[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6192053,"mediaKeyId","4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5","parentId",4140104,"title","Council reviews design options for recycling center retaining wall; staff recommends low‑maintenance 'roll‑off' layout","audioSeconds",114,"startMs",3072000,"endMs",3186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5&start=3072&end=3186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5/thumbnail_3072000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6192053/Nebraska/Council-reviews-design-options-for-recycling-center-retaining-wall-staff-recommends-lowmaintenance-rolloff-layout","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192053-460488d44b4f6b57bfcddf5298ffa313/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172987&Signature=Xz73g-iDC3eHJnjCGgt-nlcHbnmmtjXWNlCRfEaxQvWQwd~wSjs5WOnzs5COqpTGBdhyH8bC58zEUjbnQR-bFA5U3UZNr6optfsgWAQ01xgKiBZSJ25A6urxEPLxAoNKw3~-dRiN~6ozbGjXKX98FYF2Jpe8EdVcLwoLdf5u0HaXJLNtExYOSgTQa9jU7rEAlTp6hGCQmwkOs6WkN4CUbYbALJLx~LM2CoBu2cxJrqDwD-efQvFZ4-sX3cWbBmPpvBsgtMwnBL0eSUIxQfTf2gVg2Q5q6NbOFgFcymgIT5ehiz~I~w3W6zQhcM-0aKJ4yUHoPny7dEN6EJ0ZgwSYZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Seward, NE","date","2025-06-20T05:08:56.667Z","article","City staff presented three preliminary design options for the failing embankment at the municipal recycling center and recommended a low‑maintenance alternate that keeps a public drop‑off, protects utilities and reduces ongoing staffing needs.

Mike, the city engineer, said the embankment has been eroding for decades and that sanitary sewer and overhead electrical lines run along the bank. Council members and staff said they were committed to continuing a local drop‑off recycling option rather than abandoning the site. Mike described an alternate design (Alternate 3) that uses two roll‑off containers — one configured for cardboard with a top slit and another for mixed materials — positioned so trucks can swap containers without an on‑site attendant and most of the slope can be seeded and left low‑maintenance.

“Part of the site will become a grassy area. We'll still have enough room for 2 roll offs, the ability for a truck to back up, swap containers, probably a turnaround for vehicles,” Mike said. Staff recommended moving forward with final design on that concept to minimize cost and preserve recycling drop‑off service.

The council did not take a final vote on construction at the meeting; staff sought direction to proceed with final engineering on the preferred alternate so the city can protect utilities and plan for construction costs and site logistics.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 17, 2025 Seward City Council Meeting Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented three preliminary designs and recommended a low‑maintenance alternate for the recycling center embankment that preserves a drop‑off site while reducing long‑term upkeep and protecting utilities; staff proposed advancing final design.","taxTitle","City Council Meetings, City of Seward, Seward County, Nebraska","taxId",69852,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192058,"Council approves amendment to wastewater design contract as city readies for Dairy LLC load",984,2072000,3056000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5&start=2072&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5/thumbnail_2072000.jpg","/articles/6192058/Nebraska/Council-approves-amendment-to-wastewater-design-contract-as-city-readies-for-Dairy-LLC-load","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192058-49b6b67e6e75af9bf76e7e9ae1d3c01a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172987&Signature=aMroW3S4kNTuH7sgJ808QrCHappMFt0btIMv2Wfu4QK133en0-Fo49TwoKZ6LKJW8J~K6NzBi~~hLzgNKmO~3W4~hftycMPFH52-wvdsS23ipKTCyohc~uxfo7S06qkfO3OO~r6p-VVVv96LeVUIjR26o72pedLS1-dvfq9IrXOI5YxvY6itikCG51~MY5IuAFa8BrKrNIN4GUwvdwQbqn-rVHB1taQm1tPRXodEmNwy4bU7yMMKbe7nFcMTKUdX9TGgeE4m-IoH-TJebvQKlU-BvVp0iLtNm65TBGHAkfMm7LgGPs0OJu7j4iXVgWokOIC~oDvkbBfcqyIQAdQ17A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council approved an amendment to the city’s engineering agreement for wastewater treatment facility improvements after staff said the arrival of Dairy LLC and changed load estimates require revising the project design.

Colin Markison, project manager at SEH, told the council the city must account for Dairy LLC’s flows and may need to implement interim pretreatment if the dairy begins operations before the new plant is online. “We have the luxury now of being able to go back and address those flows and loads from dairy,” Markison said. He said the amendment is an hourly contract and that unused hours would not be billed if tasks such as bidding are later removed.

Staff said the project is in review with state regulators (NDE) and the city is working to secure State Revolving Fund financing that could offer a 1.4% interest rate if loan conditions are met by July. Markison said design changes could increase estimated construction costs from about $30 million to roughly $40–41 million and that much of the plant — other than the influent pumping, administration building and disinfection — will require revision to handle new load assumptions.

City staff described specific items in the amendment: additional meetings and coordination with the dairy operator, dairy site design items to include a flow‑metering and sampling structure at the dairy’s sewer connection, preliminary and final design revisions to expand capacity, exploration of alternate treatment technologies that could increase capacity within a smaller footprint, and limited assistance on SRF financing. The consultant also recommended considering a CMAR (construction manager at risk) delivery method to help sequencing and keep the existing plant operating during construction.

Council members asked about ranges in the dairy’s reported loadings and surcharges; staff said the city was negotiating a target loading that could avoid surcharge levels and that pretreatment at the dairy was a key factor. City staff noted current measured average plant flow figures and potential future increases. After discussion, the council moved and approved the amendment; staff said the amendment provides flexibility to refine the design as Dairy LLC’s pretreatment and schedule become clearer.

The vote to approve the amendment was recorded in favor; city staff will continue coordination with SEH, NDE and Dairy LLC on site pretreatment, interim treatment options and financing details.","Seward approved a roughly $1.12 million amendment to the design contract for wastewater treatment facility improvements to accommodate higher flows and pretreatment needs associated with an incoming industrial dairy and to pursue favorable state revolving fund financing.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192063,"Council adopts 1‑ and 6‑year street improvement plan; projects reprioritized amid rising costs",1034,1024000,2058000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5&start=1024&end=2058","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6192063/Nebraska/Council-adopts-1-and-6year-street-improvement-plan-projects-reprioritized-amid-rising-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192063-9a25826005a2056814c4b9c275579609/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172987&Signature=Mo8rjm5hLNdodZu6E6RACRqG-5yJl0g9GCi34k0QMYmJKbx7QxI2I1BxBESeg7xVmM~liRalkcY2NOaHsD-DxuHdF5DXP-0A1H4fP1eCPfWis~p~81Sz~3XD0gMeh89yQon~j20q3cLttFidZEbtS~O8YU1vhf6UfarergHdSwdB2xKuv-BSMQDs-ZB-OBQdE0lCF0pyosBt-Kj24DtmW4fZr2WspovCs8lg9w68cd23PJZ1rHbbe8ZW~r9JCDwQpg4N8z8aoupAOA99GgY2YXM-swxHICa7T9GsG~KZWjyUmyzwUtCD2lLibqjP58obeMU7~75gHjC15-dDZ91FbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council approved revisions to its 1‑ and 6‑year street improvement plan after staff said rising construction costs and limited contractor availability required reprioritizing projects.

“We are required by the state of Nebraska to have a 1 and 6 year plan,” the mayor said at the start of the public hearing. City Engineer Mike (identified in the meeting as the city engineer) told the council, “the cost of each project is going up essentially has doubled in 5 years,” and said that labor, equipment and material constraints meant some projects would likely be pushed out of the immediate one‑year window.

City staff presented an overview showing no net new projects added to this year’s one‑year list; instead the city bundled several projects, awarded a previous contract for a multi‑project package and expects major work to straddle fiscal years. Among the near‑term items are water main work tied to a roadway extension, a federally funded bridge replacement, and a bike‑trail segment serving the wellness center. Staff emphasized the bike‑trail segment as a pedestrian safety priority near Wheeler Road and the wellness center.

Councilmembers discussed whether to table the plan for more public input; the council ultimately voted to approve the revised plan. A councilmember noted the planning and zoning commission had unanimously approved the plan earlier. Council members and staff said the list remains fluid: projects may be advanced, delayed or removed as funding and priorities change.

Staff described the 6‑year graphic list as intentionally expansive to avoid surprising residents with future projects. The city also described coordination with the Nebraska Department of Transportation on state‑managed intersections and traffic signals; NDOT determines signal warrants and timing for state highways.

The motion to approve passed on a voice vote with council members recorded in favor. The plan now serves as the city’s official roadmap for budgeting and scheduling street, stormwater and bicycle‑pedestrian investments.","Seward city council approved revisions to its required 1‑ and 6‑year street improvement plan, consolidating some near‑term projects and pushing others into later years because construction costs have roughly doubled since 2020 and contractor capacity is constrained.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6192068,"City Council denies T‑Mobile tower after residents raise safety, aesthetics and property‑value concerns",986,0,986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5&start=0&end=986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4140104-6921ad6a46ba618f8d67b04df161aef5/thumbnail_0.jpg","/articles/6192068/Nebraska/City-Council-denies-TMobile-tower-after-residents-raise-safety-aesthetics-and-propertyvalue-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6192068-b25459834f9264cf900194c5739f7e87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172987&Signature=H5q2BVOiVqjaA6uln-isDHE7vaQKRXW6WN4bwxI84pMoaBY99AAoZM5OGkw7g43rUQeZPRE4RoORL7rdma5W6MQKunE7is-HWqA1WmfeoY-PFnkdnHBUFN36NBqrQ1IgqDhwUsFBhNenV~CyT5xfyJmruRkjlFS7f3elndpptnxALdjimMIeXv6dimit2BWkAKf1eII2~w8RTfoHCyPqktfNHlWsQ7EQ8DCcyFs61VHk7CWTByT4ZRnfOZWTIQOLkgBX8s861LfhZcSAI8gJUQhaaKQhlzcTVRLSrG0JCVIn~Alk84mfDuKnLE1bKdBHPUF2fsWk9ulvGDroZTBLgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seward City Council voted 7‑0 to deny an application by a T‑Mobile representative to build a telecommunications tower near a residential area after multiple residents urged the council to reject the proposal.

Residents told the council they feared the tower’s size and appearance, potential effects on property values and long‑term health risks. Katie Pellster, president of the Ridge Run Homeowners Association, said, “The Ridge Run Homeowners Association is opposed to the construction of this tower.” Aruba Lamba, a nearby resident, told the council: “If any of you lived right next to that where that tower is being put up, would you want your kids or your grandkids, you know, living around that tower?”

The council’s liaisons to the Planning and Zoning Commission said they had attended that commission’s hearing and described a detailed review there. “I learned a great deal. I think the Planning and Zoning Commission did a very thorough job of asking questions about the concerns expressed by the citizens who live in the area,” one council liaison said, and added that the T‑Mobile representative “did a very nice job of explaining exactly what his role was which is the determination of a site to put a tower.” The planning commission vote had opposed the application 6‑0.

Council discussion focused on several technical and process questions raised at the Planning and Zoning Commission: the fall radius of the tower, whether other existing towers could be used, and how the company had solicited nearby landowners. One councilmember noted that the planning commission had asked about “the process used for selection.” Another councilmember said the commission and the public had not been fully convinced by the civil engineer’s calculations, noting that the engineer who produced the fall‑radius calculations was a civil engineer and not a structural engineer.

The Federal Communications Commission was cited in the public discussion as the federal regulator that governs certain aspects of wireless siting and health claims; Planning and Zoning leadership said there is not “solid evidence of health risks at this time,” a point relayed from that commission’s hearing. Several speakers urged the council to consider the city’s expected eastward growth when weighing placement of a 250‑foot structure near land that could later be within city limits.

After public comment and brief council discussion about whether tabling for more information would be appropriate, Councilmember motioned to deny the application. The council’s vote was unanimous, 7‑0, to deny the T‑Mobile tower application.

The council did not adopt new siting rules or technical standards at the meeting; the action was a denial of this specific application.","After hours of public comment and a unanimous vote, the Seward City Council denied a T‑Mobile proposal to build a roughly 250‑foot telecommunications tower near a residential neighborhood, citing resident opposition and unanswered technical questions about fall radius and site selection.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council reviews design options for recycling center retaining wall; staff recommends low‑maintenance 'roll‑off' layout

Council approves amendment to wastewater design contract as city readies for Dairy LLC load

Council adopts 1‑ and 6‑year street improvement plan; projects reprioritized amid rising costs

City Council denies T‑Mobile tower after residents raise safety, aesthetics and property‑value concerns