October 14th, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
October 14, 2026 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on October 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Mayor Rod Petersen, Council Members Jerry McClun, Paul Pankonin, Justin Barnes, and Jamion Biesterfeld. Also, present were City Attorney Roger Johnson and guests. Mayor Petersen stated that 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.
Mayor Petersen called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was said. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Michelle Daniels reported for the library. Some items discussed: Michelle is currently attending a conference in La Vista and hopes to implement new ideas that she has gathered at the conference, she obtained a grant for summer reading and art classes, and some building maintenance has been performed by city crews lately.
The Louisville Ball Parents Association was not present, but Public Works Foreman Josh Magee gave an update on field maintenance. Some items discussed: New tarps and poles were ordered for the ballfield shades due to the condition of the current set. The new ones will be a backup in case of further damage during next year’s season, and then they will replace the current set the following year.
Bids were reviewed and discussed for the 5th Street Utility Relocation project in connection with the state’s Highway 66 Connection project. Council expressed concerns about the accuracy of certain estimates for items in the bids, and they would like JEO to confirm that no mistake could have been made by bidders when calculating their costs. Further information will be presented at the next meeting.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to waive the formal bidding process to improve the sanitary sewer main at the South end of Cherry Street for an estimated cost of $48,000. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Certain nuisance properties within city limits were discussed, and the nuisance abatement process was clarified in order to assist city staff in the assessment of such issues. City staff will compile the records for certain properties and begin the process of abatement with the help of the city attorney.
Council continued discussion of the use of e-bikes and other similar motorized vehicles on public roads and sidewalks not including ATVs/UTVs/Golf Carts. Councilmembers Barnes and Pankonin have volunteered to form a committee along with other interested members of Planning Commission to work on a solution that will be presented and decided on at a future meeting.
Josh Magee reported for Streets/Water/Wastewater. Some items discussed: The new GIS map was handed off to city crew and the mapping has proved very useful in locating utilities, marking down new points of interest, and refining the accuracy of current maps. The water tower was inspected following the decommissioning of US Cellular equipment and any issues found were corrected by US Cellular shortly thereafter. A group of engineers and students from the Nebraska Department of Water, Environment, and Energy held a scheduled tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant which exceeded their expectations and prompted an unplanned tour of the Water Treatment Plant. The civic center had several lighting units replaced in the foyer, and the meeting hall will be the next focus for lighting replacements.
Written sheriff, fire, and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
Barnes moves, Biesterfeld seconds to enter closed session at 8:00 p.m. to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual regarding Dayspring Academy NE, LLC economic development loan. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen repeated that the council would enter closed session at 8:00 p.m. to prevent the needless injury to the reputation of an individual regarding Dayspring Academy NE, LLC economic development loan.
Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to exit closed session and reconvene in open session at 8:12 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to direct the preparation of an amendment to the Dayspring Academy NE, LLC promissory note and personal guarantees. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to enter closed session at 8:14 p.m. to discuss 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. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen repeated that the council would enter closed session for the protection of the public interest at 8:14 p.m. to discuss 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.
Barnes moves, McClun seconds to exit closed session and reconvene the meeting in open session at 8:45 p.m.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the settlement from Melvin Sudbeck Homes in the amount of $51,500 in 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. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen adjourned the meeting at 8:48 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