[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6059046,"mediaKeyId","3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132","parentId",3295701,"title","Hastings Utilities to switch billing platform in June; postings will end and budget‑billing process adjusted","audioSeconds",677,"startMs",6298000,"endMs",6975000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132&start=6298&end=6975","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132/thumbnail_6298000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6059046/Hastings-City/Adams-County/Nebraska/Hastings-Utilities-to-switch-billing-platform-in-June-postings-will-end-and-budgetbilling-process-adjusted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059046-b8f0343d44c967790ce396870dc8cea2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078658&Signature=g78w7ypmiHAHX29R~YnMXRvQeDSUta5Y5LOwMPQUflFHdAKmVBr0s6YJW6gfvPLd4TGMaFkTy1rvEAU~sJBtZVGEcCGlVRrAFWOh7GeMiSwuYXD4rUrZ88UT-pBH7z~GEqw8ozN7l-ALAiUppmbZr9KYbm74cwmVAjdtIEM-RcyrIyL2~tqowYRXpeLJl3Js1ouVVOwUhqYHlZmJ~agfj2qK71a59A4J6r~BIaayj-sHsUWNmsxco7Xjlxh~4JILiY~HRS6LXIQCk25bLn8fXMyAp2DTssvAojfbos2ZbhZIu4YyU6wcdzAxF72-OEyn~a4eVUhtHj2ygL0K4tNUOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Hastings, NE","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","Carl (administration) briefed the Hastings Utilities Board on May 8 on an upcoming migration to a new customer billing system and related changes to customer communications and budget billing.

Carl said the last day the utility will issue physical shutoff postings will be in May; starting in June the new system will increase the utility’s ability to communicate with customers by phone, email and an online portal. To prepare, staff have updated contact information, notified service agencies, and provided outreach through media partners. Carl told the board that customers who have recently received postings were also told the printed postings would cease and were given written reminders.

On budget billing, Carl said the voluntary program currently serves just over 1,000 customers and helps smooth seasonal bills. Under the migration and new process, customers with large credit balances or large amounts owed can request refunds or have their budget amounts recalculated; Carl stressed customers can contact the utility to discuss options. He also said the migration requires a short system downtime: city staff will stop entering transactions in the old system the last Wednesday in May to export and import data, a process expected to take roughly a week. During that period credit‑card payments will not be available and some bill cycles may have one or two billing‑day differences (May bills slightly shortened, June bills slightly lengthened) while the new system reconciles and backlogged items are processed.

Board members thanked Carl and communications staff for outreach to customers and to local service agencies. Derek said the administration’s efforts have helped reduce cutoffs in recent years and asked staff to continue working with nonprofits that assist customers.

Separately, the board approved by motion a schedule change to the advisory board calendar: the June meeting was moved to June 19 and the July meeting to July 24 so staff could align budget review meetings with city council timelines. The motion passed on a roll call vote: Heitzman — yes; Himji — yes; Nieske — yes; Kohl — yes. The mover and seconder were not clearly identified in the available transcript and are recorded here as board members who made and seconded the motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hastings City Utility Advisory Board Meeting May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff said May 8 that Hastings Utilities will migrate to a new customer billing system in June. The change ends printed shutoff postings that were delivered a day before disconnection, pauses credit‑card payments during the migration window, and includes modest changes to the utility’s voluntary budget‑billing program.","taxTitle","Hastings City, Adams County, Nebraska","taxId",52340,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059051,"Hastings outlines utility relocation plan, costs for Southeast (Highway 6) reconstruction; state to cover 80% of eligible work",421,5747000,6168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132&start=5747&end=6168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132/thumbnail_5747000.jpg","/articles/6059051/Hastings-City/Adams-County/Nebraska/Hastings-outlines-utility-relocation-plan-costs-for-Southeast-Highway-6-reconstruction-state-to-cover-80-of-eligible-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059051-c09cada064a9e468c169db0e61a57d33/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078658&Signature=j6~LYRgfoAlbYKAnvaCK8E2Lu3RLg2zZYbCoWHfephwBsaWqmXIURBCIhWbp6OonSH2RL0SSdT2iFboXBuzcnuLa0a7KU0FIVBDI9UKqM9~xj0ohMl4ve0AludP1PmzXluSVPTs4cRL4jZFsGvF6-L7X2xrzc3WMvERxV78XO3YJRoGXtuaGQugfYIYXyooIqZ3ppaxgd896fX21l-r295ii9JcsIz-2j2xoUqcbpixo-5LQJ5x0fZnXWBH1gei5i4tudWWKzzfDMAt6o9CtllFUYvFiwp71r44xKcLHB~qSeC8WnPlEXmwbthJqB35XO44hyIU2jwQGOXRrw2iVOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City engineering staff updated the Hastings Utilities Board May 8 on utility relocations required by the Southeast (Highway 6) reconstruction project and the schedule for bidding and construction.

Lee (engineering) reviewed the project history and current scope: the state and city previously approved a five‑lane concept in 2016; in 2023 the project was revised to a three‑lane corridor with a roundabout approved by council; in February 2025 the council approved a supplemental agreement updating cost estimates to about $36 million for street work (excluding city utility relocations).

The state’s construction is planned in two phases: a 2026 phase covering J Street north along Elm Avenue and a roundabout at Elm and South Street (plus drainage work, including at Fifth Avenue), followed by a 2027 phase that will reconstruct South Street in its entirety, including the Showboat Boulevard intersection. To meet those schedules the city needs to finish the phase‑1 utility relocations by the end of 2025 and phase‑2 relocations by the end of 2026.

Lee said electric work has begun in the Park Street/Duncan Field area and that a contractor will perform duct installation for underground conversion of overhead lines on South Street; the city received bids for the first duct phase and expects contractor work this summer with city crews performing smaller bores to keep schedules moving. Gas relocations have started along J Street and Fifth Avenue, with a major 8‑inch gas line relocation planned. Water work will be bid in two phases; sewer work will be largely handled through the state street contract because of manhole and alignment changes. Lee said the utility relocation cost estimate the city submitted to the state is about $9.5 million; after contingencies the state would reimburse 80% (about $7.5 million) under its participation rules.

Board members asked about “betterment” charges where the city upgrades a pipe size beyond the state’s reimbursable size; Lee said the state will not pay for upsizing (for example, going from a 10‑inch to a 12‑inch water main) and the city includes those betterment costs in its budget where the upgrade is warranted.

Derek and other staff thanked operations and engineering staff for coordinating multiple departments and preparing for phased relocation work. No formal action was required of the board on the update; staff said they will seek reimbursements as work is invoiced and will coordinate easement acquisitions and contractor schedules.

","City engineers briefed the Hastings Utilities Board on utility relocations tied to the Southeast (Highway 6) reconstruction. Utility work is staged to meet the state’s two‑phase construction schedule; the city estimates about $9.5 million in utility relocation costs, with 80% reimbursable under the state agreement.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059056,"PPGA auxiliary boiler for Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 mounted; commissioning expected after fall 2025 outage",413,646000,1059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132&start=646&end=1059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132/thumbnail_646000.jpg","/articles/6059056/Hastings-City/Adams-County/Nebraska/PPGA-auxiliary-boiler-for-Whelan-Energy-Center-Unit-2-mounted-commissioning-expected-after-fall-2025-outage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059056-e163b9914487bfb1c7b1f76dd2aca67a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078658&Signature=UenLEX5~cto7X5WCLfGZ-US7np8D4EFtdEYbm7lHS982FcmN0R1T3RolOI6Os-2Y~3jXpZ7j6qWPVS2XihBKL991w-j0IRjTgQMpuBdtD5lpQ9QDjRjDuMZUqEXpQKu8vYN8ZSF-ohTObaMVbhV~LZAdZBj-EoMY~abMcW7DKu2WazSswDyND8oqIsLmzITU4VE4q6YDW41ta8Xxq8S-GrUs5vyB4ML~vSjii6Y0kVESPOQVBaqq0y8VzGobFt62cTpssqmX5tH32gLJ2FwCUDI9F1duDNxW5~YL717ftN0ovZRF-qB7SiddO9F8LgzX-QYdhh44lZo7ISq6BgaT9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Production and generation staff briefed the Hastings Utilities Board on May 8 on the auxiliary boiler project for Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 (WEC 2), a PPGA (Public Power Generation Association) interlocal project for which Hastings is the operating agent.

Micah (production) explained that the auxiliary boiler contract was awarded to Cleaver‑Brooks and will operate on No. 2 fuel oil, supplying about 48,000 pounds of steam per hour to assist WEC 2 unit starts. He told the board the boiler arrived at the site in early 2025 and was mounted on April 22. The exterior building construction began the week of the meeting; remaining electrical controls, fire protection and mechanical work will continue through the summer with commissioning anticipated after the planned fall 2025 outage.

Micah reviewed PPGA’s organizational structure and participants — Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN), Heartland Energy, Hastings, Grand Island and Nebraska City — and listed PPGA officers referenced in the briefing (Bob Palin, Russell Olson, Jeff Kors, Ryan Schmidt and Derek Zeissler). He explained that Hastings historically provided auxiliary steam from the smaller WEC 1 when online, but WEC 1’s auxiliary boiler is undersized for reliable support to WEC 2; the new Cleaver‑Brooks boiler will provide a dedicated steam source for WEC 2.

Board members asked whether shifting auxiliary steam duties to WEC 2 would change maintenance or operational costs or affect WEC 1’s future. Micah answered that WEC 1 operation should not change and that PPGA will absorb most maintenance for the new boiler; the main operational impact is dispatch adjustments when WEC 1 previously provided steam.

Board and staff discussion noted longer‑term implications: Micah and Derek said the boiler is an investment intended to extend reliable service from WEC 2 and that PPGA’s commitment reflected concern that Unit 1 is older and could retire earlier than Unit 2. No formal vote was taken; the item was presented as an informational update.

","Hastings staff updated the board that the auxiliary boiler supplied by Cleaver‑Brooks and mounted April 22 will supply steam for WEC2 startups, with remaining electrical, controls and fire‑protection work scheduled through the summer and into the planned fall outage.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6059060,"Hastings official warns nitrate, uranium legacy will cost future generations; urges continued ASR and research",3659,1468000,5127000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132&start=1468&end=5127","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3295701-34f286afb330f2573bc15a5654e68132/thumbnail_1468000.jpg","/articles/6059060/Hastings-City/Adams-County/Nebraska/Hastings-official-warns-nitrate-uranium-legacy-will-cost-future-generations-urges-continued-ASR-and-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6059060-a49bb20cbfa4a7ab8a3918bf6767037a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773078658&Signature=HWQRSq0hzTN0Z9uUvf-GFl9FEy8fDTh2dn6-25qEbbQmiYqbd5KdhMIvk1vxlEYWu4HkxiZoNZr42qv3cTX5HaZ93bc2I5Y9oeBJDQiFOXJX9CeWcv~~in3fkASsAOqWR5zQaq1pimnofrw2HVY5aTv~t0JrnpY5rpHRw7lQe4zMwe6Tc4TnFl0egBZmfAOHNi3R8L3woBkKGZHbwuh3mcKu0-~WpJzhbzK~gAYaiC3s9m4hNxMS-W~mk2UuOvgl8YFj07EvCbg3Lx~QhUX7vFyYyFrDZsjnwl~VvIjYnt1HmM0-IL2Za7nT7c1W7VjNJ3pqjhxJr0ncinrOcQNR8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Marty Stange, a long‑time water department official who told the board he will retire after the meeting, gave a wide‑ranging technical and policy briefing May 8 on nitrate contamination, related uranium mobilization and short‑ and long‑term responses.

Stange told the Hastings Utilities Board that nitrates in the area are a multi‑decade legacy tied to fertilizer use, irrigation and other sources, and that half of the city’s groundwater recharge “comes from the Platte River” and can take roughly 30 years to reach local wells. He said the city’s testing program extended beyond the 75‑square‑mile well‑protection area to about 200 square miles and that the utility has shut down eight wells because of contamination.

The presentation laid out why the issue matters locally and for public health: Stange quoted the nitrate regulatory threshold used in the analysis, saying “with an MCL of 10 parts per million, we were 7 and a half times that,” and told the board his team also found elevated uranium, which he described as “10 times the MCL, so it’s at 300” (transcript figures reported by Stange). He warned that nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia in infants (“blue baby syndrome”) and said recent research suggests adults and additional health risks may be associated with long‑term nitrate exposure.

On responses, Stange characterized the city’s aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) effort as the short‑term plan to preserve potable water while longer‑term best management practices are developed. He summarized the program’s costs and alternatives discussed with the board: ASR had been projected at about $46 million, the city had spent roughly $15 million to date, and a conventional water‑treatment plant had been estimated at about $72 million in earlier studies. Stange said the utility received a DNR grant and other low‑interest support but that continued study and funding would be required.

Stange emphasized source control and behavioral change as essential to any long‑term solution: “Who pays for the cleanup, the cleaning up of the nitrate legacy,” he asked, calling it “a debt and it’s a future cost” if left unresolved. He described a five‑pronged short‑term plan (dual pumping, focused treatment, aquifer storage, irrigation management and blending/storage) and urged the board to keep ASR operating and to support staff participation at NRD and university meetings to sustain research and interagency coordination.

Board members and staff pressed him on implementation and near‑term steps. Derek (staff) thanked Stange for the briefing and said it showed the utility is taking steps to provide safe water; one board member asked for the most impactful short‑term actions, to which Stange replied: “Make sure that you keep that ASR operating fully.” Stange also recommended continued staffing to attend NRD, UNL and other interagency meetings and to keep funding for monitoring and mitigation work.

Stange repeatedly framed the problem as regional and slow‑moving: because groundwater travel times are measured in decades, he warned that stopping new inputs today would not quickly eliminate the legacy nitrate load. He described examples of isotope and soil testing done with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and others to distinguish fertilizer‑derived nitrates from animal‑waste signatures and said some farms and feedlot operators have already changed practices after review of monitoring results.

In concluding remarks Stange urged the board and staff to continue supporting research and education: “Protecting drinking water is everyone’s responsibility,” he said, and pledged to keep working on outreach after he leaves the city role.

The presentation was discussion only; the board did not take a formal vote on new policy at the meeting. Board members thanked Stange for decades of service and asked staff to carry forward his recommended steps to sustain ASR operations, interagency collaboration and public education.

","Retiring water official Marty Stange told the Hastings Utilities Board that long-running nitrate contamination — and a linked rise in mobilized uranium — has already closed wells, driven multi‑million dollar remediation costs, and will require sustained technical, financial and regulatory work to protect public health and water supplies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hastings Utilities to switch billing platform in June; postings will end and budget‑billing process adjusted

Hastings outlines utility relocation plan, costs for Southeast (Highway 6) reconstruction; state to cover 80% of eligible work

PPGA auxiliary boiler for Whelan Energy Center Unit 2 mounted; commissioning expected after fall 2025 outage

Hastings official warns nitrate, uranium legacy will cost future generations; urges continued ASR and research