Building on agenda for McCook City Council

McCOOK, Neb. — If approved by the City Council, the city will start the ball rolling in dealing with a vacant property on one of McCook’s busiest streets.

The council will be asked to authorize the McCook Planning Commission to determine if the property at 510 W. Fifth is substandard and blighted, at the regular council meeting Monday, 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at the city municipal building.

The property formerly housed “Charley’s” and is across the street from the Elks tennis courts.

If the council approves the authorization, the McCook Planning Commission will decide if the property is blighted and substandard, using standards from the State of Nebraska’s Community Development Law. A “Blight Study” can be made if the property is deemed blighted by the commission. The city council would then have the authority to approve or disapprove the Blight Study. Tax increment financing can be used in re-development of the property if it is determined as blighted and substandard.

The authorization is one of three regular agenda items the council will discuss before voting, the other two concerning wording in city ordinances. After the regular meeting, the council will reconvene in a closed executive session “for the protection of public interest and protection of attorney-client privilege for a strategy session with their Attorney with respect to potential litigation regarding the property located at 1107 West 4th Street.”

At its May 7 regular meeting, the McCook City Council voted unanimously to use ACE revenue funds to pay for the demolition of a vacant alley house damaged by fire at 1107 W. Fourth, contingent that the property owner deed the property to the city free of charge.

At that same meeting, City Manager Nate Schneider said if the city has to pay for the demolition, costs should not exceed $12,500.

Other regular agenda items the council will be asked to vote on are:

— approve on its third and final reading changes in a nuisance abatement ordinance, so the city will not be required to abate all properties declared a public nuisance; and that a notice will be filed with the Red Willow County Register of Deeds on any properties that currently have abatement issues/Board of Health proceedings pending.

— approve on first reading an update concerning definitions of a sexual predator, so the local ordinance match up with state law. The state has modified its definition of a sexual predator, with new language removing the “Level 3” classification and amending the definition so as to clearly identify individuals who fit within the Sexual Predator Residency Restriction Act. Staff also wants to add a definition of “aggravated offense” that matches up with current state law.

A public hearing will open Monday night’s meeting for public comment on the request for a special exception to allow a professional office at 311 W. Third, zoned Residential High-Density District. After the public hearing, the council will be asked to approve the special exception, sought by the project sponsor/developer, Edward Jones/Sharleen Riemenschneider and landowner, Bradley E. and Sharleen R. Riemenschneider. The McCook Planning Commission approved the initial request on May 14. The applicants want to build an office building with on-street diagonal parking, similar to other office buildings in the area. A variance has also been granted by the McCook Board of Zoning Adjustment for modifications in the front and side yards, so the new building can face West D instead of West Third Street.

Consent agenda items, that can be approved in one motion by the council, are:

— Approve the agreement between the City of McCook and W Design Associates for design and construction engineering services for the reconstruction of Park Avenue, from Kelley Park Drive to Norris Avenue and Sioux from Park Avenue to 175 feet east East, and authorize the Mayor to sign. The total cost of the project is estimated at $439,458, that includes the engineering cost estimated at $36,621.50.

— Receive and file the notice from the Nebraska Department of Transportation of the public information meeting on Tuesday, June 5, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the McCook Municipal Center upstairs training room, concerning the Super 2 Highway Project between McCook and North Platte.

— Approve the request from the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce to close West and East C Streets and streets around Memorial Auditorium during “Crazy Days” on July 13-15, for a car show, a “Cruise Night” and chamber barbecue.

— Applications for a special designated liquor license submitted by: Tyler Schmick, Schmick’s Market Inc. for wedding receptions at the National Guard Armory on June 30 from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.. the Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building on Sept. 15 from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and the McCook Municipal Auditorium on Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.; and by the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce/McCook Economic Development Corp. for a Crazy Days reception/mixer at the Fox Theater July 13 and a barbecue and dance July 14 at McCook Municipal Auditorium.