Parking facelifts among plans

McCOOK, Nebraska -- After engineers looked further into improvements to be made to crosswalks, at the intersection of Norris Avenue and B Street, it was determined that changes to the alignment and slope of the existing ADA ramps was too costly to proceed with. The intersection, as well as neighboring intersections at East First Street and West First Street, will still get a facelift with the addition of stained and stamped concrete crosswalks, which officials believe will be sufficient to accomplish their original goal of helping define the McCook downtown district and serve as a traffic calming instrument for motorists.

The McCook City Council approved the changes to the Community Development Block Grant application that is funding the project, Monday evening, during their regularly scheduled meeting at council chambers.

The $350,000 grant will be used for the crosswalk improvement project, as well as landscaping upgrades, the installation of water service and parking reconfiguration at several city owned parking lots in the downtown area.

The parking lots effected include two lots to the north and south of West B Street, between Norris Avenue and West First Street. One is located between Peterson's Jewelers and Farrell's Pharmacy, south of West B Street, and the other is located just north of there, between the alley entrance of McCook Carpets Plus Color Tile and Gateway Realty.

A third parking lot is situated on the west side of West First Street, just north of Hershberger Music and south of H&R Block.

The fourth parking lot to be upgraded is situated just to the northeast of the intersection of Norris Avenue and B Street. It rests just past the landscaped area to the east of the intersection, where a new electronic sign is anticipated to be installed.

The base of the "Monument Sign" will be installed by the city as part of the grant project, which will also install water service at the landscaped area. The top portion of the sign will be provided and maintained by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce.

McCook citizen Gene Morris asked during Monday's meeting who the monument sign would be dedicated to and whether safety concerns raised previously about the sign distracting traffic had been looked into. Morris referenced Councilor Jerry Calvin's comments from a previous meeting that a video-sign constructed to the northeast of the intersection would serve as a distraction to motorists and an arching sign across B Street should be considered instead.

Mayor Dennis Berry replied that the sign was not intended to be a monument to anyone and City Manager Jeff Hancock replied that it would be a "safe sign."

Hancock said that partnering with the Chamber of Commerce's goal of installing a video sign at the intersection allowed the city to obtain the best return for their money. Hancock added that the Nebraska Highway Department frowned on constructing signs over the top of highways.

Morris suggested councilors look at the intersection of West J and U.S. Highway 83, if they were concerned with improving the appearance of entrances into the city. Morris said the cemetery fencing at the intersection was in poor condition, as was the island curbing on Norris Avenue, just north of the downtown area.

Ron Nielsen spoke out against the water service that is scheduled to be installed at the city owned parking lots. Nielsen said taxpayers were responsible for the expense of watering the green spaces and he believed water conservation should be a priority.

Also during the meeting Mary Hendricks of St. Alban's Episcopal Church said she was preparing to leave McCook and wanted to express her appreciation to the council, a group she said still valued the power and importance of prayer as members of the community.

"I thank you for this opportunity to come and serve as a representative of the Red Willow County Ministerial Association," Hendricks said before leading the council in prayer, a scheduled practice at the beginning of each council meeting.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda:

* A $2,434 claim for damages against the city, resulting from frozen city water lines at 1604 West Fourth Street, was approved to be filed with the city's insurance carrier without comment. According to the meeting agenda the damage occurred on Feb. 23, 2013, to property owned by David Sandman. The damage consisted of frozen and broken water lines and damage that requires replacing the residence's kitchen, tub and vanity faucets, as well as hot water heater and washing machine.

* An unspecified claim for damages from the city's contracted trash hauler was also received and filed without comment. Fritz Trucking indicated in a submitted letter they were still waiting word from the city's insurance adjuster pertaining to two previously filed claims for damages, stemming from damage to the top of their trailers.

* Councilors coordinated a public hearing pertaining to an application from Schmick's Market for a catering license with the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. No comments in support or opposition of the application were made. According to the meeting agenda, the catering license will allow the grocer to deliver, sell or dispense alcoholic beverages at locations approved for a Special Designated License. Councilors unanimously approved the application.

* An application to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission from Smokers Outlet, to change their building description on their license to coincide with an expansion project they are undergoing, was approved. The West B Street business is expanding from a 24 ft. by 57 ft. building, to a 24 ft. by 80 ft. building, according to the meeting agenda.

* A resolution acquiring temporary access easements from Arlyn E. Curl and Aaron and Misty Schmidt, in order to access their property across East 10th Street while making drainage improvements near the intersection of East Ninth and East G Street, was approved.