Council looking for budget input

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The McCook City Council began their annual budgeting process Monday evening by approving a budget calendar and emphasizing the need for citizen input over the coming weeks.

Councilors approved the 2013-14 fiscal year budget calendar which subsequently set the date of their open to the public budget retreat as June 11, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Municipal Center training room.

When asked by City Manager Jeff Hancock for budget priorities for the upcoming fiscal year, Councilor Bruce McDowell said the city really needed to build their contingency funds, adding that [You] "wouldn't run your household like that."

Mayor Dennis Berry commented that sales tax revenue could likely be utilized for that.

Councilor Jerry Calvin emphasized that the council wanted more public input pertaining to the city budget and encouraged citizens to speak out.

Contact information for each City Council member listed on the City of McCook website is as follows;

Mayor Dennis Berry - 345-6513, dberry@esu15.org

Mike Gonzales - 340-4175, gonzales1953@gmail.com

Bruce McDowell - 345-5439, brucemcdowell@q.com

Jerry Calvin - 345-7063, pepsidude@swnebr.net

Janet Hepp - 345-5387

Also during Monday's regularly scheduled meeting, City Attorney Nate Schneider provided an update pertaining to the City's trash hauling contract with Fritz Trucking. Schneider said a proposal pertaining to completion of the contract was expected to be received Thursday from Fritz Trucking.

Schneider also said he had reviewed several Attorney General opinions pertaining to the open meeting questions raised, by an attorney for Fritz Trucking, during an April City Council meeting. Schneider said a case specific to counties that he had reviewed indicated that legal matters or discussions of legal consequences of specific actions were acceptable reasons to go into executive session.

During the April meeting, the attorney for Fritz Trucking cited the open meetings act section that reads "litigation which is imminent as evidenced by communication of a claim or threat of litigation to or by the public body."

The attorney said no litigation was pending and councilors had not provided evidence of any claim or threat of litigation prior to two executive sessions coordinated on the trash hauling scenario in September 2012.

Other items on Monday's consent and regular agenda;

* Councilors presented a check for $400 to Boy Scout Troop 132 for their assistance in promoting ACE by distributing information during the Nebraska Choice Gas annual selection period. As a member community of ACE, the Public Alliance for Community Energy, McCook receives a portion of any excess revenue distributions.

* A change order increasing the cost of the East H Street improvement project by $10,050 was approved. The changes stem from the $8,250 installation of 12 new inlet grates found to be in deteriorating condition and an abandoned gas line discovered by the contractor that needed to be removed at an additional expense of $1,800. Pending approval from the state and Federal Highway Administration the city will be responsible for $2,010 of the increase.

* Councilors approved changes to the agreement between the city and the Nebraska Department of Roads pertaining to a 2014 street improvement project on East 7th Street and East H Street. The changes increase the city's matching fund responsibility for the project by $30,495, as a result of a new highway bill passed by congress. A similar resolution pertaining to funds for repair work and non-routine maintenance for bridges was also approved.

* A $669,880 proposal from McCook Contracting for construction of an elevator, vestibule addition, interior remodeling and paved parking at the McCook Public Library was approved. The project is being funded by the Library Foundation.

* A proclamation designating May 15, 2013, as Peace Officer Memorial Day and May 12-17 as National Police Week was approved.

* The McCook Young Professionals group request to close Barnett Park in July was retracted and rescheduled for the next council meeting after the group indicated their desire to relocate the "Color me Crazy" fun run to a different location.

The run will be in conjunction with Crazy Days festivities.