City Sets New Hearing for Building Purchase

On April 9, a four-member Sidney Council denied a proposal to purchase a three-story office building and related parking lots with a split vote, two councilmen in favor and two against.

Mayor Roger Gallaway was absent.

Concerns by the public ranged from why the City is investing in real estate to how does the City have $1 million to spend when it cut the budget last year.

Friday, April 12, the city council met for a special meeting to schedule a second public meeting on the proposed purchase. All five members of the council were present Friday.

At the meeting, Gallaway said that after consulting with City staff and meeting with council members, he felt there were questions left unanswered. 

"I felt in all fairness we should answer the questions more completely," Gallaway said Friday.

City Manager Ed Sadler said the proposal was not defeated, nor was it approved.

"The motion was not passed. It did not fail," Sadler said. 

He said it did not pass because the council did not have a majority vote.

Larry Nelson, present at the Friday meeting, complained that the council intended to revisit the issue until it passed.

"This kind of looks like 'if you don't get your way, you'll change the rules until you get your way,'" he said.

Vice-Mayor Joe Arterburn said no rules have been changed in the procedure.

"This did not win or lose. That's why we're starting from scratch again," Sadler said.

Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard said the UST Global president plans to attend the April 23 meeting to answer questions about the company and its plans for Sidney.

Gallaway said it is the City's perspective to manage assets in the best possible way and develop new jobs in the community. 

"The building is an asset, a shining jewel," he said.

The new public meeting was set for April 23 with a 4-1 vote, councilman Bob Olsen voting against the measure.