Photo by File photo Marc Kaschke

North Platte’s ship of state got its captain back Tuesday night as Mayor Marc Kaschke returned from his fellowship in Germany.

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Kaschke had been gone since Sept. 19. He said that the trip and the experience was an opportunity to gain new perspectives.

“The problems faced in North Platte are faced by people around the world,” Kaschke said.

He stated that he had seen new ways to solve problems. With that, he called the meeting to order.

The council first voted unanimously to authorize the issuance of $5 million in bond anticipation notes to provide cash for the Buffalo Bill Overpass project.

Bruce Lefler of Ameritas Investment Corporation told the council that the notes would redeem construction warrants that had been issued for the project. The notes are at 1.4 percent interest, while the warrants were between 2.69-4.4 percent.

The city would also gain additional cash on hand to move the project along.

The council then voted 8-0 to apply to the Nebraska Energy Office Advanced Renewable Energy Project for $230,000.

The city would be required to match 15 percent of the grant ($30,000) for the $230,000.

Following that passage, the council voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Jamie Winchell-Jones from the City Planning Commission.

The agenda stated that the council would hold a public hearing before taking action against Winchell-Jones, but Kaschke stated that following the publication of the agenda, she tendered her resignation.

Winchell-Jones had not attended a City Planning Commission meeting since July 2008, the agenda said.

Dan McGuire, Third Ward representative, asked City Attorney Doug Stack if a public hearing still needed to be held. Stack responded that the resignation made the hearing unnecessary.

The council then voted 8-0 to extend the end date of a Community Development Block Grant Comprehensive Revitalization Category Contract so the funds are available until August 31, 2010.

The money is to be used in the area east of Buffalo Bill Avenue west to Adams Avenue and South from 19th Street to Seventh Street.

The next item on the agenda was the second reading to adopt an ordinance to rezone the property at 1501 E. Twelfth Street from a residential district to an industrial district.

The Fourth Ward’s Larry Lee Britton moved to suspend the rule requiring three different readings of the new ordinance.

Don Kurre of the Third Ward asked Britton why.

Britton responded that the council may as well suspend the readings because it doesn’t involve any other body besides the city of North Platte.

The council then voted unanimously to authorize the Lincoln County Clerk to verify the signatures on a petition submitted to the city regarding the city’s hotel occupancy tax. The County Clerk would be verifying that the needed number of signatures were on the petition. The council also authorized reimbursing the County Clerk for her time.

The council then passed an ordinance directing and authorizing the sale of several lots to Dana Point Development Corporation for $120,000. The rule requiring that the ordinance be read on three separate occasions was suspended by a unanimous vote of the council.

An 8-0 vote authorized Kaschke to sign an agreement with Joseph R. Hewgley and Associates, an architectural firm, for design and oversight services on the new public transit storage facility.

A public hearing was then held on the removal of the traffic lights at Fifth and Dewey. The lights had been changed to flashing red, with stop signs posted below. The complete removal of the traffic lights had been proposed. The council voted 8-0 to remove the lights after no one spoke at the hearing.

No accidents have been recorded at the intersection since the switch.

The council also unanimously approved a lease agreement and recycling agreement with Borges Enterprises, accepted certificates of completion from the Engineering Department for several projects, and approved two special permits for T & D Liquors for wine tastings in November.

After the meeting the mayor opened the floor to public comments.

Local contractor Bob Pederson took the podium and asked why the city had awarded a contract for the new transit building to Joe Hewgley’s firm when the city already had a full-time engineer.

He also wondered if Hewgley’s position as a County Commissioner represented a conflict of interest.

City Attorney Doug Stack stated that while the public could pose questions to the council during the comment time, they should not expect a response.

Robert Killham addressed the council and restated his desire that a cabin be constructed in Cody Park, like the old Boy Scout cabin. Killham, a contractor, said he would provide some of the materials and oversee the project for free if the city would provide the rest of the money and materials.

He also stated his belief that North Platte doesn’t do enough to promote Cody Park. He said that it is probably the most historical site in the state, and that the first rodeo in the world was held there.

That is a dubious claim. The first rodeo is believed to have been held in Deer Park, Colorado in 1869. Nonetheless, this is the second time that Killham addressed the council about the old boy scout cabin in the park.

Killham noted that the building could come of use to events such as Railfest and Arts in the Park.

“Cody Park deserves it,” he said.