Council OKs budget, tackles nuisance properties

McCOOK Neb. - The McCook City Council approved the fiscal year 2024-25 budget on its third and final reading and the second of three readings to increase water and sewer rates.

West Central Nebraska Development District, Erica Bush presented on nuisance properties at the meeting Monday, at McCook City Council.

"On tonight's agenda, I will be recommending one property be declared a nuisance by resolution. I will be recommending four properties for a motion to abate and four for a resolution to rescind," Bush stated.

With the City Council's approval, of the 256 properties reviewed, 110 courtesy letters were sent out, 101 properties have been cleared, one property has been declared a nuisance, four properties were recommended for abatement, and four properties are ready for a five-day notice, which will be completed in October.

City Manager Nat Schneider said, "I struggle to put public funds into private people's problems. I'm not a big fan of putting money into nuisance funds because I think that private individuals can take care of their issues. It shouldn't be a public issue, but we have budgeted for that. We did account for West Central, which, I think, contract was $22,500 this year, and we have an additional amount budgeted to hopefully take out one house. So we've got $40,000 budgeted this year, as opposed to $25,000."

The agenda included a public hearing on modifications to the McCook zoning ordinance. A key focus was defining and regulating "shouses" within residential districts. The council approved an ordinance defining and prohibiting a “shouse” and changing the accessory building maximum height requierment to 25’.

The council approved the 2025 street improvements plan, which includes paving and draining West 14th Street between O and Q streets.  

The council unanimously approved a proclamation designating Sept. 17-23, 2024, as Constitution Week. This initiative aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the U.S. Constitution among residents.

The Consent Agenda was approved with no discussion. Items include:

• Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the McCook Professional Firefighters Association, adding one floating holiday.

• Agreement with Miller & Associates for developing a Redevelopment Plan for a Sportsplex.

• Resolutions to adopt amendments regarding the firefighters' retirement plan and update the employee handbook to include an additional holiday.

• Authorize the Mayor to sign a license agreement allowing the installation of a privacy fence on City property.