Here are the minutes from the Henderson City Council’s July 8th meeting at the Henderson City Hall. They will meet this Tuesday, August 12, at 7 p.m. for their regular August meeting.
The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, was held at 7:00 p.m. on July 8, 2025, at City Hall in Henderson, Nebraska. Notice of this meeting was posted at City Hall and published in the July 3, 2025, Henderson News.
Mayor Corbin Tessman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Tessman declared the meeting to be legal and properly advertised with all members having been informed of the nature of the meeting and having received related information. Mayor Tessman referred to the open meetings law poster and stated if a member of the public wishes to speak on matters not listed on the agenda, they may speak during the public forum period. The public may request the item to be placed on a future agenda for deliberation and/or action.
During the public forum period, speakers will be given five minutes to address the Board. The public should be aware that the Board is unable, by law, to deliberate or act on the items raised during the public forum period.
Roll call showed the following present: Mayor Corbin Tessman. Council members: Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen, Teri Pollet, and Mitch Huxoll.
Minutes from the June 10, 2025, regular meeting were reviewed. Kevin Friesen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Mitch Huxoll seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Mitch Huxoll, Brian Hiebner, and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
Brian Hiebner made a motion to pay the claims as presented. Mitch Huxoll seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Mitch Huxoll, Teri Pollet, and Kevin Friesen. Motion carried.
One building permit was issued since the last meeting. Tommy Carr for a fence.
No one was present for the public forum.
Brandon Lehman from Perennial Public Power District (PPPD) was present to explain to the council the reason for a 7.55% increase in electrical rates for the district. The last rate increase was in 2013, and with inflation and other factors, including storm repairs, the PPPD board voted on a 7.55% increase effective October 1, 2025, for the district. There are flyers at City Hall listing the retail rate schedules for urban and rural customers. No formal action taken.
Jacqueline Goertzen and Shelisa Smith spoke on behalf of the Henderson Mom Group regarding the updates to replace the playground equipment at the Downtown Park. The current plan is to remove all the playground equipment at the park and replace it with new playground that will have separate areas for different age groups. It was suggested the swingset get moved to the Lakeview Park area. The Group has been looking into different fundraisers and grants. It was suggested by the council to keep moving forward and utilize the Henderson Community Foundation for handling the funds for the project. No formal action taken.
Jordan Hiebner and Matt Enns from Mainstay Communications were present to inform the council of the new venture that Mainstay Communications will be releasing soon called SmartTown Henderson. Residents of Henderson will be able to utilize the feature of having Wi-Fi capabilities throughout all of Henderson through their current subscription if they choose. Mainstay would like to be able to utilize current City facilities to place secure routers for this feature. The council agreed to allow Mainstay to use the swimming pool bathhouse and the ballfield restrooms for the routers. Mainstay Communications will provide more information to its customers about this feature soon.
Reed Miller from Miller and Associates was present to update the council on the progress of extending water and sewer services to Hiebner Body Shop. The engineers have provided VanKirk Brothers with plans for the extension and have submitted the plans for State approval. The cost of the extension is estimated to be $169,000. It was discussed to have the water and sewer extended to the north property line of Hiebner Body Shop for future extensions. The clerk will work with the owners of Hiebner Body Shop on the annexation process. No formal action taken.
Reed Miller updated the council on extending the water main south along 17th Street for two new connections requested by Mainstay Communications and Derek Hiebner.
Brian Hiebner made a motion to extend the existing 6″ water main south 240′ starting at the fire hydrant on the east side of 17th Street and bore two new service lines under 17th Street at the designated business locations. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen, Mitch Huxoll and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
The clerk reported to the city council that Mark Peters has been granted permission from the Nebraska Department of Transportation to place a 40′ driveway off of S-93A located at 1509 17th Street. No formal action was taken.
Brian Hiebner made a motion to approve VanKirk Brothers’ Pay Request #1 in the amount of $158,404.23 for work and materials on Highland Addition. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen, Teri Pollet, and Mitch Huxoll. Motion carried.
The Nebraska Department of Transportation would like to extend the existing 45-mph speed zone along S-93A farther north of Oak Street and is requesting the council to consider amending the current Municipal Code.
After discussion, Teri Pollet made a motion to adopt Ordinance #469, an ordinance to amend Title VII, Schedule II (B)(2) of the Henderson Municipal Code to read as follows: No person shall operate a motor vehicle within the city limits at a speed greater than forty-five (45) miles per hour on highway S-93A from north corporate limits, 740 feet north of Walnut Street, to the end of the Spur at Oak Street, and to suspend the three readings on three different days. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner and Mitch Huxoll. Motion carried.
Reports were given. The Clerk reported the Sutton Utility Department will be spraying for mosquitoes around Henderson on Thursday night before Community Days if the weather permits. This will be the third time Sutton has sprayed for mosquitoes this year for Henderson.
Teri Pollet made a motion to adjourn. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner, and Mitch Huxoll. Motion carried.
Corbin A. Tessman, Mayor Connie Brown, City Clerk
Below is the agenda for the Tuesday, August 12th regular meeting:
