Council Approves Sidewalk Project

The Sidney City Council Tuesday approved a street improvement project for the north side of Sidney.

Tuesday’s city council meeting included discussion on projects in the North Sidney neighborhood following a community meeting. The meeting was held May 3 between North Side residents, City Manager Ed Sadler and Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard. At issue was if the residents wanted to invest some of their funds in community improvements or continue to save for a bigger project. The LB840 funds received by the City includes $50,000 allocated for North Side projects. The North Side currently has a balance of about $200,000, according to a memo from Norgard to the city council.

Norgard said the discussion generated five priorities: 1) Paving Elm Street from 13th Avenue to 17th Avenue, 2) New sidewalk from Sky Manor to 16th Street, 3) Improve the walkway at the 13th Street underpass, 4) Build walkway over the Union Pacific railroad tracks at 19th Avenue or 5) Utilize funds to incentivize new businesses to locate on the North Side.

She said after residents voted, a new sidewalk from Sky Manor to 16th Street was chosen as the top priority. A request for bids (RFP) was issued July 30. Wieser Construction submitted the only bid for the project. According to Norgard’s memo, the initial estimate for a four-foot wide sidewalk, curb and gutter was $95,000. Weiser’s bid came in at $85,000. She said because it is under $100,000, no engineering contract is necessary. She added the agreement includes the project being scheduled for next spring.

In other business, Sadler reported the trash pickup changes are going better than expected. He said five receptacles have been removed from downtown alleys already.

“This is really an issue of shared dumpsters,” Sadler said, “and we share from about the Chamber (of Commerce location) to Safeway. It really got its intended results.”

He said 85 percent of downtown businesses are reducing the frequency of trash pickup.

“We may not be generating as much income, but we will make up for it with costs we save,” he said.

Andrew “Sherm” Sherman said the library completed cost reductions. The Sidney Public Library is reducing hours of operation by one hour per day, and reducing one part-time position. Sherman said that will allow the Library to retain the experienced staff.

The city council also approved a request to close Highway 30/Illinois Street on Dec. 1 for the City’s Parade of Lights Christmas Parade. As a state highway, the request has to be forwarded to the State department of highways as well.

The council also approved changes to Ordinance 1801 adopting changes to the 2018-2028 LB840 funds. Norgard said the changes do not result in more taxes for Sidney residents. Instead, it allows the City to receive funds from sources other than LB840, such as local, state or federal grants.

Sadler also announced that Oktoberfest is scheduled for October 5-7.