Michael Bauer

The City Council meeting included the approval of the consent agenda and the full agenda. Key decisions involved awarding a contract to I&P Construction LLC for the Liberty Bell Mini Pitch Project, utilizing private donations and city funds. The council also approved Change Order No. 2F for the Concrete Repair Project 2024, resulting in a net decrease, and Change Order No. 1 for the Concrete Improvements 2025-1 project, resulting in a net increase. An engineering services contract with JEO Consulting Group, Inc. was approved for the Norfolk Avenue Bridge Redeck and Widening project. Furthermore, Ordinance No. 5968 concerning adjustments to Parks and Recreation fees, including youth and adult sports fees, was passed on first reading and adopted. The purchase of a replacement excavator, split between Water and Sewer Divisions, was approved. A public hearing was held regarding a zone change request from R-3 to R-T (Tiny House District) for property at 309 North 1st Street, which was subsequently tabled via Ordinance No. 5967 after public opposition and internal discussion. A special presentation was given by the Nebraska Public Power District regarding a potential Professional Retail Operations (PRO) Agreement.

The meeting included a public comment period where a citizen expressed concern about the discontinuation of recording subcommittee meetings to ensure transparency. The consent agenda was approved after removing an item regarding a Change Order No. 2F for the 2 MG Treated Water Storage Tank project, which was moved to the regular agenda. Key items approved via consent agenda included the minutes from prior meetings and work sessions, reports, a public transportation funding agreement, a use agreement for Norfolk Youth Baseball, authorization to advertise for bids for pool painting and the West Plant Reaction Basin project, and resolutions related to an Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system installation with the Nebraska Department of Transportation, and a Special Designated Liquor License request. During the public hearing, the Council considered acquiring property at 2306 South 5th Street, which is the final parcel needed for the Ta-Ha-Zouka Master Plan, approving the purchase agreement for $200,000.00. In the regular agenda, Change Order No. 2F for the water tank project, which resulted in a cost decrease, was approved. Ordinance No. 5966 was passed to amend the City Code to correct the name of Northeast Community College. Resolution No. 2026-2 was adopted, approving the Mayor's appointment of Melissa Figueroa as City Attorney, effective January 16, 2026.

The City Council meeting agenda for January 20, 2026, included several key items. The consent agenda covers routine items such as approving the minutes from the January 5, 2026 meeting, reviewing the December 2025 Keno comparison report, approving the appointment of Rod Johnson to the Citizen's TIF Advisory Committee, authorizing the collection of special assessments via Resolution No. 2026-3, approving a Special Designated Liquor License for the Nebraska Craft Brewers Guild festival, and approving agreements with Jessie London (Norfolk Recreation Baseball) and Northeast Nebraska All-Star Football Classic. Contract awards are scheduled, including one to Hartington Tree for Phase 2 of the Highway 275 Tree Planting Project. The agenda also features a special presentation by Nebraska Public Power District regarding a PRO Agreement. Public hearings and related actions include consideration of a zoning change from R-3 to R-T for property at 309 N 1st St. Regular agenda items involve approving change orders for the Concrete Repair Project 2024 and Concrete Improvements 2025-1 projects, approving an engineering design services contract with JEO Consulting Group for the Norfolk Avenue Bridge redeck project, awarding the contract for the Liberty Bell Mini Pitch Project, updating Parks and Recreation fees via Ordinance No. 5968, and purchasing a replacement excavator.

The Norfolk City Council meeting agenda included several key items, such as the approval of consent agenda items and the full agenda. Consent agenda items involved approving minutes from previous council and Land Bank meetings, reappointment of members to the Northeast Nebraska Land Bank Board, approval of a Funding Agreement with The Connection Project, Inc. for an overnight warming shelter utilizing Opioid Remediation funds, approval of field use agreements, change orders for two construction projects (West Plant Piping Improvements and Sanitary Sewer Connection District No. 258), approval to purchase a 2026 Chevrolet Black Tahoe Police vehicle, and approval of the final plat for Dudley-Red Subdivision. The agenda also included a special presentation for the NEBRASKAland Foundation 2025 Rising Star Award, a public hearing regarding findings and suggestions from the economic development Citizen Advisory Review Committee, and regular agenda items concerning an ordinance amendment for defining specific all-terrain vehicles as utility-type vehicles, advertising for sealed proposals for architectural/engineering services for the Ta-Ha-Zouka Softball Complex expansion, advertising for sealed proposals for the Liberty Bell Mini-Pitch Court Project, and consideration for a potential closed session regarding collective bargaining strategy.

This document details a strategic planning work session held by the City of Norfolk, Nebraska. The session aimed to assist the City Council in identifying future goals and establishing priority focus areas. Key themes and priorities discussed, based on survey results and council input, include housing and community growth, economic development and job creation, infrastructure and public safety, community trust and engagement, and quality of life and collaboration. The insights from this session are intended to serve as a foundation for the development of a future strategic plan for the City of Norfolk.