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Atkinson council OKs LB840 spending for senior center and an income survey, approves multiple permits and downtown parking changes
Summary
The council approved a $3,752.05 LB840 grant for the Atkinson Senior Center, funded a $5,000 income survey to reassess CDBG eligibility, tabled a proposal to charge LB840 loan applicants attorney fees, and approved several building and tear-down permits plus a no-parking sign and outreach on scooter safety.
The Atkinson City Council approved an LB840 nonprofit grant of $3,752.05 for repairs at the Atkinson Senior Center and voted to fund an income survey by the Central Nebraska Economic Development District (CNEDD) at a cost of $5,000, to be paid from the LB840 budget. Council members emphasized that completing the survey does not guarantee renewed CDBG eligibility but will provide a more accurate low-to-moderate-income (LMI) percentage following the 2023 HUD survey that placed Atkinson’s LMI at 37.5%.
The council tabled a proposal to charge attorney fees to LB840 loan applicants and directed Economic Development Director Cheye Young to consult two other Nebraska towns that currently charge such fees to learn how they bill or include the fees in loans. Cheye Young also was asked to report back on the amounts and methods those towns use.
The council approved several development permits: a building permit for David Hytrek (203 North Belle Street), a building permit for Sandhills Renewable Energy, LLC to install one fermentation tank, one evaporator and two ethanol dehydration vessels at 87590 Hillcrest Road, a building permit for Colby Deseive (408 East Neely Street), and a tear-down permit for MCO Properties to remove a barn at 806 North Carberry Street. Council also approved a Special Designated License for FIBER, Inc. at the Phil Keating Memorial Building and authorized installing a 'No Parking' sign on the south side of State Street from Belle to Hyde to ease congestion near a new coffee shop.
Officer Michelle Hallstrom told the council she had placed an article in the Atkinson Graphic about scooter and bicycle safety after complaints; the council discussed outreach including a proposed 'Safety Day' at the Community Center and social media postings. The minutes record concerns about scooters and bicycles operating in downtown and ask for voluntary compliance because no state statutes specifically regulate electric scooters.
Council member Leo Seger disclosed that he is a member of an investor group called 'Six-Pack' that owns property for sale and said he would abstain from votes involving property owned by Six-Pack. The minutes list routine financial claims and approvals, including a delinquent utilities report for $791.74 and a claims total of $301,612.28.
