Walkway designing underway

McCOOK, Neb. -- Design work is underway for a city maintained walkway between the former McCook Glass and Top Office Products buildings which could bring a vibrant new look to the Norris Avenue area.

City Manager Nate Schneider said Monday he anticipated having something to present to City Council during the next couple meetings. City Council subsequently approved an easement agreement between the city and Jay and Kim Schilling during its regularly scheduled meeting.

The easement allows the city to create an attractive walkway connecting a city parking lot at East First Street and East D Street with the Norris Avenue retail area. The 20-year easement agreement includes a first right of refusal clause should the property be sold and holds the city responsible for maintenance and upkeep of the trail.

Schneider said the Schillings expressed concerns related to long-term care of the walkway, which prompted a 10-year review period built into the agreement.

"They didn't want to extend it for a long period of time because they wanted to make sure, if there wasn't proper care being taken of the area, that they wouldn't have to extend the easement for a long number of years," said Schneider. The easement could potentially expire after a 20 year period, according to Schneider.

Schneider said the automatic 10-year review was determined to be the best option for both sides and the wording protects the city from losing use of the area unreasonably.

"As long as we're taking care of the property an extension of the walking trail easement won't be unreasonably withheld," said Schneider.

Schneider said the walkway will offer additional parking options and make use of the city parking lot more attractive. The city also agreed to stucco the south and east side of the Schilling building and move an air conditioning unit away from the walking trail and onto the roof of the building. The unit is estimated to cost $900 to move.

The city also agreed to indemnify the Schillings should any injuries be incurred by pedestrians on the trail, as well as provide landscaping, snow-removal and upkeep of the area.

Schneider said the walkway will likely be bricked with various tiers and railing and Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

"It will be handicap accessible, it will be accessible for people to use. Not just certain people, it should be accessible for everybody," said Schneider in response to questions from several councilors.

The walkway has previously been included with landscaping and other improvements to the city owned parking lot, such as new signage and construction of a metal-awning covering. The covering would partially shade vehicles backed up to it and provide a sidewalk/walkway down the middle. It was originally proposed to promote farmer's market style activities.

The walkway and parking lot improvements were proposed as part of a downtown revitalization plan created by RDG Planning and Design of Omaha. The city hired RDG in 2012 to develop the plan, which mapped out an approximate $2-$3 million investment in the Norris Avenue retail area coordinated over 10 or more years and intended to be accomplished in multiple phases. The original RDG downtown revitalization plan is available online at: www.rdgusa.com/crp/mccook

Other activity during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting:

* The City of McCook 2015-16 fiscal year budget was approved on its second of three required readings. The 2015-16 employee pay plan similarly received second round approval. Although both items have been approved on two readings, changes are still possible if not likely during the third and final reading. City staff has indicated negotiations with police and fire unions are still ongoing, which have historically been resolved prior to this point in the budget process. Similarly, city staff have scheduled a presentation for the Sept. 8 meeting pertaining to potential water and sewer rate increases, which historically has occurred earlier in the budget process.

* City Council coordinated an executive session "for the protection of public interest and protection of attorney client privilege for a strategy session with their attorney with respect to potential litigation involving a zoning regulation violation."

* Great Plains Communications was approved to occupy city right-of-way for the installation of fiber optic cable along the north side of South Street, beginning at South U.S. Highway 83 and heading west approximately 550 feet to Parker Hannifin.