City Government

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Government

The City of Ravenna is a city of the second class with a population of  1,341 (2000 census). The mayor and council form of government is elected by popular vote from their respective wards. They serve staggered four-year terms. The Mayor is Gerald Reimers, and the Council consists of Don Bergmeier, Kenneth Miller, Jim Rasmussen, and Kevin Lockhorn.

City Hall is located at 416 Grand Avenue. The building houses the City Council Chambers, the offices of the Mayor and City Clerk, the Utility Billing Department, the Police Department, and a Maintenance Shop. The Police Department Office has recently been remodeled and updated with "state of the art" equipment.

The City of Ravenna is continuing to look towards the future with our recent annexations and several Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), these grants include ones for a water study and comprehensive plan, street paving improvements, new home down payment assistance, home improvements, and USDA grant and loan for a waste water treatment facility and upgrades to the existing facility. Ravenna's viaduct has been replaced by the nation's first tied archway expansion bridge which was completed in November of 2005. Final touches were completed in the Spring of 2006.

Economic Development

The Ravenna Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit corporation that has a nine-member board of directors and works toward development in the Ravenna area. The Development Corporation works closely with the Economic Development Council of Buffalo County. Contact the corporation's president: Dale Pohlmann (308) 452-3451.

The City of Ravenna has designated a portion of town as a redevelopment area. This provides any potential developers the opportunity to apply for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to assist potential projects. For further information on this opportunity contact Kellie Crowell, City Clerk/Treasurer, P.O. Box 108, Ravenna, NE 68869 (308) 452-3273, or cityofravenna@nctc.net

Emergency Services

Ravenna has a Volunteer Fire Department that was rated as "excellent" in a survey by Ravenna's citizens. There are 34 volunteers in the Department. Ravenna's Volunteer Department works cooperatively with the Rural Fire Department to protect the surrounding area.

Ravenna's Emergency Unit is also volunteer based. The 10 Emergency Medical Technicians, one certified paramedic, and three First Responders serve an approximate 15 mile radius of Ravenna. Ravenna residents also rate Ravenna's EMT's as providing excellent service.

Police

The City of Ravenna employs its own police department. Chief Wendell Miska, Officer Dustin Strode, and Officer Clyde Beckman. Ravenna has one part-time police officer Tim Shrader. This department received the honor of MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) 2003 Outstanding Police Department of the Year. The Ravenna Police Department has been the recipient of several grants in the past few years that have enabled the department to have "state of the art" equipment. Each year the department hosts a combat shoot for area police officers at the Ravenna Firearms Range. The police department also works cooperatively with Buffalo County Sherriff's Office to provide protection for the citizens of Ravenna. For non-emergency matters, call (308) 452-4145, for emergencies, call 911.

Housing

There are an estimated 640 homes in the community, 80% are owner-occupied.

The Ravenna Housing Authority operates Grand Manor, a 19 unit housing complex that was constructed in the late 1960s and underwent complete renovation in 2007. For further information on the Grand Manor contact Virg Gruhn (308) 452-4233.

Real Estate and Rentals

Sales

Appraisals

Rentals

Utilities

The City of Ravenna operates both the Water and Waste Water Utilities. Ravenna enjoys a quality water supply from groundwater sources. Regular testing ensures the quality of Ravenna's drinking water. The water Department established a Wellhead Protection Act in order to safeguard Ravenna's future drinking water. The Wasterwater Department is coordinating with the City Engineer to design a larger wastewater facility in order to handle future City growth. The City contracts with Ravenna Sanitation for residential garbage collection.  For further information contact Kellie Crowell at cityofravenna@nctc.net or call (308) 452-3273.

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) leases and operates the city owned electrical system for the town.

The City of Ravenna participates in the "Choice Gas Program." Source Gas provides the distribution service to the customers. The City of Ravenna also is a member of ACE which is one of the suppliers in the program.

Nebraska Central Telephone Company (NCTC) provides telephone service to Ravenna.

Internet access is provided through several area providers.

Cable television is operated by Charter Digital Communciations.

Satellite service is provided by Dish Network and Direct TV.

Alltel Cellular Service has recently erected a tower in Ravenna, which has greatly improved cellular service in the city and the surrounding area.

Public Library

The Ravenna Public Library is located at 121 W. Seneca Street. The historic Carnegie building was built in 1918. The Ravenna Library is an accredited library with a certified Librarian and Children's Librarian on staff. The citizens of Ravenna have free access to the Library. Payment of Township fees and non-resident fees allows others use of the Library. The Library provides many services to patrons, such as computers with digital Internet access, preschool story time, summer reading programs, home delievery, interlibrary loan, bookmobile services, a microfilm reader with past issues of The Ravenna News available, a copy machine, and a fax machine. Materials for checkout include books, magazines, books on tape, and videos. The Friends of the Library meet every other month. A monthly Book Club is also offered. For further information, contact the Librarian at (308) 452-4213 or RavennaPublicLibrary@nctc.net. Kerri Huryta, Director and Emily Pernicek, Assistant Librarian.

Library Hours:

Transportation

Ravenna has its own public transportation system. The Senlow Bus, operated by Mid-NE Community Services, provides transportation for residents to downtown Ravenna as well as to other destinations in Kearney, Grand Island, and other area towns. For transportation information, call (308) 452-3142.

Ravenna is the division point of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The main line serves Ravenna with 60-70 freight trains daily.

Nebraska Highways #2 and #68 intersect at Ravenna. The distance to Interstate 80 access is 25 miles south.

Ninety-nine percent of Ravenna streets are paved. The original asphalt paving project from the 1920's have all been recently resurfaced. Ravenna has received a CDBG Grant in the amount of $250,000 with City matching funds of $250,000 for paving improvements. This grant will help to pave the streets on the east side of town.

Volunteers

Ravenna is blessed with volunteers! It has volunteers that make up the fire department, the EMT's, the coaches, and the many, many organizations around town. Volunteers helped put up the new streets signs, cleared up the ball fields, worked on the new Youth Center, refinished the floor in the City Auditorium, built bleachers at the parks, and they help deliver Meals on Wheels. It takes 118 volunteers to fill the 14 boards of the City of Ravenna alone. Current projects that many volunteers have been working on are the completion of landscaping at the Caboose Park, getting a Hike & Bike Trail to connect the community with the Buffalo County Lake and organizing a City-wide Clean-up day each year in the spring. Ravenna has over 60 clubs and organizations where you can find all kinds of wonderful projects and those clubs are filled with volunteers who work together to make Ravenna a beautiful community to live in. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering in Ravenna, please contact the Chamber at (308) 452-3225 or e-mail ravchamber@towncountrybank.net or City Hall at (308) 452-3273.

Ravenna earns top NCIP award


Accepting the prestigious Otto G. Hoiberg award from Gov. Mike Johanns at the 2002 NCIP awards ceremony is the entire group present from Ravenna.

Photo courtesy of The Ravenna News

 

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