City picks up contract for wildlife

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council approved a wildlife services contract to once again provide assistance to citizens and city departments experiencing non-domestic animal control issues. The services had been provided by Red Willow County for at least 10 years previously and were discontinued in July by County Commissioners, who cited expense cutting measures relating to their construction of a new county jail. Commissioners indicated at the time that they would consider again providing the wildlife services for the rest of Red Willow County, if the City of McCook would pay for their own portion of the cost.

The $3,500 agreement between the city and U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services, approved by councilors Monday evening during their regularly scheduled meeting, will allow city departments and citizens to utilize approximately 100 hours of wildlife control services within city limits, to assist with nuisance or potentially dangerous scenarios.

Councilman Jerry Calvin inquired about how the wildlife service would be dispatched and subsequent hours monitored. Public Works Director Kyle Potthoff explained that citizens and city staff themselves would dispatch the service as needed by contacting the trapper directly, adding that the trapper was very good about communicating his activity with city staff.

Potthoff told the Gazette this morning that citizens in need of wildlife services can contact the federal trapper, Mike Sherman, at 541-589-2102. Potthoff reiterated that the service was not intended for domestic dog and cat issues and asked citizens to continue to contact the McCook Police Department for those.

Also during Monday's meeting councilors unanimously approved an ordinance which authorized them to issue a temporary ban on fireworks within city limits. McCook Fire Chief Marc Harpham explained that city staff previously had no enforcement authority, should councilors issued a firework ban, and the change would allow for the ability to prosecute violators.

Harpham said the change came at the recommendation of the State Fire Marshal, when consideration was being given to a ban during this year's dry Fourth of July season.

The ordinance would not prohibit local sales of fireworks or the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, put on at Red Willow County Fairgrounds.

Councilman Jerry Calvin inquired about the safety of even professionals setting off fireworks during a time when it was dry and hot enough to warrant issuing a temporary ban on citizens. Harpham replied that the rural fire department provided protection during the annual firework show and had fire trucks on site that could extinguish any hotspots rapidly.

Councilman Mike Gonzales asked about still allowing the sale of fireworks during a ban and City Attorney Nate Schneider replied that other cities had experienced "issues" with trying to ban firework sales.

The City Council unanimously approved an application to create a subdivision titled "Cappel Industrial Park," located on Drive 716, West of U.S. Highway 83. The project developer, Richard Cappel, said the subdivision would create four lots roughly 5-6 acres in size. The property the subdivision will be located at is west of property previously approved to be developed for Stack and Store storage units and southeast of the future home of Lashley Trucking.

The project was recommended for approval by the McCook Planning Commission earlier in the evening.

Other items on the consent and regular agenda:

* McCook property owners Mark Wilcox, Jim Kenny and Joe Leamon were authorized to construct a concrete alley way on city right-of-way adjacent to their properties. The alley will meet city standards and be located between West 14th Street and West Fairacres, as well as between West O Street and West Q Street.

* Drawings and bid specifications for storm sewer system drainage improvements to be made at the intersection of East Ninth Street and G Street were approved. The project is anticipated to be completed by April 30, 2013, and will benefit both the city and adjacent property owners, effected by undersized and absent sewer inlets. The project is part of the city's one and six year street improvement plan.

* Councilors finalized the appointment of members to the McCook Planning Steering Committee and several related subcommittees.

* The City of McCook snow and ice removal procedures were received and filed. The procedures and policies are revised annually and include the interlocal cooperative act between the city and Red Willow County for snow plowing services.

* The Intercity Bus Agreements with the Nebraska Department of Roads and Dashabout Roadrunner, Inc., was approved.

* MO Dough LLC was authorized special liquor licenses for a hospice services fund raiser at Community Hospital on Nov. 18, 2012 and a reception at the Armed Forces Reserve Center on U.S. Highway 6 and 34 on Dec. 15, 2012.