City hoping for state guidance on UTVs

McCOOK, Neb. — Interim Police Chief Kevin Hodgson is drafting a proposed ordinance to allow utility terrain vehicles modeled after those in North Platte and Norfolk, but city officials would prefer guidance from the Legislature.

North Platte hasn’t had many problems with UTVs, but the practical use of them in McCook would be complicated by the fact they can’t be operated on highways, officials told City Council members at Monday night’s regular meeting.

The current draft would require UTVs to cross highways at intersections controlled by stoplights, which require extra-long routes in many instances.

Mayor Linda Taylor noted that State Sen. Julie Slama is offering LB66, to regulate UTVs on city streets, but this legislative session is only 60 days, so its passage may be difficult.

Jim Lewis, who owns a business selling UTVs, said most new models have shoulder straps, and speed is limited unless the occupants are buckled up. He said he would prefer to see the vehicles titled. License plates would be issued by the city, and the current plan is to eventually have all of the licenses expire with the calendar year.

Ironically, current requirements include headlights and tail lights, but the vehicles are not to be operated at night. Other issues include the amount of liability insurance to be required.

The swimming pool project is making progress, thanks to good weather, City Manager Nate Schneider said, and the council closed with an executive session to discuss strategy related to the purchase of real estate for the sports complex.

The three-reading rule was suspended to update tobacco and alcoholic beverages regulations at the City Auditorium, and new cemetery fees were approved on the second reading.

Schneider also had praise for city staff for a successful audit.

“It takes a lot of time effort, and fortitude, they did a fantastic job.” Nate Schneider, City Manager said of Lee An Doak, City Clerk and Treasurer and her staff on their work on the completed audit.

He also gave special thanks to police officers and others for being “Johnnies on the spot” the first people on the scene of the recent plane crash in McCook, “They kept everything calm.”

He also thanked public safety staff, “That doesn’t happen every day, we did a pretty good job under some pretty tense circumstances and I am very proud of the efforts”.

Mayor Linda Taylor later closed the meeting to the public with a heartfelt thank you to the staff for what they did when the plane went down.

“McCook stepped up, they did a wonderful job. Everybody, thank you for what you did. It was important, and our condolences to the family.”

The public is also invited to a Comprehensive Plan meeting at 6 p.m. today in the second floor of the municipal building at West C and Fifth.

Other items passed without comment as part of the consent agenda included:

• Ratified the Health Board’s designation of six properties as nuisances. The properties include 1111 East H Street, 710 East 4th Street, 707 West 4th Street, 1002 West 5th, 1310 West Circle Drive, 1209 West 12th Street, and 111 West 10th Street. If property owners do not deal with the issues cited in the designation, the city can eventually make a special assessment against the property or attempt to recover abatement expenses through a lawsuit.

• Approval of Final Bid Specifications for a New Mid-Size SUV: The council will consider the final bid specifications for a 2023 or 2024 mid-size SUV, which will feature a larger passenger seating area, with bids to be opened Tuesday.• Snow and Ice Control and Removal Procedures: The council will receive and file snow and ice control and removal operation procedures and policies, ensuring preparedness for winter weather events.

• Appointment to Selection Board for Airport Projects: City Manager Nate Schneider, Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff, and Airport Maintenance Operator Ken Vontz are up for approval to join the selection board of engineering services for airport projects through 2023 at McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport.