Council Renews Chamber Contract

The Sidney City Council agreed July 28 to continue its contract with the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce. 

The contract is for the Chamber to execute "services and deliverables" for the City each fiscal year, according to the summary presented to council members. 

"I think we put as many results and checks and balances in it as we could," said Economic Development Director Melissa Norgard.

In the contract, the Chamber is to work with the city's Economic Development office on projects including recruitment of new retail and service businesses in Sidney and the county, assisting existing retail and service businesses. The Chamber is also to assist with the updated downtown master plan, tours for potential employees from requesting companies and organize tours of available properties in Sidney and Cheyenne County.

The City contracts with the Chamber in exchange for $25,000 in support, paid in quarterly increments.

"We're happy with the contract," Chamber President Hope Feeney said.

In the discussion, Vice-Mayor Joe Arterburn questioned the progress of the Chamber and the report saying he did not support the Hickory Street Square project.

"I never said I wasn't in support," Arterburn said. 

Feeney said the report on the Hickory Street Square project does not identify one person or agency as responsible for the project's demise, but looks at all involved. 

The agreement with the Chamber was approved with a 5-0 vote.

In other business, the city council approved expanding the areas with diagonal parking. When the council was previously asked to approve limited diagonal parking, following the City's zoning code, six areas had diagonal parking: Illinois to Hickory Streets on 18th, 17, 16th, 15th, 14th, 12th, 11th and 9th; Jackson to Illinois Streets on 20th, 18, 12th, 11th, 9th and 8th; from Linden to King Streets on 11th and 12th Avenues; on Jackson Street from 12th to 13th Avenue, and 19th to 21st Avenue; and on Linden Street from 19th to 22nd Avenue.

Businesses and organizations were encouraged to petition the Planning and Zoning Board if they desired to remain diagonal parking. The following areas were approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and advised for the city council to approve: The Well Church at 432 20th Avenue (seven spaces on 20th Avenue), Christ Episcopal Church at 1205 10th Avenue (nine spaces on Linden Street), The Catholic Church at 1020 13th Avenue (21 spaces on King Street and 14 spaces on 14th Avenue), St. Paul's Lutheran Church at 1424 Maple St. (10 spaces on 15th Avenue and eight spaces on Maple Street), St. Paul's Education Building at 1432 15th Avenue (eight spacers on 15th Avenue), New Heart Fellowship Church at 1545 King Street (three spaces on King Street and eight spaces on 16th Avenue), Light Memorial Presbyterian Church at 1345 Linden St. (10 spaces on 14th Avenue and six spaces on Linden Street)  and Best Plumbing and Heating at 2044 Illinois St. (eight spaces on 21st Avenue.

The council also approved a new fee schedule for 2021. Adult daily swimming will cost $5.50, and annual passes $99, and youth daily passes will cost $4.50 and $68 for annual passes. Annual golfing junior pass (17 and under) will be $165, $205 for college, $590 for a single membership, $775 for a couples membership, $499 for seniors 62 and older, senior couples are $625 and family memberships (children through age 21) is $925. Nine-hole cart rental is $10 per person, $17 for 18 holes. Cart storage in the City buildings is $369 and $499 in the clubhouse.