City Council OKs pay estimates

The Sidney City Council approved numerous pay estimates as well as budget reports for all city departments for June 2015 at Tuesday night’s meeting.

The council approved items including pay estimates for engineers and contractors for the Greenwood Road and Pole Creek Crossing project.

According to Sidney Public Services Director John Hehnke, the first phase of construction is almost completed. During phase two of the Pole Creek Crossing and Fort Sidney Road Bridge Project, construction of Pole Creek Crossing from Greenwood Road to Fort Sidney Road will take place, the Fort Sidney Road Bridge will be demolished and rebuilt and the reconstruction of the intersection of Fort Sidney Road and Pole Creek Crossing will occur.

Other pay estimates approved included:

• Engineer and contractor for the water extension district in the Reganis Subdivision as well as the sanitary sewer extension.

• Street improvements for Baker & Associates on Silverberg Drive and Jennifer Lane.

• Setting Board of Equalization Hearing for special assessments in water extension and sanitary sewer extension in the Runza 3rd development.

Also on the agenda was the proposed naming of the road located south of the new Source Gas building on Greenwood Road as Dixon Drive. However, that item will be carried over to the next meeting to allow for public input.

“In the building of Greenwood Road and getting ready to open it, we did some research and the gravel road that is south of the new Source Gas building was more or less unnamed,” Hehnke said. “It traditionally was called ‘Trail Road’ but we already have a Trail Road named in town so we need to come up with an official name so we can get stop signs in and address it properly.”

City Manager Gary Person said that many subdivision streets in the community were named after the developers and Dick Dixon has worked that property very diligently to get it developed.

Mayor Mark Nienhueser and councilor Wendall Gaston agreed they would feel more comfortable giving the public the opportunity to give their opinions before making an official action.

“Part of it is the 911 response to the communications center,” Person added. “Not there there’s a lot of development out there yet, but if they’re called and they have to identify a location that’s how everyone gets notified.”

The placing of stop signs in and around the Ranch Subdivision was approved.

In his report to the council, Person thanked the volunteer fire department for putting on the firework display on July 3. A new main topic of discussion is how to have more control over the 10-day period where the community is able to light fireworks.

“The chief has had a number of challenges in his department with some of the neighborhoods getting a little carried away with some of the hours and explosives being used,” Person said. “Internally, we are just having some discussions and asking for input on modifying hours and days or types of fireworks. We know from a community standpoint it’s a very enjoyable experience, we just want to make sure we put safety first.”

Also discussed were the many activities taking place in the community this month including the Cheyenne County Fair, the Downtown Sounds – Music in the Square concert and upcoming golf tournaments.

Person noted that there will be an official public hearing on potential rezoning of the three existing lots in the Sidney Business Park from heavy industrial to heavy commercial at the planning commission meeting on Monday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m.

“This would allow for retail,” Person said. “Bomgaar’s has indicated a desire to purchase an additional lot next to the veterinary clinic but in order for that to happen it would have to be rezoned. There will be some philosophical differences about wether the city will allow that but that is what the public hearing process is for.”

The next City Council meeting is schedule for Tuesday, July 28 at 7:15 p.m. at City Hall.