September 10, 2025
CITY COUNCIL
September 10, 2025 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on September 10, 2025 at 6:45 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, 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, Pankonin seconds to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen opened the Tax Request Hearing at 6:47 p.m.; public hearing for the purpose of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to the final tax request for the Louisville, Nebraska budget for Fiscal Year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 which is in an amount different from the request for the prior year. No public comment was made. Mayor Petersen closed the hearing at 6:52 p.m.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve Resolution 2025-15: A resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Louisville, Nebraska to adopt the budget for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to approve Resolution 2025-16: A resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Louisville, Nebraska to set the tax request for the budget for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Pankonin seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1076: An Ordinance to adopt the budget statement for fiscal year October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 to be termed the annual appropriation bill; to set the tax request; to appropriate sums for necessary expenses and liabilities; and to provide for an effective date. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried. Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to adopt by title only on third and final reading Ordinance #1076. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen opens hearing at 7:00 p.m. to consider One & Six year road plan; objections and/or recommendations. No public comment was made. Mayor Petersen closes the hearing at 7:01 p.m.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve Resolution 2025-14; One & Six Year Road Plan for Street Improvement Program 2025-2026. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Jerry McClun reported for the library. Some items discussed: Hope’s Closet is sponsoring a teen night for the Library, a new desk is expected to be donated, and the state sponsored website is being updated to reflect current library news and events.
There was no LBPA report.
Brenda McCaul presented on behalf of Hometown Holidays to request financial aid for their advertising expenses. Councilman Barnes volunteered to print the advertising materials personally.
Joel Jones was present to discuss mold and other maintenance issues with the Civic Center. Council agrees that the mold should be remediated and the basement should not be used going forward. Joel will work on the remediation.
The culvert installation at Eastwood Drive and Highway 66 was discussed. Cost estimates have been submitted to the city, but Joel is still waiting on the state’s response.
Joel Jones reported for Streets/Water/Wastewater. Some items discussed: An employee resignation was shared with the council, the FEMA grant for Louisville Public Schools will be applied for and managed by the city as discussed in a prior meeting, and Joel is looking for a building inspector to use while he is deployed.
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 introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1074; Wages and benefits for Elected Officials and City employees with the addition of a cell phone and vehicle reimbursement for the Fire Chief in the amount of $50.00 per month. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to adopt by title only on third and final reading Ordinance #1074. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1075; Fee Schedule Ordinance. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Biesterfeld moves, Barnes seconds to adopt by title only on third and final reading Ordinance #1075. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen adjourned the meeting at 7:53 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