Nathaniel Chitwood

The regular meeting included several key agenda items. The Assistant City Manager announced a public comment meeting scheduled for the following Wednesday concerning the City of McCook's application for the EPA Brownfields Program Grant. The consent agenda involved approving the minutes from the prior meeting, adopting a resolution for levying special assessments for demolition costs, and approving the Second Amendment to a telecommunications site lease agreement for the West Water Tower. Regular agenda discussions included a presentation on the community energy report from NPPD, an update on the youth sports complex project, and a discussion regarding the potential vacating of a gravel road on East "A" Street, with the Council directing staff to prepare an ordinance for consideration at the next meeting. Additionally, the Council received an update on the progress of the new Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Regulations, and Subdivision Regulations. The Council considered and passed Ordinance No. 2026-3111, which adds Chapter 97 to the City Code regarding Public Spaces, Camping, Restrooms, and Parks, including suspending the statutory rule requiring reading on three separate occasions.

The agenda for this regular meeting included two public hearings. The first public hearing concerned a request to modify McCook Zoning Ordinance No. 2016-2929 regarding sign size regulations in the Highway Commercial District, specifically to increase total sign area and maximum sign height. The second public hearing involved a report from the Economic Development Plan Citizen's Advisory Review Committee. The Consent Agenda included approving the minutes from the January 19, 2026, regular City Council meeting, approving an engineering agreement with Miller & Associates for a water main project, accepting Library Advisory Board minutes, receiving Change Orders for the sports complex, and approving a Nuisance Abatement Agreement and Resolution appointing the West Central Nebraska Development District, Inc. as Nuisance Officer. Regular agenda items included an update on the youth sports complex, acceptance of Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2025 Financial Statements, approval for a mural and clock at the Aquatic Park bathhouse, consideration of an ordinance vacating a portion of East "A" Street, approval for pickleball use in the City Auditorium, and a potential executive session regarding pending litigation concerning property at 1111 East "H" Street.

The City Council meeting included several public hearings concerning property matters. Key discussions involved seeking approval for the vacation and final plat for property near West "S" Street and West 7th Street, which led to the passage of Ordinance No. 2025-3112 and Resolution No. 2025-39 to formalize the change and the new plat, respectively. Additionally, two separate public hearings were held to consider Blight and Substandard Studies for Redevelopment Area #7 and Redevelopment Area #8, with subsequent resolutions (No. 2025-40 and No. 2025-41) being approved for each study. Under the consent agenda, items such as receiving city attorney fee agreement details and approving the City of McCook's donation and ACE Fund policies were handled. In the regular agenda, the Council read Ordinance No. 2025-3111 on first reading regarding public spaces, camping, restrooms, and parks, and approved Resolution No. 2025-42 setting meal donation/fee suggestions for senior services. Following the Council meeting, the McCook Community Development Agency convened separately to discuss and approve resolutions (CDA 2025-05 and CDA 2025-06) related to acquiring the St. Catherine's property using a nonrecourse loan from the MEDC to facilitate a redevelopment project.

The meeting included announcements, recognitions, and a presentation to accept the Financial Statements and Supplemental Information for the Fiscal Year ending September 30, 2025. A public hearing was held regarding the City of McCook's/McCook Community Development Agency's application for an EPA Brownfields Program Grant, followed by consideration of a resolution to authorize the grant submission for remediating hazardous materials at the former St. Catherine's Hospital and Convent site. The consent agenda covered forwarding a property damage incident form to the insurance carrier, approving a Change Order for the PFC Gerald L. Walters Youth Sports Complex Infrastructure, receiving the claims for December 2025, approving bid specifications for a new Refuse Transport Trailer, and selecting a section for the 2026 West Central Nebraska Nuisance Abatement Program. The regular agenda addressed an update on the youth sports complex project and consideration of Ordinance No. 2025-3113 concerning the vacating of a portion of East "A" Street.

The meeting included an update on repairs to the deep injection well, with recognition of the Water-Treatment Operator who oversaw the project. Announcements were made regarding upcoming events, including a Planning Commission meeting, a MEDC/Chamber of Commerce mixer, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inclusive playground at Kelley Park, Noel on Norris events, and tours of the new youth sports complex. The council discussed the youth sports complex project, a proposed ACE fund policy, and a proposed City of McCook donation policy. The council also welcomed attending high school students.