WNCC, ESU Combine Efforts; Public Hearing Scheduled for March 10

Western Nebraska Community College and ESU13 are combining efforts to construct a new building at the Sidney campus of WNCC.

In the Feb. 25 meeting of the Sidney City Council, a public hearing was scheduled for March 10.

Monday afternoon, ESU 13 Administrator Andrew Dick said the plan is for a 10,000 square foot addition to the Western Nebraska Community College building in Sidney. The addition would house new office space, a large conference room and a kitchen. He said the ESU 13 program is in need of a new office location.

“We're are very excited about this,” Dick said.

He said the project began under the former administrator, Jeff West. When he left, Dick carried the proposal, meeting with the WNCC administration.

He said ground work is expected to start any time. The design of the addition will match the décor of the existing WNCC building, he said.

The addition is to be completed by December 2020.

In the Feb. 25 city council meeting, the council also formally accepted a return of $32,534 from ACE Public Alliance For Community Energy. Beth Ackland, ACE Director of Retail Gas Services, said in a memo to the council that the ACE Board of Directors met in January 2020 and voted to distribute $400,000 to its members. Sidney's share is $32,534.

Gas customers have until April 23 to lock in their rates. The Nebraska Choice Gas program is a two-week period from April 10-23. Pre-enrollment is available by calling 1-800-454-4759.

The council also approved a proposal for disposal of obsolete phone and radio equipment from the Cheyenne County Emergency Communications Center. Communications Director Heidi Gillespie said the parts have been at the center for several years.

“Right before I got here in 2013, they upgraded the radio equipment,” she said. “The radio equipment, except a keyboard or two, there's nothing I can use.”

She added there is one rack she wants to keep. Everything else needs to be declared surplus so it can be destroyed.

The council also approved a resolution defining where diagonal parking is allowed in the city. Police Chief Joe Aikens said the department will take the time to educate residents on parallel versus diagonal parking in the city.

“If we do anything (on enforcing diagonal parking) before Aug. 1, it will be a 'hey, we're no longer doing diagonal parking,'” he said.

There is a process for neighborhoods or businesses who want diagonal parking although the area is not zoned for diagonal parking.

“Ultimately, this is exactly what we have a Planning Commission for,” Mayor Roger Gallaway said.

The council also approved a Request For Proposal for a drainage project for Elm Street from 13th to 17th, and 13th Avenue from Jackson to Quince. The City has $320,000 currently budgeted for the project.

The council also approved the manager application of Robert Herr for Perkins Restaurant and recommended the application to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.