Progress strolling along on Kelley Creek Walking Trail

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

By LORRI SUGHROUE

City Editor

Plans for the Kelley Creek Walking Trail are slowly moving forward, as several consent agenda items concerning it were approved by the McCook City Council Monday night.

The council unanimously approved all items that concerned Phase 1, the trail from East Fifth to East H along the existing grass trail and the "inner loop" trail, a sidewalk along U.S. Highway and 34, from West 11th and B Streets to Wal-Mart and Heritage Hills Gold course.

Plans and specifications for Phase 1 have been completed since last March but the project has been waiting for right-of-way easements from property owners, said Greg Wolford in his city council report. Wolford, of W Design Associates, is the engineering firm for the project.

The plans submitted to the council Monday night did not include a specific bid date for construction, as W Design Associates are now awaiting written authorization from the Nebraska Department of Roads to advertise for bids.

Wolford said he expected authorization to come fairly quickly.

The specs include the construction of an 8-foot by 6-inch thick concrete trail that will connect to the two existing handicap ramps already in place.

The council also approved a related item that allowed for a two-month extension to allow time to bid out the construction contract for Phase 1, from March 7, 2008 to May 1, 2008. W Design said said the delay was caused due to time spent obtaining property easements, required by the NDOR.

And a sidewalk along U.S. Highway 6 is in the works, as council members approved a preliminary engineering services agreement for the project, called the inner loop trail, with W Design Associates at $8,543.

The total cost of the sidewalk is estimated at $93,853, with 60 percent funded by the NDOR and the other 40 percent, or $37,541, to be funded by a local match.

Other consent items the council approved unanimously without discussion include:

* ratified Mayor Dennis Berry's appointment of Judy Dow to the Housing Agency Board to replace Elaine Mizell, with term expiring November 2010.

* approved renewing the maintenance agreement between the city and the Nebraska Department of Roads, effective from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2008. This agreement outlines responsibilities of the city and the NDOR concerning maintenance of highways. The city is responsible for all highways within city limits.

* authorized Mayor Berry to sign the Certificate of Compliance for the 2007 maintenance agreement between the city and the Nebraska Department of Roads. This agreement certified that all highways within city limits were maintained per conditions outlined in the maintenance agreement.

napproved the special designated liquor license submitted by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce for its annual banquet at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds community building Feb. 23.
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