Council gives nod to new member replacing Loeffler

    It wasn’t unanimous, but Imperial has a new city council member as of Tuesday night.
    After the 2-1 vote, Johnny Miller was seated and helped conduct business the rest of the meeting.
    Mayor Craig Loeffler offered Miller’s name as his choice for completing the two years left in Loeffler’s term as a council member.
    This week’s appointment was necessary after Loeffler was elected mayor at the General Election in November.
    A council vacancy was declared at the Dec. 5 meeting, and the mayor had 30 days to make an appointment.
    Loeffler said Miller’s community service weighed heavily on choosing him for the appointment, and “wanted someone who represented what they voted me in for.”
    “I wanted someone with volunteer service and who cares about the community,” he said.
    While agreeing with Loeffler’s reasoning on his appointment, council members Doug Gaswick and Jan Elliott expressed some concern that Miller’s wife, Roxane, is a city employee who works in the main office.
    Loeffler, who said he visited with an attorney about it, noted Miller would have to abstain on any council votes that would directly affect his wife’s job, and probably would include votes on salaries.
    Council President Doug Gaswick said he was a little surprised with the appointment offered, but noted the city has no rules or code that excludes a person for council service who has a spouse working for the city.
    “I’m just wondering about perception,” Gaswick said.
    Miller said he and Loeffler discussed it, saying “it was bothering me a little bit,” but added “she has to do her job.”
    Council member Jan Elliott  said she agreed in part with Gaswick, adding this situation came up when she worked at Chase County Schools with school board members having a spouse working at the school.
    “It wasn’t recommended at all....to ward off any complications that might come up,” she said.
    Miller said he was interested in the position because he cares about the community.
    “This is home. I was not born here, but I’ve been here for over 40 years,” he said.
    “I know Imperial and I like the people in it and I want people to come here,” he added.
    The appointment passed on a 2-1 vote, with Gaswick and Nick Colton voting yes, and Elliott no.
    There were two other letters of interest on the position from Cindy Castor and Sue Moore, the latter a former council member. Letters of interest were sought in advertisements in The Imperial Republican.
    Loeffler said he also had a phone call, but the person did not leave their name.
    Castor was at the meeting, and pointed to her experience in business, on boards and in helping form flight attendant unions in the past as experience for the position.
    After the vote, Mayor Loeffler administered the oath of office to Miller, who then took his seat.
Other business
    After a public hearing, the council voted 4-0 to recommend awarding liquor licenses to MorningStar Cafe and new owners Dan and Kelly Long.
    Their recommendation will be considered by the NE Liquor Control Commission, which makes the final decision.
    The Longs are seeking licenses to sell beer, wine and spirits on and off sale, along with a catering license that would allow them to sell at events off their premises at 140 East 12th Street.
    Instead of an appreciation dinner for city employees and board/commission members, those individuals will receive passes to the Imperial Theatre, based on the council’s 4-0 vote.
    The annual maintenance agreement with the NE Dept. of Transportation was approved for 2023 at a cost of $5,479.60, the same amount as 2022. The state clears the driving lanes on Highway 6, both directions, that include 8.24 lane miles.
    The council approved Mayor Loeffler’s appointment of Brett Harmon to the Planning Commission, serving until December 2025.
    A city utility department CD totaling $1,068,247.20 comes due Jan. 7, and Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland requested direction from the council on its renewal. Two bids on interest rates were received, one from Pinnacle Bank and one from the NE Public Agency Investment Trust. The council authorized Leyland to invest the CD with the one that had the higher 12-month interest rate on Jan. 4.
    The council conducted a public hearing for a replat of lots in the Schroeder Subdivision owned by Russ and Lori Pankonin. No action was taken.