Potential tenant shows interest in city auditorium

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Memorial Auditorium may receive its first tenant since being made available for commercial and public use in May 2013. The McCook City Council will consider approval of a lease with the Southwest Nebraska Theater Association during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday evening.

The theater group is requesting to rent 1300 sq. ft. of the basement of Memorial Auditorium for storage. City staff has calculated an annual rate of $286 for the space, based on a 28 cent per sq. ft. going rate for storage and a 20 percent non-profit discount.

The potential tenant is the first to show interest in leasing space at the building. Monday's agenda indicates the city received no proposals after announcing their interest in pursuing short and long term tenants for the building.

Also during today's regularly scheduled meeting, 7:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center, City Council will officially accept the resignation of City Manager Jeff Hancock. Hancock's last day will be Friday, Feb. 7, 2014.

Council members are scheduled to provide city staff with direction pertaining to the recruitment process and interim duties.

The council will consider entering executive session to discuss potential litigation between the city and Daniel and Lizann Miller related to property located at 71363 Road 385. The council agenda does not indicate whether the potential litigation is related to previous lawsuits between the city and the Millers.

In 2008 Red Willow County District Court Judge David Urbom overturned a city council decision to deny the Millers a special zoning exception for a dog breeding kennel.

Plans and specifications for the third phase of the McCook walking trail will be presented for approval. The third phase is 1198 ft. long and will begin on the south side of East H Street, west of East 11th Street, and head southeast to East 11th Street. Once completed, the McCook walking trail will total 1.28 miles in length.

City staff plan to establish a picnic area on the east side of East 11th Street to serve as an end to the walking trail and a destination point, according to the meeting agenda. The picnic area will consist of a couple picnic tables and park benches, and require a cross walk be established on East 11th Street.

80 percent of the $166,000 project will be funded by a grant from the Nebraska Game and Parks. The city will be responsible for a little more than $33,000.

New subdivision regulations for the city will be considered for final approval on their third reading.

The changes have received little to no opposition during their first two readings and follow approval in recent months of a new City Comprehensive Plan, as well as updates to the Official Zoning Ordinance.