Hospital Property Re-Zoning and E3 Pass-Through Funding Discussed at Council Meeting

SIDNEY--The City Council of Sidney met for their regular meeting on September 10, and a rezoning ordinance and a Housing Authority Board Appointment were among the items on the agenda. After approving the previous meeting’s minutes, the council moved on to the meeting agenda.

The first item of business concerned Ordinance 1864, providing for the rezoning of a parcel of land located in part of the Southwest quarter of Section 33, Township 14 North, Range 49 West of the 6th P.M. In Cheyenne County from A (Agricultural) to C1 (Central Business District-medical use). Sidney Regional Medical Center CEO Jason Petik addressed the council members and said the land was 40 acres that the Hospital Association owns that they would like re-zoned. The initial request was approved by the Planning Commission, and they are currently waiting for a feasibility study to be completed. SRMC is seeking to eventually place a Cancer Center on the land, and to obtain USDA funding the zoning change must go through for funding to be approved. Petik said no objections were raised by the Planning Commission, and letters have been sent to all adjacent property owners with no complaints or challenges received. There were no public comments or objections raised, and the council unanimously approved the zoning change.

The council approved the reappointment of Van Kitt to the Housing Authority Board for a five-year term. Kitt has been a member of the Housing Authority Board since 2018. There are currently five members on the board.

Sara Sinnett of the E3 group addressed the council with a Navigator Grant Pass-Through proposal. She explained to the council that the E3 group cannot technically hire employees, and Navigator Alicia Juelfs is currently being paid through the Sidney Public Schools, which are reimbursed 100% by the E3 group. The E3 group was asking the City of Sidney to take on the role that the Sidney Public Schools currently have, acting as a “pass-through” for the E3 reimbursements. Sinnett stressed, “This is not a ploy to get E3 on the City payroll", and the action was being proposed to take the responsibility away from the Sidney Public Schools. City Attorney Jay Leef was concerned that using the City of Sidney as the pass-through could technically make the E3 group a “quasi-government agency”, and that she would need to consult with auditors and legislative rules before moving forward. Leef clarified this action was necessary as there are laws regarding libraries and other government-run institutions, but there has been no legislation regarding E3. Sinnett said that if the answer to the request is ultimately “No”, the group had other options available.

There also was a discussion with City Manager David Scott and Finance Director Kegan Carwin concerning the 2024-2025 budget, with details on expenditures and revenues. For a full accounting of these figures, go to http://www.cityofsidney.org and select the “Government” tab.