September 9, 2026
CITY COUNCIL
September 9, 2026 Louisville, NE
A meeting of the City Council of the City of Louisville was held on September 9, 2026 at 6:33 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 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. McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve the consent agenda with the exception of the claim from Jerry McClun. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried. Pankonin moves, Barnes seconds to approve the claim to Jerry McClun. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin; nays – none; abstain – McClun. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen opened the Tax Request Hearing at 6:33 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, 2026 through September 30, 2027 which is in an amount different from the request for the prior year. No public comment was made. Mayor Petersen closed the hearing at 6:34 p.m.
Biesterfeld moves, McClun seconds to approve Resolution 2026-13: A resolution of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Louisville, Nebraska to adopt the budget for fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to approve Resolution 2026-14: 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, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1081: An Ordinance to adopt the budget statement for fiscal year October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 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 #1081. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
Mayor Petersen opens hearing at 6:39 p.m. to consider One & Six year road plan; objections and/or recommendations. No public comment was made. Mayor Petersen closes the hearing at 6:41 p.m.
Pankonin moves, McClun seconds to approve Resolution 2026-15; One & Six Year Road Plan for Street Improvement Program 2026-2027. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Council discussed regulations imposed on e-bikes and similar motorized vehicles by other municipalities in the area. They will discuss further with the Planning Commission at the joint workshop meeting scheduled for September 23, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
Michelle Daniels reported for the library. Some items discussed: There was no library meeting this month due to Labor Day, but in the future, they may move any meetings that conflict with a holiday to a different date. Michelle presented a survey about the impact of our library on the community.
Bill Leuders reported for the Louisville Ball Parents Association. Some items discussed: The adult slow pitch softball league has cancelled due to lack of participation, but they will try again next year. High School softball will close out activities at the ballfield until next spring.
Clayton Mulford of The Lantern Boutique presented his idea for a farmer’s market on Main Street to attract business for both local farms and boutiques. They are interested in holding the events from May to October potentially on the second Sunday of each month, and the Mulfords would oversee the event. They would like to host the market on the newly acquired city parking lot North of City Hall. Clayton will continue planning the event and return to Council with further details closer to spring next year.
Zach Wedekind presented his idea for the e-bike track at Lot 18 of the Sandhill Road Subdivision. The Mayor informed Zach that the use is currently not permitted in the lot’s zoning, and to allow a use of that sort would require a zoning amendment. A zoning amendment was applied for in July, but the application was withdrawn and the hearings were held with no action taken. Zach was informed that the Planning Commission would be the appropriate committee to present the idea to, so they will start there with the October meeting and begin the proper process.
McClun moves, Barnes seconds to accept the offer received from Melvin Sudbeck for the city owned lot in the Southridge neighborhood, legally described as LOUISVILLE – SOUTH RIDGE LOT 27 BLK 4, contingent upon the publication of the remonstrance notice and no successful remonstrance being presented to the Mayor and City Council. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Biesterfeld moves, Pankonin seconds to approve plans provided by JEO to improve the sanitary sewer main at the South end of Cherry Street. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
Josh Magee reported for Streets/Water/Wastewater. Some items discussed: A stop sign has been installed on Henry Street at the intersection with Sandhill Road. High Plains Construction is beginning repairs for damages to streets incurred during the OPPD Transmission project. The new VFDs are installed and ready to go.
Written sheriff, fire, and rescue reports were circulated.
An internal audit was conducted verifying checks to invoices by the council members.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to approve Resolution 2026-16; Installation of a stop sign on Southbound Henry Street at the Sandhill Road intersection. Roll call vote: ayes –Barnes, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, McClun; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld seconds to introduce by title only and suspend the three required statutory readings of Ordinance #1082; Fee Schedule Ordinance. 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 #1082. 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 #1083; Wages and benefits for Elected Officials and City employees. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried. Pankonin moves, Biesterfeld seconds to adopt by title only on third and final reading Ordinance #1083. Roll call vote: ayes – McClun, Biesterfeld, Pankonin, Barnes; nays – none. Motion carried.
McClun moves, Biesterfeld 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.
Mayor Petersen reconvened the meeting in open session at 8:38 p.m.
McClun moves, Pankonin seconds to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Roll call vote: ayes –McClun, Pankonin, Biesterfeld, 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