August 12, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
August 12, 2026 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on August 12, 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 a copy of the Open Meetings Act is available at the front desk 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. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the claims for Jerry McClun for EMS school reimbursement. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the claim to Jerry McClun. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Pankonin, Biesterfeld; nays – none; abstain – McClun. Motion carried.
Council President McClun opened the hearing at 7:03 p.m. to hear support, opposition, criticism, suggestions, or observations for the application to amend the Light Industrial zoning regulations to include ‘E-Bike Track’ as a permitted or conditional permitted use, an application that was withdrawn prior to the hearing. Susan Lafayette, a homeowner in the Prairie Hill Circle Subdivision, shared concerns about the area being part residential and part industrial, as well as conflicting claims regarding the potential business use and plan. Mike Kasten, a resident on Sandhill Road, spoke about the potential business’ adjacency to residential zones, the continued promotion of such business despite the prohibited use, and the precedent that the zoning amendment would set for future use. Zach Wedekind, the owner of the potential e-bike track, spoke about the misconceptions and misinterpretation of the business idea, the other allowed uses for his parcel in Light Industrial that may be more unsightly, and the lack of activities for children to do within the city. Rebecca Baumgartner, a resident of the townhomes directly East of the parcel, stated that the business plans shared so far depicted a mostly dirt lot. Danielle Kottas, an owner of a townhome east of the parcel, shared that a track like the proposed business is allowable in other zoning districts and the businesses currently in the area are industrial in nature, so there would be concerns about an increased presence of children near such businesses. Council President McClun closed the hearing at 7:22 p.m.
Council President McClun opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. to hear support, opposition, criticism, suggestions, or observations regarding the formation of Sanitary Sewer District No. 2026-1 for the purpose of making certain improvements to the City’s sanitary sewer system. No public comment was made. Council President McClun closed the hearing at 7:24 p.m.
Michelle Daniels reported for the Louisville Library. The remodel looks great, and the Library Foundation provided a new rug to celebrate the refresh of the space. The library gives special thanks to Public Works Foreman Josh Magee for his help during and after the remodel. They are currently hosting a Scholastic Book Fair.
Kevin Albert reported for the Louisville Ball Parents Association. They’ve obtained an estimate for turf repair, and the pitcher’s mound is needing rebuilt on field one. They’ll partner with city crew to work on those items.
Mike Burgert was present to request use of the Louisville Recreational Complex for adult slow pitch softball during late summer and early autumn this year. He was advised to speak with the clerk regarding a use agreement for the complex.
Ryan Sparks was present to discuss the potential replacement of the Riverview Cemetery entrance sign. Residents and visitors have expressed support for a new sign that would represent the history and beauty of the cemetery which was established in 1887. A rendering was presented to council that depicts a limestone monument engraved with the name and establishment date to match the existing fixtures, and Ryan was informed that the project would need to be planned for in the budget and could be considered next year. Ryan will be back in early 2027 to present the idea in further detail.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the street closure request from American Legion Post 353 for the Toys 4 Tots car show to be held on October 18th, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Main Street from 1st to 3rd Streets and on 2nd Street from the alley East of Main Street to the alley West of Main Street. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Barnes moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the street closure request from Ember Grove Candle Company for an autumn vendor fair to be held on October 24th, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on W 2nd Street from Main Street to the alley West of Main Street. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
John Orwig was present to request that the No Parking on the North side of Koop Avenue be amended to exclude the area in front of his house from Walnut to Maple Street. Council President McClun explained that the change was made in preparation for the Highway 66 project and the effect it will have on traffic flow in the city, as well as improvement of the sightline for vehicles turning off of Maple Street. No change will be made to the resolution.
Patty Hibler was present to inform the council of an event being held on September 26th, 2026 to celebrate the library’s 125th anniversary. They plan on hosting food trucks in the Pinnacle Bank parking lot from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and a special presentation will be held inside the library. City crew will help the library with traffic control on Main Street.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve payment of $101,980.38 for lots 257 and 258, Village of Louisville from the economic development fund and authorize Jerry McClun as signor. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
LBPA discussed the deteriorating bullpens at the ballfield built by the legion. Per the meeting in July, council and LBPA were told that the bullpens would be fixed within 7 to 10 days following the meeting, but no change has been made to the condition. City crew will work with LBPA to remove the bullpens and repair the ground.
Council discussed the use of e-bikes and other similar motorized vehicles on public roads and sidewalks. They would like to define what is and is not allowed, as well as where and when. License and registration similar to the ATV/UTV/Golf Cart ordinance was discussed, and the Deputy Clerk reminded council that registration of such vehicles includes receiving and acknowledging the ordinance to educate the registrant about acceptable uses. The City Attorney informed council that the state statute on such matters would apply, and council will be presented with further information at a future meeting.
Joshua Magee reported for Streets/Water/Wastewater. Some items discussed: The new well drives are installed and the South Well is operational. The Cherry Street sewer improvement project is still waiting on cost estimates from OPPD. Repairs to the streets and sewer plant entrance for damage done during the OPPD Transmission Project will be performed by High Plains Construction and paid for by OPPD. The repair of the Cherry Street heave is complete and the sidewalks were brought into ADA compliance in conjunction with the repair.
Written sheriff, fire, and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
Barnes moves, Pankonin seconds to approve and adopt resolution 26-10; Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance with NDOT. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve and adopt Resolution 26-11; LARM Insurance 2026-2027 Renewal at the three-year commitment. Roll call vote: ayes – Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to approve and adopt Resolution 26-12; 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.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1080; An ordinance authorizing the issuance by the City of its Sewer Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2026, in an amount not to exceed $70,000, to finance certain sewer 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 #1080. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to enter closed session at 8:55 p.m. for (1) 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 (2) discussion regarding the zoning amendment application and allowable uses in the Light Industrial District. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Council President McClun reiterated the reason for the closed session.
With no persons remaining present for the meeting, Council President McClun reconvened the meeting in open session at 9:52 p.m.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to adjourn the meeting at 9:53 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