BROKEN BOW-The Broken Bow City Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on August 27, in the Municipal Building.
Early in the meeting, council members scheduled the 2024-2025 Budget Hearing for September 24th at 5 p.m. It was decided to have the regular city council meeting immediately follow.
The council unanimously approved the reappointment of Rick Maas to the Broken Bow Housing Authority Board. Maas’s term is now extended through August 2029.
The council turned their attention to a property on 843 N. 6th Avenue. Unfortunately, no bids were made for the property, prompting plans to reassess its future use or sale strategy.
The council also approved an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Broken Bow and the Broken Bow Airport Authority for the 2024-2025 Budget Year. City Administrator Dave Schmidt noted that the agreement has remained unchanged through the past several years.
The council approved temporarily closing parking spaces on the northwest corner and south side of the square on September 12 from approximately 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. This closure will accommodate Healthcare on the Square, ensuring smooth operation and safety for participants.
To address public safety during the BBPS construction project, parking on C Street will be temporarily eliminated for the 2024-2025 school year. This measure aims to protect citizens from potential construction hazards.
Several ordinances were also enacted during the meeting. Ordinance 1287, which involves the removal of 10 parking stalls on North 9th Ave and North C Street, was approved following recommendations from the Board of Adjustments. Four of the parking spaces are on the east side of North 9th Ave, and the other six are on the north side of North C Street. The removal is expected to improve safety and help traffic flow.
Ordinance 1288 was passed to designate two handicap parking stalls on the east side of North 9th Avenue. Broken Bow High School Superintendent Darren Tobey underscored the necessity of these ADA-style stalls, noting that they would be complemented by a new elevator on the South side of the building to enhance accessibility for students.
The council faced some debate over Ordinance 1289, which was approved by a narrow margin of 2 yes to 1 no. This ordinance allows BBPS to reserve two parking stalls at North Park Elementary in the designated student drop-off and pick-up lanes, one on the north side and the other on the south side of the school. There is an estimated two car gap between the reserved spot and the carpool lanes. The stalls will be clearly marked and supervised on a rotating quarterly basis. The stalls will be reserved on a temporary basis for the 2024-25 school year. Jessica Gibbons explained to the council that this measure supports a continuous fundraising effort for a new all-inclusive playground at North Park Elementary, with raffles for the spaces planned for the future.
Mayor Sonnichsen adjourned the meeting at 6:29 p.m., and the next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10.
