City still seeking concession stand operator for Jaycees ballpark

Although the college baseball season has begun at the Jaycee Park Complex, don't expect to find peanuts or Cracker Jack.

That's because Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff is still trying to find an organization or group to operate the concession stand at the park.

The Lyster family was awarded $700 to operate the Felling Field concession stand for the next three years but the city is having troubling filling the spot at the Jaycee ball park.

The lack of interest was attributed to the eight-month commitment at the Jaycee ballpark, which begins in March with McCook Community College baseball and continues until October with girls high school softball.

Potthoff has received interest from one individual and has been in contact with MCC and McCook Schools about operating concessions. He proposed re-letting the bid and breaking up the commitment so clubs and organizations can share the responsibility, which the council agreed.

Potthoff also addressed the council concerning bid specifications for the 3/4 ton, four-wheel drive pickup and tandem trailer, pulled from the consent agenda by Councilman Aaron Kircher.

The equipment will be used for cleaning up alleys, delivering cans and cleaning up compost sites.

The 2006-2007 budget included $30,000 for a used chassis and new dump box for the Solid Waste Department, but after more research Potthoff told the council the pickup and trailer would be more economical, versatile and efficient for the city, for both the sanitation and street departments.

This equipment would be safer to use and allow city personnel to transport equipment, eliminating the need for a separate trailer and crew for clean-up projects.

The tandem trailer would make cleaning the compost collection sites a one-man operation instead of two and could be dropped off at sites for neighborhood cleaning.

Council approved the bids to be received April 11 at 2 p.m.