Council gives OK to funds for lake restoration

COLUMBUS -- The City Council approved funds for the Columbus Hospital Lake Restoration Project during its meeting Monday.

The council unanimously approved a resolution for the bid of $241,122 by Kohl Construction Inc. of Schuyler to develop and improve the lake property.

City Engineer Merlin Lindahl reported that the local contribution will be 15 percent of that cost. The Lower Loup Natural Resource District will contribute half, 7.5 percent, and the City of Columbus will contribute the other 7.5 percent, or $36,168.

The project also is being completed in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

The restoration project will include drudging and cleanup of the lake, which is located southeast of hospital, and installation of a handicap accessible fishing dock.

The council also advanced Ordinance 08-14 to a third reading, which is expected to be conducted during the June 16 meeting. The ordinance would annex 32 acres of land at East 18th Avenue and 28th Street that would be divided into two pieces, 20 acres to be leased for the new Nebraska National Guard armory and 12 acres to be developed into a city park.

The annexation, bringing the property into city limits, is required by state statute, which states the armory must be located within city limits.

In other news the council:

• approved, after its first reading, Ordinance 08-15 to authorize issuance of bond anticipation notes in the approximate amount of $895,000 for temporary financing of street improvement districts 174, 175, 176 and 177; water extension districts 57, 58 and 60; and sewer extension district 42.

• approved an application, as part of the consent agenda, of Scotus Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School for a special designated liquor license for the fourth annual Bid-A-Bag fundraiser Aug. 21.

• approved Troy Urkoski as a police officer as part of the consent agenda.

• approved a resolution to name the North Arterial project as Lost Creek Parkway as part of the consent agenda.

• approved the application of Callaway Truck Equipment of Shelby for a solid waste hauling license as part of the consent agenda.