Bennet Council approves USPS lease term, right-of-way changes, planning contract and several fund transfers; Buck abstains on right-of-way

The Bennet City Council on Jan. 19, 2026, approved several administrative and financial items: a five-year U.S. Post Office lease term via Resolution 2026-1.2; a Quincy Right-of-Way project subject to a new plat and signatures from all property owners and Lancaster County confirmation; an agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to assist with building permits and zoning; and inter-account fund transfers moving $143,000 and matured CD balances into NPAIT subaccounts.

Mayor Ryan Cheney re-introduced the USPS lease renewal and attorney Matt Blaser reviewed renewal options. The council asked Blaser to negotiate a five-year lease with the Postal Service leasing agent and then approved Resolution 2026-1.2 for a single five-year term. The motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Dan Zieg, seconded by Jesse Schmidt, and passed on a roll call vote with YES votes from Buck, Schmidt, Simmons and Zieg.

On the Quincy Right-of-Way project, City Attorney David Solheim recommended creating a new plat and obtaining signatures from all property owners showing agreement to the proposed lot changes; council approval was conditioned on that plat and county confirmation. Pete Simmons moved and Jesse Schmidt seconded approval; roll call votes were YES: Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg and an ABSTAIN (with conflict) by Josh Buck. The minutes record Buck’s abstention as a conflict but do not state the nature of the conflict.

The council approved an agreement with Ray Planning Solutions to provide assistance on building permits and zoning requirements; the motion, moved by Josh Buck and seconded by Jesse Schmidt, passed unanimously. Council also approved recommended transfers of city funds: $143,000 from the Sewer Bond to the NPAIT Debt Service Subaccount; transfer of the entire Park Fund Savings Account into the NPAIT General Fund (amount not specified in the minutes); and movement of funds from two matured CDs (Water Sinking Fund and Sewer Sinking Fund, matured 12-29-25) at Union Bank & Trust into NPAIT Water and Sewer subaccounts. Dan Zieg moved and Jesse Schmidt seconded the fund transfers; roll call votes were YES: Buck, Schmidt, Simmons, Zieg.

Utilities Superintendent Zach Fergus reported a water main leak near the Lancaster Rural Water meter by the water tower and said Lovell Excavating will locate and assist with repairs. The council later convened a closed session at 8:15 PM and returned to open session at 8:43 PM; the minutes do not state the closed-session subject. The meeting adjourned at 8:44 PM.