Council puts brakes on UTV regulations, for now

McCOOK Neb. — The UTV ordinance’s third and final reading was postponed so that additional research could be done on using child safety seats in UTVs.

City attorney Nate Mustion said, “I did find there are some voluntary national standards and safety standards for UTVs, kind of like the federal standards for cars. Those are mandatory. These are voluntary for UTV users, but they do at least set some good guidelines. I’d like more time to look at those and ensure we’re applying those safety standards to the ordinances we bring to the Council.” 

Erica Bush with West Central Nebraska Development District presented on nuisance abatement progress at the City Council meeting on Monday, July 15, 2024. 

• 256 properties were initially reviewed

• 110 courtesy letters were sent out

• 82 properties cleared, including the 10 recommended to rescind. 

• 25 properties were given extensions

• 1 property declared a nuisance

• 2 properties approved for a motion to abate

• 10 properties recommended to rescind (clear)

“I would just like to remind you that for every motion or step we take, we just provide the property owner with additional time to clear the note or the nuisance items. So when we declare a property a nuisance, we give the property owner a letter with a further deadline of about three to four weeks for them to clear those items and a motion to abate, which is just a motion. Still, it’s just another step forward, and all property owners will receive a letter giving them additional time to clean up, “said Bush. 

Grant Flamig from the Nebraska Public Power District gave a presentation introducing himself to the City Council. Recently, Flamig became the new account manager of the City of McCook’s NPPD account, taking over long-time NPPD account manager Stan Clouse. 

The Council heard the third and final reading and approved an ordinance amending the nuisance abatement provisions to comply with WCNDD’s preferred language. 

Kyle Pothoff gave an update regarding the opening of the McCook Aquatic Park; everything is on target for the Wednesday, July 17, 2024, grand opening at 1 p.m. with the Ribbon cutting at 12:30 p.m.