TITLE IX: GENERAL REGULATIONS

Chapter

90. LEISURE AND RECREATION

91. CEMETERY

92. FIRE REGULATIONS

93. HEALTH AND SAFETY

94. PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY

95. ANIMALS

96. TREES



CHAPTER 90: LEISURE AND RECREATION


Section

Library

90.01 Operation and funding
90.02 Library Board; general powers and duties
90.03 Grounds and building
90.04 Sale and conveyance of real estate
90.05 Mortgages; release or renewal
90.06 Cost of use
90.07 Discrimination prohibited
90.08 Annual report
90.09 Penalties; recovery; disposition
90.10 Donations
90.11 Improper book removal

Parks

90.20 Definitions
90.21 Operation and funding
90.22 Injury to property

Swimming Pool

90.30 Operation and funding
90.31 Admission charge
90.32 Rentals
90.33 Rules and regulations

LIBRARY


§ 90.01 OPERATION AND FUNDING.

(A) The city may own and manage a Municipal Library through the Library Board.

(B) The City Council, for the purpose of defraying the cost of the management, purchases, improvements, and maintenance of the Library, may each year levy a tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by state law, on the taxable value of all taxable property within the city. The amount collected from the levy shall be known as the Library Fund.
(Neb. RS 51-201)

(C) The Fund shall also include all gifts, grants, deeds of conveyance, bequests, or other valuable income-producing personal property and real estate from any source for the purpose of endowing the Municipal Library.

(D) All taxes levied or collected and all funds donated or in any way acquired for the erection, maintenance, or support of the Municipal Library shall be kept for the use of the Library separate and apart from all other funds of the city, shall be drawn upon and paid out by the City Treasurer upon vouchers signed by the president of the Library Board and authenticated by the secretary of the Board, and shall not be used or disbursed for any other purpose or in any other manner. The City Council may establish a public library sinking fund for major capital expenditures.
(Neb. RS 51-209)

(E) Any money collected by the Library shall be turned over monthly by the Librarian to the City Treasurer along with a report of the sources of the revenue.


§ 90.02 LIBRARY BOARD; GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.

(A) The Library Board shall have the power to make and adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for its own guidance and for the government of the library and reading room as it may deem expedient, not inconsistent with Neb. RS 51-201 through 51-219.
(Neb. RS 51-205)

(B) The Library Board shall have exclusive control of expenditures, of all money collected or donated to the credit of the Library Fund, of the renting and construction of any Library building, and the supervision, care, and custody of the grounds, rooms, or buildings constructed, leased, or set apart for that purpose.
(Neb. RS 51-207)


§ 90.03 GROUNDS AND BUILDING.

(A) The Library Board may purchase or lease grounds, exercise the power of eminent domain, and condemn real estate for the purpose of securing a site for a Library building. The procedure to condemn property shall be exercised in the manner set forth in Neb. RS 76-704 through 76-724.
(Neb. RS 51-210)

(B) The Board may erect, lease, or occupy an appropriate building for the use of the Library.
(Neb. RS 51-211)

§ 90.04 SALE AND CONVEYANCE OF REAL ESTATE.

The Library Board may, by resolution, direct the sale and conveyance of any real estate owned by the Board or by the Municipal Library, which is not used for Library purposes, or of any real estate so donated or devised to the Board or to the Library upon such terms as the Board may deem best and as otherwise provided in Neb. RS 51-216.
(Neb. RS 51-216)


§ 90.05 MORTGAGES; RELEASE OR RENEWAL.

The president of the Library Board shall have the power to release, upon full payment, any mortgage constituting a credit to the Library Fund and standing in the name of the Library Board. The signature of the president on any such release shall be authenticated by the secretary of the Board. The president and secretary in like manner, upon resolution duly passed and adopted by the Board, may renew any such mortgage.
(Neb. RS 51-206)


§ 90.06 COST OF USE.

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the Municipal Library and reading room shall be free of charge for the use of the inhabitants of the city, subject always to such reasonable regulations as the Library Board may adopt to render the Library of the greatest use to the inhabitants. The Librarian may exclude from the use of the Library and reading rooms any person who willfully violates or refuses to comply with rules and regulations established for the government thereof.
(Neb. RS 51-212)

(B) The Library shall make its basic services available without charge to all residents of the city. The Board may fix and impose reasonable fees, not to exceed the Library’s actual cost, for nonbasic services.
(Neb. RS 51-211)

(C) For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

BASIC SERVICES. Include, but are not limited to, free loan of circulating print and nonprint materials from the local collection and general reference and information services.

NONBASIC SERVICES. Include, but are not limited to, use of:

(a) Photocopying equipment;

(b) Telephones, facsimile equipment, and other telecommunications equipment;
(c) Media equipment;

(d) Personal computers; and

(e) Videocassette recording and playing equipment.
(Neb. RS 51-201.01)


§ 90.07 DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED.

No Library service shall be denied to any person because of race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, ancestry, physical handicap, or marital status.
(Neb. RS 51-211)


§ 90.08 ANNUAL REPORT.

The Library Board shall, on or before the second Monday in February in each year, make a report to the City Council of the condition of its trust on the last day of the prior fiscal year. The report shall show all money received and credited or expended; the number of materials held, including books, video and audio materials, software programs, and materials in other formats; the number of periodical subscriptions on record, including newspapers; the number of materials added and the number withdrawn from the collection during the year; the number of materials circulated during the year; and other statistics, information, and suggestions as the Library Board may deem of general interest or as the City Council may require. The report shall be verified by affidavit of the president and secretary of the Library Board.
(Neb. RS 51-213)


§ 90.09 PENALTIES; RECOVERY; DISPOSITION.

Penalties imposed or accruing by any bylaw or regulation of the Library Board and any court costs and attorney’s fees may be recovered in a civil action before any court having jurisdiction, such action to be instituted in the name of the Library Board. Money, other than any court costs and attorney’s fees, collected in such actions shall be placed in the treasury of the city to the credit of the Library Fund. Attorney’s fees collected pursuant to this section shall be placed in the treasury of the city and credited to the budget of the City Attorney’s office.
(Neb. RS 51-214)


§ 90.10 DONATIONS.

Any person may make donation of money, lands, or other property for the benefit of the Municipal Library. The title to property so donated may be made to and shall vest in the Library Board and their successors in office, and the Board shall thereby become the owners thereof in trust to the uses of the Municipal Library.
(Neb. RS 51-215)


§ 90.11 IMPROPER BOOK REMOVAL.

It shall be unlawful for any person not authorized by the regulations made by the Library Board to take a book from the Library without the consent of the Librarian or an authorized employee of the Library. Any person removing a book from the Library without properly checking it out shall be deemed to be guilty of an offense.
Penalty, see § 10.99

PARKS


§ 90.20 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

MOTOR VEHICLE. Any vehicle propelled by power other than muscular power.

PARK. Any park, playground, swimming pool, recreation center, or any other park or recreational use or facility within or without the limits of the city which is under city ownership or control.

ROAD WAY. Every way open to the use of the public for vehicular travel, including any street or highway of the city in or through any park as herein defined, and including any park drive and parkway open to the public for vehicular travel.
(`88 Code, § 3-603) (Ord. 420, passed 6-21-99)


§ 90.21 OPERATION AND FUNDING.

The municipality owns and operates the municipal parks and other recreational areas through the Board of Park Commissioners. The City Council, for the purpose of defraying the cost of the care, management, and maintenance of the municipal park may each year levy a tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by state law on the taxable value of all taxable property within the corporate limits. The revenue from the said tax shall be known as the park fund and shall remain in the custody of the Municipal Treasurer. The Board of Park Commissioners shall have the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the efficient management of the municipal parks and other recreational areas of the municipality. The Board of Park Commissioners shall not enter into a contract of any nature which involves an expenditure of funds, except for ordinary operating expenses, unless the contract has been approved by resolution of the majority of the members of the City Council prior to the contractual agreement.
(`88 Code, § 3-601)
Statutory reference:
Recreation centers and areas generally, see Neb. RS 17-948 through 17-952


§ 90.22 INJURY TO PROPERTY.

It shall be unlawful for any person maliciously or willfully to cut down, injure, or destroy any tree, plant, or shrub. It shall be unlawful for any person to injure or destroy any sodded or planted area or injure or destroy any building, structure, equipment, fence, bench, table, or any other property of the municipal parks and recreational areas. No person shall commit any waste on or litter the municipal parks or other public grounds. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a motorized vehicle within the park except on maintained roads and parking areas.
(`88 Code, § 3-602) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Littering of public and private property, see Neb. RS 28-523

SWIMMING POOLS


§ 90.30 OPERATION AND FUNDING.

The municipality owns and manages the municipal swimming pool. The City Council, for the purpose of defraying the cost of the management, maintenance, and improvements of the swimming pool may each year levy a tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by state law on the taxable value of all taxable property within the municipality. The revenue from the tax shall be known as the swimming pool fund and shall include all gifts, grants, deeds of conveyance, bequests, or other valuable income-producing personal property and real estate from any source for the purpose of endowing the swimming pool. The swimming pool fund shall at all times be in the custody of the Municipal Treasurer. The Pool Manager shall manage the swimming pool. The Pool Manager shall have the power and authority to hire and supervise and such employees as he or she may deem necessary and shall pass such rules and regulations for the operation of the swimming pool as may be proper for its efficient operation. All actions by the Pool Manager shall be under the supervision and control of the Mayor and City Council.
(`88 Code, § 3-701)
Statutory reference:
Recreation centers and areas generally, see Neb. RS 17-948 through 17-952


§ 90.31 ADMISSION CHARGE.

The City Council may, for the purpose of defraying the expenses involved in maintaining, improving, managing, and beautifying the swimming pool, make a reasonable admission charge for the use by any person of the municipal swimming pool. The charges shall be on file at the office of the Municipal Clerk and shall also be posted in a conspicuous place at the municipal swimming pool for public inspection. Such rates may be structured for classes of persons in a reasonable manner, provided that nothing in this section shall be construed to permit or allow discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, national origin, or ancestry in the classification of persons for admission charges.
(`88 Code, § 3-702)
Statutory reference:
Authority to charge fees and prescribe regulations, see Neb. RS 17-949
Discrimination prohibited, see Neb. RS 20-132


§ 90.32 RENTALS.

The Pool Manager shall have the authority to rent the municipal swimming pool to such organizations and other persons as it may in its discretion see fit, subject to the review of the City Council. The Pool Manager shall prescribe rules and regulations for such rentals and shall require an appropriate number of qualified lifeguards to be in attendance during the rental period. Such fees and other costs shall be on file at the office of the Municipal Clerk and posted in a conspicuous place at the municipal swimming pool.
(`88 Code, § 3-703)


§ 90.33 RULES AND REGULATIONS.

The Pool Manager shall have the power and authority to enact bylaws, rules, and regulations for the protection of those using the swimming pool and for the efficient management thereof. He or she may provide suitable penalties for the violation of such bylaws, rules, and regulations subject to the review and supervision of the City Council.
(`88 Code, § 3-704) Penalty, see § 10.99

CHAPTER 91: CEMETERY


Section

91.01 Operation and funding
91.02 Sexton
91.03 Acquisition of lots
91.04 Acquisition; title
91.05 Conveyance of lots
91.06 Forfeiture of lots
91.07 Lot transfers
91.08 Perpetual care
91.09 Burial permit
91.10 Burial of indigents
91.11 Lot curbing
91.12 Shrubs and trees
91.13 Monuments
91.14 Grave depth
91.15 Destruction of property
91.16 Reclamation
91.17 Vaults
91.18 Cremation remains; containers

§ 91.01 OPERATION AND FUNDING.

The municipality owns and manages the municipal cemetery through the Cemetery Board. The City Council, for the purpose of defraying the cost of the care, management, maintenance, and beautification of the cemetery may each year levy a tax not exceeding the maximum limit prescribed by state law on the taxable value of all taxable property within the municipality that is subject to taxation for general purposes. The revenue from the said tax shall be known as the cemetery fund and shall include all gifts, grants, deeds of conveyance, bequests, money, stocks, bonds, or other valuable income-producing personal property and real estate from any source for the purpose of endowing the cemetery. The cemetery fund shall at all times be in the custody of the Municipal Treasurer. The Board shall have the power and authority to hire and supervise such employees as it may deem necessary and to pass such rules and regulations for the operation of the cemetery as may be proper for its efficient operation. All actions by the Board shall be under the supervision and control of the City Council.
(`88 Code, § 3-901)
Statutory reference:
Cemetery board; taxing authority, see Neb. RS 12-401 through 12-403


§ 91.02 SEXTON.

The Cemetery Board, subject to the approval of the City Council, shall have the authority to appoint a Sexton who shall perform such duties and make such reports as the Cemetery Board shall direct, and to employ such labor and assistants as the Cemetery Board may deem necessary from persons not belonging to the Board. It shall be the duty of the Sexton, upon receiving a burial permit to locate and direct the party named in the permit to the lot mentioned therein and to dig and excavate, or cause the same to be dug or excavated, in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Cemetery Board.
(`88 Code, § 3-902)
Statutory reference:
Authority to contract, see Neb. RS 12-403


§ 91.03 ACQUISITION OF LOTS.

The municipality through its Mayor and City Council may, by eminent domain, condemn, purchase, hold, and pay for land not exceeding 160 acres outside the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of the burial of the dead. The Mayor and Council are also empowered and authorized to receive by gift or devise real estate for cemetery purposes. In the event that the city through its Mayor and Council desires to purchase any cemetery belonging to any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, or individual, which cemetery has already been properly surveyed and platted, and is used for cemetery purposes, then the Mayor and City Council are hereby authorized and empowered to purchase the cemetery. In the event the owner or owners of such cemetery desired to be purchased by the municipality will not or cannot sell and convey the same to the city or in the event the owner or owners of such cemetery cannot agree upon the price to be paid for the cemetery, the Mayor and Council or the city shall, by resolution, declare the necessity for the acquisition thereof by exercise of the power of eminent domain. The adoption of the resolution shall be deemed conclusive evidence of such necessity.
(Neb. RS 17-926) (`88 Code, § 8-113) (Ord. 464, passed 1-10-02)


§ 91.04 ACQUISITION; TITLE.

Where such real estate is acquired by gift or devise, the title shall vest in the city upon the conditions imposed by the donor and upon acceptance by the Mayor and City Council. Where such real estate is acquired by purchase or by virtue of exercise of the right of eminent domain, the title shall vest absolutely in such city.
(Neb. RS 17-933) (`88 Code, § 8-114) (Ord. 464, passed 1-10-02)

§ 91.05 CONVEYANCE OF LOTS.

The Mayor and City Council may convey cemetery lots by certificate signed by the Mayor, and countersigned by the Municipal Clerk under the municipal seal, specifying that the person to whom the same is issued is the owner of the lot described therein by number for the purpose of interment. The certificate shall give a right in fee simple to the proprietor, his or her heirs, and assigns. The certificate shall then be recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds.
(Neb. RS 17-941) (`88 Code, § 3-903)


§ 91.06 FORFEITURE OF LOTS.

If, for three consecutive years, all charges and liens are not paid by the holders of the lot certificates, the certificates shall be declared forfeited and subject to resale. All certificates sold shall contain a forfeiture clause to the effect that if no interment is made on the lot and all liens paid, the certificate and the rights under the same may, at the option of the Cemetery Board, with the sanction of the City Council, be declared null and void and the lot shall be subject to resale.
(`88 Code, § 3-904)


§ 91.07 LOT TRANSFERS.

Any person who wishes to transfer a certificate may do so by surrendering the original certificate to the Municipal Clerk, who shall issue a new certificate upon the receipt of the recording fee set by resolution of the City Council.
(`88 Code, § 3-905)


§ 91.08 PERPETUAL CARE.

The Municipal Treasurer shall allocate and set apart a percentage of the entire amount paid for lots or burial spaces if the lots or burial spaces are to be endowed with perpetual care. The fund shall be permanent in nature, and as it accumulates shall be invested in such interest bearing securities as are authorized by state law. The income earned thereon shall be used solely for the purposes of perpetual care for the cemetery lots. Any lot owner who shall not have, prior to the purchase of his lot, endowed his holdings with perpetual care, may do so by paying to the Secretary of the Cemetery Board such sum of money as the City Manager may in each case fix and determine. Thereafter, the owner shall not be liable for the payment of an annual maintenance assessment.


§ 91.09 BURIAL PERMIT.

All persons desiring to bury a deceased person shall first be required to file a completed death certificate with the Bureau of Vital Statistics before any body may be buried in the municipal cemetery. If it is impossible to complete the certificate of death within the legal period of time prescribed by state law, the funeral director shall notify the Bureau of the reason for the delay and file the certificate as soon as possible. The burial permit so issued by the Bureau shall then be filed with the Municipal Clerk. It shall be unlawful for the sexton or other person to allow the interment of a body without first receiving such permit. The burial permit shall then be countersigned and dated by the sexton. The interment of any body shall be performed under the direct supervision of a licensed funeral director. The applicant shall also file with the burial permit an application containing the name, age, sex, race, and cause of death of the deceased person for the records of the Cemetery Board. Upon completion of the requirements herein, the Municipal Clerk shall then issue a municipal burial permit which shall entitle the applicant to bury a deceased person in the municipal cemetery. In the event that the removal of the body of any deceased person is requested, the Municipal Clerk shall issue no permit until the applicant shall have first complied with the laws of the state of Nebraska with respect to such disinterment.
(`88 Code, § 3-907)
Statutory reference:
Death certificate general requirements, see Neb. RS 71-605


§ 91.10 BURIAL OF INDIGENTS.

Within the Municipal Cemetery there shall be included a plot of ground which shall be available for the free burial of indigents and unknown travelers who may die while they are within the municipality.
(`88 Code, § 3-908)


§ 91.11 LOT CURBING.

It shall be hereafter unlawful for the owner of any lot to construct, maintain, or suffer to remain any curbing around any lot or burial space therein of a height greater than one inch.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 91.12 SHRUBS AND TREES.

It shall be unlawful, without the written permission of the City Manager, to plant, maintain, or suffer to remain on any cemetery lot a shrub or tree attaining a height of more than four feet.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 91.13 MONUMENTS.

Persons desiring to erect monuments, tombstones, or other structures shall first procure a permit from the Municipal Clerk. The Cemetery Board shall review all such applications and shall give written approval for any permit prior to the issuance by the Municipal Clerk of the permit.
(`88 Code, § 3-909) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 91.14 GRAVE DEPTH.

Graves shall not be less than six feet deep; provided, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the use of mausoleums or other recognized methods of interring deceased persons if such a burial procedure is approved by the Cemetery Board.
(`88 Code, § 3-910)


§ 91.15 DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

Any person who shall willfully destroy, mutilate, deface, injure, or remove any tomb, monument, or gravestone placed in the cemetery, or any fence, railing, or other work for the protection or ornamentation of the cemetery, or who shall willfully destroy, cut, break, or injure any tree, shrub, or plant shall be deemed to be guilty of an offense.
(`88 Code, § 3-911) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Criminal mischief, see Neb. RS 28-519


§ 91.16 RECLAMATION.

When any lot has been transferred by warranty deed or by a deed conveying a fee simple title, but there has been no burial in any such lot or subdivision thereof and no payment of annual assessments for a period of three years, the Cemetery Board with the sanction of the City Council, may reclaim the unused portion of such lot or subdivision after notifying the record owner or his or her heirs or assigns, if known, by certified mail and publishing notice of its intention to do so. Such notice shall be published once each week for four weeks in a newspaper of general circulation throughout the county in which the cemetery is located, shall describe the lot or subdivision proposed to be reclaimed, and shall be addressed to the person in whose name such portion stands of record or, if there is no owner of record, to all persons claiming any interest in such lot or subdivision. If no person appears to claim such lot or subdivision and pay all delinquent assessments with interest within 15 days after the last date of such publication, the Cemetery Board may by resolution reclaim such lot or subdivision. Such reclamation shall be complete upon a filing of a verified copy of such resolution, together with proof of publication, in the office of the Register of Deeds.
(`88 Code, § 3-912)


§ 91.17 VAULTS.

No wooden vaults shall be allowed in the Municipal Cemetery. All vaults shall be of steel or cement.
(`88 Code, § 3-906) Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 91.18 CREMATION REMAINS; CONTAINERS.

There shall be required for the interment of any cremation remains in the Municipal Cemetery a container in which such cremated remains shall be placed, such container to be constructed of a durable material, other than wood, such as concrete or metal, impervious to the elements and to be sealed before burial.
(`88 Code, § 3-913) (Ord. 380, passed 11-19-96)


CHAPTER 92: FIRE REGULATIONS


Section

Fire Prevention

92.01 Open burning ban; waiver

Poisonous and Flammable Gases; Explosives

92.20 Petroleum gas
92.21 Poisonous and flammable gases
92.22 Bullets
92.23 Blasting permit
92.24 Transportation

Fire Prevention

92.30 Life Safety Code
92.31 Fire Prevention Code
92.32 Fire Code enforcement
92.33 Fire limits defined
92.34 Fire limits building materials
92.35 Removal required
92.36 Repair required

Fireworks

92.50 Definition
92.51 Permitted fireworks
92.52 Throwing firecrackers
92.53 Sale

FIRE PREVENTION


§ 92.01 OPEN BURNING BAN; WAIVER.

(A) There shall be a statewide open burning ban on all bonfires, outdoor rubbish fires, and fires for the purpose of clearing land.

(B) The Fire Chief of the municipal Fire Department or his or her designee may waive an open burning ban under division (A) of this section for an area under his or her jurisdiction by issuing an open burning permit to a person requesting permission to conduct open burning. The permit issued by the Fire Chief or his or her designee to a person desiring to conduct open burning shall be in writing, signed by the Fire Chief or his or her designee, and on a form provided by the State Fire Marshal.

(C) The municipal Fire Chief or his or her designee may waive the open burning ban in his or her jurisdiction when conditions are acceptable to the Chief or his or her designee. Anyone burning in such jurisdiction when the open burning ban has been waived shall notify the Fire Department of his or her intention to burn.

(D) The municipal Fire Chief may adopt and promulgate rules and regulations listing the conditions acceptable for issuing a permit to conduct open burning under division (B) of this section.

(E) The municipal Fire Department may charge a fee not to exceed $10 for each such permit issued. This fee shall be remitted to the City Council for inclusion in the general funds allocated to the Fire Department. Such funds shall not reduce the tax requirements for the Fire Department. No such fee shall be collected from any state or political subdivision to which such a permit is issued to conduct open burning under division (B) of this section in the course of such state's or political subdivision's official duties.
(`88 Code, § 7-210)
Statutory reference:
Statewide ban; exemptions, see Neb. RS 81-520.01

POISONOUS AND FLAMMABLE GASES; EXPLOSIVES


§ 92.20 PETROLEUM GAS.

Any person desiring to store or keep in their possession liquefied petroleum gas shall place the containers outside of buildings on nonflammable docks or platforms, and no such container shall at any time be stored within a building of any kind.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-549

§ 92.21 POISONOUS AND FLAMMABLE GASES.

Any person, firm, or corporation desiring to store or keep in the municipality for any period of time any form of poisonous or flammable gas or liquefied petroleum gas or add to, enlarge, or replace any facility used for the storage of such gases, must first get permission from the City Council. The City Council shall require the name of the gas, the place of storage, and the amount of gas stored. If permission is granted, the City Council shall prescribe such rules, regulations, and precautionary actions as they may deem necessary. Permit requirements for the initial construction or location of storage facilities shall not apply to those facilities in existence on the effective date of the ordinance enacting this section, provided that any such present use that is discontinued for a period of 60 days shall not be revived without a permit. The provisions of this section shall be controlling throughout the municipality and throughout its zoning jurisdiction.
(`88 Code, § 7-401) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-549
Authority throughout zoning jurisdiction, see Neb. RS 17-1001
Authority to regulate nuisances, see Neb. RS 18-1720


§ 92.22 BULLETS.

Cartridges, shells, and percussions caps shall be kept in their original containers away from flame, flammable materials, and high explosives.


§ 92.23 BLASTING PERMIT.

In addition to notifying the Municipal Fire Department pursuant to Neb. RS 28-1233(3), any person desiring to discharge explosive materials within the municipality shall secure a permit from the City Council and shall discharge such explosive materials in conformance with the conditions specified in the permit. In no case shall any person perform blasting operations unless operating under the direct supervision of a person in possession of a valid user's permit issued by the Nebraska State Patrol.


§ 92.24 TRANSPORTATION.

Any person wishing to transport high explosives in the municipality shall first acquire a permit from the City Council and shall take such precautions and use such route as they may prescribe. Nothing herein shall be construed to apply to the county police, or any of the Armed Services of the United States. No vehicle transporting explosives shall make an unscheduled stop for longer than five minutes within the municipality and in the event of mechanical failure, immediate notice of such breakdown shall be given the County Sheriff, who shall then prescribe such precautions as may be necessary to protect the residents of the municipality and a reasonable time for removal of the vehicle from the municipality.


FIRE PREVENTION


§ 92.30 LIFE SAFETY CODE.

Incorporated by reference into this code are the standards recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, known as the Life Safety Code, 1967 edition, and all subsequent amendments. This code shall have the same force and effect as if set out verbatim herein. One copy of the Life Safety Code is on file with the Municipal Clerk and shall be available for public inspection at any reasonable time.
Statutory reference:
Authority to adopt, see Neb. RS 18-132
Zoning and building regulations authorized, see Neb. RS 19-901 through 19-933
Powers and duties of State Fire Marshal, see Neb. RS 81-502


§ 92.31 FIRE PREVENTION CODE.

The rules and regulations promulgated by the office of the State Fire Marshal of the state of Nebraska relating to fire prevention are incorporated by reference into this code and made a part of this chapter as though spread at large herein together with all subsequent amendments thereto. One copy of the fire prevention code shall be on file with the Municipal Clerk and shall be available for public inspection at any reasonable time.
(`88 Code, § 7-201)
Statutory reference:
Authority to adopt, see Neb. RS 18-132
Zoning and building regulations authorized, see Neb. RS 19-901 through 19-933
Powers and duties of State Fire Marshal, see Neb. RS 81-502


§ 92.32 FIRE CODE ENFORCEMENT.

It shall be the duty of all municipal officials to enforce the incorporated fire code provisions and all infractions shall be immediately brought to the attention of the Fire Chief.
(`88 Code, § 7-202)
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-549


§ 92.33 FIRE LIMITS DEFINED.

The fire limits in the municipality shall be such territory as set forth and described by the City Council from time to time, which description shall be available for public inspection in the office of the City Clerk during regular city business hours.

§ 92.34 FIRE LIMITS BUILDING MATERIALS.

Within the fire limits set forth in § 92.34, no structure shall be built, altered, moved, or enlarged unless such structure will be enclosed with walls constructed wholly of stone, well-burned brick, terra cotta, concrete, or other such noncombustible materials as will satisfy the Fire Chief that the structure will be reasonably fireproof.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-550


§ 92.35 REMOVAL REQUIRED.

In the event that any wooden or combustible building or structure, or any non-combustible building which stands within the fire limits is damaged to the extent of 50% or more of its value, exclusive of the foundation, it shall not be repaired or rebuilt, but shall be taken down and removed within 60 days from the date of such fire or other casualty.
(Neb. RS 17-550) (`88 Code, § 7-208)


§ 92.36 REPAIR REQUIRED.

In the event that a building within the fire limits becomes damaged to the extent of less than 50% of its value, exclusive of the foundation, it shall be the duty of the owner, lessee, or occupant to remove or repair the building in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. It shall be unlawful for any person to allow a building to stand in such damaged or decayed condition. Any such building shall be removed or repaired within 30 days after receiving notice to do so by the City Council.
(Neb. RS 17-550) (`88 Code, § 7-208) Penalty, see § 10.99

FIREWORKS


§ 92.50 DEFINITION.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

FIREWORKS. Any composition or device designed for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, deflagration, or detonation and which meets the definition of common or special fireworks set forth by the United States Department of Transportation in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
(Neb. RS 28-1241)
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-556


§ 92.51 PERMITTED FIREWORKS.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to ignite or cause to be exploded fireworks or firecrackers of any description whatsoever, except sparklers, vesuvius fountains, spray fountains, torches, color fire cones, star and comet type color aerial shells without explosive charges for the purpose of making a noise, color wheels, lady fingers, not exceeding 7/8 inch in length or 1/8 inch in diameter, total explosive composition not to exceed 50 milligrams each in weight, color wheels, and any other fireworks approved under Neb. RS 28-1247.
(Neb. RS 28-1241(7))

(B) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any fireworks to be used for purpose of public exhibitions or display under authorization of the City Council or to fireworks furnished for agricultural purposes pursuant to written authorization from the State Fire Marshal.
(`88 Code, § 7-301) (Ord. 344, passed 8-6-90) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-556
Unlawful fireworks, see Neb. RS 28-1244
Prohibitions not applicable, see Neb. RS 28-1245


§ 92.52 THROWING FIREWORKS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to throw any firecracker, or any object which explodes upon contact with another object; from or into a motor vehicle; onto any street, highway, or sidewalk; at or near any person; into any building; or into or at any group of persons.
(`88 Code, § 7-302) Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 92.53 SALE.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, hold for sale, or offer for sale as distributor, jobber, or retailer any fireworks without first obtaining a license from the State Fire Marshal for that calendar year. (Neb. RS 28-1246)

(B) Licensees shall only sell fireworks that have been approved by the State Fire Marshal.
(Neb. RS 28-1247)

(C) Permissible fireworks may be sold at retail only between June 24 and July 5 of each year.
(Neb. RS 28-1249)
(`88 Code, § 7-303) (Ord. 428, passed 11-15-99) Penalty, see § 10.99

CHAPTER 93: HEALTH AND SAFETY


Section

General Provisions

93.01 Health regulations
93.02 Enforcement official
93.03 County Board of Health

Nuisances

93.20 Definition
93.21 Abatement procedure
93.22 Jurisdiction
93.23 Adjoining land owners; intervention before trial
93.24 Dead or diseased trees

Abandoned Vehicles

93.40 Definitions
93.41 Purpose
93.42 Unregistered, dismantled or wrecked vehicles; prohibited; exceptions
93.43 Hobbyist permit
93.44 Abandonment prohibited; procedures; disposition
Cross reference:
Board of Health, see § 32.04

GENERAL PROVISIONS


§ 93.01 HEALTH REGULATIONS.

For the purpose of promoting the health and safety of the residents of the municipality, the Board of Health shall, from time to time, adopt such rules and regulations relative thereto and shall make such inspections, prescribe such penalties, and make such reports as may be necessary toward that purpose.
(`88 Code, §§ 4-401, 4-102)
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-121


§ 93.02 ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL.

The County Sheriff, as the quarantine officer, shall be the chief health officer of the municipality. It shall be his or her duty to notify the City Council and the Board of Health of health nuisances within the municipality and its zoning jurisdiction.
(`88 Code, § 4-102)
Statutory reference:
Quarantine officer, see Neb. RS 17-121


§ 93.03 COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH.

It shall be the duty of the Board of Health to work closely with the County Health Board in protecting the health and welfare of the residents of the municipality.
(`88 Code, § 4-104)

NUISANCES


§ 93.20 DEFINITION.

(A) General definition. A NUISANCE consists in doing any unlawful act, or omitting to perform a duty, or suffering or permitting any condition or thing to be or exist, which act, omission, condition or thing either:

(1) Injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others;

(2) Offends decency;

(3) Is offensive to the senses;
(4) Unlawfully interferes with, obstructs, tends to obstruct, or renders dangerous for passage any stream, public park, parkway, square, street, or highway in the municipality;

(5) In any way renders other persons insecure in life or the use of property; or

(6) Essentially interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property, or tends to depreciate the value of the property of others.

(B) Specific definition. The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving, or permitting of any of the following specific acts, omissions, places, conditions, and things are hereby declared to be NUISANCES:

(1) Any odorous, putrid, unsound, or unwholesome grain, meat, hides, skins, feathers, vegetable matter, or the whole or any part of any dead animal, fish, or fowl;

(2) Privies, vaults, cesspools, dumps, pits, or like places which are not securely protected from flies or rats, or which are foul or malodorous;

(3) Filthy, littered, or trash-covered cellars, houseyards, barnyards, stable-yards, factory-yards, mill yards, vacant areas in rear of stores, granaries, vacant lots, houses, buildings, or premises;

(4) Animal manure in any quantity which is not securely protected from flies and the elements, or which is kept or handled in violation of any ordinance of the municipality;

(5) Liquid household waste, human excreta, garbage, butcher's trimmings and offal, parts of fish, or any waste vegetable or animal matter in any quantity, provided that nothing herein contained shall prevent the temporary retention of waste in receptacles in a manner provided by the health officer of the municipality, nor the dumping of non-putrefying waste in a place and manner approved by the health officer;

(6) Tin cans, bottles, glass, cans, ashes, small pieces of scrap iron, wire metal articles, bric-a-brac, broken stone or cement, broken crockery, broken glass, broken plaster, and all trash or abandoned material, unless the same be kept in covered bins or galvanized iron receptacles;

(7) Trash, litter, rags, accumulations of barrels, boxes, crates, packing crates, mattresses, bedding, excelsior, packing hay, straw or other packing material, lumber not neatly piled, scrap iron, tin or other metal not neatly piled, old automobiles or parts thereof, or any other waste materials when any of the articles or materials create a condition in which flies or rats may breed or multiply, or which may be a fire danger or which are so unsightly as to depreciate property values in the vicinity thereof;

(8) Any unsightly building, billboard, or other structure, or any old, abandoned or partially destroyed building or structure or any building or structure commenced and left unfinished, which buildings, billboards, or other structures are either a fire hazard, a menace to the public health or safety, or are so unsightly as to depreciate the value of property in the vicinity thereof;

(9) All places used or maintained as junk yards, or dumping grounds, or for the wrecking and dissembling of automobiles, trucks, tractors, or machinery of any kind, or for the storing or leaving of worn-out, wrecked or abandoned automobiles, trucks, tractors, or machinery of any kind, or of any of the parts thereof, or for the storing or leaving of any machinery or equipment used by contractors or builders or by other persons, which places are kept or maintained so as to essentially interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by others, or which are so unsightly as to tend to depreciate property values in the vicinity thereof;

(10) Stagnant water permitted or maintained on any lot or piece of ground;

(11) Stockyards, granaries, mills, pig pens, cattle pens, chicken pens or any other place, building or enclosure, in which animals or fowls of any kind are confined or on which are stored tankage or any other animal or vegetable matter, or on which any animal or vegetable matter including grain is being processed, when the places in which the animals are confined, or the premises on which the vegetable or animal matter is located are maintained and kept in such a manner that foul and noxious odors are permitted to emanate therefrom to the annoyance of inhabitants of the municipality or are maintained and kept in such a manner as to be injurious to the public health; or

(12) All other things specifically designated as nuisances elsewhere in this code.
(`88 Code, §§ 4-301, 4-302)
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate and abate nuisances, see Neb. RS 18-1720


§ 93.21 ABATEMENT PROCEDURE.

(A) It shall be the duty of every owner or occupant of real estate in the municipality to keep such real estate free of public nuisances. Upon determination by the Board of Health that the owner or occupant has failed to keep such real estate free of public nuisances, notice to abate and remove such nuisance and notice of the right to a hearing before the City Council and the manner in which it may be requested shall be given to the owner or occupant, or the owner's or occupant's duly authorized agent, by personal service or certified mail. Such notice shall describe the condition as found by the Board of Health and state that the condition has been declared a public nuisance and that the condition must be remedied at once. Within ten days after the receipt of such notice, if the owner or occupant of the real estate does not request a hearing or fails to comply with the order to abate and remove the nuisance, the municipality shall have such work done and may levy and assess the costs and expenses of the work upon the real estate so benefited in the same manner as other special taxes for improvements are levied and assessed.

(B) If the owner or occupant requests in writing a hearing with the City Council, the City Council shall fix a time and place at which a hearing will be held. Notice of the hearing shall be given by personal service or certified mail and require the owner or occupant to appear before the City Council to show cause why such condition should not be found to be a public nuisance and remedied. Such notice shall be given not less than seven, nor more than 14 days before the time of the hearing. Upon the date fixed for the hearing and pursuant to the notice, the City Council shall hear all objections made by the owner or occupant and shall hear evidence submitted by the Board of Health. If after consideration of all the evidence, the City Council finds that the condition is a public nuisance, it shall, by resolution, order and direct the owner or occupant to remedy the public nuisance at once. If the owner or occupant refuses or neglects to promptly comply with the order of the City Council, the City Council shall proceed to cause the abatement of the described public nuisance and may levy and assess the costs and expenses of the work upon the real estate so benefited in the same manner as other special taxes for improvements are levied and assessed.
(`88 Code, § 4-303) (Ord. 376, passed 2-6-96)
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate and abate nuisances, see Neb. RS 18-1720


§ 93.22 JURISDICTION.

The Mayor and Sheriff’s Department are directed to enforce this municipal code against all nuisances. The jurisdiction of the Mayor, Sheriff’s Department, and court shall extend to and the territorial application of this chapter shall include all territory adjacent to the limits of the municipality within one mile thereof and all territory within the corporate limits.
(`88 Code, § 4-304)
Statutory reference:
Zoning jurisdiction, see Neb. RS 17-1001
Authority to regulate and abate nuisances, the Neb. RS 18-1720


§ 93.23 ADJOINING LAND OWNERS; INTERVENTION BEFORE TRIAL.

In cases of appeal from an action of the City Council condemning real property as a nuisance or as dangerous under the police powers of the municipality, the owners of the adjoining property may intervene in the action at any time before trial.
(Neb. RS 19-710) (`88 Code, § 4-305)


§ 93.24 DEAD OR DISEASED TREES.

(A) It is hereby declared a nuisance for a property owner to permit, allow, or maintain any dead or diseased trees within the right-of-way of streets within the corporate limits of the municipality.

(B) It is hereby declared a nuisance for a property owner to permit, allow, or maintain any dead or diseased trees on private property within the corporate limits of the municipality. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, the Sheriff’s Department shall have the authority to enter upon private property to inspect the trees thereon.

(C) Notice to abate and remove such nuisance and notice of the right to a hearing and the manner in which it may be requested shall be given to each owner or owner's duly authorized agent and to the occupant, if any, by personal service or certified mail. Within 30 days after the receipt of such notice, if the owner or occupant of the lot or piece of ground does not request a hearing or fails to comply with the order to abate and remove the nuisance, the municipality may have such work done and may levy and assess all or any portion of the costs and expenses of the work upon the lot or piece of ground so benefited in the same manner as other special taxes for improvements are levied or assessed.
(`88 Code, § 6-305)
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate and abate dead and diseased trees, see Neb. RS 17-555
Authority to regulate and abate nuisances, see Neb. RS 18-1720
Nuisances prohibited, see Neb. RS 28-1321
Cross-reference:
Trees regulated in general, see Chapter 96

ABANDONED VEHICLES


§ 93.40 DEFINITIONS.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

MAYOR OR DESIGNATED AGENT. The Mayor of the city or his/her designated agent as designated by the City Council to perform any duty listed in this subchapter.

PROPERTY. Any real property within the city or any city property within or without the corporate limits which is not a street or highway.

STREET or HIGHWAY. The entire width between the boundary lines of every publicly maintained way when any part thereof is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.

VEHICLE. A machine propelled by power other than human power, designed to travel on ground or water by use of wheels, treads, runners, slides, or other methods, and transport persons or property or pull machinery or freight, and must be titled by the state, and shall include, but not be limited to, automobiles, airplanes, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, motor scooters, tractors, recreational or sporting vehicles, mopeds, and such non-powered vehicles as, but not limited to, boats, boat trailers, farm machinery, utility trailers, campers, or trailers.
(`88 Code, § 6-401) (Ord. 452, passed 8-28-01)


§ 93.41 PURPOSE.

It is hereby expressly found and determined that the practice of permitting unlicensed motor vehicles, motor vehicle bodies, and motor vehicle chassis or parts therefrom to be stored or accumulated on private premises is unsightly and unhealthy and constitutes a nuisance to the citizens and residents of this city, provided, the storage or accumulation of such motor vehicles, motor vehicle bodies, and motor vehicle chassis or parts therefrom in completely enclosed building shall not be considered a nuisance. No person shall store, retain, or keep on, or permit to be stored, retained, or kept on, any private premises any motor vehicle that has been unlicensed for a period in excess of four months under the laws of the state of Nebraska or any motor vehicle body or motor vehicle chassis or parts therefrom, provided, this section shall not apply to such motor vehicle, motor vehicle body, or motor vehicle chassis or parts therefrom that is kept in a completely enclosed building, and further this section shall not apply to the premises where a licensed motor vehicle dealer, a farm implement dealer or an automobile repair shop where business is conducted.
(`88 Code, § 6-403)


§ 93.42 UNREGISTERED, DISMANTLED OR WRECKED VEHICLES; PROHIBITED;
EXCEPTIONS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to keep on, in, or about any place within the city or on city property, within or without the corporate limits, for more than 30 days, any nonoperating, wrecked, junked, partially dismantled or a vehicle which lacks or has missing, removed, or broken parts so as to render it incapable of being operated under its own power, or in the case of a non-powered vehicle such that the vehicle is incapable of being used for the purpose for which it was manufactured. It shall be unlawful for any person to keep on, in, or about any place within the city or on city property, within or without the corporate limits, any vehicle, or parts therefrom, which has been unregistered for more than 30 days; provided that, this section shall not apply to a vehicle and all parts thereof which are kept in a completely enclosed building, or is completely screened from public view by natural or other means provided that such screened-off area does not otherwise violate any provision of the municipal code. Also provided that, this section shall not apply to a vehicle and all parts thereof which are entirely covered by a tarpaulin or other opaque cover tailored to fit the contour of the vehicle and securely fasten in place against removal by wind or storm or other natural causes; however, that such permitted storage is limited to one vehicle in number as to any premise within the city limits. This section does not apply to a vehicle on the premises of a business enterprise operated in a lawful place and manner, when necessary to the lawful operation of such business enterprise, or a vehicle on the premises of a person who has obtained a hobbyist permit for restoration of such vehicle.
(`88 Code, § 6-402) (Ord. 452, passed 8-28-01) Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 93.43 HOBBYIST PERMIT.

A hobbyist permit for the restoration or repair of up to two nonoperating, wrecked, junked or partially dismantled vehicles on any premises used for residential purposes may be granted to the residents of such premises as follows:

(A) Application for a hobbyist permit shall be filed with the City Clerk on a form provided by the city and shall contain the name and address of the applicant, and the make, model, year and vehicle identification number of each vehicle to be restored or repaired.

(B) The vehicle or vehicles to be restored or repaired shall be owned by the occupant.

(C) The fee for such hobbyist permit shall be $50 per vehicle.

(D) All permits shall expire on the 180th day following the date of issuance of such permit.
(`88 Code, § 6-403.1) (Ord. 400, passed 9-4-97)


§ 93.44 ABANDONMENT PROHIBITED; PROCEDURES; DISPOSITION.

(A) (1) No person shall cause any vehicle to be an abandoned vehicle as described in division (B) (1), (2), (3), or (4) of this section.
(Neb. RS 60-1907)

(2) No person other than one authorized by the municipality or appropriate state agency shall destroy, deface, or remove any part of a vehicle which is left unattended on a highway or other public place without license plates affixed or which is abandoned.
(Neb. RS 60-1908)

(B) A motor vehicle is an abandoned vehicle:

(1) If left unattended, with no license plates or valid In Transit decals issued pursuant to Neb. RS 60-320 affixed thereto, for more than six hours on any public property;

(2) If left unattended for more than 24 hours on any public property, except a portion thereof on which parking is legally permitted;

(3) If left unattended for more than 48 hours after the parking of such vehicle has become illegal, if left on a portion of any public property on which parking is legally permitted;

(4) If left unattended for more than seven days on private property if left initially without permission of the owner, or after permission of the owner is terminated; or

(5) If left for more than 30 days in the custody of a law enforcement agency after the agency has sent a letter to the last-registered owner under division (E) of this section.

(6) No motor vehicle subject to forfeiture under Neb. RS 28-431 shall be an abandoned vehicle under this division.
(Neb. RS 60-1901)

(C) If an abandoned vehicle, at the time of abandonment, has no license plates of the current year or valid In Transit decals issued pursuant to Neb. RS 60-320 affixed and is of a wholesale value, taking into consideration the condition of the vehicle, of $250 or less, title shall immediately vest in the municipality.
(Neb. RS 60-1902)
(D) (1) Except for vehicles governed by division (C) of this section, the municipality shall make an inquiry concerning the last-registered owner of an abandoned vehicle as follows:

(a) Abandoned vehicle with license plates affixed, to the jurisdiction which issued such license plates; or

(b) Abandoned vehicle with no license plates affixed, to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(2) The municipality shall notify the last-registered owner, if any, that the vehicle in question has been determined to be an abandoned vehicle and that, if unclaimed, either:

(a) It will be sold or will be offered at public auction after five days from the date such notice was mailed; or

(b) Title will vest in the municipality 30 days after the date such notice was mailed.

(3) If the municipality is notified that a lien or mortgage exists, the notice described in division (D)(2) of this section shall also be sent to the lienholder or mortgagee. Any person claiming such vehicle shall be required to pay the cost of removal and storage of such vehicle.

(4) Title to an abandoned vehicle, if unclaimed, shall vest in the municipality:

(a) Five days after the date the notice is mailed if the vehicle will be sold or offered at public auction under division (D)(2)(a) of this section;

(b) Thirty days after the date the notice is mailed if the municipality will retain the vehicle; or

(c) If the last-registered owner cannot be ascertained, when notice of such fact is received.

(5) After title to the abandoned vehicle vests pursuant to division (D)(4) of this section, the municipality may retain for use, sell, or auction the abandoned vehicle. If the municipality has determined that the vehicle should be retained for use, the municipality shall, at the same time that the notice, if any, is mailed, publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the jurisdiction an announcement that the municipality intends to retain the abandoned vehicle for its use and that title will vest in the municipality 30 days after publication.
(Neb. RS 60-1903)

(E) (1) If the municipal law enforcement agency has custody of a motor vehicle for investigatory purposes and has no further need to keep it in custody, it shall send a certified letter to each of the last-registered owners stating that the vehicle is in the custody of the agency, that the vehicle is no longer needed for law enforcement purposes, and that after 30 days the agency will dispose of the vehicle.

(2) This division shall not apply to motor vehicles subject to forfeiture under Neb. RS 28-431.

(3) No storage fees shall be assessed against the registered owner of a motor vehicle held in custody for investigatory purposes under this division unless the registered owner or the person in possession of the vehicle when it is taken into custody is charged with a felony or misdemeanor related to the offense for which the law enforcement agency took the vehicle into custody. If a registered owner or the person in possession of the vehicle when it is taken into custody is charged with a felony or misdemeanor but is not convicted, the registered owner shall be entitled to a refund of the storage fees.
(Neb. RS 60-1903.01)

(F) Any proceeds from the sale of an abandoned vehicle, less any expenses incurred by the municipality, shall be held by the municipality without interest, for the benefit of the owner or lienholders of such vehicle for a period of two years. If not claimed within such two-year period, the proceeds shall be paid into the general fund of the municipality.
(Neb. RS 60-1905)

(G) Neither the owner, lessee, nor occupant of the premises from which any abandoned vehicle is removed, nor the municipality, shall be liable for any loss or damage to such vehicle which occurs during its removal or while in the possession of the municipality or its contractual agent or as a result of any subsequent disposition.
(Neb. RS 60-1906)

(H) The last-registered owner of an abandoned vehicle shall be liable to the municipality for the costs of removal and storage of such vehicle.
(Neb. RS 60-1909)

(I) For purposes of this section, PUBLIC PROPERTY means any public right-of-way, street, highway, alley or park or other state, county, or municipally owned property; PRIVATE PROPERTY means any privately owned property which is not included within the definition of public property.
(Neb. RS 60-1901)

(J) Any person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of an offense.
(`88 Code, § 6-406) (Ord. 442, passed 4-2-01) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Additional regulations, Neb. RS 60-1901 through 60-1911


CHAPTER 94: PUBLIC WAYS AND PROPERTY


Section

Municipal Property

94.001 Definition
94.002 Maintenance and control
94.003 Obstructions
94.004 Weeds
94.005 Signs and canopies
94.006 Overhanging branches
94.007 Sale and conveyance
94.008 Acquisition of property; construction; elections, when required
94.009 Acquisition of real property; appraisal
94.010 Acquisition of real property; public meeting
94.011 Public works involving architecture or engineering; requirements

Sidewalks

94.020 Kept clean
94.021 Maintenance
94.022 Repair
94.023 Use of space beneath
94.024 Dangerous stairway
94.025 Construction at owner’s initiative
94.026 Construction at municipal direction

Streets

94.040 Grading, paving and other improvements
94.041 Improvements without petition or creation of district
94.042 Vacating public ways
94.043 Crossings
94.044 Names and numbers
94.045 Cutting into paving, curb, or sidewalk
94.046 Driveway approaches
94.047 Excavation
94.048 Driving stakes
94.049 Mixing concrete
94.050 Harmful liquids
94.051 Eave and gutter spouts
94.052 Heavy equipment; special tires
94.053 Pipe lines and wires
94.054 Snow, debris, and the like on street prohibited

MUNICIPAL PROPERTY


§ 94.001 DEFINITION.

For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

SIDEWALK SPACE. That portion of a street between curb lines and adjacent property lines.


§ 94.002 MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL.

The City Council shall have the care, supervision, and control of all public highways, bridges, streets, alleys, public squares, and commons within the municipality and shall cause the same to be kept open and in repair and free from nuisances.
(Neb. RS 17-567(1))


§ 94.003 OBSTRUCTIONS.

(A) Trees and shrubs growing upon or near the lot line, or upon public ground, and interfering with the use or construction of any public improvements shall be deemed an obstruction under this chapter. Such trees and shrubs and their roots may be removed by the municipality at the expense of the owner of the property upon which the tree is located should the owner fail, or neglect, after notice, to do so. It shall be unlawful for any person, persons, firm, or corporation to obstruct, or encumber, by fences, gates, buildings, structures, or otherwise, any of the streets, alleys, or sidewalks. The public ways and property shall be considered to be obstructed when the owner or occupant of the adjacent property shall permit or suffer to remain on any premise owned or controlled by him or her any hedge, shrubbery, bush, or similar growth within two feet adjacent to the lot line whether there is a sidewalk abutting or adjoining such premise or not. It shall be the duty of owners and occupants to at all times keep trimmed and pruned all such similar growth. Whenever any such growth is allowed to grow within two feet of the lot line contrary to the provisions of this chapter, the City Council may pass a resolution ordering the owner or occupant to remove such obstructions within five days after having been served with a copy of the resolution by the municipality stating that the municipality will do so and will charge the costs thereof to the owner or occupant as a special assessment for improvements as herein provided, or shall collect the same by civil suit brought in the name of the municipality against the owner or occupant. It shall be the duty of an owner or occupant engaged in construction of any building or improvement upon or near the public ways and property to have all excavations or exposures of any kind protected and guarded by suitable guards or barricades by day and by warning lights at night. In the event of failure, neglect, or refusal to comply with the provisions of this subchapter, it shall be the duty of the municipality to stop all work upon the buildings and improvements until suitable guards are erected and kept in the manner aforesaid. Trees and shrubs growing upon the lot line partially on public ground and partially upon the abutting property, or wholly upon the abutting property, but so close to the lot line as to interfere with the making of any public improvement or so that the roots thereof interfere with any utility wires or pipe shall be deemed an obstruction, and such trees, shrubs, and roots may be removed by the municipality pursuant to the procedure prescribed above. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.

(B) Persons engaged in the erection, construction, reconstruction, wrecking, or repairing of any building, or the construction, or repair, of a sidewalk along any street, may occupy the public street space with such building material and equipment as long as is necessary if such persons shall make application to and receive a permit in writing from the municipal official in charge of municipal streets to do so, provided that no permit for the occupancy of the sidewalk space and more than 1/3 of the roadway of the public space adjacent to the real estate on which said building is to be constructed, erected, reconstructed, wrecked, or repaired shall be granted, and provided further that a suitable passageway for pedestrians shall be maintained within the public space included in the permit which shall be protected and lighted in the manner required by the official issuing the permit.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to remove obstructions, see Neb. RS 17-555
Authority to regulate and abate obstructions, see Neb. RS 17-557 and 17-557.01


§ 94.004 WEEDS.

It is hereby the duty of the Utilities Superintendent or his or her duly authorized agent to view and inspect the sidewalk space within the corporate limits for growing weeds during the growing season, and if rank and noxious weeds are found growing thereon, he or she shall notify the owner or occupant thereof to cut down such weeds as close to the ground as can be practicably done and keep the weeds cut thereon in like manner during the growing season for weeds, provided that any weeds growing in excess of 12 inches on any sidewalk space shall be considered a violation of this section. In the event that the owner of the lot or parcel of land abutting said sidewalk space within the municipality is a non-resident of the municipality or cannot be found therein the notice may be given to any person having the care, custody, or control of such lot or parcel of land. In the event that there can be found no one within the municipality to whom notice can be given, it shall be the duty of the Utilities Superintendent or his or her agent to post a copy of the notice on the premise and then to cut or cause the weeds thereon to be cut as therein provided and report the cost thereof in writing to the City Council. The cost shall then be audited and paid by the municipality and the amount thereof shall be assessed against the lot or parcel of land as a special tax thereon and shall be collected as are other taxes of the municipality or may be recovered by civil suit brought by the municipality against the owner of the parcel of land. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-563


§ 94.005 SIGNS AND CANOPIES.

No person, firm, or corporation shall erect, or maintain, any sign, signboard, poster, or rigid canopy over any street, sidewalk, alley, or on other public property without having first obtained a permit therefor. Permits for signs, canopies, posters, and signboards shall be issued by the Municipal Clerk, subject to the approval of the Utilities Superintendent, upon payment of a fee set by resolution of the City Council. All signs and canopies extending over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public place must be securely fastened and constructed so that there will be no danger of the same being dislodged by ordinary winds, or falling from other causes. No sign or canopy shall be erected or maintained which extends over any public sidewalk, street, alley, or other public place in such a location as to obstruct the view of any traffic light, sign, or signal. Upon the written order of the City Council, any person owning or occupying the premise where such a sign, canopy, poster, or signboard is located, shall cause the same to be removed within the time limit specified on such notice.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.006 OVERHANGING BRANCHES.

The owner or occupant of any lot, piece, or parcel of ground abutting or adjacent to any street or sidewalk over which there extends the branches of trees shall at all times keep the branches or limbs thereof trimmed to the height of at least ten feet above the surface of the walk and at least 17 feet above the surface of the street. Whenever the limbs or branches of any tree or trees extend over streets or sidewalks contrary to the provisions herein so as to interfere with the lighting of the street from street lights or with the convenience of the public using the street or sidewalk, the City Council at any regular or special meeting may pass a resolution ordering the owner or occupant to cut or remove the obstructions within five days after having received a copy thereof from the Utilities Superintendent stating that the municipality will remove the branches and charge the costs thereof to the owner or occupant as a special assessment for improvements as herein provided, if the resolution is not complied with. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-557 and 17-557.01


§ 94.007 SALE AND CONVEYANCE.

(A) Except as provided in division (G) of this section, the power of the city to convey any real property owned by it, including land used for park purposes and public squares, except real property used in the operation of public utilities, shall be exercised by resolution, directing the sale at public auction or by sealed bid of such property and the manner and terms thereof, except that such property shall not be sold at public auction or by sealed bid when:

(1) Such property is being sold in compliance with the requirements of federal or state grants or programs;

(2) Such property is being conveyed to another public agency; or

(3) Such property consists of streets and alleys.

(B) The City Council may establish a minimum price for real property at which bidding shall begin or shall serve as a minimum for a sealed bid.

(C) After the passage of the resolution directing the sale, notice of all proposed sales of property described in division (A) of this section and the terms thereof shall be published once each week for three consecutive weeks in a legal newspaper published in or of general circulation in the city.

(D) (1) If within 30 days after the third publication of the notice a remonstrance against such sale is signed by registered voters of the city equal in number to 30% of the registered voters of the city voting at the last regular municipal election held therein and is filed with the City Council, such property shall not then, nor within one year thereafter, be sold. If the date for filing the remonstrance falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the signatures shall be collected within the 30-day period, but the filing shall be considered timely if filed or postmarked on or before the next business day.

(2) Upon the receipt of the remonstrance, the City Council, with the aid and assistance of the Election Commissioner or County Clerk, shall determine the validity and sufficiency of signatures on the remonstrance. The City Council shall deliver the remonstrance to the Election Commissioner or County Clerk by hand carrier, by use of law enforcement officials, or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(3) Upon receipt of the remonstrance, the Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall issue to the City Council a written receipt that the remonstrance is in the custody of the Election Commissioner or County Clerk. The Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall compare the signature of each person signing the remonstrance with the voter registration records to determine if each signer was a registered voter on or before the date on which the remonstrance was filed with the City Council. The Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall also compare the signer's printed name, street and number or voting precinct, and city or post office address with the voter registration records to determine whether the signer was a registered voter. The signature and address shall be presumed to be valid only if the Election Commissioner or County Clerk determines that the printed name, street and number or voting precinct, and city or post office address matches the registration records and that the registration was received on or before the date on which the remonstrance was filed with the City Council. The determinations of the Election Commissioner or County Clerk may be rebutted by any credible evidence which the City Council finds sufficient. The express purpose of the comparison of names and addresses with the voter registration records, in addition to helping to determine the validity of the remonstrance, the sufficiency of the remonstrance, and the qualifications of the signer, shall be to prevent fraud, deception, and misrepresentation in the remonstrance process.

(4) Upon completion of the comparison of names and addresses with the voter registration records, the Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall prepare in writing a certification under seal setting forth the name and address of each signer found not to be a registered voter and the signature page number and line number where the name is found, and if the reason for the invalidity of the signature or address is other than the nonregistration of the signer, the Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall set forth the reason for the invalidity of the signature. If the Election Commissioner or County Clerk determines that a signer has affixed his or her signature more than once to the remonstrance and that only one person is registered by that name, the Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall prepare in writing a certification under seal setting forth the name of the duplicate signature and shall count only the earliest dated signature.

(5) The Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall certify to the City Council the number of valid signatures necessary to constitute a valid remonstrance. The Election Commissioner or County Clerk shall deliver the remonstrance and the certifications to the City Council within 40 days after the receipt of the remonstrance from the City Council. The delivery shall be by hand carrier, by use of law enforcement officials, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. Not more than 20 signatures on one signature page shall be counted.

(6) The City Council shall, within 30 days after the receipt of the remonstrance and certifications from the Election Commissioner or County Clerk, hold a public hearing to review the remonstrance and certifications and receive testimony regarding them. The City Council shall, following the hearing, vote on whether or not the remonstrance is valid and shall uphold the remonstrance if sufficient valid signatures have been received.

(E) Real estate now owned or hereafter owned by the city may be conveyed without consideration to the State of Nebraska for state armory sites or, if acquired for state armory sites, shall be conveyed strictly in accordance with the conditions of Neb. RS 18-1001 to 18-1006.

(F) Following (1) passage of the resolution directing a sale, (2) publishing of the notice of the proposed sale, and (3) passing of the 30-day right-of-remonstrance period, the property shall then be sold. Such sale shall be confirmed by passage of an ordinance stating the name of the purchaser and terms of the sale.
(Neb. RS 17-503)

(G) Divisions (A) through (F) of this section shall not apply to the sale of real property if the authorizing resolution directs the sale of real property, the total fair market value of which is less than $5,000. Following passage of the resolution directing the sale of the property, notice of the sale shall be posted in three prominent places within the city for a period of not less than seven days prior to the sale of the property. The notice shall give a general description of the property offered for sale and state the terms and conditions of sale. Confirmation of the sale by passage of an ordinance may be required.
(Neb. RS 17-503.01)
(Ord. 461, passed 12-3-01)


§ 94.008 ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY; CONSTRUCTION; ELECTIONS, WHEN
REQUIRED.

(A) The municipality is authorized and empowered to purchase, accept by gift or devise, purchase real estate upon which to erect, and erect a building or buildings for an auditorium, fire station, municipal building, or community house for housing municipal enterprises and social and recreation purposes, and other public buildings, and maintain, manage, and operate the same for the benefit of the inhabitants of the municipality.

(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, before any such purchase can be made or building erected, the question shall be submitted to the electors of the municipality at a general municipal election or at an election duly called for that purpose, or as set forth in Neb. RS 17-954 and be adopted by a majority of the electors voting on such question.
(Neb. RS 17-953)

(C) If the funds to be used to finance the purchase or construction of a building pursuant to this section are available other than through a bond issue, then either:

(1) Notice of the proposed purchase or construction shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality, and no election shall be required to approve the purchase or construction unless within 30 days after the publication of the notice, a remonstrance against the purchase or construction is signed by registered voters of the municipality equal in number to 15% of the registered voters of the municipality voting at the last regular municipal election held therein and is filed with the City Council. If the date for filing the remonstrance falls upon a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the signatures shall be considered timely if filed or postmarked on or before the next business day. If a remonstrance with the necessary number of qualified signatures is timely filed, the question shall be submitted to the voters of the municipality at a general municipal election or a special election duly called for that purpose. If the purchase or construction is not approved, the property involved shall not then, nor within one year following the election, be purchased or constructed; or

(2) The City Council may proceed without providing the notice and right of remonstrance required in subdivision (C)(1) of this subsection if the property can be purchased below the fair market value as determined by an appraisal, there is a willing seller, and the purchase price is less than $25,000. The purchase shall be approved by the City Council after notice and public hearing as provided in Neb. RS 18-1755.
(Neb. RS 17-953.01)


§ 94.009 ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; APPRAISAL.

The municipality shall not purchase, lease-purchase, or acquire for consideration real property having an estimated value of $100,000 or more unless an appraisal of such property has been performed by a certified real estate appraiser.
(Neb. RS 13-403)


§ 94.010 ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY; PUBLIC MEETING.

When acquiring an interest in real property by purchase or eminent domain, the municipality shall do so only after the City Council has authorized the acquisition by action taken in a public meeting after notice and public hearing.
(Neb. RS 18-1755)


§ 94.011 PUBLIC WORKS INVOLVING ARCHITECTURE OR ENGINEERING;
REQUIREMENTS.

(A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, the municipality shall not engage in the construction of any public works involving architecture or engineering unless the plans, specifications, and estimates have been prepared and the construction has been observed by an architect, a professional engineer, or a person under the direct supervision of an architect, professional engineer, or those under the direct supervision of an architect or professional engineer.

(B) Division (A) of this section shall not apply to the following activities:

(1) Any public works project with contemplated expenditures for the completed project that do not exceed $86,000;

(2) Any alteration, renovation, or remodeling of a building if the alteration, renovation, or remodeling does not affect architectural or engineering safety features of the building;

(3) Performance by the municipality of professional services for itself if the municipality appoints a municipal engineer or employs a full-time person licensed under the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act who is in responsible charge of architectural or engineering work;

(4) The practice of any other certified trade or legally recognized profession;

(5) Earthmoving and related work associated with soil and water conservation practices performed on any land owned by the municipality that is not subject to a permit from the Department of Natural Resources;

(6) The work of employees and agents of the municipality performing, in accordance with other requirements of law, their customary duties in the administration and enforcement of codes, permit programs, and land use regulations and their customary duties in utility and public works construction, operation, and maintenance;

(7) Those services ordinarily performed by subordinates under direct supervision of a professional engineer or those commonly designated as locomotive, stationary, marine operating engineers, power plant operating engineers, or manufacturers who supervise the operation of or operate machinery or equipment or who supervise construction within their own plant;

(8) The construction of water wells as defined in Neb. RS 46-1212, the installation of pumps and pumping equipment into water wells, and the decommissioning of water wells, unless such construction, installation, or decommissioning is required by the municipality to be designed or supervised by an engineer or unless legal requirements are imposed upon the municipality as a part of a public water supply; and

(9) Any other activities described in Neb. RS 81-3449 to 81-3453.
(Neb. RS 81-3423, 81-3445, 81-3449, and 81-3453)

SIDEWALKS


§ 94.020 KEPT CLEAN.

It shall be unlawful for the occupant of any lot or lots or the owner of any vacant lot or lots within the corporate limits to allow snow, sleet, mud, ice, or other substance to accumulate on the sidewalks or to permit any snow, sleet, ice, mud, or other substance to remain upon the sidewalk. All sidewalks within the business district shall be cleaned within six hours after the cessation of a storm, unless the storm or fall of snow shall have taken place during the night, in which case the sidewalk shall be cleaned before 8:00 a.m. the following day, provided that sidewalks within the residential areas of the municipality shall be cleaned within 24 hours after the cessation of the storm.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.021 MAINTENANCE.

Every owner of any lot, lots, or piece of land within the corporate limits shall at all times keep and maintain the sidewalk along and contiguous to the lot, lots, or pieces of land, as the case may be, in good and proper repair, and in a condition reasonably safe for travel for all travelers thereon. In the event that the owner or owners of any lot, lots, or lands, abutting on any street, avenue, or part thereof shall fail to construct or repair any sidewalk in front of his, her, or their lot, lots, or lands, within the time and in the manner as directed and required herein after having received due notice to do so, they shall be liable for all damages or injury occasioned by reason of the defective or dangerous condition of any sidewalk, and the City Council shall have power to cause any such sidewalks to be constructed or repaired and assess the costs thereof against such property. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.022 REPAIR.

(A) The City Council may, by resolution, order the repair of a sidewalk on any lot or piece of ground within the municipality and may assess the expense thereof on the property in front of which such repairs are made, after having given notice of its intention to do so:

(1) By publication in one issue of a legal newspaper of general circulation in the municipality; and

(2) By either causing a written notice to be served upon the occupant in possession of the property involved or to be posted upon such premises ten days prior to the commencement of such repair.
(Neb. RS 17-522)

(B) The notice shall:

(1) State that the City Council has ordered repair of the sidewalk;

(2) Contain the municipality's estimate of the cost of the repair;

(3) Notify the property owner that he or she may, within 10 days after the date of publication of the notice, notify the municipality that he or she will repair the sidewalk within 30 days after such date of publication;

(4) Notify the property owner that if he or she fails to so notify the municipality within the 10 days or, having so notified the municipality, fails to repair the sidewalk within the 30 days, the municipality will cause the sidewalk to be repaired and the expense thereof to be assessed against the property.

(C) (1) Before the municipality imposes any special assessments for sidewalk repair, a copy of the notice that is required to be published shall be mailed to the last-known address of all nonresident property owners as shown on the current tax rolls at the time such notice is first published.
(Neb. RS 13-310)

(2) The City Clerk shall mail the notice by certified mail with return receipt requested.
(Neb. RS 13-312)

(3) For purposes of this division, nonresident property owner means any person or corporation whose residence and mailing address as shown on the current tax rolls is outside the boundaries of the county in which the property subject to assessment is located and who is a record owner of the property.
(Neb. RS 13-314)

(D) All sidewalks shall be repaired in conformity with such plans and specifications as may be approved by the City Council.

(E) Assessments made under this section shall be made and assessed in the manner provided in Neb. RS 17-524.


§ 94.023 USE OF SPACE BENEATH.

No person shall be allowed to keep or use the space beneath the sidewalk lying between lot line and curb line unless a permit therefor shall have been obtained from the City Council. Before any permit shall be granted, the applicant for said permit shall submit plans and specifications of any present or proposed construction to the Municipal Engineer. Should such plans or specifications be disapproved by the Engineer, no permit shall be granted therefor. All permits hereafter granted shall continue only upon the condition that the party receiving the same shall build, maintain, and keep in repair a sidewalk over such space used or constructed to be used and pay all damages that may be sustained by any person by reason of such use or by reason of said sidewalk being defective or in a dangerous condition. As a condition precedent to the issuance or continuance of any permit for the use of any space underneath the municipal sidewalks as herein contemplated, the City Council may require applicant to furnish a bond to the municipality as obligee for the benefit of any person or persons who may suffer any damage or damages by reason of such use. The bond shall be in such sum as the City Council, in its discretion, may designate.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.024 DANGEROUS STAIRWAY.

It shall be unlawful for any person to construct or maintain any stairway, open cellarway, open basement way, or open entrance thereto in or adjacent to any sidewalk, pavement, or street, and any such entrance is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, provided that all existing stairways, open cellarways, open basement ways, or open entrances thereto in sidewalks, pavements, or streets may be permitted to remain from and after the passage, approval, and publication of this code if the person owning or using the opening in the sidewalk, or street, shall satisfy the Utilities Superintendent that the same is properly protected by a balustrade or coping of durable material and shall furnish the municipality with a bond in such amount as the City Council may set, for the benefit of any person who might suffer an injury or damage by reason of the use of the stairway, cellarway, or open basement way.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.025 CONSTRUCTION AT OWNER’S INITIATIVE.

(A) Any person desiring to construct, or cause to be constructed, any sidewalk shall do so only as herein provided. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct any sidewalk without first having obtained a permit.

(B) The owner shall make application in writing for a permit and file such application in the office of the Municipal Clerk. The permit shall give a description of the lot or piece of land along which the sidewalk is to be constructed. The official in charge of sidewalks shall issue the desired permit unless good cause shall appear why the permit should be denied, provided that if it is desired to construct the sidewalk at any other than the regularly prescribed location, grade, or elevation, the municipal official in charge of sidewalks shall submit the application to the City Council who shall determine whether the permit should be granted or denied. It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, or cause to be constructed the sidewalk at any other location, grade, or elevation than so designated by the municipality. All sidewalks shall be built and constructed on the established grade or elevation, and if there is no established grade, then on the grade or elevation indicated by the municipal official in charge of sidewalks.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.026 CONSTRUCTION AT MUNICIPAL DIRECTION.

(A) The City Council may, by resolution, order the construction of a sidewalk on any lot or piece of ground within the municipality. Notice of the City Council's intention to construct the sidewalk shall be given by the Municipal Clerk by publication of notice one time in a legal newspaper of general circulation in the municipality.

(B) A copy of the notice shall be personally served upon the occupant in possession of such property, or, when personal service is not possible, the notice shall be posted upon such premises ten days prior to the commencement of construction. The notice required in this section shall be prepared by the Municipal Attorney in accordance with the provisions of this section. Such service shall include a form of return evidencing personal service or posting as herein required.

(C) The notice shall notify the owner of the premises of the passage of the resolution ordering the owner to construct or cause to be constructed a sidewalk within 30 days after the date of publication, and further that if the owner fails to construct the sidewalk or cause the same to be done within the time allowed, the municipality will cause the sidewalk to be constructed, and the cost thereof shall be levied and assessed as a special tax against the premises, provided that the notice shall contain the official estimate of the cost of construction, and no special assessment in excess of this estimate shall be assessed against the property. In the event the property owner is a non-resident of the county in which the property lies, the municipality shall, before levying any special assessment against that property, send a copy of any notice required by law to be published by means of certified mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the non-resident property owner. The last known address shall be that address listed on the current tax rolls at the time such required notice was first published.
Statutory reference:
Authority to construct pedestrian walks by creation of improvement district, see Neb. RS
17-509 et seq.
Authority to construct or otherwise improve through sidewalk district, see Neb. RS 19-2417
through 19-2419
Authority to construct and repair sidewalks without creation of improvement district, see Neb.
RS 17-522 and 17-524

STREETS


§ 94.040 GRADING, PAVING AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS.

(A) The municipality has the power to provide for the grading and repair of any street, avenue, or alley. No street, avenue, or alley shall be graded unless the grading is ordered to be done by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the City Council.
(Neb. RS 17-508)

(B) The City Council may grade, partially or to an established grade, change grade, curb, recurb, gutter, regutter, pave, gravel, regravel, macadamize, remacadamize, widen, or narrow streets or roadways, resurface or relay existing pavement, or otherwise improve any streets, alleys, public grounds, public ways, entirely or partially, and streets which divide the city corporate area and the area adjoining the city. These projects may be funded at public cost or by the levy of special assessments on the property especially benefited in proportion to such benefits, except as provided in Neb. RS 19-2428 to 19-2431. The City Council may by ordinance create improvement districts, to be consecutively numbered, which may include two or more connecting or intersecting streets, alleys, or public ways, and may include two or more of the improvements in one proceeding.
(Neb. RS 17-509)

(C) Whenever the City Council deems it necessary to make the improvements in division (B) which are to be funded by a levy of special assessment on the property especially benefitted, the City Council shall by ordinance create an improvement district.
(Neb. RS 17-511)
Statutory references:
Acquisition of additional land or an easement by purchase, gift, or eminent domain,
Neb. RS 18-1705
Authority to create improvement districts, impose special assessments, and issue bonds,
Neb. RS 17-509 to 17-524, 18-1751
Combined improvements, Neb. RS 19-2401, 19-2408 to 19-2415
Creation of improvement district by petition of owners, Neb. RS 17-510
Deferral of special assessments on land in agricultural use zone, Neb. RS 19-2428 through 19-2431
Duty to keep streets and alleys open, in repair, and free from nuisances, Neb. RS 17-567
Improvement of federal or state highway or main thoroughfare, Neb. RS 17-412
Improvement of street which divides city corporate area and area adjoining the city, Neb. RS 17-509
Inclusion of adjacent land in improvement district, Neb. RS 19-2427
Jurisdiction over street which forms common boundary with county or another municipality,
Neb. RS 18-2005
Limited street improvement districts, Neb. RS 19-2416
Objections to improvement district funded by special assessments, Neb. RS 17-511


§ 94.041 IMPROVEMENTS WITHOUT PETITION OR CREATION OF DISTRICT.

(A) The municipality may, without petition or creating a street improvement district, grade, curb, gutter, and pave:

(1) Any portion of a street otherwise paved so as to make one continuous paved street, but the portion to be so improved shall not exceed two blocks, including intersections, or 1,325 feet, whichever is the lesser;

(2) Any unpaved street or alley which intersects a paved street for a distance not to exceed one block on either side of such paved street; and

(3) Any side street or alley within its corporate limits connecting with a major traffic street for a distance not to exceed one block from such major traffic street.

(B) Such improvements may be performed upon any portion of a street or any unpaved street or alley not previously improved to meet or exceed the minimum standards for pavement set by the municipality for its paved streets.

(C) In order to defray the costs and expenses of these improvements, the municipality may levy and collect special taxes and assessments or issue paving bonds as provided in Neb. RS 18-2003.
(Neb. RS 18-2001 through 18-2004)

§ 94.042 VACATING PUBLIC WAYS.

(A) (1) SPECIAL DAMAGES shall mean only those losses or damages or injuries which a property owner suffers that are peculiar or special or unique to his or her property and which result from the City Council vacating such street, avenue, alley, lane or similar public way.

(2) SPECIAL DAMAGES shall not mean those losses or damages or injuries that a property owner suffers that are in common with the rest of the city or public at large, even though those losses or damages or injuries suffered by the property owner are greater in degree that the rest of the city or public at large.

(B) The Chairperson shall appoint three or five or seven disinterested residents of the municipality to a special commission to ascertain the amount of special damages that the abutting property owners are entitled to receive and which resulted from the City Council vacating such street, avenue, alley, lane or similar public way. The appointees of the special commission shall be approved by the City Council. Only special damages, as herein defined, shall be awarded to the abutting property owners.

(C) In determining the amount of compensation to award the abutting property owners as special damages, the Commission shall use the following rule:

“The abutting property owner is entitled to recover as compensation the difference between the value of such property immediately before and immediately after the vacating of such street, avenue, alley, lane, or similar public way. However, if no difference in value exists the abutting property owner is entitled to no compensation.”

(D) Whenever the City Council decides that it would be in the best interests of the municipality to vacate a street, avenue, alley, lane, or similar public way, the City Council shall comply with the following procedure:

(1) Notice. Notice shall be given to all abutting property owners either by first class mail to their last known address or if there is no known address then by publishing the notice in a newspaper that is of general circulation in the municipality. The content of the notice will advise the abutting property owners that the City Council will consider vacating such street, avenue, alley, lane, or similar public way at their next regular meeting or, if a special meeting is scheduled for such discussion, then the date, time and place of such meeting.

(2) Consent; waiver.

(a) The City Council may have all the abutting property owners sign a form stating that they consent to the action being taken by the City Council and waive their right of access. The signing of such form has no effect on claims for special damages, as defined in divisions (A) through (C) of this section by the abutting property owners but does create the presumption that the City Council's action was proper.

(b) However, if all the abutting property owners do not sign the consent/waiver form, the City Council may still proceed with vacating such street, avenue, alley, lane, or similar public way under the authority granted them by Neb. RS 17-558 and 17-559.

(3) Ordinance. The City Council shall pass an ordinance that shall state essentially the following:

(a) A declaration that the action is expedient for the public good or in the best interests of the municipality.

(b) A statement that the municipality shall have an easement for maintaining all utilities.

(c) A method or procedure for ascertaining special damages to abutting property owners.

(4) Filing. The Clerk shall file a copy of the ordinance with the County Register of Deeds to ensure that abutting property owners can gain title to their share of the vacated street, avenue, alley, lane, or similar public way and so that such land will be drawn to the attention of the County Assessor.
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-558 and 17-559


§ 94.043 CROSSINGS.

The City Council may order and cause to be constructed, under the supervision of the municipal official in charge of streets, such street, avenue, and alley crossings as the City Council shall deem necessary. When a petition for the construction of any such crossings is filed by an interested resident in the office of the Municipal Clerk, the Municipal Clerk shall refer such application to the Utilities Superintendent who shall investigate and make a recommendation to the City Council. Action by the City Council on such application, whether the application is approved or rejected, shall be considered final.
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-509


§ 94.044 NAMES AND NUMBERS.

The City Council may at any time, by ordinance, rename any street or provide a name for any new street. Buildings used for residence or business purposes and located along such streets shall retain such numbers as the City Council may require. It shall be the duty of the municipal official in charge of streets, upon the erection of any new building or buildings, to assign the proper numbers to the building or buildings and give notice to the owner or owners and occupant or occupants of the same.
Statutory reference:
Authority to improve, see Neb. RS 17-509


§ 94.045 CUTTING INTO PAVING, CURB, OR SIDEWALK.

It shall be unlawful for any person to cut into any paving, curb, or sidewalk for the purpose of constructing a driveway or any other purpose whatsoever without first having obtained a written permit from the City Council therefor. Before any person shall obtain a permit, the person shall inform the Municipal Clerk of the place where such cutting is to be done, and it shall be the Utilities Superintendent's duty to inspect the place of entry into the paving, sidewalk, or curb, before the same is cut. When cutting into any paving, it shall be the duty of the party to cut the paving under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the City Council or the Municipal Engineer. When the applicant is ready to close the opening made, the applicant shall inform the Utilities Superintendent, who shall supervise and inspect the materials used and the work done in closing the opening. It shall be discretionary with the City Council to order the Utilities Superintendent, under the supervision and inspection of the Municipal Engineer or the committee of the City Council on the streets and alleys, to do the work of cutting and closing the paving and charge the costs thereof to the party who obtained such permit. The City Council may consent to the work of cutting and closing the paving to be done by the party holding such permit. Before any permit is issued by the City Council, the applicant for such permit shall deposit with the Municipal Treasurer a sum set by resolution of the City Council for all paving, curb, or sidewalk to be cut. Such sum shall be set on a per square foot cost of construction basis. The deposit shall be retained by the municipality for the purpose of replacing the paving, curb, or sidewalk, in the event that the work is done by the municipality. In the event that the municipality elects to require the applicant to replace the paving, curb, or sidewalk, the deposit shall be retained by the municipality until the work is completed to the satisfaction of the Utilities Superintendent or the committee of the City Council on streets and alleys. In addition to making the deposit above set forth, the applicant shall, before any permit is issued, execute a bond to the municipality with a good and sufficient surety or sureties to be approved by the City Council in a sum set by resolution of the City Council.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-567


§ 94.046 DRIVEWAY APPROACHES.

(A) The Utilities Superintendent may require the owner of property served by a driveway approach constructed or maintained upon the street right-of-way to repair or replace any such driveway approach which is cracked, broken, or otherwise deteriorated to the extent that it is causing or is likely to cause damage to or interfere with any street structure, including pavement or sidewalks.

(B) The Municipal Clerk shall give the property owner notice by registered letter or certified mail, directed to the last-known address of such owner or the agent of such owner, directing the repair or replacement of such driveway approach. If within 30 days of mailing such notice the property owner fails or neglects to cause such repairs or replacements to be made, the Utilities Superintendent may cause such work to be done and assess the cost upon the property served by such approach.
(Neb. RS 18-1748) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 94.047 EXCAVATION.

It shall be unlawful for any person to make an excavation in any street or streets for any purpose whatsoever unless a written permit is issued by the Utilities Superintendent authorizing such excavations.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.048 DRIVING STAKES.

It shall be unlawful for any person to drive any peg or stake of any kind into the pavement in any street or alley without first procuring the written consent of the Utilities Superintendent.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.049 MIXING CONCRETE.

It shall be unlawful for any person to mix any concrete or plastering material directly on the street pavement for any reason whatsoever.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.050 HARMFUL LIQUIDS.

It shall be unlawful for any person to place or permit to leak in the gutter of any street any waste gasoline, kerosene, or high lubricating oils, which damage or act as a solvent upon said streets.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.051 EAVE AND GUTTER SPOUTS.

It is hereby declared unlawful for any person to erect or maintain any dwelling house or business building within the limits of the municipality where the dwelling or building abuts on any sidewalk or street without providing proper guttering and eave spouts to receive the waste waters that collect on the sidewalks and streets. All eave spouts erected on any dwelling house or business building shall be constructed to drain into the alleys or shall be buried beneath the sidewalks and drain into the streets where it is found to be impossible to drain the eave spouts into the alley.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-557


§ 94.052 HEAVY EQUIPMENT; SPECIAL TIRES.

It shall hereafter be unlawful for any person or persons to move or operate heavy equipment across any curb, gutter, bridge, culvert, sidewalk, crosswalk, or crossing on any unpaved street without first having protected such curb, gutter, bridge, culvert, sidewalks, crosswalk, or crossing with heavy plank sufficient in strength to warrant against the breaking or damaging of such curb, gutter, bridge, culvert, sidewalk, crosswalk, or crossing. Hereafter, it shall be unlawful to run, drive, move, operate, or convey over or across any paved street a vehicle, machine, or implement with sharp discs or sharp wheels that bear upon the pavement, with wheels having cutting edges, with wheels having lugs, any protruding parts, or bolts thereon that extend beyond a plain tire so as to cut, mark, mar, indent, or otherwise injure or damage any pavement, gutter, or curb, provided that, where heavy vehicles, structures, and machines move along paved or unpaved streets, the Police Department is hereby authorized and empowered to choose the route over which the moving of such vehicles, structures, or machines will be permitted and allowed. Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to pneumatic tires with metal or metal-type studs not exceeding 5/16 of an inch in diameter inclusive of the stud-casting with an average protrusion beyond the tread surface of not more than 7/64 of an inch between November 1 and April 1, provided that school buses, mail carrier vehicles, and emergency vehicles shall be permitted to use metal or metal-type studs all year; it shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the streets. It shall be permissible to use a rubber tired crane with a fixed load when such vehicle will be transported on a state highway or on any road within the corporate limits of the municipality, the municipality in which the crane is intended to be transported has authorized a one-day permit for the transportation of the crane and specified the route to be used and the hours during which the crane can be transported, such vehicle is escorted by another vehicle or vehicles assigned by the municipality, and such vehicle's gross weight does not exceed the limits set out in Neb. RS 60-6,294(10), and it shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other condition tending to cause a vehicle to slide or skid.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Tire requirements, see Neb. RS 60-6,250
Rubber-tired cranes, see Neb. RS 60-6,288(2)(j)


§ 94.053 PIPE LINES AND WIRES.

Poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, and other appurtenances of public service companies shall be located, or erected over, upon, or under the streets, alleys, and common grounds of the municipality. Application for location of the above shall be made to the City Council in writing. Approval by that body shall be issued in writing. Any public service company granted a right-of-way for the erection and maintenance of poles, conduits, gas mains, pipe lines, and wires shall at all times erect and locate their poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, and other appurtenances at such places and in such manner as shall be designated by the City Council. Such poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, and other appurtenances, shall be removed or relocated by the companies at their own expense when requested to do so by the City Council. Any such relocation shall be ordered by resolution of the City Council, and the Municipal Clerk shall notify any and all companies affected. The companies shall, within 24 hours after receiving notice, at their own expense, cause the poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, or other appurtenances to be removed. The City Council shall designate another location as closely as possible where the poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, or other appurtenances, may be reset or placed. All poles, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, or other appurtenances, shall be reset, placed, or erected in such a manner that they will not interfere with the water system, sewerage system, poles, wires, and mains of any public utility, adjacent buildings, or with travel on the public ways and property. Whenever possible, all pole lines, wires, gas mains, pipe lines, or appurtenances shall be confined to the alleys of the municipality.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 94.054 SNOW, DEBRIS, AND THE LIKE ON STREET PROHIBITED.

It shall be unlawful to place, push, or deposit snow, sleet, ice, or mud or any debris, including leaves, grass, and branches, fro m private property onto the streets of the municipality.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority to regulate, see Neb. RS 17-557


CHAPTER 95: ANIMALS


Section

General Provisions

95.01 Running at large
95.02 Prohibited animals and fowl
95.03 Wild animals
95.04 Killing and injuring
95.05 Enclosures
95.06 Abandonment, neglect and cruelty

Dogs; General Provisions

95.20 Owner defined
95.21 Running at large
95.22 Rabies threat; proclamation; inspection
95.23 Capture impossible
95.24 Females in season
95.25 Dangerous dogs
95.26 Liability of owner
95.27 Impounding
95.28 Animal shelter

Dogs; Licensing

95.40 License required
95.41 Dog guides, hearing aid dogs, and service dogs; exempt from license tax
95.42 License tags
95.43 Wrongful licensing
95.44 Uncollared dogs
95.45 Removal of tags

Cats

95.60 Owner and possessor of cats
95.61 Rabies

GENERAL PROVISIONS


§ 95.01 RUNNING AT LARGE.

(A) It shall be unlawful for the owner, keeper, or harborer of any animal, or any person having the charge, custody, or control thereof, to permit a horse, mule, cow, sheep, goat, swine, or other animal to be driven or run at large on any of the public ways and property, or upon the property of another, or to be tethered or staked out in such a manner so as to allow such animal to reach or pass into any public way.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to allow poultry, chickens, turkeys, geese, or any other fowls to run at large within the corporate limits, except in enclosed places on private property.
(Ord. 448, passed 7-2-01) Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-547


§ 95.02 PROHIBITED ANIMALS AND FOWL.

(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the corporate limits any horse, mule, sheep, cow, goat, swine, or other livestock.

(B) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within the corporate limits any poultry, chickens, turkeys, geese, or any other fowls.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-547


§ 95.03 WILD ANIMALS.

No wild animals may be kept within the corporate limits except such animals kept for exhibition purposes by circuses and educational institutions.
Penalty, see § 10.99


§ 95.04 KILLING AND INJURING.

No person shall kill or injure any animal by the use of firearms, stones, clubs, poisons, or any other manner unless the animal is vicious or dangerous and cannot be captured without danger to the persons attempting to effect a capture of the animal.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Definitions, see Neb. RS 28-1008
Cruelty prohibited, see Neb. RS 28-1009


§ 95.05 ENCLOSURES.

All pens, cages, sheds, yards, or any other area or enclosure for the confinement or animals and fowls not specifically barred within the corporate limits shall be kept in a clean and orderly manner so as not to become a menace or nuisance to the neighborhood in which the enclosure is located.


§ 95.06 ABANDONMENT, NEGLECT AND CRUELTY.

(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

ABANDON. To leave any animal for any length of time without making effective provision for its food, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the animal's health.

ANIMAL. Any vertebrate member of the animal kingdom except man. The term shall not include an uncaptured wild creature.

CRUELLY MISTREAT. To knowingly and intentionally kill, maim, disfigure, torture, beat, mutilate, burn, scald, or otherwise set upon any animal.

CRUELLY NEGLECT. To fail to provide any animal in one's care, whether as owner or custodian, with food, water, or other care as is reasonably necessary for the animal's health.

HUMANE KILLING. The destruction of an animal by a method which causes the animal a minimum of pain and suffering.

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Any member of the Nebraska State Patrol, any county or deputy sheriff, any member of the police force of the municipality, or any other public official authorized by the municipality to enforce state or local animal control laws, rules, regulations, or ordinances.
(Neb. RS 28-1008)

(B) Enforcement powers; immunity.

(1) Any law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that an animal has been abandoned or is being cruelly neglected or cruelly mistreated may seek a warrant authorizing entry upon private property to inspect, care for, or impound the animal.

(2) Any law enforcement officer who has reason to believe that an animal has been abandoned or is being cruelly neglected or cruelly mistreated may issue a citation to the owner as prescribed by law.

(3) Any law enforcement officer acting under this section shall not be liable for damage to property if such damage is not the result of the officer's negligence.
(Neb. RS 28-1012)

(C) Violation. A person commits cruelty to animals if he or she abandons, cruelly mistreats, or cruelly neglects an animal.
(Neb. RS 28-1009) Penalty, see § 10.99

DOGS; GENERAL PROVISIONS


§ 95.20 OWNER DEFINED.

Any person who shall harbor or permit any dog to be for ten days or more in or about his or her house, store, or enclosure, or to remain to be fed, shall be deemed the OWNER and possessor of such dog and shall be deemed to be liable for all penalties herein prescribed.
(Neb. RS 54-606)


§ 95.21 RUNNING AT LARGE.

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any dog to allow such dog to run at large at any time within the corporate limits of the municipality. It shall be the duty of the Sheriff’s Department or designated animal control officer to cause any dog found to be running at large within the municipality to be taken up and impounded. RUNNING AT LARGE shall mean any dog found off the premises of the owner and not under control of the owner or a responsible person, either by leash, cord, chain, wire, rope, cage, or other suitable means of physical restraint.
Penalty, see § 10.99
Statutory reference:
Authority, see Neb. RS 17-526
Dog collars see required, see Neb. RS 54-605


§ 95.22 RABIES THREAT; PROCLAMATION; INSPECTION.

(A) It shall be the duty of the City Council whenever in its opinion the danger to the public safety from rabid dogs is great or imminent, to issue a proclamation ordering all persons owning, keeping, or harboring any dog to muzzle the same, or to confine it for a period of not less than 30 days or more than 90 days from the date of such proclamation, or until such danger is passed. The dogs may be harbored by any good and sufficient means in a house, garage, or yard on the premise wherein the said owner may reside. Upon issuing the proclamation it shall be the duty of all persons owning, keeping, or harboring any dog to confine the same as herein provided.

(B) Any dog suspected of being afflicted with rabies, or any dog not vaccinated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter which has bitten any person and caused an abrasion of the skin, shall be seized and impounded under