Senior Center may upgrade transit bus

Friday, November 4, 2016

McCOOK, Neb. -- The Heritage Senior Center hopes to upgrade the larger of its two public transit vehicles and will seek City Council approval Monday to pursue financial assistance. The $60,000 vehicle purchase is anticipated to cost the city only $6,000.

City staff intends to apply for financial assistance which amounts to $6,000 in state funds combined with another $48,000 in federal funds.

The senior center utilizes a 2003 Cutaway Chevrolet bus with more than 150,000 miles, as well as a smaller 2011 Dodge Caravan lowered-floor mini-van.

Repairs are becoming costly to maintain the lift and the senior center continues to receive calls "to transport very large wheelchair bound clients, hence we need a reliable lift," according to city staff in Monday's agenda. The lowered-floor mini-van is not equipped with a lift.

The 2012 purchase of the lowered-floor mini-van was described at-the-time as a replacement for the 2003 Cutaway, with the larger vehicle intended to still be available for transporting larger groups of 6-8. During a 2011 City Council meeting, Former Heritage Senior Center Director Sue Chipman said the public transport was averaging one-to-two passengers per ride which the then-new smaller van was better suited for.

The larger bus which is now slated for replacement had 133,000 miles on it in 2011, indicating it has averaged a little more than 4,000 miles of annual use since.

The City of McCook Public Transit provides transportation services to all members of the public within city limits from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a fee of $1 per one-way trip.

Other items on Monday's agenda, 6:30 p.m., at the Municipal Center:

* City staff is requesting to enter into an agreement with Miller & Associates to design, oversee the bidding process and the construction phase for the replacement of approximately 1,000 feet of water main on South 8th Street, from South Street to South 3rd Street and west on South 3rd Street to South 9th Street.

* Councilors will receive and file the annual submission of the city's snow and ice control and removal procedures and policies.

* Mayor mike Gonzales reappointment of Shane Fagot to the Housing Agency Board for a term expiring in November of 2021 will be considered for approval.

The council is also expected to approve a liquor license for a new Pizza Hut manager and licenses for special events at Memorial Auditorium and the Graff Event Center.

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