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Council hears response on solar project, project updates
McCOOK, Neb. – “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt.
As citizens think about the future of the town and dream of a new ball field, new pool, roads with no potholes, and water that is finally clear — unfortunately, these things cost money.
The Masonic Temple stepped up to the plate for the community and gifted the city $250,000 to the swimming pool. The organization also owns one of the six pieces of land that the new solar panel project that is being proposed to be built on.
Currently being used as agricultural land, the land could generate more revenue if the solar project moves forward, helping fund a new Junior High School, an estimated $6.2 million more dollars for School District 17.
There are a number of concerns about the project, and with everything that deals with a hot-button topic such as renewable energy or green energy, all questions are valid questions.
Brice Burton of 39 North, representing Birch Creek answered a few questions from the many in attendance. Todd Cappel asked whether renewable projects can stand alone or do they need to be backed up by a carbon-based form of energy.
Burton responded that they provide these projects to the customer as an incremental resource. So they are provided to the market as an intermittent resource. “So they really stand alone in terms of providing power when power is needed.”
Cappel asked Burton if the company has a buyer for the power, to which Burton answered they currently do not. Cappel asked if MPPD thought this was valuable then why are they not doing it themselves? Burton said that “We develop these projects for a customer.”
They have around a million dollars invested in the project at the moment. “So obviously we’re going to develop it for a customer.”
“We are investing this money knowing that somebody wants it.”
Tammy Hilker asked about the noise it would create.
Burton responded that the main power transformer in the southeast corner of Palic’s property wouldn’t be heard from the road or a residence in the area. As the panels move, it’s a small electric motor that moves the panels — “But again that’s why we have designed the site with setbacks” and “why the land owners leased them the land they have so they won’t be admitting sound off the site.”
Kelly Soden wanted to know if 39 North had any reviews from completed projects, Burton informed her that he represents Birch Creek, as they are the applicants of McCook Solar.
He stated that they have two operational facilities that are running, however, he doesn’t know of any positive or negative reviews on those sites. He did say that he could find out if that is something the council wished to hear about.
In other business, Jerry Reitz requested the removal of a special assessment against property located at 810 West 4th. Reitz informed the council that he would like to demolish the residence on 810½ West 4th at his own cost and combine his lot at 808 West 4th. It was a special situation, where the lot at 810 had two houses on it and the front house burnt down and the city had a $15,000 lien on the property from previous owners.
Reitz informed the council that he was able to purchase the lot after 15 years of taking care of the property and maintaining it out of his own pocket for a dollar, however, it doesn’t make financial sense for him to invest more money into the property with the lien still on the property.
He has plans to build on his existing house onto the newly acquired property in the future.
Engineering on the new city pool project is about 90% complete, with the project on track to be completed next May.
The city has sent a revised purchase agreement for the new ballpark to the college’s attorney for review, but “everything takes a bit of time,” City Manager Nate Schneider said.
Important issues are water and sewer service, as well as solid waste disposal, Schneider said. Water is vital to maintaining a ballpark, Schneider said, and options for turf are being discussed with college representatives.