McCook Daily Gazette: News : McCook City Council

McCook City Council

News related to the City of McCook

Trash contract canceled on 4-1 vote (05/21/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council canceled a trash hauling contract with Frtiz Trucking on a 4-1 vote Monday evening, ending several months of disputes. City staff members claimed the trash hauler had not been able to provide the required number of trailers and had ceased hauling operations completely on May 8...

City to cancel trash contract (05/17/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider a request from city staff to cancel the trash hauling contract with Fritz Trucking and seek liquidated damages from the company. Conflict between the city and their contracted trash hauler has become commonplace since October of last year, when council denied a requested rate increase from Fritz Trucking and subsequently approved the purchase of two semi-trucks and rental of trash hauling trailers by the city...

Council looking for budget input (05/09/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council began their annual budgeting process Monday evening by approving a budget calendar and emphasizing the need for citizen input over the coming weeks. Councilors approved the 2013-14 fiscal year budget calendar which subsequently set the date of their open to the public budget retreat as June 11, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Municipal Center training room...

Study: 300 new houses needed in next 10 years (05/08/13)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- Nearly 300 housing units should be built in McCook over the next 10 years to meet demand, according to a study reviewed by the City Council Monday night. The housing shortage discussion included a recap from McCook Economic Development Director Rex Nelson of a detailed list of recommended action steps provided by the study...

Passenger numbers up (05/07/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- First quarter boarded passenger numbers at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport totaled 411 in 2013. The figures, released by city staff recently, reflect an increase of more than 20 percent when compared to the same three month time period in 2012 and the best first quarter the airport has had, pertaining to boarded passengers, since at least 2007...

City Council to discuss housing (05/03/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider declaring a pair of local properties as unsafe, receive updates pertaining to recent housing initiatives and begin early discussions to prioritize budget goals for the upcoming year, Monday evening, during the regularly scheduled meeting...

Trash talk -- City releases letters on solid waste, transfer station issues (04/26/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook made public two letters from City Manager Jeff Hancock sent earlier this month to the owner of the city's contracted trash hauling company, Steve Fritz. The letters show that city staff expressed concern about a buildup of trash at the transfer station, an issue they also raised in September 2012 and cited then as the need for the emergency purchase by the city of two semi trucks and subsequent monthly rental expense of two trash hauling trailers...

Trash hauler's attorney cites Open Meetings Act, City Council backs off from closed session (04/25/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- An attorney for Fritz Trucking, the City of McCook's contracted trash hauler, warned the McCook City Council Wednesday evening that its intent to enter closed session to discuss potential litigation was in violation of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act. ...

Official: Drought not main cause of water conflict (04/16/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- According to a Middle Republican Natural Resources District board member, James Uerling, ongoing water issues that have pitted both irrigators and legislators against each other are not the result of a drought as many have suggested. Uerling presented the McCook City Council with charts illustrating precipitation levels at area reservoirs from 1955 through 2008, which showed a minimal but steady increase in the amount of precipitation received...

East H Street improvements begin Tuesday (04/15/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Travelers along East H Street will find themselves required to use alternate routes over the next several months as part of the street improvement project scheduled to begin Tuesday. The project will consist of three phases and is anticipated to be completed by late fall...

Council to set deadline for Memorial Auditorium proposals (04/12/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A request for proposals pertaining to the future use of Memorial Auditorium will be considered by the McCook City Council, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their regularly scheduled meeting at the Municipal Center. According to the meeting agenda, the city will accept proposals until 4 p.m., Friday May, 17, 2013, and five copies of any proposal or expressions of interest shall be submitted to City Manager Jeff Hancock...

Council offers best wishes to missing member (04/02/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council expressed support for absent councilor Janet Hepp and her husband Greg, during their regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening. Greg Hepp suffered a stroke less than two weeks ago, just prior to his final performance in the lead role of the Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre presentation of "South Pacific."...

East H Street construction project expected to begin April 15 (03/29/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- An improvement project that will provide East H Street with a new concrete roadway and sidewalk handicap ramps will likely move a step closer to groundbreaking Monday evening when the McCook City Council considers approval of the engineering services contract for the project. Councilors will consider the contract between the City of McCook and W. Design Associates during their regularly scheduled meeting, 7:30 p.m., at the Municipal Facility on West C Street...

Parking facelifts among plans (03/22/13)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- After engineers looked further into improvements to be made to crosswalks, at the intersection of Norris Avenue and B Street, it was determined that changes to the alignment and slope of the existing ADA ramps was too costly to proceed with. ...

Civic grant application raises questions over possible results (03/20/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Several citizens and councilors questioned the results and intent of a $250,000 convention center grant application for the city, Monday evening, prior to the McCook City Council authorizing the application on a split vote. The grant with the Nebraska Civic and Community Financing Fund was hailed by economic development representatives and City Manager Jeff Hancock as an additional bargaining chip for the city, should a potential hotel development project reach the negotiating table stage. ...

Audit shows solid cost control (03/19/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council received annual auditors report of the city's financial statements, assets and financial activity, which indicated exceptional cost control measures by city staff and offered comparisons to other Nebraska cities of similar size...

City to begin crack-sealing on Monday (03/08/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook will begin crack sealing various streets in the community on Monday, March 11. City officials estimate that it should take two to three days to complete, weather permitting. The contractor is B and H Paving. The city asks citizens to remove any vehicles that are parked on the following streets, beginning Monday:...

Officials ponder extent of parking problems (03/07/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council mulled several options to address downtown parking issues, while some officials raised questions as to whether the problem was really one experienced by many citizens or just a few. Councilor Jerry Calvin, a former McCook police officer, stated that city ordinance on the topic was clear and he would like to see them enforced...

Street repair meeting set (03/06/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is coordinating a public meeting on Thursday, 7 p.m., at the Heritage Senior Center pertaining to a 2014 street improvement project on several McCook streets. Areas effected by the project include East Seventh Street, Country Club Drive, East Fifth Street and Seminole Drive...

City seeking tenants for auditorium (03/06/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook will proceed with recruiting tenants to rent commercial space, in what was previously the home to city administration offices and council chambers. The McCook City Council directed city staff to develop a letter of interest Monday evening, intended to assist with soliciting tenants at the Memorial Auditorium building on West Fifth Street...

City Council advances plan (03/05/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council advanced a grant application that will provide more than $450,000 in improvements to the downtown McCook area. Councilors weighed whether or not the $111,700 in required matching funds was the best use of local dollars Monday evening during their regularly scheduled meeting, before unanimously approving the application...

City may crack down on parking (03/01/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council has a trio of discussion items scheduled for Monday evening, including downtown parking, the future use of Memorial Auditorium and the status of the city's 2012-13 Strategic Plan. The downtown parking discussion will include whether or not to increase enforcement efforts by the police department. ...

City seeks help preparing for storm (02/19/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is requesting assistance from citizens during their preparation for a snowfall predicted for Wednesday and Thursday. City staff is asking citizens to remove vehicles from streets, specifically the emergency snow routes which are marked by signs accordingly...

Council OKs blighted designation (02/19/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Tax increment financing is a powerful tool that makes major redevelopment possible in towns like McCook, a self-described "country lawyer" told the McCook City Council Monday night. Mike Bacon should know. Twenty years ago, he helped Gothenburg use TIF to land a Baldwin Filters plant that might otherwise have come to McCook...

Official: Redevelopment area, designation key to housing crisis (02/15/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a resolution Monday evening that adopts a new redevelopment area and expands the blighted designation to other areas throughout McCook. The expansion of the designation is driven by efforts to address a housing shortage, which McCook Economic Development Executive Director Rex Nelson said is a priority to the community...

Citizens can air concerns Monday night (02/15/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Several public hearings scheduled for Monday evening offer citizens a rare opportunity to have their voices heard on a range of local topics, all in one meeting. The McCook City Council will coordinate public hearings pertaining to downtown revitalization, priority of street improvements, expanding the blighted designation to several neighborhoods and updates to the city's official zoning map. ...

City to unveil one- and six-year street plans (02/14/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook will coordinate a public hearing to outline its one- and six-year proposed plan for new construction of local roads and streets, Monday evening. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. in City Council chambers at the McCook Municipal Facility...

Development plan includes 'Bison Loop' (02/11/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A recently released revitalization plan for downtown McCook calls for the creation of the "Bison Loop," a combination of new sidewalk construction and improvements to existing sidewalks, enhanced with lighting, signage and landscaping improvements...

First phase of revitalization plan to be unveiled Monday (02/08/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A public hearing will be coordinated Monday evening to present the Downtown Revitalization Plan that intends to lay the groundwork for how the city will spend a $350,000 economic development grant it has been awarded. The McCook Planning Commission will be presented with the plan during a public hearing, Monday evening, 5:15 p.m. at City Council Chambers, which will be followed by an opportunity for public comment...

Set for improvements (02/06/13)
A drop box on the new municipal facility is an improvement over the one on the old building, but it's at the wrong height and too difficult to reach from many vehicles, so the city is exploring ways to improve it, according to Utility Director Jesse Dutcher. ...

Council sends 'blighted' proposal to Planning Commission (02/05/13)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- A blighted designation on properties throughout McCook, as proposed by a study forwarded to the McCook Planning Commission recently, may affect property appraisals in the area. A McCook Economic Development Corp. representative told the McCook City Council Monday evening that the designation would not have an impact on loan activity and likely would have a positive effect on property values...

Council to consider more blighted areas (02/01/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a resolution Monday evening that could begin the process of expanding the "blighted" area of McCook past the Norris Avenue business zone. The resolution forwards a blight study on to the McCook Planning Commission which recommends significant expansion of the designated area, in an effort to qualify for financial incentives such as Tax Increment Financing. ...

Earlier flight time to Denver (01/31/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Great Lakes Airlines will change departure time of its McCook-to-Denver flight to an earlier time. According to the airport manager at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, City Manager Jeff Hancock, the 5:09 p.m. flight will begin departing at 2:56 p.m., effective Feb. 1, 2013...

Police chief keeps eye on legislation (01/29/13)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- More than 600 bills were introduced this session by Nebraska legislators, many of which will, of course, have an effect on law enforcement and public safety. McCook Chief of Police Isaac Brown recapped a select few for the Gazette, which he believed were of particular interest...

Internet sales tax collection lacking, says official (01/25/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock repeated a call for an effective method to tax Internet sales during the Chamber of Commerce legislative conference call, Thursday morning. Hancock voiced a similar message to Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy last week during his visit to the McCook airport and this week spoke to Sen. Mark Christensen via the conference call...

Parking and downtown redevelopment (01/25/13)
I wish to comment on the downtown redevelopment project that has been designed and proposed for McCook. I have practiced in downtown McCook for the past 39 years and have had growing concerns that McCook is out of touch with downtown to its detriment. Time and again surveys show the greatest concern for downtown is parking...

Council seeks input on auditorium (01/22/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council hopes that input from citizens over the next two weeks will assist in deciding the future of Memorial Auditorium. The building has been locked up since city offices relocated over the past several weeks to their new Municipal Facility on West C Street, but a group of morning walkers is hoping to resume their activities and at least a couple of local business representatives have shown interest in renting office space at the location...

Jogger, walkers want action by McCook City Council (01/18/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- While local walkers want the city to keep one of their favorite exercise spots open, a woman is asking the city to pay for injuries she sustained while jogging outdoors. Monday, the McCook City Council will receive a claim for damages from a 20-year-old McCook woman who is seeking compensation from the city for an injury she suffered while jogging home from a friend's house, on a Saturday evening in December...

Downtown redevelopment plan nearly ready to submit (01/11/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock described potential improvements to the downtown McCook retail zone as a project that would be tackled in phases, one at a time, as the community's budget would allow. "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time," said Hancock, to a group of more than 30 attending a presentation from the design team hired by city staff to head up the project...

Downtown committee seeks public input (01/09/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook and the Downtown Planning Steering Committee is inviting everyone interested in downtown McCook to attend a presentation and provide comment of the proposed downtown plan at 6 p.m. Thursday at Heritage Senior Center, 1400 W. Fifth...

City: Rented trash trailers still necessary (01/08/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Prior to the McCook City Council forwarding a claim for damages from the city's contracted trash hauler on to their insurance carrier, Monday evening, city staff explained that a $4,000 monthly rental expense of unused trash hauling trailers by the city was still deemed necessary. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff explained that although the trailers were not being utilized they were a necessary "insurance policy" that city staff was not taking lightly...

Trash hauler submits claim that city damaged semi trailer (01/04/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will receive a claim for damages from the city's contracted trash hauler that alleges city staff caused a significant amount of damage to one of the company's trailers while it was being loaded. The claim cites minor damage to the company's trailers as being a common occurrence but the amount of damage caused during the afternoon of Dec. 13, 2012, was "too much damage to ignore."...

Construction drops to 2009 levels (01/03/13)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook area construction project costs for 2012 totaled just over $16 million, well shy of the $29 million mark reached the previous two years. The bulk of the decrease can be traced to no activity in the school and public building category, which racked up more than $11 million in 2011...

City bill drop moving to new location (12/28/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- As part of the City of McCook's move to the new municipal facility, the administration offices, including the utility billing department, will be closed Jan. 4-Jan 7, 2013. Utility payments may still be dropped in the drop box at the old city auditorium, 302 W. Fifth, until Jan. 7, 2013. Effective Jan. 8, 2013, all utility payments, including drop box payments, will be accepted at the new location, 505 West c...

City Sales tax receipts show continued growth (12/28/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City of McCook 1 percent sales tax receipts for the first quarter of the 2012-13 fiscal year totaled $31,704 more than what was collected during the prior year. October and December 2012 receipts each came in more than $10,000 ahead of prior year, with September 2012 receipts posting a rare $819 decrease when compared to September 2011 receipts...

Plans would install sponsored park benches (12/20/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The owner of JLB Welding in McCook, Jeremy Bain, presented the McCook Parks Advisory Board with a proposal that could supply new steel benches to various locations at no cost to the city. Bain said during the board's Tuesday afternoon meeting that he would work with city staff to identify 12 ideal locations for the benches and then sell one marketing spot per bench to a local business to cover expenses...

City asks for public help in dealing with snowstorm (12/18/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is asking for the public's help with snow-removal efforts in anticipation of snow expected Wednesday and Wednesday night. Citizens are asked to remove their vehicles from the streets, particularly from emergency snow routes marked by green emergency snow route signs...

Council pauses in tribute to shooting victims; guns removed from toy giveaway (12/18/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The tragic shooting at a Newtown, Connecticut, elementary school was fresh on the minds of many community leaders Monday evening, as the McCook City Council paused for a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims and a local charity coordinator announced that all toy guns had been removed from a Christmas toy giveaway event...

Almost done (12/14/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook city staff are busily packing up any non-essential items as office furniture and other final touches are placed on their new Municipal Facility being constructed on West Fifth Street. City administration offices do not plan to operate out of the new building until after the first of the year, according to City Manager Jeff Hancock, who anticipated needing to close city offices for one or two days as part of the transition...

Planning commissioner meets tonight (12/10/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission will coordinate a public hearing this evening to discuss a proposed 20 acre subdivision that will be located north of McCook on County Road 385. Josh and Jill Hill have requested approval of the final plat and minor subdivision, which is located within the two mile extra-territorial jurisdiction of the City of McCook...

City buying land for two brine ponds (11/30/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will be asked to authorize a purchase agreement between the City of McCook and Sevim Ozalp Randel for the purchase of approximately 10 acres of farm land at $35,000. Councilors will consider approval of the agreement during their regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium...

City continues review of building code (11/27/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook Building Code Review Committee will meet Wednesday to review and make recommendations for revisions to Chapters 11 through 15 of the 2012 International Residential Code. The chapters include building codes pertaining to energy efficiency, mechanical administration, general mechanical system requirements, heating and cooling equipment and appliances and exhaust systems...

Early morning lights (11/23/12)
Headlights and taillights streak past the new City of McCook, Nebraska, fire station early Friday morning. Firefighters and city office personnel plan to move into the new city building in mid-December.

McCook Public Works director elected to state executive board (11/23/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook Public Works Director, Kyle Potthoff, was elected to be the utilities representative on the League of Nebraska Municipalities Executive Board for a one year term. The league is a nonprofit service association that lobbies for the interests of its member cities and villages to the Nebraska legislature...

Emergency generator purchase likely (11/20/12)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff answered questions from the McCook City Council, Monday evening, surrounding the likely emergency purchase of a generator for the new Municipal Facility and the situation which brought it about. ...

Fireworks ban authority clears second reading (11/08/12)
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...

County to take over jail operations Dec. 18 (11/06/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council and Red Willow County Commissioners agreed to terms on the county's use of the city jail facility, beginning Dec. 18, 2012. The Red Willow County Sheriff's Department will assume responsibility for jail operations on that date, while the McCook Police Department is still operating out of the West B Street facility. ...

City studies web presence (11/05/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook website was graded a "C-" last week by Sunshine Review, a nonprofit, pro-transparency organization, that handed down a "D+" grade for the State of Nebraska in late August. The city website, www. cityofmccook.com, was given high marks for containing elected officials and department heads contact information; archived meeting agendas, minutes, location and dates; building codes and permit applications; the most recent city budget; bids published online; and the city clerk acknowledging her role as the public information officer.. ...

City may accept cards for utility bills (11/02/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of an agreement, Monday evening, that would allow citizens to pay their utility bills with credit or debit cards. The Payport program, provided by Nebraska.gov, would give citizens the option to pay via debit or credit cards by paying a 2.49 percent fee. The fee equates to $1.75 on an average $70 water, sewer and trash bill...

Passenger numbers continue to decline (10/23/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Third quarter boarded passenger numbers at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport totaled 418 in 2012, down slightly more than 11 percent when compared to the 470 that boarded during the same time period in 2011. The July, August and September decline continues a negative trend that began in early 2011...

Downtown planning meeting Tuesday (10/22/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock is encouraging citizens to attend a planning meeting, Tuesday evening, that will offer an opportunity to work alongside planners, landscape architects and artists, to design projects for improving downtown McCook. The meeting is part of a coordinated effort to develop options for how to spend a $350,000 CDBG grant for downtown development, that the City of McCook is anticipated to receive in 2013...

Construction falls short of prior year (10/19/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook area construction project costs were down more than $1.5 million combined during July, August and September, when compared to the same time period in 2011. The third quarter decline in activity pushes the 2012 year-to-date amount more than $5.2 million behind 2011 numbers, according to building permit information released by city staff...

Subdivision plan on agenda for Planning Commission (10/12/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission will coordinate a public hearing Monday evening to discuss a request for approval of a minor subdivision just West of U.S. Highway 83 on Drive 716. The application from Richard Cappel to create "Cappel Industrial Park" indicates the subdivision would be located just west of property approved to be developed for storage units and southwest of the future home of JLB Welding...

Fireworks ban ability on agenda (10/12/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider adding a city ordinance that would authorize them to implement a temporary ban on permissible fireworks within city limits, should forecasted weather conditions create a very high risk of fire danger. Although the fire department had very few firework related fires during a record dry and hot 4th of July season this year, concerns raised by citizens are said to be the driving force behind the new ordinance...

Water rates may climb despite increased sales (08/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider authorizing a 3.5 percent water rate increase in addition to a 3.5 percent sewer rate increase Monday evening. If approved residential rates are anticipated to increase on average by $10 annually for sewer and $16 annually for water...

Bus barn approved for rezoning (08/15/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission approved a request from a potential buyer of the school bus barn property to rezone the northern portion of the property from residential medium to business commercial. The request was approved during the commission's regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening, with the addition of a fence between proposed buildings on the east side...

Valuation boosts property taxes $38k on average (08/09/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook property tax levy is set to remain at the same $0.319044 rate that it has since 2002. A three-year-review of actual revenues shows that even though the rate has remained the same, revenues have grown by an average $38,920 per year as a result of assessed valuation changes...

City Council to clarify sales tax use (08/06/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock intends to clarify the ballot language of the two individual McCook sales taxes during tonight's McCook City Council meeting at Memorial Auditorium. Hancock said in his City Manager Newsletter released Friday that he will attempt to put the explanation in writing and provide councilors with some options to assist in the funding of the city's much needed capital equipment...

Longevity, merit push city raises near 7 percent (08/02/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- While the proposed city budget includes a 2.5 percent wage increase, the actual increase is closer to 7 percent when merit and longevity increases are included, according to an analysis of budget figures. The proposed 2012-13 McCook city budget reflects an annual increase of $220,447 to city employee wages, in the form of merit and longevity increases combined with a 2.5 percent wage increase. ...

Higher ambulance fees proposed (08/01/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff proposed increases to some ambulance fees Monday evening during a budget meeting with the McCook City Council. The increases are estimated to generate $17,000 annually which will be used to finance the purchase of three new defibrillator/cardiac monitors for McCook emergency responders...

City mulls wildlife contract (08/01/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is considering picking up a USDA contract for assistance with wildlife that Red Willow County Commissioners recently voted to discontinue. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the McCook City Council, Monday evening, that the recent discovery of a bat problem in at least one McCook home had brought the issue up...

Budget plan enacts cell phone fees (07/31/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The proposed 2012-13 McCook city budget calls for creation of a mobile phone occupation tax, which will put McCook right on track with the rest of the state. According to the smartmoney.com website, Nebraska already has the highest taxes and fees on wireless service in the nation...

New mobile phone tax, city-wide raise proposed in budget (07/30/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff released their preliminary 2012-13 city wide budget which features the creation of a 6 percent mobile telephone occupation tax and doubling the existing land line occupation tax from 3 to 6 percent. The tax increases are anticipated to generate an additional $61,000, which when combined with other proposed increases in ambulance fees are estimated to generate a combined $78,000 annually. ...

Special meeting Monday (07/27/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council plans a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday to consider a special designated liquor license for Brahmers Steakhouse and Saloon LLC, for a wedding reception set for the Red Willow County Community Building, 1415 W. Fifth, from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11...

Judge sides with resident in city sewer refund dispute (07/26/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A McCook woman who had been charged by the city for more than a year for sewer services that weren't being provided was brought up on theft charges after she cashed a refund check that the city mistakingly wrote to her for more than six times the intended amount...

Mayor starts 'Random Acts' month with his own act of charity (07/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Shortly after approving a proclamation designating the month of August 2012 as "Random Acts of Kindness Month," Mayor Dennis Berry performed his own such act. During the McCook City Council's regularly scheduled meeting, Monday evening, city staff had cited concerns that a costly precedent would be set if a request to waive Memorial Auditorium usage fees was approved. The $425 in fees related to the McCook Toy Box and Coat Closet events...

Eminent domain proposal on city agenda (07/13/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff is asking the McCook City Council to authorize the go ahead with eminent domain procedures after attempts to negotiate a purchase price for a 10 acre tract of land adjacent to the waste water treatment facility have failed. The city seeks to acquire the land for the EPA mandated construction of two lagoons to dissipate brine and hard water, that has historically been released into the Republican River...

Ag business closer to new home (07/10/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission unanimously approved a request to allow a truck and farm equipment repair facility to be operated on a lot located on the North side of Drive 716, just west of Orscheln's. The approval puts the business one step closer to its goal of relocating and expanding, which owner Randy Lashley says would mean the addition of at least five new jobs for the area...

Water Warning lifted (07/09/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A Water Warning issued Friday has been lifted by McCook city officials. Weekend rains greatly reduced the demand for water, allowing the system to be replenished. The assistance from the public was greatly appreciated, according to a news release...

Fire chief thankful for calm Fourth of July week (07/09/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham praised efforts by citizens to keep firework related calls to a minimum during one of the driest years in recent history. The McCook Fire Department received no firework-related calls on the final day of legal discharge, Thursday, and had a combined four calls for the entire 4th of July week...

Planners to consider development (07/06/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Planning Commission will coordinate a public hearing Monday evening to discuss a request to allow a truck and farm equipment repair facility on a lot located on the North side of Drive 716, to the west of U.S. Highway 83...

City water use back on track (07/03/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska --The city water system was able to replenish reserves over the weekend, thanks to slightly cooler weather and citizen participation in a three-day water restriction placed on daytime watering. Utility Director Jesse Dutcher said the reserves were never down to a critical level, but with the increasing number of rural fires, primarily attributed to lightning strikes during extreme hot and dry conditions, he wanted to ensure the city had more than adequate supply on hand to be able to support both rural and local firefighters.. ...

Downtown revitalization on city agenda (06/29/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a contract necessary to develop a downtown revitalization plan, which could lead to roughly $350,000 in downtown infrastructure improvements. The Community Development Block Grant contract is between the City of McCook and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and focuses on creating a revitalization plan at an anticipated cost of $39,300...

Branches must be trimmed (06/27/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook has been receiving concerns about low-hanging tree branches over sidewalks and streets. City codes requires branches to be a minimum of 8 feet above a sidewalk and 16 feet above a street or alley.

Watering limits mandatory (06/27/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Because of the extreme heat and very high water usage, the City of McCook is stating that effective immediately, all citizens must refrain from using any outside water between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. While prior water restrictions were voluntary, they were elevated to mandatory with this action...

Pastor of parched parish appeals to higher power (06/19/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- "I'm not trying to tell you how to do your job," the Rev. Lance Clay said at the conclusion of Monday night's invocation at the McCook City Council meeting. "But we sure could use some rain." The pastor of Memorial United Methodist Church didn't get any arguments from the others in attendance...

City outlines areas with potential for development (06/07/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- During the McCook City Council meeting, Monday evening at council chambers, Utility Director Jesse Dutcher presented information pertaining to the most water and sewer accessible areas for new development in McCook. Dutcher identified nine potential subdivision areas, located within city limits or the two mile extra-territorial zone, that he believed represented the most accessible new sites...

Sales tax use clarified as budget process begins (06/05/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Attorney Nate Schneider issued a memo to McCook City Council members in response to recent claims that the increasing amount of sales tax received by the city should require a reduction in the city property tax levy. In the memo Schneider explained that a reduction in the levy was not required and said those who voted yes for the tax voted for the "described property tax relief," which he said could be either direct property tax relief or relief through indirect means...

Council to set priorities for 2012-13 budget (06/01/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will discuss a proposed strategic budget plan for the city, which features housing development as the highest short-term priority and renewal of sales tax revenue as the highest ranked long term project. The preliminary plan was drafted by City Manager Jeff Hancock from input provided by councilors and city department heads during their strategic planning session in April...

City, county working on jail contract (05/24/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioners formally requested the City of McCook draft an agreement detailing guidelines for their use of the existing city police and jail facility once it is vacated. In a letter to the city, commissioners indicated they would like to use the facility until construction of their own Law Enforcement Center and jail on Norris Avenue is completed...

Council focuses on housing issue (05/22/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council received a report Monday about the local housing shortage and what is being done about it. The report targeted various market segments and indicated that Tax Increment Financing funds look to be a big part of the solution...

City may hike limit requiring architect, engineer (05/18/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Another procedural change pertaining to how city staff handles future purchases will be considered by the McCook City Council. After raising the purchasing limit of city staff earlier in the month, councilors will consider more than doubling the project dollar amount that triggers the required involvement of an engineer or architect. ...

City manager calls for 4-lane Highway 83 (05/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock asked the Nebraska Department of Roads to include expanding U.S. Highway 83 into a four lane highway as one of its long range goals. The comments were submitted as input on the state's Long Range Transportation Plan...

Ex councilman questions sales tax relief (05/08/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A former city councilman is concerned that sales tax revenue funneled into the city's general fund is exceeding the amount allowed by state law and should require a tax credit or a reduction in the city's property tax levy to rectify...

City seeks more leeway in purchases (05/04/12)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider ordinance changes that would increase the purchasing limit of city staff, without requiring bidding or council approval, from $20,000 to $30,000. The changes also will include a provision that would allow city staff to negotiate a contract when bids come in over the approved amount, without returning to council for approval...

Library plans open house to show off new computers (04/25/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Public Library recently received nine new computers through the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project. The computers are installed and ready for use by the public. The computers can be used free of charge to access court records, find health information, take advantage of educational opportunities, hunt for jobs, explore small business options, etc...

Sales tax receipts increasing (04/24/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 2012 first quarter one percent sales tax receipts for the City of McCook came in at an accumulated $29,661 more than the prior year. The three month total of $434,595 also reflects an amount $62,523 more than the receipts budgeted for by city staff...

East Ward project still a 'go' (04/20/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Reports received last week indicated that contractors who began work on the East Ward Village project had been called off of the job site and were speculating the Senior Housing project had been cancelled. The McCook Housing Agency, manager for the...

City seeks jail clarification from county (04/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The city officially wants to know how long the county needs to use its jail. The McCook City Council authorized staff to draft an official request Monday night. The McCook Police Department is expected to move into the new Municipal Facility on West Fifth Street before the end of the year...

Food service business seeks loan (04/16/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider an application for an economic development loan, Monday evening during their regularly scheduled meeting at Memorial Auditorium, from a couple seeking to start-up a new food service business in McCook...

City begins plans for moving out (04/13/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Police and Fire departments are anticipated to be relocated into the new voter-approved Municipal Facility before the end of the year, prompting the McCook City Council to begin discussions about the future of current facilities...

Airport wildlife fence should be complete soon (04/12/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff anticipates the wildlife fence at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport to have full enclosure of the area it will cover by the end of the month. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told members of the McCook Airport Advisory Board, Tuesday afternoon during their regularly scheduled meeting at Heritage Senior Center, that once enclosure was reached contractors would focus on trenching and removal of the old fencing...

City officials see housing as priority (04/12/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Housing emerged as a top priority as McCook City Council members and city department heads participated in their first pre-budget Strategic Planning Session, Tuesday evening, at Heritage Senior Center. The meeting was coordinated by City Manager Jeff Hancock to provide useful budgeting information to department heads, in addition to providing an opportunity for councilors and city staff to share ideas and concerns pertaining to the future of the area...

Water slide delayed until 2013 or beyond (04/06/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff informed members of the Parks Advisory Board, Thursday morning during their regular meeting at the Heritage Senior Center, that the proposed water slide at McCook Municipal Pool would be delayed at least until next year. The water slide was already on hold while a new manufacturer was found and then city staff discovered that state statutes required an engineering study to be completed...

Deadline for city tree rebates June 22 (03/30/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook is continuing the Tree Rebate Program for trees purchased between April 1 and June 15, 2012. Rebate requests need to be received by June 22, according to a press release issued earlier this week. The program, designed by the McCook Tree Advisory Board, is intended to encourage property owners to plant trees and does have certain requirements that must be followed...

State plans to inventory McCook trees (03/30/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook was informed that the Nebraska Forestry Service has chosen McCook as one of the 100 communities they will be conducting a full tree inventory of this year. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told members of the Tree Advisory Board, Monday afternoon, that it had been approximately 10 years since the last inventory was conducted by the forestry service, which he believed was about average. ...

Council considers comment time limits (03/30/12)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider implementing new citizen comment guidelines, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during its semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium. The guidelines limit citizen input to three minutes per topic and require anyone making comments to come to the podium and identify themselves...

Budget workshops may be cut (03/21/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- During a discussion of the city budget calendar, strategic planning session and budget retreat dates Monday evening, City Manager Jeff Hancock hinted at moving away from the city's previous practice of submitting a preliminary city budget to the public and then approving it via three readings...

Council to maintain 'blighted' designation downtown (03/20/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council coordinated a public hearing, Monday evening, to discuss whether the majority of the downtown business district should be declared "blighted" and "substandard." The designations, as defined by Nebraska Statute 18-2103, will declare the area conducive to ill health, the transmission of disease and crime and detrimental to public health and welfare, and were described as being sought to increase eligibility for additional future grants for downtown infrastructure, specifically Tax Increment Financing.. ...

City Council considering 'blighted' tag (03/19/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will coordinate a public hearing, Monday evening, to discuss whether the majority of the downtown business district should be declared "conducive to ill health, the transmission of disease and crime and detrimental to public health and welfare."...

Downtown McCook 'detrimental to public health'? (03/16/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will coordinate a public hearing, Monday evening, to discuss whether the majority of the downtown business district should be declared conducive to ill health, the transmission of disease and crime and detrimental to public health and welfare...

'High-pressure' repair (03/14/12)
City of McCook, Nebraska, employee Mike Jonasen, right, digs a hole in the dirt using the high-pressure water wand on the sewer department's vacuum truck, helping water crews repair a water line on an island in the 600 block of Norris Avenue Tuesday morning. ...

Accountants praise city books (03/06/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook received praise from the accounting firm that performed their annual audit of financial statements, Monday evening, during the McCook City Council's semi-monthly meeting at council chambers. Terry Galloway with Almquist Maltzahn Galloway & Luth of Grand Island, Nebraska, said the city had done an excellent job of holding down spending, budgeting and the way they kept costs down...

Comprehensive plan targeted by city manager (03/02/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock will ask the McCook City Council to grant approval to apply for grant funding to update the City Comprehensive Plan, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium. According to Hancock the last plan was done in 1999 and is severely outdated...

City manager says bill could encourage more local cooperation (02/24/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A bill prioritized by Nebraska Sen. Brad Ashford earlier this month drew support from City Manager Jeff Hancock during the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce legislative conference call, Thursday morning. Hancock said that LB 357 provided an opportunity for additional sales tax that could be used for joint projects between entities such as the City of McCook and Red Willow County. ...

Building walls (02/22/12)
Walls are going up quickly at the new McCook Municipal Facility, housing police, fire and city administration departments. Check out the Gazette all week for this and other improvements in our annual Progress edition, inside.

DEQ signs off on water, sewer plans (02/22/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has reported a finding of no significant impact pertaining to a state revolving fund loan request from the City of McCook for water and sewer service improvements. The $1,830,000 project is anticipated to improve water quality discharged by the waste water treatment plant into the Republican River, in addition to improving reliability of McCook's public water system...

Delay results in enlarged water slide (02/21/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The sales tax-funded $180,000 water slide that was anticipated to be built at the McCook swimming pool this summer may be delayed. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told the Parks Advisory Board that the company he had been working with on the project had apparently gone out of business. Potthoff explained Thursday afternoon that the new company he was working with would be targeting a mid-to-late pool season completion, as a "best- case" scenario...

City Council to end three-reading rule (02/21/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council briefly entertained immediately implementing a new process which will circumvent the three-reading rule for all items approved by council members, before ultimately deciding to forego the move until its next meeting. The change in procedure was brought up Monday evening, during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Council Chambers...

Public input sought on street project priorities (02/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will coordinate a public hearing, Monday evening to consider the one and six year street improvement plan for the city. The hearing is scheduled during their semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium...

FAA bill ensures air service for two years (02/10/12)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- An essential air service bill that passed in the U.S. Senate earlier this week has ensured that McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport will continue commercial air service for at least two more years, but in order to guarantee service beyond that at least one member of the Airport Advisory Commission believes increasing the number boarding locally must be a priority...

FAA bill ensures air service for two years (02/10/12)

Council extends loan for East Ward Village (02/07/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved an amendment to the $105,000 East Ward Village loan which would give the developer 30 years to pay it back. Prior to the action at Monday night's regularly scheduled meeting at council chambers, City Attorney Nate Schneider said that the option of granting the money to the housing developer had also been explored before ultimately deciding on the amendment...

East Ward to dominate meeting (02/03/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will review items pertaining to the progress of the East Ward Village senior housing construction project, Monday evening during their semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium. Councilors will consider an amended agreement pertaining to the loan they committed to provide as the final financing piece for the project in addition to coordinating a public hearing to discuss an amendment to the East Ward Village development district...

Teacher, retiree appointed to City Council (01/17/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mayor Dennis Berry appointed Bruce McDowell and Janet Hepp to fill the two vacant City Council seats, Monday evening, during the council's regularly scheduled meeting at council chambers. The appointments were unanimously approved without comment by fellow City Councilmen Mike Gonzales and Jerry Calvin...

City officials to testify in Lincoln (01/16/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two McCook officials will testify on a bill introduced by Sen. Mark Christensen, to change a law that forced two city councilors to forfeit their seats after one was convicted of harboring a potentially vicious dog and the other was convicted of disturbing the peace. City Manager Jeff Hancock and City Councilman Mike Gonzales will address Nebraska legislators in testimony at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the capitol in Lincoln...

Six apply for council (01/13/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Mayor Dennis Berry will choose among six applicants to appoint two citizens to fill the vacant City Council seats, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium. If the Mayor's appointments are approved by at least one of the two other city council members, the appointees will be administered the oath of office and fill the positions until Dec. ...

Christensen introduces bill on City Council (01/06/12)
Christensen introduces law on City Council LINCOLN, Nebraska -- Sen. Mark Christensen introduced legislation Thursday morning to change the Nebraska law that forced two McCook City Councilman to forfeit their seats earlier this week. LB 786 seeks to modify section 19-613 of the Revised Statutes of Nebraska, which addresses forfeiture of office for council members, in a manner that will replace the reference "convicted of a crime" with "convicted of a felony or of any public offense involving the violation of the oath of office of such member.". ...

Council seats officially declared vacant (01/04/12)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council declared seats previously occupied by councilmen Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker as vacant, Tuesday evening, during their regular meeting at Council Chambers. Mayor Dennis Berry said that similar vacancies had been filled without the expense of a special election, which he believed to be in the $6,000 to $8,000 range, and he recommended proceeding with the appointment process to fill the seats...

Streets closed (01/03/12)
McCook, Nebraska -- The City of McCook Utility Department is notifying motorists that West C and D streets between West Fourth and Fifth will be closed to through traffic from Wednesday until Monday to allow construction crews to replace concrete that was removed this fall...

City, MEDC target lack of local housing (12/30/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Jeff Hancock will be participating in a four-hour strategic planning session with the McCook Economic Development Corp. Housing Committee, MEDC Executive Director Rex Nelson and MEDC Housing Development Director Mary Kircher, Jan. 10...

Mayor can decide how to fill vacancies (12/30/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will direct city staff to declare notice of vacancies for the seats formerly occupied by Council members Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker, Tuesday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

Councilmen asked for response to forfeiture (12/28/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook City Councilmen Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker received a letter from city attorney Nate Schneider, just prior to the Christmas weekend, that requested their decision to "acknowledge or not acknowledge" the forfeiture of their offices. ...

Kircher letter to council (12/28/11)
McCook City Councilman Aaron Kircher delivered the following letter to city officials on Tuesday: December 27, 2011 To: Nate Schneider, City Attorney J. Jeff Hancock, City Manager Jerry Calvin, City Council Member Mike Gonzales, City Council Member Dennis Berry, Mayor...

Councilman steps down (12/20/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Howard Olsen of Simmons Olsen Law Firm told the McCook City Council that two City Council seats were forfeit at the time of the presiding councilors' convictions in county court. The opinion, from the Scottsbluff, Nebraska, firm, came Monday evening during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Council Chambers...

Councilman, police chief express concern over club (12/20/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- During the McCook City Council's annual renewal of current retail liquor licenses, Monday evening, a pair of councilors voiced concerns pertaining to the activity at Sports Night Club. Councilman Mike Gonzales asked Chief of Police Isaac Brown, "Just going through these, it looks like there is one establishment that has more infractions than others. What's it take before there is a recommendation not to approve, how bad does it need to get?"...

Councilman should resign so city can get on with business (12/20/11)
One councilman, convicted of harboring a "potentially" vicious dog, has stepped down and another, convicted of disturbing the peace, hasn't done so yet. An outside attorney brought in to advise the city said that a 1920s law was worded such that the two councilmen forfeited their seats at the time of their convictions. What does that mean?...

Law firm: City Council members should resign (12/19/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A law firm hired to give an opinion on two McCook City Council members convicted of minor crimes says they should resign immediately. The legal opinion goes on to state that even speeding tickets would constitute a crime within the meaning of the statute...

Lawyer to offer opinion, field questions (12/16/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Howard Olsen of Simmons Olsen Law Firm in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, will present his opinion pertaining to the continued qualifications of McCook City Council members Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium...

City Council ponders hiring Scottsbluff firm (12/07/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff will recommend the McCook City Council hire Howard Olsen of Simmons Olsen Law Firm in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to perform work that City Attorney Nate Schneider has deemed necessary to determine whether two council members should forfeit their positions. The recommendation will be considered Thursday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

City Council struggles to define 'crime' (12/06/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- At least one of the two McCook City Councilors who have been advised to abstain from taking action during meetings may be able to go back to work. According to Shannon Kingery, Director of Communications for Nebraska Attorney General's office, the statute that has councilors and city staff preparing to hire an outside law firm to evaluate, "only deals with state crimes."...

City Council forced to reschedule (12/02/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will meet Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium, but only as a formality to reschedule the meeting for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8. Mayor Dennis Berry will be unable to attend the Monday meeting and with Councilors Aaron Kircher and Shane Hilker abstaining from voting, the council will not have enough representation to take actions...

City Council to consider cost increase in airport fence (11/18/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of a change order that will add another $7,000 to the cost of the wildlife fence to be constructed at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their regularly scheduled meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

Hancock officially named city manager (10/18/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved an employment agreement with J. Jeff Hancock for the McCook city manager position, Monday evening, during a regularly scheduled meeting at council chambers. During a phone interview this morning from Warrensburg, Missouri, Hancock said he was excited about coming to McCook and planned to initially spend as much as time as possible with city staff, employees and the City Council, in order to get an assessment of the community and begin building relationships. ...

Council to consider city manager contract (10/14/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider approval of an employment agreement with J. Jeff Hancock for the McCook city manager position, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their regularly scheduled meeting at Memorial Auditorium. If approved, the agreement would be effective Oct. 24, 2011, and set Hancock's annual salary at $85,000...

City enters negotiations with manager candidate (10/04/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council authorized City Attorney Nate Schneider to enter into negotiations with a city manager candidate, during their semi-monthly meeting Monday evening at council chambers. Mayor Dennis Berry told the Gazette Tuesday morning that councilors had been advised not to release the name of the candidate until after an agreement was reached...

City Council to negotiate with manager candidate (09/30/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will be asked to authorize the city attorney to enter into negotiations with a city manager candidate during their semi-monthly meeting, Monday, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium. The identity of the candidate has not yet been released, but only one of the public interviews coordinated thus far has resulted in council members calling for an executive session afterward to discuss the candidate further. ...

City Council considers manager candidate (09/22/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council coordinated an interview for the vacant city manager position, Wednesday evening, at Council Chambers. The interview is the third that councilors have sat in on, opting to hire out the actual interview process itself to a counseling company out of Columbus, Nebraska...

Water and sewer rate increase finalized (09/20/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A councilman's comparison of eating vegetables and paying higher water rates raised the hackles of at least one citizen at Monday night's meeting of the City Council. Gene Morris of Apache Drive challenged Councilman Aaron Kircher's comment earlier in the month that "Kids complain when you make them eat their vegetables, too."...

City Council designates uncommitted sales taxes (09/09/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The 2011-12 McCook city budget received final approval Tuesday evening from the McCook City Council. Just prior to approving the budget councilors allocated roughly $150,000 in uncommitted sales tax dollars to various projects. City staff and even some council members have historically voiced their opposition to allocating the dollars, preferring to leave excess funds uncommitted. ...

Water, sewer rate increases advance on second reading (09/07/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved the second of three required readings for the proposed water and sewer rate increases, Tuesday evening during their semi-monthly meeting at council chambers, but resisted one councilors desire to increase water rates even further than previously discussed. ...

City manager interviews open to the public (09/07/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will host two public interviews for the open city manager position, Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium. The candidates, Wanda Darrow and Sam Janson, hail from Potterville, Michigan, and Grand Haven, Michigan, respectively...

Airport fence cost to city down to $25K (09/02/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Bids have been received for construction of the wildlife fence project at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport. The McCook City Council will consider a recommendation from city staff to award the bid to Ninemire Fence, during their regularly scheduled meeting, Tuesday evening, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium...

Fuel, electric prices lead to water, sewer rate hikes (08/24/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Rising fuel and electricity rates are partially to blame for the request to increase water and sewer rates, according to Jesse Dutcher, McCook utility director. Dutcher offered a closer look at the need for the rate increases, during a conversation with the Gazette last week. ...

City will consider offers before final lot donation made (08/17/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council tentatively approved the donation of a city lot to the McCook Economic Development Corp., Monday evening, but delayed final approval so that further discussion and any potential offers for the lot could be heard. The lot is located at the corner of East Second Street and C Street and was acquired after the city demolished the home that had occupied it...

Utility rates get nod, not domestic partner coverage (08/16/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council gave the go-ahead for increased water and sewer rates, but a proposal to include domestic partners on the city's health insurance plan was killed before it even made it to a vote Monday evening. The increase in water and sewer rates will be effective Oct. 1, 2011, and was a result of the annual cash-flow analysis prepared by Public Financial Management...

Christensen: Domestic partner health coverage inappropriate (08/15/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- In response to a question from the Gazette, State Sen. Mark Christensen said providing health coverage for domestic partners of city employees would not be appropriate. McCook City Councilman Aaron Kircher has put just such a proposal on tonight's City Council agenda. ...

Council to consider rate hikes, domestic partner coverage (08/12/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff will recommend the McCook City Council approve an increase to both water and sewer rates, as a result of the annual cash flow analysis prepared by Public Financial Management. The rate increases are projected to amount to an average of $14 per year on residential sewer bills and an average $13 per year on residential water bills, effective Oct. 1, 2011...

Mailman bitten, dog euthanized as precaution (08/11/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The owner of the dog that bit a mail carrier in July was informed five days following the event that the animal had been euthanized. Deeply saddened by the loss of her longtime pet, 20-year-old Ashley Sundquist told the Gazette that the story previously printed, "made my dog sound like a monster, he was not a monster."...

City seeks extra room in budget (07/29/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider a request from city staff to increase the restricted funds limit, which includes property tax and local option sales tax. The request is for one percent in addition to the base increase of 2.5 percent already allowed for unused restricted funds authority, and would be a necessary first step for future increases in those funds...

Council sets building max at $4.6 million (07/26/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council voted unanimously to approve the guaranteed maximum price for the City of McCook Municipal Building and to loan East Ward Village LLC $105,000 at a special meeting Monday at Memorial Auditorium. The counselors agreed to a Municipal Building GMP of $4,641,556 with Sampson Construction based on the drawings prepared by Prochaska and Associates...

Water slide included in city budget (07/12/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff has proposed the construction of a $125,000 water slide at the McCook municipal pool in the coming 2011-12 city budget. The project could be an effective summer-time draw for the area and coupled with the McCook Community College Events Center, scheduled to be completed in March 2012, could make the summer of 2012 a highly anticipated one...

Humane Society asks for $3,000 budget increase (07/12/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Humane Society asked for a budget increase of $3,000 annually, in addition to the $3,000 annual increase they received from council members in September 2010. The request came during the McCook City Council budget workshop Monday evening at council chambers, and would bring the 2011-12 budgeted amount from the city to $46,000...

City recommends 2 percent raises (07/06/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff recommended an across- the-board wage increase of 2 percent for all employees, Tuesday evening, during the first of three budget workshops intended to finalize the cities fiscal year 2011-12 budget. The wage increase, as in previous years, was said to be derived from the consumer price index, February through January. However, the CPI during that timeframe shows only a 1.6 percent increase, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...

Housing project seeks economic development loan (07/01/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Housing Agency was turned down in February for a $252,000 grant that they had hoped would be the final funding piece for the East Ward Village housing project. When asked for an update on the project in May, Executive Director Rebecca Dutcher told the Gazette that, "financing had gotten a little more complicated with the federal budgets being cut." Financing of the project now appears to depend on the City of McCook, with council members to consider approval of an economic development revolving loan, Tuesday evening, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium.. ...

Positive sales tax trend continues (06/28/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook's 1-cent sales tax revenue receipts for May, which were for March sales, came in at $137,710 according to city administration. That amount is a $14,148 increase over the prior year and $22,513 more than the budgeted amount of $115,197. Only one of the last 13 months has not come in as an increase over prior year's number and budget...

City modifies floor plans for building (06/21/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Municipal Facilities construction project saw its first major change from renditions that were presented to council members in February. Following an in-depth meeting earlier in the day with city department heads, representatives from Prochaska & Associates and Sampson Construction informed council members, Monday evening during their regularly scheduled meeting, that eliminating the basement of the facility was the plan going forward. ...

Airport fence price coming down to earth? (06/20/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The $1.7 million price tag on the FAA mandated wildlife fence at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport may finally be coming back down to earth. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff told members of the Airport Advisory Commission, Thursday afternoon during their regularly scheduled meeting at Heritage Senior Center, that it seemed as if a light-bulb had come on over the heads of some FAA decision-makers...

Bandshell project up another $10K (06/17/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will review a change order to the Norris Park bandshell restoration project that will approve a $10,239 increase in cost to the project. Councillors will discuss the project, which now has a price tag of $169,996, more than $50,000 over the original projected amount, Monday evening during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

Council ready to advertise for manager (06/14/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council set the starting salary range and ironed out wording for a recruitment ad, both pertaining to the new city manager position, during a special meeting at council chambers, Monday evening. The advertised starting salary will be at $78,000 annually, which one councilman said equaled advertised salary plus an adjustment for inflation, that was used last time the city manager courting process was conducted...

City Council to ponder manager search (06/03/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council is expected to accept the resignation of city manager Kurt Fritsch, 7:30 p.m., Monday evening, during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium. Fritsch announced earlier this week that he had accepted a position as city manager of Warrenton, Oregon, and June 10 would be his last day. After accepting Fritsch's resignation, council members will discuss recruitment strategy for a new city manager and direct staff accordingly...

City manager heading west (06/01/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council was informed Thursday that City Manager Kurt Fritsch has accepted a position as city manager of Warrenton, Oregon, and that June 10 would be his last day. Fritsch told the Gazette that he was from Longview Washington, about an hour from Warrenton and that he had family in the area...

Councilman catches changes in city code (05/17/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Despite earlier assurances to the contrary, "updates" to the McCook code of ordinances book included changes that would raise fine amounts and even modify the intent of certain ordinances. Two discrepancies were pointed out Monday evening during the McCook City Council's semi-monthly meeting, by Councilman Aaron Kircher...

Dog bite victim files claim (05/13/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will receive a claim Monday for $50,000 in damages from the elderly man attacked by two dogs, while walking near the fairgrounds in 2010. The claim comes from attorneys representing Dale Adams and is directed at the City of McCook and Chief of Police, Isaac Brown...

Federal standards double price of deer fence (05/03/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The cost of a wildlife fence around McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport nearly doubled because it needed to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements, the city manager said Monday night. While a local engineer proposed an eight-foot fence, that wasn't good enough for the FAA, City Manager Kurt Fritsch said...

Five years out, McCook's water treatment plant is doing its job (05/03/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook has gone to great lengths and considerable expense to provide the quality of tap water that citizens receive today. The fight for quality drinking water in McCook dates all the way back to 1988, when chemical tests of the city's water supply detected a high level of nitrates...

Cost of airport wildlife fence reaches $1.7 million (04/29/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Federal Aviation Authority required wildlife fence at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport will cost significantly more than initially estimated. Monday evening, during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium, the McCook City Council will review a consulting contract which now estimates total cost of the project at $1,769,712. That amount is just shy of an $800,000 increase from the $970,344 estimated in March...

City Council ups ante for tree rebates (04/19/11)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- Following approval of a proclamation designating April 29 as "Arbor Day," the McCook City Council authorized an increase to the Tree Rebate Program in hopes of further motivating citizens to plant trees. The increase, from $50 to $75 for shade and ornamental trees, and from $75 to $100 for Oak trees, came Monday evening during the council's semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

City may increase tree payments (04/15/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider a recommendation from the Tree Advisory Board to increase the rebate amounts for the Tree Rebate Program during their semi-monthly meeting, Monday evening, at council chambers. After seeing a sharp decline in the number of trees planted from 2009 to 2010, board members voted in their March meeting to recommend city council increase the rebate. ...

Sampson Construction chosen for city building (04/12/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved the recommendation of Sampson Construction as the construction manager for the McCook Municipal Facilities project. The approval came during a special meeting, Monday evening at Memorial Auditorium...

Lot revised for planned EDC donation (04/05/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A city-owned lot will have its property lines adjusted so part of it can be sold to a neighbor before the rest is donated to the McCook Economic Development Corp. That action came after neighbor Bill Matson told councillors Monday that he was interested in buying the lot to expand his home...

MEDC asks city to donate property (04/01/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City Council will consider a request by the McCook Economic Development Corp. for the city to give it a lot at 301 E. Second Street, during the council's semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m. Monday at Memorial Auditorium. MEDC intends to move a home, donated by Red Willow County, to the lot from 516 Norris Ave., and improve the home through its Purchase Rehab Resell program, targeted for low to moderate income home buyers...

Council cuts red tape on loans of items (03/22/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council directed city staff to handle the loaning of eight sets of bleachers to the Red Willow County Fair Board, for a March 26 bull riding event, as an administrative item in the future. Due to a dispute reportedly between several entities and the previous city manager, city staff had previously been given direction that the loaning of the bleachers, which the city does regularly to assist the fair board with events such as the Red Willow County Fair, was to be handled as a formal action item that must be approved during a regularly scheduled city council meeting.. ...

Company releases data showing reduction in contamination (03/22/11)

Council advised to wait until funding available to improve vacant lot (03/08/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- After coordinating with several local groups Doug Joyce of the McCook Community College and Rex Nelson of the McCook Economic Development Corporation told the McCook City Council that patience was the best approach for the vacant lot at Norris Avenue and B Street, formerly home to the Romanoff building...

Ideas ready for vacant lot (03/04/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Doug Joyce headed up an initiative that worked with several area groups, reviewing proposals for a design to be implemented on the vacant lot, at Norris Avenue and B Street, formerly the site of the Romanoff building. Joyce will present a recommendation to the McCook City Council Monday, 7:30 p.m., during their semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

City must still build wildlife fence around airport (03/04/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- With the possibility of losing essential air service at the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport in October, city staff unsuccessfully explored the possibility of avoiding the expense of the new wildlife fence it was directed to construct earlier this year. The estimated $970,344 fence project was the result of an FAA required wildlife assessment of the airport and is planned to be primarily funded by grants, with the city responsible for $43,083...

Elks Park one step closer to new playground (02/24/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Parks Advisory Board focused most of its discussion on the future of Elks City Park, during its quarterly meeting Wednesday afternoon at the Heritage Senior Center. The McCook City Council approved $20,000 in this year's budget to upgrade or replace playground equipment at the West Fifth Street park...

City pledges support on jail transition (02/22/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook City Council members unanimously pledged their support, lacking a formal item to vote on, of the Red Willow County Commissioners should they decide that use of the city's 96-hour jail facility was their best option going forward...

City, county to discuss jail facilities (02/18/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Red Willow County Commissioners will meet with City Council members, Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at Council Chambers, to discuss the possible use of the existing city jail cells by the county. The municipal facility, which is scheduled to begin being built in August, will house police, fire and city administration departments and signal the end of city staff operating a jail facility. ...

Council sees updated renditions of new city building (02/10/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Representatives for Prochaska & Associates presented McCook City Council members with graphic renditions of the exterior of the new Municipal Facility, scheduled to break ground in August, during their semi-monthly meeting Monday evening. The presentation gave councilors and department heads alike their first glimpse at what the exterior of the structure may look like...

Despite denial, project is still on track (02/10/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The $252,000 grant that city staff applied for in January on behalf of the McCook Housing Agency has been denied, but McCook Housing Agency Executive Director Rebecca Dutcher said the loss of the anticipated funds will not slow the project down. The agency is targeting April for beginning a renovation and construction project at the former East Ward School building lot which will build or remodel 27 units, targeted primarily for seniors, aged 55 years and older...

Rate hike leads to debate over federal funding (02/08/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A resolution seeking to increase the ambulance rate turned into a back-and-forth argument between two council members about the use of federal funds, Monday evening at Council Chambers. Councilman Aaron Kircher made a motion to delay approval of the ordinance until the next meeting, after asking city staff if they had looked at figures for the amount of revenue the rate increase would bring in. ...

Company seeks drilling rights (02/04/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The city has been approached by an oil and gas firm interested in leasing airport and waste water treatment plant property for oil and gas exploration. State law requires that an auction of the lease proposals be scheduled and city staff is asking for authorization from council members during the semi-monthly meeting, Monday evening, at Memorial Auditorium...

Hillcrest denied zoning variance to build chapel (01/25/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Board of Zoning Adjustment denied a variance request from Hillcrest Nursing Home, Monday evening, during their regular meeting at Memorial Auditorium. The board voted 3-1 to deny setback and lot development variances, with Duanne Tappe the lone vote in favor of the request...

Housing project on track for 2012 (01/21/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- With wait time for housing assistance increasing and the closing of two apartment buildings compounding the problem, the East Ward Village project will provide much-needed housing when it is completed in the spring of 2012. City staff filed an application for a $252,000 grant on behalf of the McCook Housing Agency, which was presented to the City Council Monday evening and represents the final funding piece for the $4,132,030 project. ...

City planners prepare for future wind generation issues (01/20/11)
BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- A zoning ordinance amendment approved by the McCook City Council Monday evening, only allows for domestic use wind turbines to be built in the agricultural district, but may be a stepping stone for the energy producers to one day be allowed within city limits. Other Nebraska cities such as Grand Island have already put similar ordinances in place and have done so with the intent of promoting safe, efficient and effective use of wind energy...

Auditor says good city cash management builds reserve (01/18/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council was presented with a recap of the cities annual audit report, Monday evening, during its semi-monthly meeting at council chambers. While the report included recommendations for certain fees and rate increases, Terry Galloway of Almquist, Maltzahn, Galloway & Luth, the CPA firm that performed the audit, said good cash management practices by city staff were responsible for holding water and sewer rates down thus far. ...

Several new city fees recommended (01/14/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- CPA firm, Almquist Maltzahn Galloway & Luth of Grand Island has completed a financial audit of the city's fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2010. In the report the firm lists 17 recommendations for city staff to consider, among them were recommendations to implement a water tap fee; a fire call service fee; a review of operations of the city pool for possible revenue increases; and a review of the gas franchise fee for possible increases...

City Council approves revised band shell renovation contract (01/04/11)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council awarded a revised renovation contract, for the Norris Park Band Shell, to McCook Contracting Monday evening during their semi-monthly meeting at council chambers. The original bid, at $210,000, came in well over the estimated amount for the project. City staff worked with the contractor to find middle ground that reduced the project closer to the budgeted amount and still accomplished their targeted renovation goals...

Council to consider contract for band shell renovation (12/30/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City staff will recommend that McCook Contracting be awarded the bid for the $156,754 renovation project of the Norris Park Band Shell, during the McCook City Council's regularly scheduled meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m., at council chambers...

D.A.R. building to be moved (12/21/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Dr. Richard Tubbs, Vice-President of McCook Community College and Darin Morgan, Director of Physical Resources were present for the third and final public hearing required for the college to relocate the Daughters of the American Revolution building...

College set to buy part of Kelley Park (12/17/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will conduct a public hearing to authorize the sale of a portion of Kelley Park to McCook Community College during its regular meeting, 7:30 p.m. Monday at council chambers. The city staff has recommended that the purchase agreement between the two be approved on one reading and asked for suspension of the three reading rule. The college is planning to use the property to build an events center in April of 2011...

City to take legal action against property owners (12/07/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Council members voted to begin legal procedures surrounding the abatement of nuisance property owned by Steven Fritz, Monday evening, during its regular meeting at Council chambers. The property, at 200/300 Airport Road, was declared a nuisance by the McCook Board of Health in September after repeated attempts to resolve the issue...

Company searching for more contamination (12/03/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Northrop Grumman Corp. has requested an easement to perform drilling activities and soil sampling along East 16th Street and East C Street. The soil sampling stems from the 1986 discovery of trichloroethene-impacted soil after the company closed the TRW capacitor manufacturing plant on Airport Road...

Construction up $18 million over last year (11/22/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The value of McCook area construction project costs was down by more than $131,000 in October, when compared to October of 2009, but the October year-to-date total costs were $18 million more than 2009 year-to-date. According to the City of McCook's monthly building report, which details the number of building permits sold; estimated costs of projects, including construction, renovation and repair projects; as well as resulting fee revenue received by the City...

McCook's insurance rating improves (11/18/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Fire Department received a rating classification improvement during a recent analysis which could result in premium reductions to some commercial and residential insurance policies. The analysis, performed by Insurance Services Office, Inc., of Chicago, ranks communities on their fire-fighting capabilities and awards a Public Protection Classification somewhere between one and 10, with one being the best. ...

City Council fine-tunes fireworks ordinance (11/16/10)
By BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved the second reading of changes to the city firework ordinance, this time modifying when fireworks can be used to match the selling period. The approval is the second of three required readings of the ordinance changes and came Monday evening during the semi-monthly meeting at council chambers...

Fox Theatre to request federal grant (11/12/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Fox Theatre wants the city to help it receive a $254,300 federal grant to improve accessibility at the facility. The McCook City Council plans a public hearing to discuss the application at its semi-monthly meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m., at council chambers...

Council split on fireworks (11/02/10)
McCook, Nebraska -- Police Chief Isaac Brown said a new fireworks law may make parts of an old law ineffective. The comment came as the McCook City Council discussed a proposed ordinance revision Monday evening at council chambers. "In effect, it would become unenforceable," Brown said...

New Year's fireworks sales on City Council agenda (10/29/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will consider changes to city ordinances to allow for the sale of fireworks from Dec. 28 through Jan. 1, at its semi-monthly meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m., at council chambers. The changes would also allow the use of fireworks, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the same time each year...

Home owner given more time (10/19/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council voted to delay abatement for two weeks, on a nuisance property at 8101⁄2 W. Fourth Street, at its semi-monthly meeting Monday evening at Council Chambers. While the council gave the property's owner, Sharon Boley, the extra time, several members expressed concern that, after a year with no progress, two additional weeks might not change anything...

Nuisance designation appealed, others considered (10/18/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will conduct a hearing at 7 p.m. today at council chambers, to hear an appeal from Sharon Boley on her property at 8101⁄2 W. Fourth Street. The property was recently declared a nuisance by the McCook Board of Health...

Supporters speak out in facility session (10/15/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- More than two dozen McCook citizens were present, and support for the proposed municipal facility was prevalent, during the town hall meeting hosted by the McCook City Council Thursday evening at the Heritage Senior Center. Council and city administration members were available to field questions regarding the construction project voters will consider in the November election...

Comprehension (10/13/10)
Preface: "It's too bad we teach some folks to read without teaching them to comprehend." From the Internet responses to my letter of 10/5, it appears several , unable to comprehend, prefer to attack me personally ... that's OK, but stop trying to write my resum�!...

Gift helps Humane Society continue improvement project (10/13/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Construction begins this week on an expansion at the McCook Humane Society, thanks to an unexpected major gift from an anonymous donor. Combined with other donations, the gift has enabled the nonprofit to begin the second phase of a five-year, three-phase, $125,000 renovation of its South Street facility...

Airport board recommends higher hangar fees (10/05/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Airport Advisory Commission approved a motion recommending to raise hangar rental fees at its scheduled meeting Monday afternoon at Heritage Senior Center. The motion was made by Richard Stull and approved on a 4-1 vote. The dissenting vote came from Mike Nielsen who believed the affordable fees were "something we're doing right. Making hangars reasonable encourages people to use McCook and the city makes sales tax on fuel and maintenance expenses as a result."...

Residents concerned over speeding near schools (10/05/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Two McCook residents expressed their concerns regarding speeding vehicles near the high school to the City Council during its semi-monthly meeting Monday evening at Council Chambers. Lance Rakes and Steve Broomfield said more stop signs were needed with Rakes saying "We have a real safety issue up there that needs to be addressed."...

Area board appointees top City Council's agenda (10/01/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The mayor will ratify appointees for several area boards and commissions Monday evening, 7:30 p.m., at the City Council's semi-monthly meeting at council chambers. Among those the Airport Advisory Commission, the Board of Zoning Adjustment, Building Advisory and Appeals Board and the Senior Citizens Advisory Board. The Airport Advisory Commission will see Richard Stull reappointed and Wally Hampton appointed...

New city facility needed investment in our community (09/30/10)
We used this space Wednesday to make the point that not all old buildings need to be saved and -- in a happy coincidence of fairness and balance -- shared the page with an Open Forum letter urging supporters of the preservation of the old West Ward building to contact their City Council representatives...

City to continue pursuit of federal funding for West Ward demolition (09/28/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council narrowly decided to stay with the idea of seeking federal funds to help pay for the demolition of the West Ward School building, at Monday evening's town hall meeting at Heritage Senior Center. The vote was split 3-2, with council members Aaron Kircher and Lonnie Anderson against the use of grant funds, citing concerns that the use of the funds required an additional $20,000 historical survey be completed. ...

Air transport service ready for McCook base (09/21/10)

Two speak out on West Ward future (09/21/10)
By BRUCE BAKER City Editor McCOOK, Nebraska -- It may be too late to save West Ward, but the City Council should keep historic preservation in mind in the future, a McCook man involved in just such efforts told the council Monday. At a hearing about the proposed demolition, Gene Morris, who introduced himself as a citizen of McCook, said that the recent demolition of the Romanoff building at Norris and B "created a cavity at a critical juncture in our town."...

West Ward demolition hearing set (09/17/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will host a public hearing at its semi-monthly meeting Monday, 7:30 p.m., at Council Chambers. The hearing is scheduled to discuss any adverse effects resulting from the scheduled demolition of the West Ward Elementary building and is in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966...

Official: Disc golf course one of the best in Nebraska (09/16/10)

Extra funds approved for Humane Society (09/08/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Anne Dowd and Charlene Riemenschneider, representing the McCook Humane Society, presented the McCook City Council with a request for $3,000 and information regarding the budget crisis the non-profit organization found itself facing for the upcoming fiscal year at Tuesday evening's semi-monthly McCook City Council Meeting at Memorial Auditorium...

Accident claim on city agenda (09/03/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will review a $100,000 claim for damages at Tuesday's semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers. The claim was filed by attorneys for Beverly Spilinek as a result of a September 2009 accident involving her 1993 Ford Taurus, which was backed into by a city garbage truck. ...

Organization, consolidation are key benefits for city staff (08/26/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Manager Kurt Fritsch told the City Council during its Aug. 16 semi-monthly meeting at Memorial Auditorium, that having everything in one location would be much more organized and consistent. Fritsch was recapping an updated floorplan presentation to the City Council regarding the proposed Municipal Facility to house city administration as well as police and fire departments...

Better function goal of police station plans (08/20/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook Police Chief Isaac Brown is excited for what the proposed municipal facility has to offer his department, but also because he is confident it is what McCook wants. "This is one of the things the public wanted when they voted to pass the half cent sales tax. ...

City Council reviews new building plans (08/17/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Prohaska and Associates presented the City Council with an updated Municipal Facilities floor plan at its semi-monthly meeting, Monday evening at Council Chambers. The prudent layout keeps in mind future expansion of all departments and was the first presented to department heads that included furniture...

City budget includes some freezes (07/21/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Four departments supervised by Public Works Director, Kyle Potthoff are projected to end the current fiscal year $68,701 under budget and have been proposed for the 2010-11 budget to shrink by $41,065 more. The savings will come primarily from budgeted Capital Outlay spending freezes in the Streets, Parks, Ball Parks and Street Lights departments...

Council receives building projections (07/20/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council was presented with space layout and cost projections from Prochaska & Associates of Omaha for the proposed Municipal Facility at Monday's semi-monthly City Council meeting at Memorial Auditorium. The cost projections for construction of the facility to house Police and Fire Departments as well as City Staff were listed as $5,837,350, with a reduced option which the council preferred to pursue at $5,218,200...

Airport budget shows decrease (07/16/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The Airport Department is proposing a budget of $138,398 for fiscal year 2010-11, an $872 decrease from the $139,270 budgeted in 2009-10. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff presented the proposed budget to City Council at Monday's second of three budget workshops at Memorial Auditorium...

Building footprint, ballot on agenda (07/16/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will finalize the building footprint of proposed municipal facilities and agree to a budget amount for the project at Mondays semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium. Council members will review and approve the language to be put before voters in the November election, seeking construction approval of the multi-million dollar municipal facility that will house Police and Fire Departments as well as City administration staff...

Departments outline budgets (07/15/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Capital improvements including a $200,000 elevator drove the majority of the Library Department's proposed $271,793 budget increase in its 2010-11 budget. The plan was reviewed by McCook City Council members Monday evening during their second of three budget workshops at council chambers...

Fire, ambulance departments cut $28K from budget (07/14/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Fire and Ambulance departments were commended for their continued budgeting efficiency by Mayor Dennis Berry at Monday evening's second of three budget workshops at Memorial Auditorium. "Congratulations [to McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham] on your 20 years of service and your department continues to do a fantastic job of budgeting," said Berry...

Crime rate decreases (07/13/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Police Department was pleased to report a decrease in the crime rate, arrests and accidents during 2009 at Monday evening's second of three budget workshops at Memorial Auditorium. McCook Police of Chief Isaac Brown said the number of violent and non-violent crimes decreased, as did serious criminal violations of state statutes and the only increase being in less serious violations of state statutes. ...

Budget proposes pay hikes (07/09/10)
Tuesday evening the McCook City Council received the city staff's 2010-11 preliminary budget which includes a "4.5 percent across the board cost of living adjustment for all employees." City Manager Kurt Fritsch said in the introductory letter for the budget "We feel that it is important to make these increases so that we may stay in line with our compensation practices." The letter also stated that "state funding has been reduced by about 5 percent in revenue sharing to cities in Nebraska" and in another section that "unless there is improvement in revenues and the state funds cities at their full share we will seriously have to consider some increase in the property tax rate in 2011-12.". ...

Council previews preliminary plans (07/08/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council reviewed a preliminary architects rendering of the proposed McCook Municipal Facility at Tuesdays semi-monthly City Council meeting. The new facility, which would house McCook Police and Fire departments as well as the City administration offices, would be located at 304 W. ...

Ideas sought for downtown gateway (07/07/10)
City Council members discussed the need for construction ideas regarding the use of the property where the soon-to-be demolished Romanoff building is located during Tuesday's semi-monthly City Council meeting at Memorial Auditorium. With the potential to tie both sides of Norris Avenue into a "gateway" type project, City Manager Kurt Fritsch expressed the need for a project that would "capture attention and entice travelers to make the turn into downtown McCook."...

Preliminary budget on City Council agenda (07/06/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council will conduct the first of three budget workshops and present the preliminary 2010-11 annual budget for the city at tonight's semi-monthly meeting, 7:30 p.m., at Memorial Auditorium. Council members also will review three proposed demolition contracts: the West Ward School building demolition contract with Land Construction in the amount of $96,880; P&G Excavating's contract for 508 South Street and 305 East 12th in the amount of $13,000; and Maris General Construction, LLC, with the lowest bid for 25 South Street, 504 South Street and 102 S. ...

Main Street Consortium donates $17,000 to develop property left by demolition of Romanoff building (06/22/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook Main Street Consortium donated $17,244.96 to the city to assist with development of the property that the soon to be demolished "Romanoff Building" at Norris Avenue and B Street is located on. "We really do appreciate the contribution the Main Street group has made, not only on the Romanoff project but to our community as a whole" said McCook Mayor Dennis Berry after being presented with the check from representatives of the group at Monday's semi-monthly McCook City Council meeting at Memorial Auditorium.. ...

Meeting move fails on 4-1 vote (06/11/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- City Councilman Aaron Kircher championed hosting city council meetings at the Heritage Senior Center but was in the minority, with the City Council voting 4-1 to return to Memorial Auditorium. Kircher reiterated his stance that it should be a top priority of City Council to accommodate handicapped members of the public who wished to attend City Council meetings and the senior center was the best location with that in mind...

Council seeks plans in $5 million range (06/08/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council directed architects to provide proposals for the new City Municipal Facilities at both the $5 million and $5.25 million levels. City Manager Kurt Fritsch expressed concerns, at Tuesday night's bi-monthly city council meeting at the McCook Heritage Senior Center that dropping below the $5 million level would begin to reduce the life expectancy of the building as it would require quality reduction in the quality of key components such as the roof...

Dogs that attacked had history of viciousness (05/20/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- One dog has been destroyed and another is likely to be after they attacked an elderly McCook man out for a walk earlier this month. According to public records, the McCook Police Department responded to the man's cell phone call at 5:36 p.m. on May 8, while he was being attacked by the two dogs while going for a walk near the 1500 block of West 10th...

Fire chief says paid staff key to keeping volunteers (05/19/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- Fire Chief Marc Harpham recalls that in 1984, the fire department had three full time people, compared to nine in 2010. "We relied heavily on our volunteers then, requiring them at times to make several meetings a week, respond to more calls than we require per week today and the paperwork our personnel in general were required to do was very time consuming," he said...

Council seeks new bids on project (05/18/10)
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...

City: Facilities make tough jobs harder to do (05/14/10)
Insufficient space is making the police department's job harder and keeping the fire department from replacing vehicles on schedule. McCook Fire Chief, Marc Harpham made that point as he stood in the 24-inch spacing between ambulance and fire truck as he described the 4-foot-plus space that was actually needed to upgrade the ambulance...

Fire, police open house tonight (05/13/10)
McCOOK, Nebraska -- The City of McCook plans an open house at the Public Safety Center from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. At a recent townhall meeting, the majority of those in attendance indicated they would favor funding a new facility through the use of sales taxes or a combination of sales and property taxes, with property taxes only a distant third...

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