The regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council of the City of Henderson, Nebraska, was held at 7:00 p.m. on October 14, 2025, at City Hall in Henderson, Nebraska. Notice of this meeting was posted at City Hall and published in the October 9, 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. One vacant seat due to the resignation of Mitch Huxoll.
Minutes from the September 9 regular meeting, September 22 Budget Hearing, and September 22 Special Meeting, 2025 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. 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. Motion carried.
Two building permits were issued since the last meeting. Andrew Regier for a fence and Amy Wurst for two egress windows.
No one was present for the public forum.
Dennis and Diane Thieszen were present to further discuss the sewer backup claim from August 4, 2025. The council reviewed the report from the City’s insurance company, LARM Insurance, with the explanation the city has already paid $5,000 to Dennis and Diane Thieszen and is liable for $14,659.84 more, LARM will pay $5,000 to Dennis and Diane Thieszen, the city will pay $2,500 to LARM for the city’s deductible.
After discussion, Brian Hiebner made a motion to pay Dennis and Diane Thieszen $14,659.84 to close out the claim. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Brian Hiebner, Kevin Friesen and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
The amendment of the golf cart ordinance was further discussed. A rough draft of the items discussed will be at the November meeting for council review. No formal action taken.
The pay request from 34 Electric in the amount of $58,357.50 for Well #2 electrical work was reviewed. Kevin Friesen made a motion to approve the pay request to 34 Electric. Brian Hiebner seconded. Roll vote: Ayes, Kevin Friesen, Brian Hiebner, and Teri Pollet. Motion carried.
The Engagement Letter from Ric Ortmeier, CPA to perform the City’s annual audit was reviewed. Kevin Friesen made a motion to accept the Engagement Letter from Ric Ortmeier, CPA for the annual audit. Teri Pollet seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Kevin Friesen, Teri Pollet, and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
The first reading of the Water and Sewer Rate Increase Ordinance was held. Jeb Mierau was present to discuss the need for the increase. Mayor Tessman explained the rate increase is needed with having to issue a bond to replace Well #2 (which failed in March of 2024), adding a generator and updating the SCADA System. Mayor Tessman also explained Henderson is at a competitive rate compared to other systems that do not have other funding resources offsetting the expense of operating their systems. No formal action taken. The second reading will be held at the next regular meeting on November 11, 2025.
Reports were given with no formal action taken.
Teri Pollet made a motion to adjourn. Kevin Friesen seconded. Roll vote: Ayes – Teri Pollet, Kevin Friesen and Brian Hiebner. Motion carried.
Corbin A. Tessman, Mayor Connie Brown, City Clerk
