KEARNEY — Two new Kearney Police Department officers were sworn into service during the city council meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
Chief Bryan Waugh introduced the new members of the KPD, Officers Grant Buschkoetter and Michael Reeves.
After the introduction, both officers took the oath of office which states in part, “do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.”
The pinning of the badges was conducted by members of the Buschkoetter and Reeves family.
“The members of the Kearney Police Department recognize that providing just ‘police’ service will not accomplish our mission. To accomplish that mission, the Kearney Police members are committed to a set of values that guide the work of all members of the department, thus contributing to the well-being of our community,” the KPD stated.
City council vice-president, Randy Buschkoetter is the father of Grant.
Randy reflected that the last time his son was in the council chambers, Grant was carried in by his mother as a child when he took his own oath of office after being elected to the council.
Matt Mundorf appeared to address the council regarding Memorial Field, located at 3311 8th Ave.
Mundorf said he is a long-time baseball coach and had concerns about the state of the baseball field. He said some of the turf in the outfield is showing its age and could pose a safety hazard to players.
Padding on rails around the facility are in a stage of degradation and there are some larger cracks in the concrete around the field.
Mundorf said the city staff do a good job with the day-to-day upkeep of the field, but there are several issues that will take a larger commitment of time and money to repair.
Marty Albrecht, President of the Kearney Legion Baseball Association, also spoke and said the larger repairs to Memorial Field cannot wait and hope the city follows up with the issue.
Members of the council said funds have been budgeted for repairs and they are aware that several items at the field are nearing the end of their functional life.
Andy Harter, Director of Public Works, reviewed the one-and six-year road improvement plan with the council.
Harter said the major improvement project for 2024 is on 28th St. between I Ave. to L. Ave.
A public hearing date to adopt the road improvement plan was set for Set. 12.
The council also approved an open claim with Nebraska Public Power District in the amount of $161,523.24. A claim of $47,407.58 with NPPD has been postponed from the Aug. 8 meeting due to the lack of a supermajority.
During the public hearings, the council approved an easement vacation for the Museum of Nebraska Art and transfer of 20 acres in the Tech One First Subdivision from the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County.
In other action on the regular agenda the council approved,
• A rezone requested by the Five Stones Investment Group from R-3, multi-family, to UC, urban corridor for a property located at generally at 2615 2nd Avenue.
• A rezone and conditional use permit from Bill Shapley to allow for resource extraction at 7310 2nd Avenue.
• Rezonings submitted by Danny Starostka for a change from ag to urban residential at 2050 E. 39th St.
• Amending the map of the Enhanced Employment Area related to the General Business Occupation Tax (GBOT) agreement for a redevelopment project undertaken by the Kearney Investment Corporation
• Amendments to the Younes Redevelopment Project and 2023 Younes Expansion Project
• An ordinance for the levy of a GBOT in relation to the Younes Landing project.
