvements; the money must be spent before the sale of the Care Center. The City Attorney gave an update on the remonstrance.
A written report was presented for the library. Some items discussed: Their work on obtaining grants for projects, proposed policies and procedures, the spending of the Koop trust fund which was set aside for building maintenance, and the upcoming Easter egg hunt.
There was no report for the Louisville Ball Parents Association. Joel Jones gave an update on the repair of the garage at the ballfields, he is gathering estimates and talking with insurance.
Dennis Maggert was present from LIGHT, an insurance pool for municipalities, to review coverage options for city employees. Council was given materials detailing the policies and benefits LIGHT offers. Council requests a comparison to current benefit offerings to be presented at the next meeting.
Randy Jensen was present from Prairie Ridge HOA with concerns on the detention ponds in their neighborhood. He was reminded that the maintenance of the ponds is an HOA responsibility, and they have excavated the silt from the ponds in the past. Jensen’s concern was on the use of the ponds by the industrial park South of the neighborhood which is causing the overfilling and silt buildup. Mayor Petersen would like to inspect the original plans for the ponds before moving further.
There was a brief discussion on various board members’ terms. More discussion will be had on the subject before the June appointments.
There was discussion on the issuance of building permits to Melvin Sudbeck for three remaining lots at East Ridge. The subject was tabled with concerns about the stress that construction equipment would cause on the Eastwood/Highway 66 culvert and the lack of two viable entrances to the subdivision.
More investigation will be done on the possibility to swap land with Ed Noyes from city owned property behind 517 Sandhill Rd. and 106 Main St.
Pickleball courts were discussed as a replacement to the tennis courts, and the use of Keno funds for community betterment was suggested. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the use of Keno funds not in excess of $5,000 to convert the tennis courts into pickleball courts. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none.
High service pump replacement at the water plant was discussed and Joel will present estimates at the next meeting.
Joel updated the council on the culvert installation at Eastwood Drive and Highway 66, and the subject was moved to the end of the agenda.
Attorney Roger Johnson gave an update on 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. He will move forward in the filing of a complaint.
No update on the Hazel Street lots outside of city limits.
Joel reported for street, water and sewer. Some items discussed: The installation of the emergency well, the gathering of estimates for the auger at the sewer plant, and a kickoff meeting to be scheduled for the trail project.
Written sheriff, fire and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
Mike Carstens was present for public comment with questions pertaining to development behind his house. The land in question is private property and he was instructed to contact Joel Jones if he had any further concerns.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to enter closed session at 8:36 p.m. for the protection of the public interest to discuss action on the culvert at Eastwood Drive and Highway 66. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Mayor Petersen reiterated the reason for the closed session.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to exit closed session and reconvene in regular session at 9:01 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.
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