Council to vote on 'jake brakes'

McCOOK Neb. — The McCook City Council will decide Monday night if engine brakes, also known as “jake brakes,” will be banned within city limits, at the regular meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. at city council chambers at the City Municipal Building.

After hearing from several McCook citizens complaining about the loud noise of engine brakes and also from one citizen who defended their use on some occasions, the council asked city staff at the July 19 meeting to create an engine braking ordinance. The ordinance is modeled after a similar engine braking ordinance used in Kearney, Neb., and prohibits the use of compression brakes within the City of McCook, with exceptions. Those exceptions are for emergency braking situations and compression brakes that are muffled.

Another item on the regular agenda is the annual evaluation of the job performance of City Manager Nate Schneider. As allowed by state law, upon a majority vote, the Council may go into a closed session to discuss the valuation.

Other regular agenda items are:

-- Approve the request from the Prairie Roots Committee for the Prairie Roots Festival: To use the lower shelter house area of Kelley Park on Saturday, Aug.21, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.; to close Kelley Park Road that extends from East 5th Street to Kelley Park Drive from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and to close the walking trail that extends from East 5th Street to Kelley Park Drive from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

-- An update from City Attorney, Nathaniel Mustion, regarding the creation of a regional land bank. Mustion met with representatives of other area communities on July 15 about the possibility of creating a land bank to deal with abandoned/nuisance properties. Nebraska law allows tax-exempt political subdivisions to acquire, manage and develop vacant and tax delinquent properties, primarily residential. To create a land bank, Nebraska law requires two or more cities to form a regional cooperative.

Monday’s meeting will begin with a public hearing on a report from the Economic Development Plan Citizen’s Advisory Review Committee that met held July 26, 2021.

Consent agenda items, that can be approved in one motion unless pulled for a separate discussion/vote by a city council member, city staff or a member of the public, are:

-- Recommend approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission the application for manager submitted by Casey’s Retail Company, which holds liquor licenses for Casey’s at 204 West “B” Street, Casey’s General Store 1954 at 810 East “B” Street; and Casey’s General Store 2291, at 704 West “B” Street; the applicant being Krystal M. Carter.

--Receive and file the minutes of the May 2021 Library Advisory Board meeting and the June 8, 2021 Swimming Pool Committee meeting.

-- Approve the application for a special designated liquor license submitted by JBN, Inc., dba Hi Times Liquor Mart 1, for a reception at the McCook City Auditorium on Aug. 28, 2021, from 12 p.m. to 1 a.m.

-- Approve the application for a special designated liquor license submitted by the McCook Chamber of Commerce for a Chamber Open House Mixer at the Community Hospital-Medical Specialist Center, 1301 East H Street, on Aug. 27, 2021, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.