Emergency purchases cost McCook more than $69,000
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider confirming what city staff has labeled as an "emergency purchase" of two 2006 Freightliner semi trucks. The vehicles were purchased by city staff on Sept. 19 at a cost of $34,900 each, due to a build up of trash in late August and early September that placed the city transfer station "one unexpected load away from having a shutdown."
According to Monday's McCook City Council meeting agenda, the contracted city trash hauler, Fritz Trucking, has had issues with having more than one trailer available to haul city trash from the transfer station, leading to the trash buildup and near shutdown.
The shutdown would have ceased trash dumping at the McCook facility for an unspecified period of time, causing a back-log of trash and adding additional expense and inconvenience to the citizens, commercial haulers and city staff, according to the meeting agenda.
The purchase of the semi trucks, funded via Landfill Reserve Funds, will be combined with rental trailers to serve as a back up plan when Fritz Trucking has limited trailers available.
Councilors will merely confirm the purchase, as it was not approved by councilors prior to being carried out, and will also consider a request from Fritz Trucking to amend their contracted rate to a higher amount.
According to the meeting agenda, owner Steve Fritz has requested his trash hauling contract with the City of McCook be amended from a per ton rate of $13.50 to $16.50 per ton. The increase is estimated to amount to an annual increase to the city of $42,000.
Also during Monday's meeting, 7:30 p.m. at Memorial Auditorium, councilors will receive and file a claim for damages from Larry and Karen Siebrandt. According to the claim, the Siebrandt's home at 408 East 14th Street was damaged by a backup from the city sewer system on Sept. 21, 2012.
The claim cites damage to the house's furnace room, bathroom, workshop, family room and stairway and does not provide an estimated dollar amount for the repairs.
Councilors will consider an appeal request from Larson Group, LLC to reverse a denial from City Manager Jeff Hancock for a lot split at 1604 West J Street.
Hancock also serves as the city Zoning Administrator and denied the request because it would not meet zoning and ordinance requirements. The applicant stated in their request for an appeal that they hoped the council would want to be progressive in encouraging cooperation with potential commercial developments.
The city council has the authority to affirm or reverse Hancock's decision.
Other items on the consent and regular agenda:
A resolution increasing ambulance service rates will be considered for approval. According to the meeting agenda the rate increases are needed to keep federal reimbursement rates at their maximum level and will assist with the purchase of three new cardiac monitor and defibrillator devices that were approved in the 2012-13 budget. Bid specifications for the devices will also be considered for approval.
Councilors will consider approval of the McCook Police Department's submitted list of abandoned and unclaimed vehicles and property, that will subsequently be disposed of via the annual auction. The list includes nine vehicles, 17 bicycles and other items.
McCook National Bank has requested to close the alley between Norris Avenue and West First Street, from West B to West C, 3 p.m. to midnight, on Oct. 27, 2012. The closure is for their annual "Halloween Haunted Bank Tour."
The McCook Rotary Club has requested to utilize city streets and the walking trail for a 5k race on Oct. 27, 2012.
Amfirst Bank has requested to utilize parts of Kelley Park, the walking trail and the former Borken Tee Golf Course for a 5k road race on Oct. 20, 2012.
* The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce has requested a special liquor license for a mixer at Wagner Chevrolet on Oct. 10, 2012.
Century Link has requested to use city right-of-way for the installation of an underground fiber optic cable along West D Street.
City staff discovered that the section pertaining to the Tree Advisory Board was omitted from the City of McCook Code of Ordinances book during recent updates. Councilors will consider an ordinance providing for the creation of the board.
Councilors will consider approving proclamations designating October 2012 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" and Oct. 7-13 as "Fire Prevention Week."