City makes some changes to One and Six Street Plan

    Each year, cities and small towns in the state must devise a plan for street improvements for the coming year and beyond.
    It’s one of the requirements for cities and other governmental entities to receive highway allocation funds.
    A public hearing on Imperial’s street improvement plans for the coming year and the six years following was held at Monday’s council meeting, and gained council approval.
    A few changes were made to what was presented, moving one project up  to the one-year planning, and adding a new project to the six-year plan.
    David Blau, with city engineer Miller & Associates in McCook, reviewed the plan with the council.
    The only projects on the one-year plan were completing the paving projects on Holland and East 2nd Streets, he said.
    However, the council directed the engineer to move the paving and drainage work on Shorthorn Street, that had been in the six-year plan, up to the one-year plan. That paving would run from East 12th to East 10th Street, just west of Chase County Schools.
    A project not in the plan presented was added to the six-year planning, according to the discussion.
    The added project would extend East 9th Street from Longhorn to Highway 61.
    Public Works Supt. Pat Davison said the East 9th Street paving was one that Mayor Dwight Coleman has brought up in the past. It would be necessary to purchase some property to the north to make it a full width street, with paving to follow.
    Davison reminded council members the plan can be easily altered if a project arises not on the one-year list.
    Blau said projects on the one-year plan do not mean they must be completed that year. Changes also do not require a public hearing anymore, although Blau recommended that be done.
    “It’s just a plan for moving forward,” Blau said.
    In other business, the council took action on several nuisance issues. Amy Sauer of West Central Nebraska Development District reviewed the properties at issue via zoom.
    Three former declared nuisances were rescinded at 1333 Grant, 1330 Park and 395 East South Streets.
    Seven properties will be abated, while 11 others will receive five-day notices for cleanup. Sauer said those properties with tenants in them will receive the notice personally.
    One property at 130 East 9th Street, which was on Sauer’s list for discussion, will be given more time at Sauer’s recommendation.
    While it was recommended to declare a nuisance at 1711 Broadway, the council chose not to proceed as progress is being made. It was also unclear whether equipment on the property was operable or not and if the large chemical containers were reusable.
    Sauer said the Broadway property will be removed from their list.
Other business
    In other business the council voted to call a series of 2017 bonds for refinancing.
    By taking advantage of lower interest rates, Bruce Lefler with Piper Sandler said the refinancing would reduce the city’s debt service about $12,000 annually.
    The ordinance approved Monday states the new bond issue will not exceed $1.2 million. The bonds will be paid off in 2037.
    The council formally accepted as a gift the Welcome to Imperial sign at the city’s east edge, previously owned by the chamber of commerce. City Attorney Josh Wendell will work with the property owner on a new land lease for the property it sits on.
    Two bids on roof repair above the city offices were tabled for more information and a $436,954.73 payment to Nielsen Contracting of Kearney was approved. They are the firm doing the paving on East 2nd and Holland Streets.
    Other action approved the Citizen’s Advisory Committee’s semi-annual report.