Council moving forward on City Square development

    City officials took another step Monday toward a potential development of Imperial’s City Square.
    With a new mayor and two new council members seated, a 3-0 vote approved a letter of intent and application for a construction grant that would help fund the development.
    A maximum grant of $562,000, which would have to be matched 50/50 locally, could be awarded to the project from the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund, a fund generated from ticket sales at some of the largest arenas in Nebraska.
    A feasibility study completed the past year included comments at public meetings and survey input from more than 200 people, said Tyler Pribbeno, Imperial’s Community Development Director.
    From that, planners at Miller & Associates designed a space with a $1,639,600 cost estimate.
    Nearly half of the estimated cost, or $780,000, is earmarked for sitework which would include a new concrete parking lot south of the city offices/gym and would correct drainage issues at the library, according to Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland.
    Other items in the plans include an entry sign facing Broadway, portable ice rink, patio seating with shade structure, a playground area, public restroom, fire pit with seating, a raised bandstand stage and a solar-powered car canopy with electric vehicle chargers.
    When the cost estimates were presented earlier this year, planners noted city officials could add to or subtract any of the amenities.
    Pribbeno reiterated that at Monday’s council meeting.
    He said at least one aspect in the plans—the solar-powered canopy—won’t be included because of the agreement the city signed with SE Municipal Solar to build a solar farm at the east edge of Imperial.
    Pribbeno said the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, which coordinates the CCCFF grant funding, informed him letters of intent  to apply for the grant are due Jan. 15, with the actual construction grant application due Feb. 15.
    Awards are to be announced March 30.
    He said the upcoming grant cycle, with the maximum grant at $562,000, is likely to be the largest in awhile.
    He will seek assistance from West Central Nebraska Development District with the grant application.
    He noted survey results indicated a strong support for local fundraising to provide for the city’s 50/50 match if the grant is funded. From the discussion, other grant sources and city sales tax funds could also provide some of the match.
    Council member Doug Gaswick said he supports the use of both the LB 840 (economic development) and community development sales tax money for the project.
    “I feel like the purpose of the sales tax was to help something like this, to help draw people to the community, spend money and generate that kind of revenue,” he said.
    If the grant is received, Pribbeno said the city would have two years to come up with matching funds, and the local dollars raised would be spent first before the grant money kicks in.
    The City Square block includes property all owned by the city—the city office complex, city gym and Lied Imperial Public Library in the block along Broadway between 7th and 8th Streets. Court Street borders the west side of the block.
    Pribbeno noted the feasibility study and proposed designs are available for public viewing at the city office or on the city’s website: imperial-ne.com. The report includes public comments received in the survey.­­­
    Another option on the website is a QR Code that can be scanned with a phone for access to the study and plans.
    There’s also a form there for residents to provide input on the project or the designs if they would like, he said.
New mayor, council
members seated
    Monday’s meeting opened with three new city officials taking oaths of office after their elections in November.
    Mayor Craig Loeffler and council members Nick Colton and Jan Elliott recited the oaths administered by outgoing Mayor Dwight Coleman with a number of family members in attendance.
    Their first two pieces of business included accepting the resignation of Loeffler as a council member and declaring a vacancy on the council.
    Loeffler must appoint a replacement within four weeks, which is expected at the council’s first meeting in January. That appointment must by approved by the council.
    In other housekeeping business, Gaswick was elected Council President and Mayor Loeffler made appointments of city officials, boards and commissions.
    The council moved its January meeting scheduled for Jan. 2 to Tuesday, Jan. 3, since that Monday is a holiday.
    They also voted to recommend Laurel Eckert as manager at Broadway Steakhouse to the NE Liquor Control Commission, a requirement since the restaurant holds a liquor license.