Old Post Road and 11th Avenue project trudges along

The beautification project planned for Old Post Road and 11th Avenue in Sidney is slowly moving forward.

The project, initially proposed last summer, has faced numerous setbacks. The plans call for installing landscaping, a wall and sign at the corner of the two streets.

Barry Swanson, a project manager at Baker & Associates, discussed the project at Tuesday night’s Sidney City Council meeting.

He said when the proposal was initially put out to bid last fall, no quotes were received. When a bid was finally submitted, the numbers were unacceptable.

“So then we tried to break the project down into three pieces,” he said.

The separate pieces include: sign and lighting, landscaping and a decorative wall.

While two of the projects recently received bids, there were none for the wall.

“Since then, we’ve been trying to go out and find someone to build the wall,” he said. “And we finally have come up with two.”

The councilors expressed concern that the project has grown in price. Last May, the work was estimated to cost $215,375. The current total cost – including engineering and construction – is now $277,753. However, the council has the option of using an uncommitted contingency fund, which has been set aside for this specific use, to help make up the difference.

Nienhueser said he was nervous about the price, and other councilors wanted more information about the materials that would be used in the construction.

“We’re going to have to table this matter until next meeting,” he said.

Also at the meeting:

• An application to hold the Annual Sidney Gold Rush Days celebration in Legion Park was approved. John Vera, from the Sidney Gold Rush Days Committee, the event will take place June 12-13 and include music, entertainment, food, games and demonstrations. This year, a tour bus will also run throughout the day, making trips to Boot hill Cemetery and the museum.

• Special designated licenses were unanimously approved for several dates for Two J’s Inc./Two J’s Too liquor store. Joel Nienhueser said the licenses would allow the store to host tastings of new wine, beer and liquor varieties.

• An ordinance was unanimously passed creating a street improvement district for Anna Drive and Outfitter’s way in the Reganis Subdivision. But when Don Dye, a transportation engineer, and Tim Reganis, the property owner, then asked the council to approve a resolution that included proposed plans for the construction of streets in the improvement district, a lengthy debate ensued. The resolution ultimately failed.

The debate centered on the location of sidewalks. The plans submitted by Dye called for 5-foot wide sidewalks to be located next to the curb on both sides of the street in the development. However, Sidney Mayor Mark Nienhueser said his understanding from previous conversations was that the sidewalks would be placed further back from the curb, up to the edge of the city’s right of way – allowing for easier snow plowing of the streets. The area between the curb and sidewalk would then be landscaped, creating a green space, he added.

Nienhueser also said he recalled an agreement that an 8-foot wide trail would be included in the plans, to provide connectivity with walking trails the city is currently constructing in the area.

Reganis said he preferred having the sidewalk closer to the curb. A green space between the curb and sidewalk would be hard to maintain and make the property look smaller, he said.

Reganis also said he had never agreed to pay for the 8-foot wide trail.

“I’ll guess we’ll have to disagree,” Nienhueser said.

A vote on the resolution failed, 3-2.

• A franchise agreement with McBride’s Yard Waste was amended. The initial agreement was passed in February. At the time, City Manager Gary Person while the contract has no financial implications, it was recommended since the company would be using city streets. On Tuesday, Jonathan McBride asked the council to make a slight change to the wording of the agreement. He asked a provision stating the contract was effective for one year and then could be renewed for one year instead say it’s effective for one year and can be renewed for additional one-year durations.

• In his report to the council, Person said the Hillside Golf Course had been closed since the weekend and was expected to reopen Thursday. The closure was due to the rain and snow Sidney received on Saturday and Sunday.

“That was the recommendation of staff because of weather issues and erosion,” he said.

Golf carts could potentially cause damage to the wet sod, he added.

The closure meant the first men’s night league was postponed.

• The next Sidney City Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 7:15 p.m. at city hall.