Minutes-May 2026
The City of Oshkosh Council met for regular session May 14th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act of Nebraska, a current copy of the act is posted in the Council Chambers. Notice of this meeting was advertised in the Garden County News and posted at the Oshkosh Post Office, City Hall and Courthouse. The agenda for this meeting was kept current and available for inspection at City Hall.
Mayor Jeannie Schwartz called the meeting to order and read the Open Meetings Act, LV 898.
Present: Mayor Jeannie Schwartz, Council Members: Mike Piva, Gary DeCock, Matthew Krajewski, Connie Peterson. Also attending: City Attorney Rory Roundtree, City Administrator James Bondegard, Deputy Clerk Kim Martin, Chief Deputy Kelsey Brehmer, Justin Stoltzer, Alan Sanford, Tom Martin, Edward Dunn with WCNDD, Bill & Donna Keisel, Samantha Stoltenberg with Plumber insurance, and Brian Venable with PADD.
Motion by Piva, seconded by DeCock to approve the consent agenda: agenda, minutes, claims, Treasurer’s Report. .Motion carried unanimously.
Salaries-19,493.42, IRS-4,945.34 Taxes, NE Dept. of Revenue-1,288.04-Taxes, 3D Lawn-354.00-Spraying, Adrial Schooley-40.00-Reimbursment, Ameriprise Financial-1,870.08-Retirement, Atlas Automation-2,772.03-Repairs, Bank of America-1,627.48-Postage, Supplies, Subscriptions, Dues, Training, Barco Products-209.98-Supplies, Black Hills-312.91-Heat, Blake’s Automotive-511.46-Repairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield-9,912.75-Insurance, Bytes-210.48-Backup and Support, Centurylink-108.49-Phone, Can Surety-100.00-Treasurer Bond, Eastern Star-192.00-Meals, Enviro Service-30-Water Testing, Garden Co News-955.84-Publishing, Guardian Life-90.13-Insurance, Heartland Lumber-29.98-Supplies, Jerry Smith-800.00-Animal Control, LARM-234.50-Insurance, NPPD-3,149.50-Electricity, NE Rural Water Assoc.-445-Conference, Northwest Pipe Fittings-255.23-Repairs, Office Service-15.99-Supplies, Oshkosh ACE-78.51-Supplies, Oshkosh Superette-47.48, Roundtree Law-483.75-Attorney Fee’s, SCOR-625-Baseball League Dues, Scott Smith-20.00-Reimbursement, Taylor Waltman-20.00- Reimbursement, US Bank-149.00-Equipment Dues, Valley Repair-367.52-Repairs, Valley Tire-770.77-Fuel, Viaero Wireless-131.71-Phones, Waste Connections-12,248.95-Trash Contract, WestCo-774.60-Fertilizer, Wheat Belt-1,902.59-Electricity. Infrastructure Account-Midland Construction-12,26.00-Sewer Project.
Bondegard updated council on LB 357 Infrastructure Sales Tax Ballot Initiative that was passed in the Primary election. A special meeting on May 28th was scheduled for the Ordinance needed to approve before June 3rd.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chief Deputy Brehmer gave the Sheriff’s Report.
The Animal Control Report was reviewed.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Krajewski to approve the SDL for Fraternal Order of Eagles for wedding on June 6th. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Krajewski to approve the building permit for a garage at 210 W 2nd.
Item 10 on the agenda was moved to the next item. Gary Krajewski introduced himself to council and to be considered as the new county attorney and consideration to be the City Prosecutor.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Piva to have a Legal Service Agreement drawn for the May 28th Special Meeting. Motion Carried unanimously.
The public hearing regarding Blight and Substandard Study was opened at 5:15 P.M. Brian Venable discussed with council the pros and cons of the Blight Study and answered questions.
At 5:25 P.M. the public hearing was closed.
Consideration for the Planning and Zoning recommendation to declare area blighted and substandard was tabled until the next regular meeting.
Edward Dunn with WCNDD presented to council the properties to consider a nuisance. Chief Deputy Brehmer asked questions about the time frame with the program. Dunn discussed how many letters were sent out and how the process works.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Peterson to declare nuisance by Resolution. Motion carried unanimously. Full Resolution are on file at City Hall.
Samantha Stoltenberg provided information to the City Council regarding the proposal from Aetna health insurance plans and answered questions from the Council. Ms. Stoltenberg stated that the proposed plan is comparable to the health insurance coverage currently offered to employees while providing cost savings compared to the current rates. Discussion was held regarding the different types of health insurance options currently offered and possible changes to plan criteria and coverage options.
A lengthy discussion was had on the different options for health insurance, Krajewski motioned to go with the Proposal to switch from the LIGHT Program to the Aetna Plan covering employees and spouses 100% stating the savings it would save the city, seconded by DeCock. Voting AYE: Krajewski. DeCock, Schwartz. Voting NAY: Piva and Peterson. Motion passed.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Piva to approve Resolution NO. 02-26 regarding USDA Rural Development Financial Assistance. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by DeCock, seconded by Piva to approve the bid from Unitech to refinish Auditorium floor. Voting AYE: Piva, DeCock, Krajewski. Abstain: Peterson. Motion passed.
Motion by DeCock, seconded by Krajewski to approve the request from Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program for funding. Voting AYE: DeCock, Krajewski, and Piva. Voting NAY: Peterson. Motion passed.
The council discussed the current Food Truck Occupation Tax and discussed an increase. Tabled until next regular council meeting.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Krajewski to live steam council meeting on Facebook. Voting AYE: Piva, Krajewski, and Peterson. Voting NAY: DeCock. Motion carried.
Council discussed staggering lunches to keep the office open. No motion needed.
Bondegard discussed with council current safety policies and meetings with council.
Motion by Krajewski, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
__________________________________
Jeannie Schwartz Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________________
James Bondegard City Administrator/Clerk
In compliance with the Open Meetings Act of Nebraska, a current copy of the act is posted in the Council Chambers. Notice of this meeting was advertised in the Garden County News and posted at the Oshkosh Post Office, City Hall and Courthouse. The agenda for this meeting was kept current and available for inspection at City Hall.
Mayor Jeannie Schwartz called the meeting to order and read the Open Meetings Act, LV 898.
Present: Mayor Jeannie Schwartz, Council Members: Mike Piva, Gary DeCock, Matthew Krajewski, Connie Peterson. Also attending: City Attorney Rory Roundtree, City Administrator James Bondegard, Deputy Clerk Kim Martin, Chief Deputy Kelsey Brehmer, Justin Stoltzer, Alan Sanford, Tom Martin, Edward Dunn with WCNDD, Bill & Donna Keisel, Samantha Stoltenberg with Plumber insurance, and Brian Venable with PADD.
Motion by Piva, seconded by DeCock to approve the consent agenda: agenda, minutes, claims, Treasurer’s Report. .Motion carried unanimously.
Salaries-19,493.42, IRS-4,945.34 Taxes, NE Dept. of Revenue-1,288.04-Taxes, 3D Lawn-354.00-Spraying, Adrial Schooley-40.00-Reimbursment, Ameriprise Financial-1,870.08-Retirement, Atlas Automation-2,772.03-Repairs, Bank of America-1,627.48-Postage, Supplies, Subscriptions, Dues, Training, Barco Products-209.98-Supplies, Black Hills-312.91-Heat, Blake’s Automotive-511.46-Repairs, Blue Cross Blue Shield-9,912.75-Insurance, Bytes-210.48-Backup and Support, Centurylink-108.49-Phone, Can Surety-100.00-Treasurer Bond, Eastern Star-192.00-Meals, Enviro Service-30-Water Testing, Garden Co News-955.84-Publishing, Guardian Life-90.13-Insurance, Heartland Lumber-29.98-Supplies, Jerry Smith-800.00-Animal Control, LARM-234.50-Insurance, NPPD-3,149.50-Electricity, NE Rural Water Assoc.-445-Conference, Northwest Pipe Fittings-255.23-Repairs, Office Service-15.99-Supplies, Oshkosh ACE-78.51-Supplies, Oshkosh Superette-47.48, Roundtree Law-483.75-Attorney Fee’s, SCOR-625-Baseball League Dues, Scott Smith-20.00-Reimbursement, Taylor Waltman-20.00- Reimbursement, US Bank-149.00-Equipment Dues, Valley Repair-367.52-Repairs, Valley Tire-770.77-Fuel, Viaero Wireless-131.71-Phones, Waste Connections-12,248.95-Trash Contract, WestCo-774.60-Fertilizer, Wheat Belt-1,902.59-Electricity. Infrastructure Account-Midland Construction-12,26.00-Sewer Project.
Bondegard updated council on LB 357 Infrastructure Sales Tax Ballot Initiative that was passed in the Primary election. A special meeting on May 28th was scheduled for the Ordinance needed to approve before June 3rd.
NEW BUSINESS:
Chief Deputy Brehmer gave the Sheriff’s Report.
The Animal Control Report was reviewed.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Krajewski to approve the SDL for Fraternal Order of Eagles for wedding on June 6th. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Krajewski to approve the building permit for a garage at 210 W 2nd.
Item 10 on the agenda was moved to the next item. Gary Krajewski introduced himself to council and to be considered as the new county attorney and consideration to be the City Prosecutor.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Piva to have a Legal Service Agreement drawn for the May 28th Special Meeting. Motion Carried unanimously.
The public hearing regarding Blight and Substandard Study was opened at 5:15 P.M. Brian Venable discussed with council the pros and cons of the Blight Study and answered questions.
At 5:25 P.M. the public hearing was closed.
Consideration for the Planning and Zoning recommendation to declare area blighted and substandard was tabled until the next regular meeting.
Edward Dunn with WCNDD presented to council the properties to consider a nuisance. Chief Deputy Brehmer asked questions about the time frame with the program. Dunn discussed how many letters were sent out and how the process works.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Peterson to declare nuisance by Resolution. Motion carried unanimously. Full Resolution are on file at City Hall.
- Resolution No. 03-26, 211 W Ave I.
- Resolution No. 04-26, 808 Main Street.
- Resolution No. 05-26, 107 East Ave H.
- Resolution No. 06-26, 211 W Ave G.
- Resolution No. 07-26, 208 W Ave G.
- Resolution No.08-26, 206 W Ave G.
- Resolution No. 09-26 2026, 204 W Ave G
- Resolution No. 10-26, 211 W Ave F.
- Resolution No. 11-26,607 W 1st St.
- Resolution No. 12-26, 112 East Ave E.
- Resolution No. 13-26, 102 East Ave F.
Samantha Stoltenberg provided information to the City Council regarding the proposal from Aetna health insurance plans and answered questions from the Council. Ms. Stoltenberg stated that the proposed plan is comparable to the health insurance coverage currently offered to employees while providing cost savings compared to the current rates. Discussion was held regarding the different types of health insurance options currently offered and possible changes to plan criteria and coverage options.
A lengthy discussion was had on the different options for health insurance, Krajewski motioned to go with the Proposal to switch from the LIGHT Program to the Aetna Plan covering employees and spouses 100% stating the savings it would save the city, seconded by DeCock. Voting AYE: Krajewski. DeCock, Schwartz. Voting NAY: Piva and Peterson. Motion passed.
Motion by Peterson, seconded by Piva to approve Resolution NO. 02-26 regarding USDA Rural Development Financial Assistance. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by DeCock, seconded by Piva to approve the bid from Unitech to refinish Auditorium floor. Voting AYE: Piva, DeCock, Krajewski. Abstain: Peterson. Motion passed.
Motion by DeCock, seconded by Krajewski to approve the request from Sandhills Crisis Intervention Program for funding. Voting AYE: DeCock, Krajewski, and Piva. Voting NAY: Peterson. Motion passed.
The council discussed the current Food Truck Occupation Tax and discussed an increase. Tabled until next regular council meeting.
Motion by Piva, seconded by Krajewski to live steam council meeting on Facebook. Voting AYE: Piva, Krajewski, and Peterson. Voting NAY: DeCock. Motion carried.
Council discussed staggering lunches to keep the office open. No motion needed.
Bondegard discussed with council current safety policies and meetings with council.
Motion by Krajewski, seconded by Peterson, to adjourn the meeting at 7:01 P.M. Motion carried unanimously.
__________________________________
Jeannie Schwartz Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________________
James Bondegard City Administrator/Clerk