Local News: ATVs on city streets; state 'grant' really a loan (8/4/23)

McCOOK, Neb. The McCook City Council will hear a request to allow ATVs and UTVs on city streets.

Maggie Repass submitted a topic for consideration for Mondays City Council agenda.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. in the municipal building at West Fifth and C in McCook.

Nebraska law allows ATVs and UTVs to be operated within city limits, with restrictions, if the council passes a municipal code to do so.

The city also received notification from the state that the Nebraska Department of Economic Development Rural Workforce Housing award earmarked for the St. Catherines project is not a grant, but a loan, payable upon completion of the mitigation efforts. The city has not budgeted $1 million to repay the loan, so the city administration is seeking input.

Two major purchases are on the agenda Monday, a new Vactor 2100i jet/vac combo truck for the Wastewater Department from MacQueen Equipment in Lincoln for $449,807.37, and a used John Deere 6120R tractor for the composting operation at the transfer station.

The jet/vac combo truck is vital to clearing sewer blockages and is the only means the city has to accomplish that task. According to the city administration, the current truck will be traded in for $53,000, and the city will save $18,490.88 by purchasing the new one through a cooperative purchasing agreement.

Supply chain issues and failure to receive a grant have made it necessary to make an emergency purchase of the tractor for the city composting station, according to information presented to the council. The purchase will be made using reserve funds from the Solid Waste Department.

Other items include:

A request from Great Plains Communication to install underground fiber optic cable vaults on the 1600 block of West Q street

A special designated liquor license for Loop Brewing Co. for a wedding reception at the Barn, 1701 North Highway 83

A request from St. Patrick Catholic Church to close streets around the church for the Fall Festival Sept. 24.

Approval for Kent and Susan Struck to use a platted but undeveloped right-of-way at 308 South Street for a septic system.

Specifications for North Pointe and West C Street paving and utilities, with bids to be opened Aug. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

A request from the Chamber of Commerce to use ACE funds to assist with event promotions.

I get an ATV or UTV in a smaller town, but we have two highways intersecting that isn't safe. If approved, please make the owners license them as other surrounding states do so they are held more accountable and thus smarter in their choices.

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