Beatrice City Council gets new look

The Beatrice City Council took on a new look Monday night as the newly elected councilmen were sworn in.

The newly elected and re-elected councilmen, Jason Schmale, Jason Moore, Alan Fetty and David “Pede” Catlin, were sworn in Monday night and officially took over their duties on the Beatrice City Council. Dennis Rinne was also sworn in as a new member of the Airport Authority Board.

Moore defeated incumbent Rich Kerr in Ward 3 and Schmale defeated incumbent Phil Cook in Ward 1 in the November general election.

Incumbents Fetty and Catlin ran unopposed in the election.

Beatrice Mayor Dennis Schuster thanked Kerr and Cook for their years of service on the city council and presented them with plaques. Both served on the council for the past 12 years.

“I will say very personally, I’ve enjoyed serving with both of you and it’s been a pleasure both as a city councilman and as mayor,” Schuster said. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for the city of Beatrice over the last 12 years.

“I certainly wish you well in all your future endeavors.”

Kerr thanked the council and the residents of Ward 3 for his 12 years of service on the council.

“These, for the most part, were exciting years, years of change and challenges,” he said. “Together we put ourselves on a path I consider to be the right direction for our community.

“The people in the Third Ward in the community of Beatrice are without a doubt the most considerate and generous people I’ve ever had the privilege to be associated.”

Kerr also thanked the three mayors and 14 councilman he has worked with over the years.

Kerr had some advice for the newcomers to the council, he said. That was to:

n Listen to your constituents.

n Use common sense.

n Never take anything personally.

Cook, too, thanked his residents of Ward 1 and the council for his 12 years of service.

“I learned more about the city then I ever knew about,” Cook said.

Cook wished the council luck on the future and to keep up the good work.

After the councilmen were sworn in, Councilman Ted Fairbanks was elected as the new council president. After discussion, the council decided to change the term of council president from a two-year term to a one-year term.

“A one-year term is sufficient and gives everybody an opportunity to serve if they want to,” Fairbanks said.

In other business:

Consent agenda: Approved bid on a 2009 dump truck from Wick’s Sterling Trucks in the amount of $75,500 after trade for the street department; bid for a 2009 2009 half ton pick-up from Beatrice Ford in the amount of $21,521 for the WPC department; bid for weir washers for primary clarifiers from Gil Trading in the amount of $29,900 for the WPC department; and a resolution rescinding legal service agreement with Michael C. Mueller due to IRS extension of deadline for restatement of pension plans to 2011.

Hayes street: Approved resolution setting the equalization hearing date on Dec. 15 for the purpose of levying special assessments against real estate in the Hayes Street paving district.

Hasley: Approved resolution authorizing a four-year license agreement with Ron and Vicki Hasley for ingress/egress rights on city property located on Third and Ella streets. The agreement does not include exclusive rights and will charge the Hasleys $300 in rent per year, which will be paid in advance.

Fluoride: Approved ordinance prohibiting the addition of fluoride to the water system of the city of Beatrice.

Air Park: Approved final plat of proposed Air Park South Addition. This is the area located to the south of the Beatrice Airport.