BROKEN BOW—City parks will be available to the public between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. as stated in an ordinance approved by the Broken Bow City Council on Tuesday afternoon. During a public hearing regarding park hours, City Administrator Brent Clark said the Park Board recommended the following ordinance:
“City parks shall be opened to the public every day of the year from 5:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. unless special permission is granted for organized events by the City Administrator, Park Superintendent, or Park Foreman. No person or vehicle shall be within any park except during the operating hours.”
Police Chief Steve Scott said due to some drug activity and people parking at city parks doing what “they probably shouldn’t be doing,” he did not oppose the implementation of park hours provided that police officers will use their discretion if someone is at the park beyond the approved hours. The council voted to waive the three readings and approved Ordinance 1186.
KENO funds were approved for payments to the Garden Center LLC and to Terry Jensen for plants in the square. Resolution 2018-48 was approved for a payment in the amount of $5,460 to JEO for paving improvements.
Rural Futures Institute intern Jessica Weeder asked the city council to support the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Leadership Community Certification. Weeder and Custer Economic Development Director Andrew Amrbiz said having the certification provides a tool for the community that businesses can use to recruit. Ambriz said it would label Broken Bow as a “prime community for further development.” The leadership certification does not cost the city anything and the council approved supporting it.
Mayor Cecil Burt thanked city departments for doing a “fantastic job” this summer and asked them to keep up the good work. At 12:15 the council moved to go into executive session to discussing ongoing litigation; no decisions were made. The next city council meeting will be on Tuesday, August 14 at 12 p.m.
