New hangar is advancing

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Nebraska Department of Aeronautics has approved city staff to begin the engineering services selection process for the construction of a new eight bay hangar at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport.

The McCook City Council will consider the appointment of a selection committee, Monday evening during their regularly scheduled meeting, tasked with overseeing the city's choice in engineering firms to head up the eight plex and several other projects at the airport in the coming years.

City staff has recommended appointing incoming City Manager Nate Schneider, Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff and airport maintenance operator Ken Vontz as the three members of the committee.

City staff has requested engineering services be bid out, not just for the new hangar, but for all projects to be competed at the airport through 2018. Other projects on the airport's radar include updating the airport master plan and airport layout plan; replacing lights on runway 4/22; and replacing taxiway lights.

All projects are scheduled to be completed as part of the Airport Improvement Plan Program. 90 percent of the $711,360 hangar construction cost is being funded by a Airport Improvement Plan federal grant, according to city staff.

The city will need to budget a match of approximately $71,136 for the hangar project.

Also during Monday's meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the McCook Municipal Center, council will receive a proposed budget preparation calendar for the city's 2014-15 fiscal year. City staff is not planning a budget retreat or strategic planning session with council members this year, due to getting a late start to the process.

Council is scheduled to make any budget requests to city staff during their July 7, 2014 meeting and preliminary budgets are scheduled for release to the public on Aug. 4. A public review meeting is slated for Aug. 11 with the first of three readings of the budget scheduled on Aug. 18.

Other items on Monday's consent and regular agenda:

* U.S Cellular has requested their lease agreement for equipment on the west water tower be renewed and amended to include the addition of three new antennas and six coax cables. The additional equipment and a four percent annual fee increase combine for an additional $7,200 in annual revenue for the city.

If approved, the lease agreement will increase the monthly fee to $2,000 and provide three five-year renewals, with an annual fee increase of four percent.

* City Council is scheduled to create a committee tasked with developing ballot language for sales tax issues in preparation of the fall election, as well as discuss the process for nomination and appointment of the members to the ballot committee.