York council approves PS&E for Project Access York amid questions about USDOT grant analysis

The York City Council on July 2 approved Resolution 2026-17, clearing preliminary plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) so Project Access York can proceed toward public bidding. Council members voted to advance the project after staff said the PS&E is near the typical 90-percent stage and that bids could be solicited by October.

The resolution authorizes staff to ask the design firm to prepare the bid package, including a bid alternate for trail lighting. City Administrator Dr. Cofer told the council that changes requested during public hearings — including adjustments to avoid restricting parking on Nebraska Avenue — had already been incorporated into the plans. He said ongoing right-of-way negotiations are proceeding and that federal and state liaisons are assisting with compliance and approvals.

Why it matters: Project Access York is using federal grant funding and requires coordination with state and federal transportation authorities. The council’s approval moves the project from design into procurement and obligates staff to continue property negotiations and final compliance steps before construction.

Public concerns and legal questions: During public comment, Amy Lehman asked the council to provide a legal opinion about whether the mayor had authority to execute the USDOT agreement and to re-review the project’s benefit-cost analysis using USDOT guidance. Lehman said the grant application reported a benefit-cost ratio of 1.865 and that roughly $35 million of the reported benefits were categorized as economic impact — items she said USDOT guidance excludes — leaving only an allowed monetized benefit of roughly $38,000 in fuel savings. "When the USDOT guidance is followed, the benefit ratio falls well below 1," Lehman said, and she asked the council to postpone further action until those questions are resolved.

Staff response and timeline: City staff and the council said the Nebraska Department of Transportation is administering the grant and working with the city on compliance, and that federal representatives have reviewed the project during the process. Staff noted the grant was awarded in 2022 and that funds must be obligated in 2026, creating a compressed timeline. Dan Gregory, a utility account manager introduced as the new MPPD liaison, briefed the council on a related utility relocation letter agreement (see separate article) saying the $658,582 estimate for relocating distribution lines is an early estimate and would be billed as actuals at project completion.

Easement and local access concerns: Members of the public raised right-of-way and easement concerns tied to the trail alignment. A Henderson resident said a nearby cell tower and a dug-out driveway had effectively removed a long-standing farm access easement and asked the council to restore access for fuel trucks and consider design adjustments to preserve access to a well. City staff said they are negotiating with property owners and that compensation or temporary arrangements have been used in some cases.

Vote and next steps: After discussion the council voted to approve Resolution 2026-17. The council agreed to release bid documents and include a lighting bid alternate; staff will continue to work with NDOT/INDOT and property owners to resolve easement and acquisition matters prior to letting. The project team will advertise the work for bids with an eye toward an October letting.