BROKEN BOW – Broken Bow City Council met at the Broken Bow Municipal Building on Tuesday night starting at 6 PM. Councilman Chris Myers was the only absence.
After the approval of the consent agenda, Library Director Megan Svoboda addressed the board seeking partnership between the library and city for a “story walk” along the Melham Park walking path.
The walk, described as a family-friendly activity, allows walkers to read a story as you follow the pages along the path. Svoboda explained that the pedestals that hold the weather resistant page features are very durable.
“They are made out of metal and then they have plexiglass coverings, and they are very durable. They’re weather resistant. We would actually have the parks guys or city guys help us install these into the ground with cement around them to make them even more durable,” Svoboda said.
She explained further that the Parks Department would have the final say on the placement of each page, with the goal being to put them in locations that are already nearby light poles, benches, and other features that already require the use of a weed eater.
The cost of each stand is $315, with the goal being a total of 25 stands. Svoboda said she and the library foundation hope to have the approximately $7,875 together through fundraising or grants by spring so that the exhibits can go up in the summer. She also stated that continued changing of stories and the costs associated could be through the library foundation or through individual business support. The partnership was approved by council unanimously.
Clint Simmons with the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) came before the board to discuss insurance coverage for the city. He explained that LARM is not an insurance company, but is a risk management pool that according to its website services 175 Nebraska cities, villages, and other governmental agencies. In Simmons’ words, “pretty much all of Highway 2.” An interlocal agreement, rather than a contract signing would be the result if a plan with LARM was chosen by Broken Bow City Council.
After a breakdown of liability, workman’s’ comp, and details on equipment and building coverage, City Administrator Dave Schmidt made his recommendation.
“My recommendation to council was the “90 day notice only” commitment, simply because we’re new to this, we’re new to LARM. And I think it’s important that I say this in a public meeting. We’re very happy with EMC, they’ve done a great job for us. Nate has been wonderful to work with. It’s just simply the market conditions make it very difficult for them to be competitive right now,” explained Schmidt.
With contribution credit options ranging from a 180 day notice 3 year commitment ($337,224) to a 90 day notice only commitment ($354,972.63), council unanimously approved a motion to follow Schmidt’s recommendation for the latter. The Interlocal Agreement was subsequently approved.
In other city council business from Tuesday’s meeting, decisions on a course of action for nuisance properties at 118 South 15th Avenue and 139 South 14th Avenue were postponed to the first City Council meeting in November after a 45 minute closed session in order for more information to be gathered for clarity.
Anna Martin with the Broken Bow Housing Authority (BBHA) presented the annual housing authority report, citing a long list of continued projects and a waitlist being in effect for all unit sizes. Her request for the waiver of PILOT (Payment in lieu of taxes) funds was unanimously approved.
Towards the close of Tuesday’s meeting, council enthusiastically approved the appointment of Dave Baltz as the Emergency Services Department Head, applauding and speaking highly of his continued dedicated work.
During public comment, Broken Bow Police Captain Chris Anderson was invited to the podium where he announced that the department learned today that they would be receiving a $25,000 grant from the Nebraska Department of Highway Safety for new mobile data terminals in their patrol vehicles. He stated the current units were installed in 2019.
Tuesday night’s meeting adjourned at 7:44 PM. The next Broken Bow City Council meeting will be Tuesday October 22, also at 6 PM at the Broken Bow Municipal Building.
