City of Blair Regular Council Meeting May 12, 2026 The Mayor and City Council met in regular session in the City Council Chambers on May 12, 2026, at 7:00 PM. The following were present: Gary Banner, Kirk Highfill, James Letcher, Kent Long, Rick Paulsen, Kevin Willis, Frank Wolff. Absent: Brent Clark. Also present were City Administrator Green, Deputy City Administrator Barrow, Deputy City Administrator Heaton, Deputy City Administrator Scott, City Attorney Talbot, Library Director Lukert, Community Development Director Beiermann, IT Director White, Public Safety & Communications Coordinator Dunn, and Police Chief Kinsey. Meeting called to order by Mayor Rump at 7:00 p.m. followed by Roll Call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Consent agenda approved the following: 4a) Approval of Minutes of the April 28, 2026 meeting, 4b) Clerk's report of the Mayoral Action for the April 28, 2026, meeting, 4c) City Department reports for April, 2026, 4d) Claims as recommended by the Finance Committee, and 4e) Resolution 2026-048 recommending approval of a Special Designated Liquor License for DEAM LLC on behalf of Blair's Art Alley & Pocket Park, 1717 Washington St., Blair for the Public Arts Committee of Washington County Block Party on June 4, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Police Chief Kinsey introduced Ryan Gentry and provided background information the department’s 21st police officer. Resolution No. 2026-049 approving the Mayoral appointment of Lateral Police Officer Jackson Radloff to the Blair Police Department was passed. Council postponed the check presentation until the next meeting on May 26, 2026. Jenny Eriksen, 13429 Spring Ridge Loop, Blair, appeared before the Mayor and City Council on behalf of the Friends of the Jeanette Hunt Animal Shelter to present an update on the shelter. Council approved the following: Resolution No. 2026-050 approving the assessment settlement with Eriksen Investment Company and final payoff of Southern Hills Subdivision Assessments, Resolution 2026-051 approving the painting of curb extensions at intersections along Washington Street in preparation for pedestrian safety during Gateway to the West Days, Ordinance 2615 approving a pay increase for City Administrator Phil Green, Resolution 2026-052 approving a Professional Services Agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) for completion of a Comprehensive Safety Action plan under the Safe Streets for All Grant Program and Resolution No. 2026-053 approving the plans and specifications for the 2026 Mill and Overlay Project and authorizing staff to solicit bids. Council postponed consideration of Resolution No. 2026-054 approving the plans and specifications for the Highway 75 Pump Station Project, and authorizing staff to solicit bids until a future meeting and postponed consideration of Resolution 2026-055 for the installation of stop signs at 13th and Park making it a four-way stop until a future meeting. Resolution 2026-056 for the installation of a stop sign on the alley between Washington and Lincoln Streets between 16th and 17th Streets was approved. Jake Dunn, Public Safety & Communications Coordinator, stated the winning name for the new bot on the city’s website is BearBot and was submitted by Bret Brown. City Administrator Green reported that pool preparation is underway for summer opening, cemetery preparations for Memorial Day, the Budget workshop is scheduled for June 30 which is earlier than usual and the public is invited to attend. Meeting adjourned at 8:47 pm. The following claims were approved: Abes Trash Svc, Svc, 8448.70; Access Technologies, Inv, 223.36; Air Products & Chemicals, Inv, 5080.53; Amazon Sales Inc, Inv, 3695.66; American Underground Supply, Inv, 13196.41; Aoi Corporation, Inv, 484.38; Arps Red-E-Mix Inc, Inv, 637.50; Assethr, Pyrl, 257146.47; Automatic Systems Co, Svc, 21473.32; Babkel Mechanical, Svc, 72702.55; Bennington Volunteer Fire, Inv, 1500.00; Bi-State Motor Parts, Inv, 1070.66; Blair Ace Hardware, Inv, 743.88; Blairs Excavating, Ref, 50.00; Blue Cross & Blue Shield Of Ne, Ins, 120881.89; Bobcat Of Omaha, Inv, 270.04; Bomgaars Supply Inc, Inv, 256.79; Butch's Deli, Inv, 82.39; Cabello Sr, Brian, Ref, 50.00; Calvin Poulsen, Inv, 2080.00; Cappel Auto Supply Inc (Napa), Inv, 6.49; Cat Scale Company, Inv, 500.00; Cds Enterprises Llc, Svc, 3500.00; Cintas Corporation, Inv, 7027.82; Copquest Inc, Inv, 220.55; Country Tire Inc, Inv, 1896.90; Daktronics Inc, Inv, 3217.50; Danko Emergency Equipment Co, Inv, 4667.49; Datashield, Inv, 87.53; Deborah Wood, Svc, 400.00; Dick's Electric Co, Svc, 10572.06; Dillon Brothers, Inv, 520.53; Eakes Office Plus, Inv, 2688.21; Eastman, Becky, Ref, 50.00; Edge Underground Llc, Inv, 12600.00; Electronic Engineering, Inv, 1813.79; Ems Management & Consulting, Inv, 629.12; Erika L Polzin, Ref, 50.00; Ethan Roe, Reimb, 281.94; Fairway Oil Co, Inv, 108.79; Firstnet At&T Mobility, Inv, 229.29; Galls Llc, Inv, 22.45; Gis Workshop Llc, Inv, 1500.00; Grainger, Inv, 3147.85; Great Plains Communications, Svc, 4475.71; Groundworks Nebraska Llc, Ref, 50.00; Hach Co, Inv, 6436.79; Haner, Nicholle, Ref, 100.00; Hawkins Inc, Svc, 21186.00; Hayes, Justin, Inv, 3382.50; Hdr Engineering Inc, Svc, 14543.20; Henton Trenching Inc, Svc, 220.00; Hernandez, Lorena, Ref, 50.00; Horizon Rehabilitation Centers, Svc, 349.00; Hotsy Equipment Co, Inv, 257.29; Hsbc Business Solutions, Inv, 85.56; Ingram Industries Inc, Inv, 4282.92; International Code Council, Inv, 198.50; Jackson Services, Svc, 587.66; Jeff Beiermann, Reimb, 96.98; Jeo Consulting Group Inc, Svc, 14614.33; Jeredith Brands Llc, Inv, 3019.00; John Deere Financial Sales, Inv, 336.41; Josh Hatheway, Reimb, 304.87; Kempcke, Brandon J & Abbie L, Ref, 500.00; League Association Of Risk, Ins, 133.44; Logan Contractors Supply, Inv, 1255.00; Long's Ok Tire Stores, Svc, 25.00; Lutheran Family Services Of Nebraska Inc, Reimb, 36387.39; Mellen & Associates Inc, Inv, 1628.00; Midwest Fire Protection Inc, Inv, 89.15; Midwest Fireworks Wholesalers, Inv, 20000.00; Midwest Laboratories Inc, Svc, 727.23; Midwest Maritime Services, Inv, 3450.00; Mississippi Lime Co Llc, Inv, 15679.87; Morrow & Associates Inc, Svc, 15474.41; Nebraska Law Enforcement, Inv, 125.00; Nippon Sanso Matheson Inc, Inv, 994.13; Olsson Associates, Svc, 529.25; Omaha World Herald, Inv, 577.20; One Call Concepts Inc, Svc, 199.59; One Source, Svc, 442.00; Oppd, Svc, 119935.09; O'reilly Automotive Stores Inc, Inv, 126.97; Pioneer Cleaning Llc, Svc, 600.00; Pvs Dx Inc, Inv, 1166.84; Relx Inc, Inv, 310.00; Rock Hard Concrete Inc, Ref, 50.00; Roofing Service Company, Ref, 50.00; S & S Pumping Service Llc, Svc, 7470.00; S.E. Smith & Sons, Inv, 121.22; Sapp Bros Petroleum Inc, Svc, 1759.65; Siefken Contracting, Ref, 50.00; Sisson Roofing & Const, Ref, 50.00; Spartan Stores Llc, Inv, 105.43; Stahlnecker Bieker, Kimberly, Svc, 360.00; Streakwave Wireless Inc, Inv, 80.97; Superior Green Inc, Svc, 12525.12; Talbot Law Office Pc Llo, Svc, 4000.00; The Display Company, Inv, 328.00; The Sign Depot, Inv, 1231.44; Thermal Heating Air & Plumbing, Svc, 23163.00; Thiele Geotech Inc, Svc, 2000.00; Total Truck & Machine Llc, Inv, 1700.36; Ty's Outdoor Power & Service, Inv, 277.19; Us Postal Service, Inv, 1894.92; Velocity Systems Llc, Inv, 3690.00; Verizon 883740345-00001, Svc, 719.50; Vessco Inc, Inv, 525.00; Wakefield Towing And Recovery, Svc, 1000.00; Washington County Enterprise, Inv, 1221.40; Washington County Register, Inv, 20.00; Waste Management Of Ne, Svc, 73.98; Western Nebraska Community College, Inv, 30.00; Western Oil Ii Llc, Svc, 6679.01. Melinda K. Rump, Mayor ATTEST: Brenda Wheeler, City Clerk A complete text of the minutes, Resolutions, Ordinances are on file in the office of the City Clerk, 218 S. 16th Street, and are available for public inspection during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. ZNEZ WCE 6/2/26
