By Marisa Dawson

The Bennington City Council covered a full agenda Monday night, Aug. 10, approving an amendment for additional commercial flex space, authorizing the annual Founder’s Day street closure, advancing a grant application for a new trail segment, and handling routine infrastructure and budget items.

The Council opened with approval of the consent agenda, which included minutes from the July 13 regular meeting and July 27 budget meeting, July bills, Keno receipts totaling $8,598.90, and JEO Consulting invoices.

Michaela Valentin, government affairs and community relations manager for the Omaha Public Power District, and new account manager Brittany Klusaw updated the council on OPPD’s Integrated Systems Plan. The utility revises the plan every five years to match generation and capacity with projected load. Officials encouraged feedback through the website oppdcommunityconnect.com and asked city leaders to flag any prospective large users, especially those of roughly five megawatts or more, like manufacturing or major community facilities, so OPPD can plan accordingly. “We just want to make sure that we’re ready for it,” Valentin said.

The Council approved an amendment to a conditional use permit for a business-commercial flex facility in the C-1 Highway Commercial district at 12602 and 12704 N. 158th Street in the McGregor Brae development. The changes allow two separate owners instead of a single owner, split one shared building into two (increasing the building count from four to five while keeping total bay square footage and number of bays the same), and raise aggregate parking to about 140 stalls. A hammerhead turnaround for emergency vehicles was accepted in place of connecting the parking lots. Lighting and landscaping issues raised by a neighboring property owner were also addressed. The Planning Commission had recommended approval with the noted exceptions to staff comments. Developer Jeff McGregor spoke in support, noting the second owner would operate a similar flex-bay rental business.

Megan Detjens, representing the Bennington Chamber of Commerce Founder’s Day committee, received approval for a street closure Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. The closure covers South Molley Street from the alley to Warehouse Street and east on Second Street to the American Legion Hall area to accommodate the farmers market, a beer garden, live music, cornhole, a barbecue contest and a potential Nebraska Huskers football watch party. Organizers said they would remain flexible about the exact footprint, particularly near Stark Street, to avoid disrupting local businesses and would work with city staff on final layout and fencing.

Council approved Change Order No. 1 for the 2026 Sanitary Sewer CIPP Improvements, a net deduction of $13,585.55 that trues up lining quantities and adds 182 feet of 24-inch pipe repair where cracking was found. The project remains under the original budget.  

Pay Application No. 2 for $57,293.36 from M.E. Collins for the Bennington Road bridge repairs, plus a $1,021 Thiele Geotech invoice, also passed. The bridge reopened to traffic the previous Friday; remaining punch-list items are expected to wrap up soon, with final payment anticipated next month. The work came in under budget.

Staff reported that Neumeyer Farm Park Phase 2 is out to bid, with strong contractor interest and a pre-bid meeting already held. Bids open Aug. 15; an award may come as early as the Aug. 31 special meeting so grading can begin this fall. Irrigation will allow the new fields to become playable faster than the original phase.

The council reviewed the draft One- and Six-Year Street Plan. Completed work includes annual street patching and bridge approach replacements. The one-year plan highlights an upcoming overlay project and engineering for the federally funded Papio Creek Trail extension. The six-year plan continues to list longer-term items such as Bennington Road improvements and the Doug Nelson Park entrance road. A formal public hearing is scheduled for next month.

Resolution 2026-09, authorizing the mayor to sign the annual certification of program compliance to the Nebraska Board of Public Roads, was approved.  

Resolution 2026-10 authorizing application for a Recreational Trails and Parks grant for the Heritage Trail also passed. The roughly $329,000 project would construct an ADA-compliant, non-motorized trail segment from the south side of the 156th Street bridge past the fire department into the Heritage subdivision, connecting to existing and planned trail networks. The maximum grant request is $250,000; additional matching funds may be sought from the NRD and others. Design and environmental review would occur in 2027, with construction targeted for 2028 if awarded.

During the 2026-27 budget review, staff noted that valuations arrive Aug. 20 and more detailed balancing will occur at the Aug. 31 special meeting. Discussion included potential use of Keno funds for a near-new police cruiser available for about $52,000 (already equipped), which would require a budget amendment. Council members indicated support by show of hands for pursuing the vehicle.

The library board selected JEO for a $35,000 master-planning phase for expansion into the north-side vehicle bays; Friends of the Library plan to fund that work. Summer reading participation set a record. Minor maintenance issues with restrooms and the water fountain bottle filler were also noted.

Police reported 54 citations, a lengthy pursuit of a 14-year-old on a motorized bike, and ongoing use of license-plate readers currently in a demo phase. Chief and staff emphasized that the cameras capture only license plates on public roadways, that queries require a legitimate law-enforcement purpose, and that social-media claims about cell-phone tracking are inaccurate. Two readers have been vandalized.

Public Works updated the council on dust-lock work, trail maintenance, park cleanup, and ongoing efforts to resolve incomplete oil application on certain streets and alleys. Staff also flagged downtown trash cans that fill quickly and are used heavily by private businesses.

Public comments 

Residents raised concerns about vehicle and scooter speeds on a steep section of 158th Street near the water tower, property-maintenance issues on a neighboring lot, and the need for clearer rules on e-scooters and similar devices. Staff said they would evaluate possible speed-calming measures and noted that MAPA is studying regional approaches to devices that fall outside current state regulations. Code enforcement will look into the property complaint.

The meeting adjourned after the public-comment period. A joint city-school board discussion earlier the same evening covered school facilities, resource officers, economic development, parks and infrastructure projects.