Donations, grant, city funds cover costs of new K-9 officer

McCOOK, Neb. — Donations, a grant and city funds have covered expenses of the McCook Police Department’s first K-9 officer, Kailah.

A grant to the McCook Police Department provided for the purchase of the Dutch shepherd, along with training for the dog, said McCook City Police Chief Ike Brown.

City funds budgeted in this year’s budget paid for the training of the officer handling the dog, about $2,000, along with a canine vehicle already equipped with a special cage, at $4,000. The vehicle was purchased from Webster County, Brown said.

Other expenses have come from donations from the community, he said. As this is the first time the city police department has had a K-9 officer, costs are still somewhat unknown at this time, Brown said.

Yet, “We’ve been very fortunate to have the support of the community,” he added.

The McCook City Council Monday at the regular meeting Monday night approved an agreement between McCook Police Officer Bill Watts, the handler of Kailah, and the City of McCook, for off-premise dog care. The agreement came as a result of discussions city staff had with an employment law attorney, City Manager Nate Schneider said at Monday night’s council meeting.

As Kailah lives with Watts and his family, the agreement establishes extra pay for time Watts spends with the dog at home. Per the agreement, Watts would receive an additional one half hour of pay per day (seven hours per each 14 day pay period) at his hourly wage. In return, Watts would perform the necessary duties in caring for Kailah, including training, exercising and grooming the dog; routine veterinarian care and any emergency vet care and purchasing of food and supplies.

The agreement was a consent agenda item and not discussed by the McCook City Council. It was approved with other consent items, including:

--A claim filed against the city by Roger Dame of McCook, that alleges the city’s K-9 officer damaged his vehicle during a random drug and weapon search recently conducted at McCook. High School. Damages were estimated at $1,800; the claim will be forwarded to the city’s insurance carrier.

--Awarded the bid for the Library HVAC Replacement Project to McCook Mechanical Services, LLC in the amount of $120,400, under the $130,000 budgeted.Three bids were received, with McCook Mechanical Services, LLC, the lowest. Other bids came from AJ Sheet Metal of North Platte, Neb., for $188,000 and Kayl Heating and Air Conditioning of Doniphan, Neb., for $129,900

--Awarded the bid for concessions at the Jaycees Ball Complex to Michelle Seeker and family in the amount of $750 per year, for 2020-2022.

- . Approved specifications for the 2020 Armor Coating Project and set the time and date to receive bids as 2 p.m., March 10, 2020.

After the required public hearings, the council approved three liquor licenses sought by new owners of existing businesses in McCook. Two were for Class “D” Licenses (Beer, Wine, Distilled Spirits, Off Sale Only) sought by Robert Hall of McCook, Early Morning Cackle, LLC, for the Bottle Shop at 309 East “B” Street and “Spirit Shop” at 505 West “B” Street.

Another was approved for Gary Suhr, Gary’s Super Foods IV, for a Class “C” License (Beer, Wine, Distilled Spirits, On and Off Sale) at 212 Westview Plaza.

A special meeting is set for noon Friday. The council will be asked to approve a special designated liquor license for Loop Brewing Co. for the Ducks Unlimited banquet, set for March 14 at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building.