City of Yutan

City Council 9/15/2026 Meeting Minutes (DRAFT-UNAPPROVED)

October 08, 2026

Yutan City Council
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026
7:08 p.m. Yutan City Hall 

EXTRACT FROM MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YUTAN, IN THE COUNTY OF SAUNDERS, STATE OF NEBRASKA HELD AT THE CITY OFFICE IN SAID CITY ON THE 15th  DAY OF SEPTEMBER  2026, AT 7:08 p.m. 

Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by posting notice, a designated method for giving notice, as shown by the Affidavit of Publication and Certificate of Posting Notice attached to these minutes. Notice of this meeting was given to Mayor Thompson and all members of the Yutan City Council, and a copy of their acknowledgment of receipt of the notice and the agenda is attached to these minutes. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public. 

The meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Mayor Thompson. Councilmembers Lawton, Schimenti, Mach and Smith were present. Mayor Thompson informed all the individuals present of the location of the Open Meetings Act and Code of Conduct. Mayor Thompson waived the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

1. Consent Agenda
   1. Approval of the August 18th, 2026 Regular Council Minutes
   2. Approval of the August 26th, 2026 Special Meeting/Third Budget Workshop Minutes
   3. Treasurer’s Report
   4. Claims: All Star Plumbing $3,500.00, ARCS-LLC $482.00, Ashley Heldt $900.00, Blue Cross Blue Shield $3,356.85, Bomgaars $1,022.49, Bromm, Lindahl, Freeman-Caddy & Lausterer $408.50, Cardmember Services $3,834.29, City of Wahoo $450.00, Colonial Research $412.74, Column Software PBC $492.77, Cubby’s 493.41, Culligan $104.80, DataShield $61.67, DropIns LLC $428.00, Eakes $2,955.51, EFTPS-Federal Payroll Tax $10,476.85, Guardian $34.00, Hometown Leasing $84.74, Lowes $192.63, MUD $161.88, NE. Dept. of Revenue $1,075.03, Nebraska Library Commission $580.00, NE Public Health Environmental Lab $410.00, Occupational Health Centers $104.00, Odeys $3,237.45, One Call Conepts, Inc. $10.28, OPPD $5,875.51, Petersen, Samuel $128.44, Pitney Bowes Purchase Power $401.00, Railroad Management Company II, LLC $1,379.17, Rise Internet $140.00, RoadRunner Transportation $415.00, The Sherwin-Williams $357.67, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company $235.75, Thompson & Sons LLC $1,187.49, Tys Outdoor Power & Service $636.28, Verizon Business $40.01, Wahoo-Waverly-Ashland Newspapers $27.40, Wilke Plumbing $727.73, Total w/o Payroll $41,959.19, Payroll $31,601.88, Total w/Payroll $73,561.07.
   5. A motion to approve the consent agenda with the amended amount within the claims to Eakes in the amount of $2,955.51 was made by Schimenti and seconded by Lawton. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Schimenti, Mach, Smith, Lawton. NO: None, Motion Carried. 

2. Open Discussion from the Public
   1. Mayor Thompson congratulated Yutan native Derek Wacker on scoring his first touchdown for the Huskers over the weekend. He also commended Sam Petersen for obtaining his water and sewer licenses, and expressed his gratitude to City Clerk/Treasurer Brandy Bolter for her time and dedicated service to the city.

3. Ordinances and Public Hearings
   1. Ordinance 822-Adopting the Budget Statement to be termed the Annual Appropriation Bill to appropriate the budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal years 
      1. Staff Reporting:
      2. Public Hearing: Mayor Thompson opened the public hearing for Ordinance 822 at 7:12 p.m.; No comments were made. Mayor Thompson closed the hearing at 7:13 p.m.
      3. Ordinance 822: A motion to approve Ordinance 822-Adopting the Budget Statement to be termed to Annual Appropriation Bill and to waive the next two readings was made by Lawton and seconded by Smith. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Mach, Smith, Lawton, Schimenti. NO: None, Motion Carried.

4.       Resolutions
   1. Resolution 2026-17 setting the property tax request at $318,161.61 for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year and approving a 2% increase in total 2026-2027 funds subject to limitation. 
   2. A motion to approve Resolution 2026-17 Setting the Property tax request was made by Schimenti and seconded by Mach. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Smith, Lawton, Schimenti, Mach. NO: None, motion Carried.

5. Action Items
   1. Appointment of new Library Director Kendra Brewer
      1. A motion to appoint Kendra Brewer as Library Director was made by Mach and seconded by Smith. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Lawton, Schimenti, Mach, Smith. No: None, Motion Carried.
   2. Appointment of Cora Minert to the City Clerk/Treasurer Position
      1. A motion to appoint Cora Minert to the City Clerk/Treasurer Position was made by Smith and seconded by Lawton. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Lawton, Schimenti, Mach, Smith. NO: None, Motion Carried.
   3. Acceptance of Purchase Agreement to Astro Building for $26,606.00
      1. A motion to accept the purchase agreement to Astro Building for $26,606.00 was made by Schimenti and seconded by Mach. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Schimenti, Mach, Smith, Lawton. NO: None, Motion Carried. 
   4. Acceptance of DWEE (Department of Water, Energy, & Environment) Proposal 
      1. Community Planner Costa opened the discussion by asking if there were any questions regarding DWEE’s presentation from the previous month, noting that the city will serve as the inaugural pilot for this new DWEE program. Regarding a potential new well, Costa explained that the city must propose a specific site for DWEE to evaluate, as DWEE will not select the location. He clarified that the city must already own or secure a lease for the chosen site. Based on previous discussions, Administrator Oliva suggested the ideal location would be the corner south of Hayes Field. Council member Schimenti noted that if the city pursues a privately owned parcel, they will need to approach the owner about a potential lease, recommending that they identify nearby property owners before next month’s meeting. The Council agreed that actively exploring new sites for the future well is the best course of action. Finally, in response to an inquiry from Mayor Thompson about forming a steering committee, Costa recommended assembling a small group of 5 to 7 decision-makers and local landowners who could be invested in the project’s long-term success.
      2. A motion to accept the DWEE proposal was made by Lawton  and seconded by Smith. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Mach, Smith, Lawton, Schimenti. NO: None, Motion Carried. 
   5. Rescheduling of October Council Meeting
      1. A motion to reschedule the October city council meeting to October 13 at 7:15  was made by Mach and seconded by Smith. Upon roll call vote was as follows: YEAH: Smith, Lawton, Schimenti, Mach. NO: None, Motion Carried. 

6. Supervisor Reports
   1. Library Minutes
   2. Utility Superintendent
   3. Police Chief
   4. Community Planner
   5. City Clerk
   6. City Administrator
      1. Administrator Oliva provided an update on the C4K project, which aims to establish an early childcare development center. He announced that he and Mayor Thompson successfully secured a grant that will provide over $30,000 over the next three years. A Facebook page and a community survey will be launched soon, with the goal of having the center operational by this time next year. Councilmember Schimenti noted that the 15-member project group recognizes the City as a pillar institution, alongside the local school, educators, and community members. Mayor Thompson added that continued progress on the project will open up further opportunities for additional funding. Finally, Oliva clarified that the project is being spearheaded by an independent group rather than the City, and that this independent committee holds the decision-making authority 

Meeting Adjourned: A motion to adjourn at 7:35 pm was made by Mach and seconded by Smith. Upon roll call vote was as follows: Yeah: Lawton, Schimenti, Mach, Smith. NO: None, Motion Carried.