Council Amends Watershed Agreement

The Sidney City Council recently approved amendments to the Joint East Sidney Watershed Authority (JESWA) agreement recently.

The city council met Nov. 9 in council chambers. The agenda included a proposed amendment to the JESWA bylaws. JESWA was established in 2013 as an independent authority as an independent authority through an interlocal partnership between the City of Sidney and the South Platte Natural Resources District (SPNRD). The board member structured was amended in 2017 to change it from City Manager to Assistant City Manager/Public Service Director to Assistant City Manager.

The memo from City Manager David Scott reads the change is necessary in order for the board to approve the closing of the most recent project; four votes are needed to conduct the process.

JESWA was created to work on flood control improvements within the corporate city limits as well as meet the interlocal requirement to increase the city sales and use tax above 1 ½ percent.

The council also approved a proclamation declaring Nov. 13-21 as National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. The resolution was sponsored by the National Coalition for the Homeless and National Student Campaign against Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Kathy Wilson was returned to the Sidney Historic Preservation Board. The Historic Preservation Board is composed of seven members. Four of the seven must be owners of real estate designated as historical or within the historic district. This is her fourth full term. Her term will expire in October 2024.

The council also approved two people to the Economic Development Citizens Advisory Review Committee. The committee will consist of six members with the reappointment of Cathy Arterburn and Carol Porter. Both terms will expire in 2026.

The council also review budget reports and claims for October.