At its Jan. 17 meeting, the Seward City Council:
• approved a temporary lease agreement for William Henry School of the Arts to use the clubhouse at the Seward Community Golf Course as a dance studio while waiting for renovations to a newly purchased studio uptown.
• voted to rezone property north of Highway 34 and west of Evergreen Drive, known as the Luebbe-Martin Addition, from Rural Residential to Urban Residential, then approved a subdivision application to divide the property into two lots that were not previously platted when the land was annexed. One of the property owners plans to construct an accessory building on his lot.
• increased daily green fees at the Seward Community Golf Course from $19 to $20 for nine holes and from $26 to $27 for 18 holes. Annual membership fees ranged from a $7 increase for youth to a $38 increase for families. Cart rental fees also went up.
• increased fees for Blue Valley Campground stays from $15 to $25 per night for a camper unit and from $7 to $10 per night for a tent, with an increase for senior citizens from $10 to $15 per night. Campers will now be limited to seven days at the campground instead of 14.
• approved a construction engineering services agreement with Schemmer Associates Inc. for the Karol Kay Boulevard Box Culvert Improvement Project south of the Plum Creek ballfields in the amount of $39,650.
• awarded a professional services agreement to HDR Engineering Inc. for final design of the interior drainage and pump station improvements project, which helps divert floodwaters from the city levee.
• approved a $120,000 contract with JEO Consulting to help transition the city’s utility location data from its current provider, gWorks, into a new series of maps through a different provider, Esri, which will allow for more detailed location mapping.
• approved an agreement for Sinclair Hille Architects to conduct a space utilization study at City Hall, the Municipal Building and the former Jones Bank drive-through location now owned by the city, as well as for the potential relocation of the Public Works Street Shop. The study will provide recommendations on the most efficient uses of the spaces for future growth planning.
• authorized city administration and the Civic Center Commission to begin the process for selecting an architect for renovations to the Civic Center, specifically to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other updates such as finishes and technology.
• awarded a Community Development Block Grant forgivable loan for downtown revitalization to Polar Lights LLC for new windows, doors, siding and an awning at 115 S. Sixth Street, occupied by H&R Block, in the amount of $13,934.72.
• approved a professional services agreement with BVH Architecture for final design of the Seward Wellness Center.
• approved publication of a request for proposals for the Seward Wellness Center as a construction manager at-risk project.
• authorized the city to apply for a $562,000 grant from the Community and Civic Center Financing Fund Program through the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for the wellness center.
• voted to forward to the city’s insurance company, after minimal discussion, a claim from Reed Electric for repair of a faulty breaker at the Money Smarts location, 103 N. Sixth Street, allegedly caused by the city shutting off the utilities to the location during a recent fire at the building next door.
• approved the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages at the Lied Senior Center for the Employee Annual Awards Banquet on Feb. 10.
