Plans for new subdivision advance

McCOOK, Neb. -- A new subdivision located southeast of the Pearsons Country Terrace Subdivision received City Council approval last night. Councilors unanimously approved the final plat and subdivision agreement authorizing Dwight Gallatin of McCook to proceed with the creation of the Gallatin Subdivision.

Gary Dicenta with Miller & Associates spoke on behalf of the three-lot subdivision, which sits approximately 700 ft. east of U.S. Highway 83, abutting the north side of County Road 719. The majority of the subdivision will be located inside the McCook two-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction.

The subdivision received prior approval from the McCook Planning Commission and Dicenta indicated he had presented it to the Red Willow County Commissioners as well.

Also during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting, City Council approved the addition of a half-day holiday on Christmas Eve for all city employees. The additional holiday time on December 24 was successfully negotiated by the police department during union contract negotiations earlier this year and city staff requested to extend the benefit to all city employees in the spirit of fairness.

A resolution authorizing the change to the employee handbook was approved, in addition to a resolution approving an addendum to the firefighter union contract.

Other items on Monday's consent and regular agenda:

* Bid specifications for the purchase of a new semi-tractor to be used at the city transfer station were approved. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff indicated Lincoln County recently received bids for two new semi-tractors at slightly more than McCook had budgeted for a used tractor. Potthoff requested approval of the additional bid specifications in an effort to offer city staff the ability to compare the purchase of a used tractor to that of a new one.

During the 2014-15 budget process earlier this year, City Council approved $65,000 in Community Betterment Funds, derived from Keno revenue, to be used for the purchase of a used semi-tractor.

* A recommendation from the Fuel Contract Advisory Committee for the city to purchase fuel from Frenchman Valley Cooperative in 2015 was approved.

* A request from "Oh, What a Night, New Year's Eve" to close Norris Avenue from E Street to D Street and East E Street from Norris Avenue to East First Street, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., on the evening of Dec. 31, 2014, was approved.

* W Design Associates was approved to provide engineering services for a paving project at the McCook Industrial Park.

* City Council authorized the automatic renewal of all current retail liquor licenses for the year 2015.

* The appointments of Dennis Berry to the Economic Development Plan Citizen's Advisory Review Committee and Mayor Mike Gonzales to the Board of Health were ratified. Berry replaces Flora Lundberg.

* The certificate of substantial completion and final payment related to an upgrade project at the sewer department's east golf course lift station received approval.