Fireworks ban authority clears second reading

McCOOK, Nebraska -- After drought conditions led to concerns about Fourth of July fireworks, the McCook City Council advanced an ordinance to give the council authority to ban fireworks temporarily.

The ordinance, which was passed Monday night on the second of three readings, would not prohibit local sales of fireworks, or the annual Fourth of July fireworks display put on at Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda:

* Bid specifications for two new police package or special service vehicles for use by the police department were approved. Chief of Police Isaac Brown explained that the bid included flexibility for either special service or police package vehicles, so that the police department could take advantage of promotional vehicles that dealerships sometimes have available. The vehicle purchase was previously approved in the 2012-13 budget.

* Bid specifications for one four-wheel drive loader for the city street department was approved.

The bid was modified to change a requirement of having left and right dual brake pedals, to an alternate option. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff said there was at least one vendor that would not have been able to bid on the item due to that requirement. $130,000 was budgeted for the purchase in the 2012-13 budget and the vehicle will replace a 1997 Case 621B, which will be traded in as part of the purchase.

* The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce was approved to conduct their Annual Christmas Light Parade at 6 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2012, as well as the flying in of Santa at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport at 10 a.m. and the use of a fire truck for Santa's transportation in the 6 p.m. parade.

The chamber was also granted a special liquor license for a 5:30 p.m. mixer at Quality Urgent Care on Dec. 12, 2012.

* A claim for damages from Bradford S. Hershberger and Hershberger Music Co. was received and forwarded on to the city's insurance carrier without comment.

The claims seeks $884 to cover moisture removal costs stemming from a city water line that backed up into the businesses basement in September.

* Zoll Medical Corp. of Burlington, Massachusetts, was awarded the bid for three cardiac monitor/defibrillators, which came in at $81,295, more than $7,000 below the budgeted amount.

* Great Plains Communications was authorized to occupy city right-of-way for the installation of underground fiber optic cable and coax cable at two locations. The first request pertained to the installation of underground cable across West Fourth Street, just north of West C Street, relating to the new Municipal Facility.

The second request pertained to the installation of underground cable under old U.S. Highway 6 and 34, just South of West B Street, relating to Plains Equipment.

* Bid specifications for ballpark concessions at the Jaycees Ball Complex and Felling Field were approved. The date to received bids by was set at 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2012.