The Columbus City Council has a packed agenda for its upcoming 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, 2023, meeting.
The Council will hear a quote from Nebraska Golf and Turf in the amount of $17,280 for 96 batteries for golf carts at Quail Run Golf Course and consider Resolution No. R23-47 to authorize payment of various improvement projects.
The Council will then consider a request from Rachelle Lipker, an executive director of the American Red Cross serving central and western Nebraska, to sign a proclamation declaring the month of March 2023 as “Red Cross Month.”
Resident Nicole Saalfeld, who owns Cork & Barrel, is also scheduled to meet with the City Council during the meeting in hopes of approval for a Retail Class C liquor license for her separate business at 1365 24th Ave. The Council will also consider an application for her as manager of that business in conjunction with the liquor license.
Under new business, the City Council will hear a quote from Electric Pump in the amount of $73,900 for lift station control updates for the wastewater collection department; and a report on the Northeast Nebraska Solid Waste Coalition budget and rates for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2023.
When it comes to resolutions, the Council will consider:
*Resolution No. R23-48: Approving grant agreement with Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce in an amount not to exceed $500,000 to be used as local matching funds for a state grant from Nebraska Rural Workforce Housing Fund in relation to workforce housing projects using economic development "840" funds, as recommended by the Citizens Advisory Review Committee.
*Resolution No. R23-49: Awarding bid to BD Construction Inc. in the amount of $155,875 for an entry renovation project for the senior center.
*Resolution No. R23-50: Approving an agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $88,665 for a water and wastewater user rate study.
*Resolution No. R23-51: Approving an agreement with Confluence in an amount not to exceed $207,270 for Pawnee Park and Gerrard Park master plan.
*Resolution No. R23-52: Approving a memorandum of understanding with the Columbus Area Arts Council to develop a vision for a creative district in Columbus' historical downtown.
During the meeting, the City Council will also hear financial department reports and there will be time for comments from the mayor and council members, among other things.
Councilman J. Prent Roth, who represents the Fourth Ward, said he encourages residents to attend the City Council meetings.
“Be involved,” Roth said. “If you’re involved, you know what’s going on. You can voice your input.”
The meeting will take place at the Columbus City Council Chambers, 1369 25th Ave. It will be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube page.
You can view the full agenda here.