Auburn City Council Meeting Lasts Less Than 10 Minutes

In what may be a new record, the Auburn City Council’s Jan. 12 meeting lasted less than 10 minutes, with only one resident speaking during public comment on an item not listed on the agenda and most other items being address via consent agenda. All council members were present except Johnny Curtwright.
Semi-Truck Noise
Jim Hoover of Auburn asked the council to review the city’s noise ordinance and its enforcement, citing ongoing overnight disturbances from commercial trucks parked near his home.
Hoover said refrigerated trucks parking at Sonic Restaurant, 1010 J St., have repeatedly used a rear lot near his residence, running engines and cooling units throughout the night. He told the council that one truck parked exactly 98 feet from his bedroom window and ran its generator intermittently every 20 minutes for four consecutive days over the weekend before Labor Day.
Hoover said he contacted police during the incident, but officers were unable to take enforcement action at the time. He later reached out to the trucking company, which he said was based in South Dakota where he learned the driver was a resident of Auburn.
“This is not about taking business away from anyone,” Hoover said, adding that the noise has become unbearable in what he described as a residential area.
Hoover also told the council he has tracked truck activity at the location. He said that while only a handful of trucks appeared to be conducting business with the restaurant, many more parked overnight after 11 p.m., ran their engines until morning, and left before business hours. He expressed concern about diesel noise and fumes affecting nearby homes.
Hoover said he attempted to address the issue with restaurant management but was told the property was private. He noted there were no posted signs at the time, but said the restaurant has since installed signage reading, “Trucks welcome, park in the rear.”
Mayor Erickson said the issue has been referred to the Ordinance Committee for review. Hoover asked the council to consider amending the noise ordinance, noting the current standard references a 75-foot distance, which he would like increased to 100 feet.
Consent Agenda
The council approved the consent agenda, which included the following items:
• Authorization for staff to attend the 2026 League Midwinter Conference Feb. 23–24 in Lincoln.
• Special designated liquor permit recommendations for Gallery 75 at the White Spot, 1010 Central Ave., on Feb. 7 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., and March 14 during the same hours. No event type was listed. A special designated liquor permit was also approved for Auburn Discount Liquor LLC at Home Country Cafe, 901 Central Ave., on Feb. 14 from 4 to 11 p.m. for a Valentine’s wine dinner.
• Approval of a $10,293.68 funding request for Auburn’s America 250th Celebration. The funding will cover an appearance by the Southeast Community Band, a DJ, prizes, six America250 giant coloring tablecloths, s’more supplies, advertising and promotion, and 20 downtown patriotic banners with hardware. The celebration, co-chaired by Leslie Clark and Laura Osborne, is scheduled for July 3–4, 2026, in Auburn.
• Appointments to committees and departments, including John Carey to the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department; Kent Clark, Joe Moody, and Scott Kudrna (alternate) to the Board of Adjustment; Kevin Reiman and Michael Zaruba to the Board of Public Works; and Kathy Grant, Derek Hemmingsen, Rick Janssen, Steve Mattes, and Steve Rademacher to the Cemetery Board.
The council also approved payment of claims and Pay Application No. 2 to MC Wells for the J Street culvert replacement project. The project has completed its first milestone of storm sewer construction and is scheduled for completion by May 31, 2026.
There were no departmental reports, and the meeting adjourned following a unanimous vote.