Council seeks new bids on project

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council rejected both bids received for the second project of the 2010 Street Improvement Projects and is advertising for new bids.

The board set the bid deadline for June 1 at a bimonthly meeting Monday night at the Heritage Senior Center, after bids initially received were vastly different.

The first came in just over $61,000, the second at $222,000 and city officials questioning the variance found them both to be in error.

City staff indicated that efforts would be put forth to acquire bids from companies not involved in the initial bidding process in addition to the two companies which initially submitted them.

Several council members expressed concerns over making the Heritage Senior Center the permanent location for meetings.

Issues included the absence of the electronic voting system the council uses at the Memorial Auditorium building being, the availability of printers and the labor involved in setup.

Councilman Aaron Kircher commented that the handicap accessibility was a fair exchange for any labor involved in utilizing the Heritage Senior Center, with that and improved acoustics being the foremost benefits mentioned in regards to a long-term move of the meeting location.

A resolution also was adopted with amendments that authorize city employees to contribute their excess sick leave time to a Catastrophic Leave Account intended to aide fellow workers in need who have legitimately depleted their own sick and vacation time and are in danger of going on leave without pay.

The city manager will supervise and approve use of the account and he noted that there was currently one city employee who could benefit from the program and one previously he was aware of as well.

May 16-22 was designated "Emergency Medical Services Week" and the Fire Department plans an open house today, 6-8 p.m., in observance.

Other items on the consent agenda included:

* Authorizing the mayor to sign a contract authorizing the $505,000 grant from the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development to assist 21st Century Systems with the Keystone Building project

* Special designated liquor licenses were approved for Bull's Bar and Grill for a wedding reception at the fairgrounds and the Bieroc Cafe for a reunion at the fairgrounds as well as a wedding reception at City Auditorium