Departing city manager says town 'has heart'

McCOOK, Nebraska -- McCook City Councilman Jerry Calvin asked playfully if refusing to accept the resignation of City Manager Kurt Fritsch was an option, "Can we just keep him here?"

Councillors accepted Fritsch's resignation, Monday evening, during their regularly scheduled meeting at council chambers. Fritsch accepted a position as city manager of Warrenton, Oregon, last week and announced June 10 would be his last day.

Mayor Dennis Berry said Fritsch was one of the best city managers McCook has had in a long while, continuing the jovial mood by adding, "but we have had a long list of bad ones that make you look better."

Councilman Aaron Kircher said he believed Fritsch would be "remembered as one of McCook's better city managers."

"I really will miss you," said Fritsch, which was followed by a wave of "thank you" and applause for him from both the council members and others in attendance.

"This is a wonderful community and a fantastic group of five great people to work for," said Fritsch.

He added that all 12 council members he had worked for in McCook were great and said the next city manager would be "very fortunate to have this group, the city staff and the community that is willing to invest in itself."

Fritsch closed by saying "there is a lot of heart in McCook" and added that heart was not something you could teach or coach into a community.

After accepting Fritsch's resignation, council members discussed recruitment strategy for the new city manager, directing staff to develop an ad utilizing recommendations from Fritsch, who said McCook was in a great position to market itself to a good city manager, advised councillors not to be too aggressive with their timeline. He cited specifically a bustling downtown area, the new city hall, new water treatment plant and other local construction projects, that would be enticing to potential candidates and seen as a sign that the community was willing to invest in itself. Fritsch also suggested scheduling a meeting to have community elders meet potential candidates for the position, once the field was narrowed down to a final few, and provide their input.

Councillors scheduled a special meeting for June 13, 7:30 p.m., to review staff recommendations pertaining to advertising options for the position, pay range and details surrounding the interim coverage of the vacant position.

Councillors conducted a public hearing to discuss a proposed project which will seek federal assistance to purchase a 2011 Dodge Caravan, lowered-floor mini-van. Marlan Dooley, owner of High Plains Cab and Golden Plains Services, spoke up against the project. Dooley gave a recap of the 12 years he has been in business in the area and cited a continually changing business model that was impacted regularly by changes in federal programs.

"I did not think I would see a day where my tax dollar would be in competition to put us out of business," said Dooley, referring to recent changes to the federal transportation programs.

"I don't think this van is necessary or needed," said Dooley, referring to the new vehicle purchase. Dooley said his company had a van sitting here for years and it was his stance that purchasing a new one was not necessary when there was an appropriate privately-owned van available.

Dooley also mentioned programs that allowed for city purchased vehicles to be leased to private companies to then complete the necessary work with them.

McCook Senior Services Director Sue Chipman explained that the purchase of the vehicle was a replacement for the current bus, which was at 133,000 miles and scheduled for replacement at 95,000 miles.

The existing bus would still be available for use, transporting larger groups of 6-8. Chipman said that public transport is currently averaging one to two passengers per ride, which the new smaller van would be better suited for. She also explained that leasing the new van to a private entity was not an option, as it would be in violation of the federal requirements agreed to, in order to qualify for federal assistance with the purchase.

"I feel it's very important our public transit have this lowered floor mini-van," said Chipman.

Chipman told the Gazette, via e-mail this morning, that they usually look at a replacement vehicle at 95,000 miles because the vehicles are purchased through the Nebraska Department of Roads.

The process takes at least a year to complete but results in 80 percent of the purchase price paid for by federal grants and only 20 percent by the city. The current bus is a 2003 Chevrolet cutaway which has had many repairs over the years and gets poor gas mileage, according to Chipman. The new Dodge Caravan would not only be more economical, but would be purchased using stimulus funds (ARRA), which would result in no cost to the city of McCook, said Chipman.

The McCook Public Transit system is available to anyone by calling (308) 345-6098. A $1 fee is charged for each one-way trip.

The Municipal Facilities project continues to progress, with city staff indicating that contractors were getting more specific information regarding the cost of the project, as detailed bids for individual components were developed. City Manager Kurt Fritsch said that they were exploring options of reducing storage space in the basement to stay on budget and that it was nothing more than part of refining process you go through. "This project has always been driven by budget, it's not a project that will be built over budget," said Fritsch.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda:

* Community Hospital was authorized to close East M Street, between East Third and East Fifth streets, on June 11 for a 5K, half-marathon and kids fun run. The event will benefit the American Cancer Society.

* The water department was granted approval to make water system improvements on C Street, between East 13th and Airport Road. The improvements seek to abandon an existing 4 inch water main and reconnect 15 service connections to an existing 10 inch water main on the north side of C Street.

* Drawings and specifications for the West 10th Street drainage improvement project were approved to go to bid. The project will address issues with erosion from storm water drainage between A Street and Dawson Street. June 28 was set as the deadline to receive bids.

* Figgins Construction of Red Cloud, Nebraska, was granted the 2011 armor coating bid. Figgins bid was at $3.61 per gallon, a 28 cents per gallon increase from 2010.

* Plans and specifications for the reconstruction of O Street, from Norris Avenue to Kelley Park Drive and Kelley Park Drive to Park Avenue, was approved. June 28 was set as the deadline to receive bids.

* The ordinance that authorized changes to the McCook municipal code book was approved with an amendment. The amendment pertained to a portion of the ordinance that discusses the city manager's authority to charge a fee for restricted zone parking permits. The fee had never been charged and it was decided to remove the authority to charge it, in hopes of avoiding fairness problems in the future.

* Councillors recommended approval to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission for both the "Application for Manager," submitted for Christopher Henning in connection with the McCook Walmart, as well as the Coppermill restaurant application for approval to build an addition. The Coppermill application calls for a 115' x 65' one story building, which includes a 32' x 32' storage area and an approximately 24' x 70' outdoor area.

* The fiscal year 2012 contract between the city of McCook and the West Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging was approved. The WCNAAA provides technical assistance, staff training and other support in the operations of the Heritage Senior Center.

* MO Dough LLC was granted a special liquor license for a class reunion in July, at the Keystone Business Center.