Norris REA tribute plan advances

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council granted preliminary approval for a group to use city property, located between two of the area's largest retail businesses, for the construction of a memorial paying tribute to the Rural Electrification Administration and former U.S. Senator George W. Norris. The city owned property, nestled between Plains Equipment Group and Walmart, borders the busiest intersection in McCook, the junction of U.S. Highway 83 and U.S. Highway 6 & 34.

Chairman of the George W. Norris Foundation, Gene Morris of McCook, said the project would honor the primary booster for rural electrification, George Norris. Morris said the memorial would provide a sculptural or architectural light fixture to serve as a tourist attraction and more importantly "honor Norris for his part in rural electrification."

Morris said those working on the project were aware of how mindful they needed to be of restrictions placed on the property, due to the site being a former landfill. The property is restricted from use until 2027 by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, according to Morris, who said exceptions for special use were available. Morris also said he believed future industrial use of the property was extremely unlikely because of problems stemming from the site being a former landfill.

McCook engineer Greg Wolford agreed and said it would not be economically feasible for a business to build on the property.

"I don't see a heavy structure ever going on there, it doesn't make sense," said Wolford.

The meeting agenda indicated the project would have "no fiscal impact at this time" to the city and Morris said councilors would have total discretion on final design of the project.

Morris said the project was in the preliminary stages, but grants were pending, gifted donations had already been pledged from various organizations, and discussions were taking place with an architect firm indicating they would be willing to donate services.

Norris said he estimated it to be at least a two year project and would probably incorporate a park area around it for ease of viewing. Council gave no indication they would require the Norris project seek the approval of the Parks Advisory Board, as they have in recent months with similar requests from organizations seeking preliminary approval of projects or use of city property.

The item was subsequently approved on a unanimous 4-0 decision, Mayor Dennis Berry was absent from Monday's city council meeting.

During the citizen's forum portion of the meeting a local man commented he had been told by city staff it was illegal to operate a salvage company in McCook and had since been informed by local media the city was providing assistance for a North Platte company to open up a salvage company in the McCook industrial park.

"It looks like we're giving free money to corporate outfits," said Bill Mathies, adding that he hoped a more open conversation pertaining to the situation would take place. Mathies said he was aware of two other individuals that had also been turned down when inquiring about similar operations.

City Manager Jeff Hancock said "from an interpretation standpoint," there was not a clear cut understanding of recycling or salvage and as a result the city had communicated previously, "these things were not allowed."

"We did change out interpretation and did not tell the whole world, maybe that was a mistake," said Hancock. Hancock said the most recent situation involved a salvage operation inquiry from the city's former trash hauler, Steve Fritz. Hancock said Fritz had since been contacted and informed he could "pursue that endeavor."

Council members offered no comment on the topic.

Also during Monday's regular scheduled meeting at the Municipal Center, broad based changes to the city zoning ordinance were approved on their second of three required readings.

Since the first reading of the zoning ordinance city staff added language to further define domestic animal kennels, as well as change parking space requirements from a minimum of 200 ft. to a minimum of 162 ft. City staff indicated the parking change would better reflect angular parking and encourage development.

Local property owner Allan Bishop repeated a request he made during the first reading of the zoning ordinance, to rezone agricultural zoned property he owns bordering Drive 716 to light industrial.

Councilman Mike Gonzales said he believed the property would better serve the community if it were developed for residential properties. Councilman Jerry Calvin said he would like a more definitive decision on development of the area, whether residential or industrial, "I would like a motion one way or another."

The property is zoned as agriculture property with a future land use of residential. Special exceptions were granted in recent months to several light industrial businesses, which purchased lots in the vicinity of Drive 716 and subsequently built new buildings and relocated or started businesses.

Councilor Calvin indicated he would like the property to be zoned for either residential or light industrial, instead of agricultural, but would prefer to wait on the item until Mayor Berry was in attendance and could weigh in on the discussion.

The new city zoning ordinance was subsequently approved on its second reading without further comment.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda;

* A resolution authorizing a replat of several lots in the Villa's at Heritage Hills was approved. The replat was postponed during a previous council meeting due to issues with the driveway design meeting National Fire Code requirement.

Councilor Bruce McDowell asked if the fire code concerns had been addressed and City Manager Jeff Hancock replied "we solved that problem and are ready to move on."

The replat will eliminate 10 lots and create one single lot for the construction of a new home. The item was unanimously approved by council without further comment.

* An ordinance was approved, with the three-reading rule suspended, authorizing a dedicated alley between lots 3 and 4 of the Country Side Estates Henton's First Addition, block three, be vacated. The approval was on the condition of the property owner granting a 20 ft. utility and drainage easement between the boundary line of the lots.

* A vacuum and 11 folding tables of various lengths and widths were added to the list of items to be sold during the city's annual public auction.

* Great Plains Communications was authorized to occupy city right of way for the installation of underground cable along East 11th Street and East J Street, as well as to install underground cable along West Q Street and West 10th Street.

* Century Link was approved to replace cable along East C Street.

* Taste of Texas BBQ was approved for a special liquor license for a Valmont Christmas party at Memorial Auditorium on Dec. 14, 2013.

* The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce was approved for a special liquor license for a mixer at the Keystone Business Center on Dec. 7, 2013. The chamber was also granted approval to conduct the annual Christmas Lights Parade, Santa's arrival at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport and use of a city fire truck for Santa's transport in the parade, on Nov. 30, 2013.