Menu
Supporters turn out to boost new disc golf course
McCOOK Neb. - There was a full house showing support for the consideration of the McCook Parks Advisory Board to construct a Disc Golf Course in Barnett Park leading to a unanimous approval. The City Council heard from David Brewster and Kaleb Taylor regarding the installation of a Disc Golf Course at Barnett Park.
Brewster stated that approximately 10 months ago, through the supportive community hospital, they began looking at the prospect of installing this new disc golf course in McCook. He said the reason for wanting the new course was to make the game accessible to more people.
The course at Kelley Park is very hilly, making it more difficult for some to participate and learn the sport. It will also allow McCook to hold larger tournaments bringing more revenue to the community.
A member of the public, Jerry Ruzicka, said he has recorded over 1600 rounds of disc golf and after turning 70 years old last month the hills are starting to make it more difficult for him to participate. He said he is 110% in support of the new course at Barnett Park and that he would possibly sponsor a hole from the course.
A public hearing was held to receive comments on a report from the Economic Development Plan Citizens Advisory Review Committee. Charlie McPherson spoke regarding the Jan. 22 meeting. He said they discussed different economic development projects that are either in the works or potentially looking to come down the pipeline and the potential uses and expenses of LB840 funds in that meeting.
They only had one expense, which was the match portion loan that they approved for the micro-enterprise loan program with their portion of that match being 17,500 which allowed them to assist a new startup business in town.
The business owner is a new medical service provider. The board of directors also committed an additional $10,000 towards the infant incentive program, in their early childcare program to continue to help support local childcare providers in our community.
Another thing that was earmarked was enlisting the assistance of a retail coach, a consulting firm, to help investigate retail opportunities for the community. McPherson said “they look at different viable options that the community could potentially support as far as retail from clothing to home goods, and some other options.”
A council member asked about the status of the Hormel Business Competition, to which McPherson replied that it had just been postponed, not canceled and that applications had been taken in the fall.
The City Council approved the consent agenda with Gene Weedin requesting to pull section H and Jerry Calvin requesting to pull section J with the board approving the remaining portion. Weedin asked for further discussion of section H, an application for Lehman (Century Link) to occupy city right away to install one new ground-level vault and underground fiber optic duct and cable from the northeast corner of West Third and West Third Street to the west side of West Fifth Street. asking what this would look like, referring to the fiber put in on West J Street above ground.
City Manager Nate Schneider confirmed that this would all be underground. Calvin his reasoning for pulling section J of the consent agenda was to ensure that the public be made aware of the efforts the city is making concerning nuisance abatement saying “We are taking it seriously, I want people to understand that we’re taking some very strong steps to help us in resolving those issues.”
The council approved entering into an Interlocal Agreement with West Central Nebraska Development District Inc.
Schneider said they are working on a presentation to show some of the projects that they have been working on with property owners and some of the success stories that they’ve had.
“We’ve been working pretty hard to try to address some of the nuisance problems. It’s tough,” he said. “Those are some tough issues, you’re dealing with different factors.
“But it’s something we take a lot of pride in. So, I think that adding this additional layer, where they might be able to address some of the complicated issues that we deal with. On top of the things that we’re already working on in specific areas, that’s going to help us out a lot.”
Schneider wanted to give credit to Debbie Thorpe as the first line of contact “She’s done a fantastic job for us. She’s helped out a lot with our nuisance abatement program.” Schneider said. Schneider updated the council regarding the UTV ordinance and it was decided that the city would wait to see if Legislative Bill 66 is approved before bringing the ordinance to the City Council. The state bill would supersede any city ordinance.
Schneider updated the council on the swimming pool project. He said the work has continued to progress well and the original completion date is still in grasp.
He said even this past week while it’s been very muddy the construction crew has been hard at work. “I’m amazed, those guys are up there working all the time,” Schneider said.
In council comments, Weedin said the choice gas selection period for this year is going to be between April 4 and April 24, 2024. “That’s when you get to select your natural gas supplier, there’s going to be 8 suppliers this year.
So competition is going to be tougher” Weedin said. He also said ACE is a nonprofit organization, which means at the end of the year, the profits and we pay all our expenses. The profits go back to the communities.
“I’m very pleased to announce that this year, McCook is going to receive $20,013 from the ACE funds.