Street Improvement Plan in Conflict with State

Counties and municipalities in Nebraska are required by the State to submit one-year and six-year road work plans.

This year’s plans could be in conflict with State highway department plans.

The Sidney City Council had decided to save toward prioritized street projects. Those discussions addressed what streets to work on, how extensive the projects would be and setting a budget for the cost of the work. The council and Street Superintendent Hank Radtke agreed that 13th Street would be one of the priorities for a new surface. Planned work also includes Elm Street between 13th and 17th Streets, at an estimated cost of $400,000.

In the Feb. 12 meeting, Radtke said the State plans to work on Road 17J. The project, according to Radtke, is a complete tear-out and replacement at an estimated cost of $9.2 million. The City’s share of the project is 20 percent, about $1.8 million. The concern is the City has a Streets budget of about $2.4 million. Mayor Roger Gallaway said he is concerned that the City doesn’t have long-range plans for the streets.

“It is just as serious a concern today,” said Radtke. “For me, it is the elephant in the room.”

Vice-mayor Joe Arteburn reminded the council of its commitment to the community.

“What do we tell Sidney taxpayers?” he asked.

Radtke was asked about last year’s major street project, which was Illinois Street, a shared project with the State.

The council also approved Victoria Loghry as a new member of the Historic Preservation Board. Loghry was appointed as a business owner for a three-year term. Appointments to the Historic Preservation Board are made by the city manager and confirmed by the council. The Historic Preservation Board is designed with seven members; three who are citizens interested in the history and historic preservation of Sidney, and four members who are real estate owners of property within Sidney’s historic district.

Downtown will be a little more attractive as soon as one of the newest projects is completed. The council was presented with a project to replace and update lighting in downtown. Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard said that at the Jan. 8 meeting of the Historic Preservation Board, John Phillips petitioned for funds to replace lights on downtown businesses. In her memo to the city council, it was noted that lights have been going out and are no longer look uniform. It was also discussed to have the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce and businesses provide support for the project.

Phillips, who was present at the meeting, said the requested funds only cover the cost of the light bulbs.

“I feel like this is a positive project for the community,” Phillips said.

The bulbs will be purchased from Finney’s at a cost of 90 cents per bulb. Three bids were sought including Finney’s. The highest was Amazon at $1.27 per bulb. Phillips said the bulbs are imported from China and prices could be affected by trade tariffs.

He said the bulbs will likely not be installed until after the summer hail season.