Minutes of the Mayor and City Council Regular Meeting
The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, was held at 7:00 p.m. on August 12, 2025, at City Hall in Henderson, Nebraska. Notice of this meeting was posted at City Hall and published in the August 7, 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 and Teri Pollet. Absent: Mitch Huxoll.
Minutes from the July 8 and July 11, 2025, meetings were reviewed. Kevin Friesen made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Teri Pollet seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Teri Pollet, and Brian Hiebner. Absent: Mitch Huxoll. Motion carried.
Brian Hiebner made a motion to pay the claims as presented. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen, and Teri Pollet. Absent: Mitch Huxoll. Motion carried.
Five building permits were issued since the last meeting. Rick Siebert for a fence, Brad Best for a deck, Marty Lyons for a deck, John Graham for a fence, and Mark Dick for a patio/fire pit.
During the public forum Mike Epp approached the Mayor and Council Members to discuss allowing golf carts to be driven on city streets as another source of transportation and recreation. He provided ordinances from several surrounding towns of similar size and bigger for council review. He mentioned with several paid law enforcement individuals living in town that would be a benefit of monitoring individuals driving golf carts along with self-policing. He encouraged the council to embrace golf carts being driven on city streets instead of excluding them.
Wes Peters also spoke on behalf of allowing golf carts on city streets. He suggested setting the registration rates reasonably otherwise individuals will not register and still drive golf carts since the fine could be cheaper than the registration cost. He also stated that as a member of law enforcement, he would be willing to help monitor the situation.
Mayor Tessman thanked the individuals who spoke and stated he has reached out to the city’s legal counsel and after the six years of passage from the first golf cart ordinance that the city attorney has a different perspective now and advises the council to consider amending the ordinance. Mayor Tessman stated this will be on a future agenda to be discussed further. No formal action taken.
Mayor Tessman informed the council that Mitch Huxoll has turned in his resignation letter as a council member due to moving out of state. Kevin Friesen made a motion to accept Mitch Huxoll’s resignation letter. Brian Hiebner seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner and Teri Pollet. Motion carried. The clerk will advertise for a replacement member to fulfill the remainder of the term.
Graham Herbst from Nebraska Forestry was unable to attend the meeting. He will email information about the tree inventory program to the city clerk. No formal action taken.
At 7:15 p.m. Mayor Tessman opened the public hearing for the 1&6 Year Street Improvement Plan.
Reed Miller from Miller and Associates presented the council a map showing the current streets being improved and the suggested streets for the six years. The council advised Reed to place Highland Road on the one-year plan and Friesen Avenue and Parkview Drive on the six-year plan.
At 7:25 p.m. Mayor Tessman closed the public hearing.
Kevin Friesen made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-02, a resolution adopting the 1&6 Year Street Improvement Program with the addition of placing Highland Road on the one-year plan and Friesen Avenue and Parkview Drive on the six-year plan. Brian Hiebner seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner, and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
Reed Miller presented the council with the current layout of extending the water and sewer mains to Hiebner Body Shop. It was suggested to cap the sewer line on the north property line of Hiebner Body Shop and not add a manhole or clean-out at this time as it would not be necessary. The council advised Reed to proceed with sending the plans to the state and to the contractor doing Highland Addition as a change order. No formal action taken.
Reed Miller discussed the extension of water to Mainstay Communications and Derek Hiebner. Reed mentioned with the storm sewer on the east side of 17th Street has complicated the original plan of extending the water line south further before boring under the street. It was suggested to look at different options for the extension. No formal action taken.
Reed Miller gave an update on Highland Addition and Well #2. VanKirks is installing the water and sewer mains in the addition. Sargent Drilling is flushing Well #2 and will take the necessary water samples prior to placing it online. No formal action taken
Teri Pollet introduced and made a motion to adopt Ordinance #470, an ordinance of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, creating Street Improvement District No. 2025-02 and Street Improvement District No. 2025-03 within the city; defining the boundaries of said districts and the property contained therein; and providing for the construction of improvements therein consisting of grading and/or regrading, recurbing and regutterning or construction of curb and gutter, as may be required, paving, repaving, earthwork, storm drainage improvements, pedestrian walkways and such other appurtenances as may be incidental thereto, and to suspend the three readings on three different days. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen, and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
Brian Hiebner introduced and made a motion to adopt Ordinance #471, an ordinance authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of various purpose Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2025, of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, in one or more series and in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed three million five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($3,550,000), to provide interim financing for the costs of (i) constructing and improving streets and other improvements in Street Improvement District nos. 2025-01, 2025-02 and 2025-03 of the City, and (ii) for the costs of constructing and improving water and sewer extensions and other improvements in Water and Sewer Extension District Nos. 2025-01, 2025-02 and 2025-03; authorizing certain officials to determine the final aggregate principal amount, maturities, rates, redemption provisions, terms and other details of such notes; authorizing the designation of any series of notes as either tax-exempt or taxable obligations; prescribing the form and details of the notes; covenanting to issue general obligation various purpose bonds to pay the notes at maturity or earlier redemption or to pay the notes from other available funds, including refunding notes; authorizing the designation any series of tax-exempt notes as qualified tax exempt obligations; adopting certain post-issuance tax compliance and disclosure policies and procedures with respect to the notes; repealing a prior ordinance of the City; and authorizing certain other documents and actions in connection therewith and to suspend the three readings on three different days. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
Teri Pollet introduced and made a motion to adopt Ordinance #472, an ordinance authorizing the issuance, sale, and delivery of various purpose Bond Anticipation Notes, Series 2025, of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, in one or more series and in an aggregate principal amount of not to exceed three million five hundred fifty thousand dollars ($3,550,000), to provide interim financing for the costs of (i) constructing and improving streets and other improvements in Street Improvement District Nos. 2025-01, 2025-02 and 2025-03 of the City, and (ii) for the costs of constructing and improving water and sewer extensions and other improvements in Water and Sewer Extension District Nos. 2025-01, 2025-02 and 2025-03; authorizing certain officials to determine the final aggregate principal amount, maturities, rates, redemption provisions, terms and other details of such notes; authorizing the designation of any series of notes as either tax-exempt or taxable obligations; prescribing the form and details of the notes; covenanting to issue general obligation various purpose bonds to pay the notes at maturity or earlier redemption or to pay the notes from other available funds, including refunding notes; authorizing the designation any series of tax-exempt notes as qualified tax exempt obligations; adopting certain post-issuance tax compliance and disclosure policies and procedures with respect to the notes; repealing a prior ordinance of the City; and authorizing certain other documents and actions in connection therewith. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
Kevin Friesen made a motion to adopt Resolution 2025-03, a resolution to enter into an agreement with LARM Insurance for a 4% discount with a 2-year commitment and 180-day termination notice. Brian Hiebner seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
Brian Hiebner made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-04, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the Municipal Annual Certification of Program Compliance with the Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards (NBCS). Teri Pollet seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Teri Pollet and Kevin Friesen. Motion carried.
At 8:12 p.m., Kevin Friesen made a motion to convene into executive session to discuss the candidates for the deputy clerk position. Teri Pollet seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Teri Pollet and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
At 8:20 p.m., Brian Hiebner made a motion to reconvene into regular session. Teri Pollet seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Teri Pollet and Kevin Friesen. Motion carried. No formal action taken.
Reports were given.
Teri Pollet made a motion to adjourn. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
Corbin Tessman, Mayor
Connie Brown, City Clerk
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9 MEETING AGENDA
