Bennet City Council approves USPS lease renewal, adopts safety action plan and OKs fund transfers

At its Jan. 19 regular meeting, the Bennet City Council approved a series of administrative and planning measures, including authorization of a five‑year U.S. Post Office lease term, adoption of the city’s SS4A Safety Action Plan, and multiple internal fund transfers.

Mayor Ryan Cheney called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.; City Clerk Sue Biltoft conducted roll call. Councilmembers Josh Buck, Pete Simmons and Dan Zieg were present; Jesse Schmidt arrived after roll call. City Attorney David Solheim and his colleague Matt Blaser, City Engineer Brian Schuele and City Utility Superintendent Zach Fergus attended.

The council approved the consent agenda (minutes of Dec. 8, 2025; claims; treasurer’s report) on a motion by Councilman Dan Zieg and second by Councilman Josh Buck. Council later considered and approved Resolution 2026‑1.2 to authorize a single five‑year lease term for the U.S. Post Office. Attorney Matt Blaser reviewed lease options and the council asked him to negotiate final terms with the Postal Service leasing agent for presentation at the February meeting.

Mayor Cheney introduced the Quincy Right‑of‑Way project. City Attorney David Solheim recommended preparing a new plat showing the proposed changes and obtaining signatures from all property owners, then confirming the plat with Lancaster County. The council voted to approve the project; Councilman Josh Buck abstained, recorded as an abstention with conflict.

The council approved an agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to provide assistance on building permits and zoning. Councilman Josh Buck moved the agreement and Councilman Jesse Schmidt seconded; the motion carried.

Kyle McLaughlin presented the finalized Bennet Safety Action Plan and discussed possible grant applications to fund implementation. The council adopted Resolution 2026‑1.1, approving the SS4A Safety Action Plan.

Councilman Jesse Schmidt described several proposed fund transfers and reallocations. Those included moving $143,000 from the Sewer Bond account to the NPAIT Debt Service subaccount, transferring the Park Fund Savings Account into the NPAIT General Fund, and moving proceeds from two matured certificates of deposit (matured Dec. 29, 2025) at Union Bank & Trust into NPAIT Water and Sewer subaccounts. The council approved the transfers as presented.

Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus reported a water main leak near the Lancaster Rural Water meter by the water tower; Lovell Excavating was engaged to locate and assist with repairs.

The council recessed into closed session at 8:15 p.m. on a unanimous roll‑call vote and returned to open session at 8:43 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — approved (Yes: Simmons, Zieg, Buck; absent: Schmidt). Resolution 2026‑1.2 (USPS lease) — approved (Yes: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg). Quincy Right‑of‑Way project — approved (Yes: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg; abstain/conflict: Buck). Ray Planning Solutions agreement — approved (Yes: Simmons, Zieg, Schmidt, Buck). Resolution 2026‑1.1 (SS4A Safety Action Plan) — approved (Yes: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg, Buck). Fund transfers — approved (Yes: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg).

The council directed staff to return negotiated lease terms for the post office at the February meeting and to proceed with required platting steps for the Quincy Right‑of‑Way project; no construction decisions on the proposed T‑Ball field parking lot were made at this meeting.