Twilight skateboarding gets boost from donation

McCOOK, Neb. -- Twilight skateboarding and biking at the Bolles Canyon Skatepark took another step closer to becoming a reality earlier this week. The McCook City Council accepted a $1,500 donation from the McCook Community Foundation Fund that put the skatepark lighting project at $10,000 of its $14,500 goal.

The fundraising efforts intend to install lighting at the city skatepark to allow its users the opportunity to skate or bike after dark, according to city staff in Monday's meeting packet.

Councilman Jerry Calvin offered praise for the McCook skatepark and said it was one of the best in the state during a post-meeting radio interview on KICX this morning. City Manager Nate Schneider offered similar praise as well as gratitude for everyone willing to contribute. He thanked the McCook Rotary Club and community foundation in particular and said Rotary members donated $3,000 towards the project.

Schneider also indicated an installation timetable wouldn't be established until after all of the donations for the project were collected.

Councilman Calvin said he hopes a local group steps forward to organize an annual fundraising competition at the skatepark. He envisions something similar to the CASA Disc Golf Tournament hosted at Kelley Park and indicated a skatepark competition could similarly attract visitors to the park.

The McCook Community Foundation Fund has provided more than $10,000 in grants to support the skatepark, including a matching grant at the park's inception, according to the fund coordinator. The skatepark grant was one of several fall 2016 grants approved by the MCFF committee, totaling more than $12,000.

Since MCFF was formed in 2001 the organization has distributed more than $250,000 in grants to local organizations and programs. The next round of grants will be considered in April.

Other items approved during Monday's regular meeting:

* City Council received an update on local-option sales tax receipts and projections indicating the revenue was down 4.63 percent for the beginning months of fiscal year 2016-17. Schneider indicated the most recent numbers show a smaller negative variation from the prior years actual receipts, with the most recent month only $400 off from budget.

* A scheduled update from Lincoln-based officials with Prairie Gold Homes was cancelled due to weather and road conditions. The inmate training, home construction, non-profit will celebrate its two-year anniversary in McCook this March.

* An amendment to a lease between the city and Jeremy Meyers, pertaining to 68 farmable acres of city property located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 36, Township 3 North, Range 30 West of the 6th P.M., was approved. The amendment specifies Jeremy Meyers is the sole tenant and was submitted at Meyers request. The lease previously listed Jason and Derek Meyers as additional tenants.

* McElhinny Builders was approved to occupy city right-of-way to install a sanitary sewer main along the east side of West 9th Street, between West Q and West R Street, as well as a water main along the west side of West 9th Street, between West Q and West R Street. The mains will provide service to the new Quillan Courts development.

* Cornerstone Electric was approved to occupy city right-of-way to install an underground electric line beginning on the south side of West Q Street, crossing under West Q and heading north along the east side of West 9th Street for approximately 460 feet.

* The McCook Area Chamber of Commerce was approved for special liquor licenses for a banquet at Memorial Auditorium on Feb. 18 and a "Founders' Ball" on March 18.

* City Council received and filed the financial report for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2016.

* The 2016 Maintenance Agreement between the city and the Nebraska Department of Roads pertaining to surface maintenance of all state highways within city limits was approved for renewal.