Fremont meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Fremont City Council approves salary ordinances, liquor license renewals

The Fremont City Council approved the Utility and Government Salary Ordinances and renewed all Class C liquor licenses at its Aug. 11 meeting, among other actions. The council voted 8-0 on each of the salary ordinances, the food and beverage occupation tax amendment, and the liquor license renewals.

City Council

The council approved Ordinance 5753 (Utility Salary Ordinance) and Ordinance 5754 (Government Salary Ordinance), both by 8-0 votes. It also approved Ordinance 5756, amending the Food and Beverage Occupation Tax, and recommended approval of a Class D liquor license for Casey's #4670. All Class C liquor licenses were renewed through Oct. 31, 2027, by an 8-0 vote.

The council awarded a $22,938.75 downtown revitalization grant for 311 N Main St., funded through CDBG. It also approved the first reading of Ordinance 5755, which would move public comment on the agenda, and amended the Master Fee Schedule to support Ordinance 5749 changes.

Utility and Infrastructure Board

The board voted 5-0 to recommend City Council approval of Resolution 2026-203, amending the engineering services agreement with Civil Solutions, LLC for the Broad Street Resurfacing Project by $10,142.00. It also approved the consent agenda, including minutes from July 28 and accounts payable through Aug. 11, by a 5-0 vote.

Business Improvement District

The BID board voted 2-5 against a motion to refuse payment for a $39,000 Christmas tree storage bill and end discussion. Instead, the board directed Howard to contact the foundation about future donations and to discuss costs and options with Sifferings. The board approved minutes from July 21 by a 7-0 vote and adjourned at 1:08 p.m.

Civil Service Commission

The commission approved minutes from July 9 by a 3-0 vote and entered executive session to evaluate a person's job performance, conducting interviews for a Firefighter candidate. No official actions were taken during the session. The commission approved motions to exit executive session and adjourn, both by 3-0 votes.

Library Board (agenda only)

The Keene Memorial Library Board met Aug. 17 but minutes have not been published. The agenda included discussion of a continuing education webinar on intellectual freedom and legal updates since 2024, a review of July expenditures (including $658,271.31 in salaries/wages), and a Summer Reading Program review.

Planning Commission (agenda only)

The Planning Commission met Aug. 17 but minutes are not yet available. The agenda included a recommendation to annex three areas (A, B, C) into city limits and amendments to the Unified Development Code, including a policy shift on alternative surfacing for outdoor display and storage areas.

Airport Advisory Committee (agenda only)

The Airport Advisory Committee met Aug. 21 but minutes are not yet published. The agenda included a FY26 budget with revenues of $198,620 and expenses of $269,895, a parallel taxiway reconstruction update, and an Airport Layout Plan update.

Coming up

• **City Council** – Aug. 25, 2026: Public hearings on a Class K liquor license for Bourbon Trail, a UDC amendment, and a resolution to place a .5% sales tax question on the November ballot. Also considers a $1,289,100 engineer contract and a $43,611.22 change order for the 19th Street Asphalt Overlay.
• **Utility and Infrastructure Board** – Aug. 25, 2026: Consider awarding an owner's engineer contract, a change order, and a roof replacement contract.
• **Citizens Advisory Review Committee** – Aug. 27, 2026: Review LB840 fund balance and quarterly report.
• **Local Option Review Team** – Aug. 27, 2026: Review LB840 fund status and quarterly report.
• **Civil Service Commission** – Aug. 31, 2026: Conduct police officer interviews, possibly in executive session.

Fremont City Council approves salary ordinances, liquor license renewals, downtown grant

The Fremont City Council approved several ordinances and resolutions at its Aug. 11 meeting, including salary ordinances, liquor license renewals, and a downtown revitalization grant. All items passed by 8-0 votes.

City Council

The council approved the Utility Salary Ordinance (5753) and the Government Salary Ordinance (5754), both by 8-0 votes. It also approved Ordinance 5756, amending the Food and Beverage Occupation Tax, also 8-0.

In other action, the council recommended approval of a Class D liquor license for Casey's #4670 and renewed all Class C liquor licenses through Oct. 31, 2027, both by 8-0 votes. A $22,938.75 Community Development Block Grant was awarded for a downtown project at 311 N Main St., also 8-0.

The council approved the first reading of Ordinance 5755, which would move public comment on the agenda, and amended the Master Fee Schedule to support changes in Ordinance 5749. Both passed 8-0.

Utility and Infrastructure Board

The Utility and Infrastructure Board voted 5-0 on Aug. 11 to recommend City Council approval of Resolution 2026-203, amending the engineering services agreement with Civil Solutions, LLC for the Broad Street Resurfacing Project by $10,142.00. The board also approved its consent agenda, including minutes from July 28, 2026, and accounts payable through Aug. 11, 2026, by a 5-0 vote. No other substantive decisions were made; the meeting included a fleet department overview and adjourned at 4:17 p.m.

Park & Recreation Board

The Park & Recreation Board met Aug. 3, but only an agenda was available; minutes have not yet been published. The agenda included a summer recreation report, facilities update, parks/forestry update, and a discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan. No decisions were reported.

Coming up

• **Library Board** – Aug. 17. The Keene Memorial Library Board will review the director's report, July 2026 expenditures (including $658,271.31 in salaries/wages), and summer reading program results. It will also discuss a continuing education webinar on intellectual freedom and legal updates since 2024.
• **Planning Commission** – Aug. 17. The commission will review and potentially approve a recommendation to annex three areas (A, B, C) into city limits, and consider amendments to the Unified Development Code, including a policy shift on alternative surfacing for outdoor display and storage areas.
• **Civil Service Commission** – Aug. 18. The commission will approve prior minutes and conduct firefighter interviews, which may occur in executive session.

Fremont City Council approves utility rates, animal control changes, and $713,690 meter purchase

The Fremont City Council on July 28 approved new electric, natural gas, sewer, and water rates for 2026-2027, updated animal control laws, and authorized $713,690 for new electric meters. All votes were 8-0. The council also approved a conditional use permit for a convenience store with fuel sales at 4461 N. Broad Street, the same property where a separate sign variance request is pending before the Board of Adjustment.

City Council actions

The council approved the following items unanimously (8-0):

• **Utility rates for 2026-2027** for electric, natural gas, sewer, and water.
• **Ordinance 5749**, amending animal control laws regarding dangerous animals.
• **$713,690 purchase** of electric meters for the AMI system.
• **Conditional Use Permit** for a convenience store with fuel sales at 4461 N. Broad Street.
• **Preliminary and final plats** for Highland Enterprises LLC.
• **Ordinance 5750**, a Planned Development Amendment at 757 N. Johnson Rd.
• **Appointment of Derick Leaman** as Police Officer.
• **Ordinance 5752**, increasing city spending limits per Nebraska Legislative Bill 797.

Utility and Infrastructure Board recommendations

The Utility and Infrastructure Board met July 28 and voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Council approve several items. The council subsequently approved some of these at its own meeting that same day.

• **$41,264 change order** for the Street-Parks-Fleet Maintenance Building contract with Meco-Henne.
• **Renewal** of the Natural Gas Purchasing and Price Risk Management Agreement with Houston and Associates.
• **Resolution 2026-192** for the purchase of AMI system electric meters.
• **Ordinance 5752** to increase spending limits.

The board also approved minutes from July 14 and accounts payable through July 28 (4-0).

Board of Adjustment (agenda only)

The Board of Adjustment met July 27 to consider a variance request from Casey's Retail Company for two freestanding pole signs at a proposed convenience store and gas station at 4461 N. Broad Street. The request seeks to allow one sign of 374 square feet and 60 feet in height, and a second of 82 square feet and 25 feet in height. The property is zoned FC - Flex Commercial District. Planning Department staff recommends denial, citing lack of evidence of hardship. No decision has been published yet.

Park & Recreation Board (agenda only)

The Park & Recreation Board met August 3 to review the summer recreation report, receive facility and parks/forestry updates, and discuss the Capital Improvement Plan. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

Fremont sets 2026-2027 utility rates, approves $713,690 electric meters

The Fremont City Council approved new electric, natural gas, sewer, and water rates for 2026 and 2027 and authorized a $713,690 purchase of electric meters for the AMI system, both by 8-0 votes on July 28, 2026. The actions set what residents will pay for city utilities over the next two years and fund the meter upgrade behind that billing system.

City Council — July 28

The Council met and took final action on several items, all passing 8-0:

• Approved electric, natural gas, sewer, and water rates for 2026-2027.
• Approved Ordinance 5749 amending animal control laws regarding dangerous animals.
• Authorized $713,690 purchase of electric meters for the AMI System.
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for a convenience store with fuel sales at 4461 N. Broad Street.
• Approved preliminary and final plats for Highland Enterprises LLC.
• Approved Ordinance 5750 for a Planned Development Amendment at 757 N. Johnson Rd.
• Confirmed the appointment of Derick Leaman as Police Officer.
• Approved Ordinance 5752 to increase city spending limits.

Planning Commission — July 20

The Planning Commission approved three land-use items, each by 8-0:

• Conditional Use Permit for a Casey's convenience store with fuel sales at 4461 N. Broad Street.
• Preliminary and Final Plat for a VA clinic development at lot 5, block 5, Diers 4th Addition and surrounding parcels.
• Planned Development Amendment to change 5.6 acres at 757 N. Johnson Rd. from school/residential to a Fire Station.

The Commission also approved June 15, 2026 meeting minutes, 8-0. The Council later ratified the Casey's permit and the Johnson Road amendment.

Utility and Infrastructure Board — July 28

The Board voted 4-0 on several recommendations to the City Council:

• Recommended Council authorize $41,264 in change orders for the Street-Parks-Fleet Maintenance Building contract with Meco-Henne.
• Recommended renewal of the Natural Gas Purchasing and Price Risk Management Agreement with Houston and Associates.
• Recommended Council approve Resolution 2026-192 for purchase of AMI system electric meters.
• Recommended Council approve Ordinance 5752 to increase municipal spending limits per Nebraska Legislative Bill 797.

The Board also approved its July 14, 2026 minutes and accounts payable through July 28, 2026, 4-0.

Board of Adjustment — July 27 (agenda only; minutes not yet published)

Casey's Retail Company requested a variance to allow two freestanding pole signs at 4461 N. Broad Street: one with 374 square feet and 60 feet in height, and a second with 82 square feet and 25 feet in height. The property is zoned FC - Flex Commercial District. Planning Department staff recommended denial, citing a lack of evidence of hardship. No outcome was available in the provided records.

Library Board — July 20 (agenda only; minutes not yet published)

The Keene Memorial Library Board was scheduled to review June 2026 expenditures, discuss a webinar titled "What's Your E™ - The E's of Libraries ®" for communicating with elected officials and community leaders, hear the director's report on the transition to the CivicPlus website platform, and receive an update on Board Continuing Education hours. No minutes were available.

Business Improvement District — July 21 (agenda only; minutes not yet published)

The Downtown Business Improvement District Board was scheduled to discuss and possibly act on homelessness in the downtown area and on Christmas decorations, hear a report from the city on parking lots, discuss the speaker system, and receive a MainStreet report by Lainey Paquette. No minutes were available.

Coming up

• **Park & Recreation Board — Aug. 3, 2026:** Review of the summer recreation report, facilities update, parks/forestry update, and discussion of the Capital Improvement Plan.

Fremont City Council approves $1.09M insurance renewal and $450,000 economic development award

The Fremont City Council approved a $1,094,805 renewal of the city's property and liability insurance policy and a $450,000 economic development award to Quad County Property Management LLC at its July 14 meeting. All votes were 6-0.

City Council

The council adopted its amended agenda and consent agenda items unanimously. Key actions included:

• **$450,000 economic development award** to Quad County Property Management LLC from the Local Option Economic Development Fund — vote 6-0.
• **$1,094,805 property and liability insurance policy renewal** — vote 6-0.
• **$16,000-per-year services agreement** with Keep Fremont Beautiful — vote 6-0.
• **Second readings of utility rate ordinances** for electric, natural gas, sewer, and water — each passed 6-0.
• **Authorization of the Rotary Club Fly-In Breakfast** event at Fremont Municipal Airport — vote 6-0.
• **Mayor's appointment of Stan Darling** to the Board of Adjustment — vote 6-0.

Utility and Infrastructure Board

The Utility and Infrastructure Board voted 5-0 to recommend three contracts to the City Council:

• **$5,915 contract with Thiele Geotech** for ground-penetrating radar work on the 5th Street drainage ditch.
• **Service agreement with Great Plans Communications** for fiber-optic service at the John C. Fremont Park Amphitheater.
• **Four-year uniform rental agreement with Cintas** at $78,373.88 per year.

These items now go to the City Council for final action.

Civil Service Commission

The Civil Service Commission met July 9 to appoint Ryan Kunhart of Dvorak Law as legal counsel and to appoint a commission investigator for a citizen petition. The agenda also listed police officer interviews, approval of February 11, 2026 minutes, and a review of open meeting rules. Minutes have not yet been published, so outcomes of these items are not confirmed.

Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Board

The PSAP Governance Board met July 16 to discuss an unbudgeted invoice for ORION microwave network upgrades. The agenda also included a proposal for a 911 backup center at a satellite fire station and information on a 911 equipment vendor for the new PSAP. Minutes have not yet been published.

Airport Advisory Committee

The Airport Advisory Committee met July 17 to review a beacon light installation estimate presented by Eric Johnson and receive updates on the parallel taxiway reconstruction and the Airport Layout Plan. The agenda also covered board vacancies, budget status, and the firework display schedule. Minutes have not yet been published.

Coming up

• **Library Board** — July 20: Review of June 2026 expenditures, a webinar discussion on communicating library value to stakeholders, and an update on the transition to the CivicPlus website platform.
• **Planning Commission** — July 20: Consideration of a conditional use permit for a Casey's Retail Store fuel sales convenience store at 4461 N. Broad Street, a preliminary plat for a VA clinic subdivision in Diers 4th Addition, and a planned development amendment for a fire station at 757 N. Johnson Rd.

Fremont council approves $475K Habitat grant, lead line contract; utility rate votes continue July 14

The Fremont City Council approved a $475,000 economic development grant for Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity and a $662,170 consulting contract for lead service line replacement at its June 30 meeting, both by 7-0 votes. The council also passed an emergency ordinance amending garbage hauling and occupation taxes on haulers and approved a zoning change for the Washington Heights 6th Addition.

City Council — June 30

The $475,000 economic development grant for Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity passed 7-0. The council separately authorized a $662,170 contract with JEO for lead service line replacement consulting services, also 7-0.

The council approved an emergency ordinance amending garbage hauling and occupation taxes on haulers (7-0) and a zoning change from R1 to R2 for Washington Heights 6th Addition lots 6A-10B, Block 1 (7-0).

Consent agenda items passed 7-0, including utility agreements, equipment leases, and a $57,406 co-responder agreement with Lutheran Family Services. The council recommended a Class C liquor license location change for Reinita Restaurant to the state commission (7-0) and continued an animal control code amendment to the July 14, 2026 meeting (7-0).

First readings were held for 2026–2027 electric, natural gas, sewer, and water rate ordinances (7-0). Those ordinances will apply to customer bills next year.

Utility and Infrastructure Board — June 30

The Utility and Infrastructure Board recommended the $662,170 JEO contract for lead service line replacement consulting (4-0) and four rate ordinances for 2026-2027: Ordinance 5743 for electric rates, Ordinance 5744 for natural gas rates, Ordinance 5745 for sewer rates, and Ordinance 5746 for water rates, each 4-0.

The board recommended a $124,000 plus up to $15,000 consulting agreement with Forvis Mazars, LLP (4-0), approved three one-year equipment leases with Nebraska Machinery Company (4-0), and recommended final acceptance of the Luther Road South Phase 2 Project with a $54,451.35 payment (4-0).

Civil Service Commission — July 9

The Civil Service Commission met July 9 to appoint legal counsel and an investigator for a citizen petition and conduct police officer interviews. The agenda listed appointment of Ryan Kunhart of Dvorak Law, appointment of a commission investigator, police officer interviews, approval of February 11, 2026 minutes, and review of open meeting rules. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.

Coming up

• **City Council — July 14, 6:00 p.m. (scheduled):** Second readings for Ordinances 5743-5746 setting 2026 and 2027 electric, natural gas, sewer, and water rates. The council will also consider Resolution 2026-145, a $450,000 Local Option Economic Development Fund award to Quad County Property Management LLC; Resolution 2026-181, a one-year property and liability policy renewal for $1,094,805; Resolution 2026-179, a four-year uniform rental agreement with Cintas for $78,374 per year; and Resolution 2026-183, a services agreement with Keep Fremont Beautiful for $16,000 per year.
• **Utility and Infrastructure Board — July 14 (scheduled):** Agenda items include the JEO lead service line consulting contract, the Forvis Mazars agreement, Luther Road South Phase 2 final acceptance, 2026-2027 rate ordinances, and a proposed contract with Thiele Geotech for 5th Street drainage ditch radar.
• **PSAP Governance Board — July 16 (scheduled):** Discussion of an unbudgeted invoice for ORION microwave network upgrades, a proposal for 911 backup center space in a satellite fire station, and information on a 911 equipment vendor for the new PSAP.