On the agenda: Broken Bow Minutes — Data Center (Jul 28)

Broken Bow City Council

Meeting Minutes July 28, 2026

The Broken Bow City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in the Broken
Bow City Council Chamber. Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication in
the Custer County Chief, the designated method for giving notice. Advance notice of the meeting,
a copy of the agenda, and related council materials were given to the Mayor and all members of
the City Council. These items were also given to various local media outlets. All proceedings
hereafter shown were taken while the meeting was open to the attendance of the public.

Mayor Rod Sonnichsen called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm, with the following
Councilmembers present: Russ Smith, Travis Kleeb, Joe Wamsley, and Paul Holland. Absent:
none. Also in attendance was City Administrator David Schmidt, City Clerk Jennifer Waterhouse,
City Deputy Clerk Jacob Holcomb, and City Treasurer LeeAnn Morgan. Mayor Sonnichsen
announced the availability of the Open Meetings Act, followed by reciting the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Moved by Smith, seconded by Kleeb to approve the consent agenda for July 28, 2026. Said motion
includes approval of the Minutes of the July 14, 2026, Council Meeting, Minutes of the July 14,
2026, MEAN Educational Workshop, Bills to Date, June 2026 Treasurer’s Report, and Broken
Bow Ambulance Service Official Roster. Roll call vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley and
Holland. Nays: None. Motion carried.

Aflac, Insurance $511.52, $119.50, Applied Concepts, Inc, Equipment for new patrol units $1,150.00,
Blue Valley Public Safety, Annual services and testing on sirens $4,626.00, Bound Tree Medical, EMS
Supplies $285.25, $257.84, $2,519.96, Broken Bow Fire Department, Fireworks stand fees $3,000.00,
Capitol One Bank, WAGE GARNISHMENT $67.62, Card Services, Library 9965 Programming, —
Supplies, Main/repairs equipment $461.18, Chad Hempstead, Refund for swimming lessons $35.00,
City Flex Benefit Plan, SELECT FLEX-UNREIMBURSED M/D/V $769.79, SELECT FLEX-
DEPENDENT CARE $192.30, City of Broken Bow, Health Insurance $5,561.66, City of Broken Bow
Pension Fund, RETIREMENT LOAN PAYMENT $3,179.75, 414H RETIREMENT $13,489.56, 457
RETIREMENT $1,975.58, Colonial Insurance, Insurance $712.18, $384.81, Dewey's Implement &
Welding, Vehicle repairs $278.43, EFTPS Online Payment, MEDICARE $4,188.18, FEDERAL
$11,726.07, FICA $17,908.00, Eakes Office Solutions, Paper $59.99, Family Heritage, Insurance
HERITAGE $25.50, Federal Signal Corporation, SSG, Siren $14,730.00, First Response Billing
Associates, LLC, EMS Billing $3,291.44, General Traffic Controls, Lights for street signs $160.00,
Great Plains Communications, Internet $185.00, $64.97, Hamilton Sales and Service LLC, Hose
$256.46, Ingram Library Services, Materials $1,931.50, Island Supply Welding Co, Oxygen $92.00,
JEO, Bbow Fairgrounds to Memorial Sanitary Sewer $4,175.00, BBow Mud Creek Low Water
Crossing $4,610.00, BB Streets-Parks Department Drainage improvements $2,633.00, Kansas State
Bank, Mower lease payment $16,294.58, Mathia Schumaker, Refund for swimming lessons $35.00,
Myers Construction Inc, Repairs to tower cylinder $2,907.39, NE Dept. of Water, Energy, and Environ.
Fine for Sanitizer change out $1,000.00, Nebraska Child Support Payment Center, CHILD SUPPORT-
NE $336.47, O'Brien's Hardware, Repairs to gas fan on Engine 30, $204.95, OCLC Inc, Materials
$653.04, Over Drive, Materials, Libby credits $2,000.00, Pareto Health, Cost management $76.00,
Presto X Company, Monthly pest control service $98.41, Pye-Barker Fire Safety, Maint./repairs
building, fire extinguisher and alarm inspection $279.95, Ranchland Ford, Oil change on 2024 F-450
Ambulance $166.51, Register of Deeds, Filing fee, Variance $20.00, South Loup Community
Pharmacy, Medications $29.00, State Income Tax WH NE Online Payment, STATE $4,519.80, The
Grand Island Independent, subscription $256.99, Trotter Service, Fuel $286.41, $4,760.78, $170.95,

$470.97, Trotter Whoa & Go West BB, Fuel $1,160.54, $239.96, $303.08, United Industries, Pressure
gauges $985.53, Total $142,871.35 Bi-Weekly Payroll (7/15/26) $104,124.31 Grand Total $246,995.66

In new business, Mayor Sonnichsen introduced Ordinance 1313, entitled “AN ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF BROKEN BOW, NEBRASKA AMENDING CHAPTER 74: RECREATIONAL
VEHICLES OF THE CITY OF BROKEN BOW MUNICIPAL CODE REGARDING THE
REGULATION OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND HOVERBOARD
USAGE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY; TO ESTABLISH REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION; TO
RESTRICT THE USE OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND
HOVERBOARDS IN CERTAIN AREAS; TO REQUIRE SAFETY EQUIPMENT
REQUIREMENTS; TO EMPHASIZE PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES; TO PROVIDE FOR
PENALTIES AND IMPOUNDMENT; TO REPEAL ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF
ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”
Moved by Smith, seconded by Kleeb to open a public hearing at 6:03 pm regarding said
Ordinance. Roll Call vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and Holland. Nays: None. Motion
carried.

Discussion was held. City Administrator David Schmidt noted that two additional changes had been
made to the ordinance since the last reading and recommended that the matter be considered a first
reading in light of those revisions. He explained that the first change appears on page two under the
section titled “Operations Restrictions.” Language from paragraph C—beginning “no minor person
without a valid provisional operator’s permit (POP) or operator’s license”—was inserted at the
beginning of paragraph A as well. This revision ensures consistency so that the same restrictions apply
to both paragraphs A and C. He also noted that the second change appears on page one where the
reference to extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) was removed, as the document is a municipal code rather
than a zoning ordinance,

Councilmember Wamsley requested clarification regarding the restricted area of the downtown square.
Administrator Schmidt explained that the restriction applies solely within the downtown square itself
and the sidewalks leading to the gazebo, and does not include the surrounding streets.

Councilmember Kleeb noted that substantial effort had been devoted to the ordinance in order to
achieve an appropriate balance and Councilmember Wamsley stated that, although the changes were
relatively minor, they did reduce some of the restrictions, There were no public comments made
during the hearing. Moved by Holland, seconded by Wamsley to close to close public hearing at
6:08 pm. Roll Call vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and Holland. Nays: None. Motion
carried.

Moved by Kleeb, seconded by Smith that the statutory rule requiring reading Ordinance 1313 on
three different days be suspended. Roll Call vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and
Holland. Nays: None. Motion Carried. The motion to suspend the rules of said Ordinance was
adopted by three-fourths of the Council and the statutory rule was declared suspended for the
consideration of said Ordinance.

Said Ordinance was then read by title and thereafter, Councilmember Holland moved for final
passage of Ordinance 1313, which motion was seconded by Councilmember Smith. Roll Call
vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and Holland. Nays: None. Motion Carried. The final
passage and adoption of said Ordinance having been concurred by a majority of all members of
the Council, the Mayor declared the Ordinance adopted.

Moved by Smith, seconded by Holland to approve setting the date of the Budget Workshop for
Tuesday, August 11, 2025, at 11:00 am. Roll Call Vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and
Holland. Nays: None. Motion carried.

During public comments, Mike Kratzer of 1543 South G Street and Brad Morgan of 711 South 16th
Avenue expressed concerns regarding a nuisance property located within city limits that maintains a
large number and variety of livestock and fowl. Their comments focused on the resulting noise, odor,
and sanitation-related pest issues affecting the surrounding neighborhood.

Mr. Kratzer stated that he had previously submitted complaints to the City and the Broken Bow Police
Department and inquired about additional steps that could be taken to develop and enforce an
ordinance to address the situation.

City Administrator Schmidt indicated that the property is known to the City and that staff are currently
awaiting documentation from an outside review before proceeding with further action. In the interim,
Mayor Sonnichsen encouraged the residents to continue documenting their concerns and to submit
written statements to the City. He further noted that while current City ordinances do not restrict the
keeping of livestock within city limits, they do contain provisions prohibiting nuisance properties that
generate offensive odors and noise. Mayor Sonnichsen concluded by encouraging members of the
Council to drive by the property in question.

Zoning Administrator Jacob Holcomb concluded with a public service announcement regarding the
Planning Commission meeting that will take place on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 12:00 noon in the
Municipal Building Auditorium where they will further discuss the proposed Data Center ordinance.

There were no Mayor and Council comments.

Moved by Wamsley, seconded by Holland, to adjourn the City Co
Call vote: Voting aye: Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley, and Holland,

cil meeting at 6:21 pm. Roll
/None. Motion Carried.

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ATTEST: %

Confer Q. Waterhouce

Jennifer A. Waterhouse, City Clerk

Roden Mrigyimichsen. Mayor

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