Park boundaries sought

Where Barnett Park ends and private property begins is unknown and the city would like to determine the park's boundaries.

The McCook City Council approved Monday night at its regular meeting hiring Jim Clymount, from an outside firm, to conduct a title search and survey on the southern part of Barnett Park, to determine the park's perimeters.

The area is along the Republican River and the flood in 1935 changed the lay of the land, said City Attorney Nate Schneider in response to a question by Councilman Lonnie Anderson. The title search and survey would clarify boundaries and protect the city in case someone else claims ownership of the property, he said.

Private property adjacent to the park is being sold by owners who live outside the area, said City Manager Kurt Fritsch, and no details were provided to the city in regard to title records.

The area has been in dispute before, when a bridge built as an Eagle Scout project was demolished. The city had argued that the bridge was on city property, Fritsch said, while the private property owners said it was on their property.

"This would clear it up ... of what we own," he said.

In other action, the council approved on second reading a revised ordinance that defines when fireworks can be set off in the city. The amended ordinance includes July 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and changes the title of the ordinance, from hours of sale to permitted days and hours that fireworks can be discharged.