City council again declines purchase of downtown lots

For the second time, in recent weeks, members of the Superior City Council declined an opportunity to purchase two of the three vacant lots located between Superior Spirits and Flatwater Bar & Grill.

Brandon Fullerton offered to sell the lots and use the proceeds to install a new hood in his establishment’s kitchen. The hood has been purchased but when Fullerton went to replace a nonworking hood, the fire marshall’s office refused to allow it to be attached to the common wall location of the previous hood. Consequently, relocation of the hood will require a rearrangement of the food preparation area.

At the Feb. 27, council meeting, a request to purchase the lots without a specific use in mind was turned down.

In the interval since, a plan to purchase the lots and build a speculative shell building was devised. According to the plan which was rejected on a 3-2 council vote, the city would finance the construction with a yet to be obtained grant. When the building was sold, the buyer would have to finish the interior.

It would be a generic, configurable buiding that could be used for anything from retail to a warehouse type business with little effort. It would already have utilities. Mayor Chris Peterson said he thought it would look better and be easier to market than an empty lot.

Now that it is known the lots are for sale, some members of the council are hopeful a private buyer will be secured.

In other business, representatives of two agencies based in Hastings were present to request the city’s financial support.

Elias Wilson and Jo Bair, representing enCourage, a government agency formerly known as SASA, explained their program and work in Nuckolls County. They requested and received a $2,500 donation.

enCourage serves residents of Adams, Clay, Webster and Nuckolls counties. The agency works with those involved with sexual or spousal abuse. It maintains a safety shelter, provides safety training and classes for the perpetrators.

Casey Muzic representing Midland Area on Agency asked the council to renew the city’s commitment of $15,200 for fiscal year 2024. That agency serves eight Nebraska counties,

In 2022, the agency helped to provide 6,277 congregate meals in Nuckolls County, 601 to go meals, 3739 home delivered meals and 1,493 transportation rides.

The agency served four people under the age of 60, 57 between the ages of 60 and 74, 59 between the ages of 75 and 84 and 47 who were 85 or older. Muzic said the average age of the clients served by the agency is advancing.

The council approved the hiring of Seth Going as swimming pool manager and Lindsay Hamilton, Declan Miller, Lilly Edwards, Colton Butler, Ariana Heusinkvelt and Halle Bargen as lifeguards. Applications are still being accepted for the assistant manager’s position and additional lifeguards. Also approved was the hiring of Heath Korb as a seasonal park department employee. A position he has previously held.

Restriction of traffic in Lincoln Park for both the Mother’s Club Easter Egg Hunt and the Living Faith Fellowship Eggstravaganza was approved for the morning of April 8. Barricades and signs will be posted and a police officer will be present to direct traffic.

The council approved retaining Main Street Floral to complete landscaping near the entrance to West Evergreen Cemetery. Last year a retaining wall was installed near the entrance to help stabilize the road. Last fall an irrigation system was install to allow for future landscaping. Mainstreet Floral agreed to plant and maintain the plants for two years. The cost to the cemetery’s perpetual care fund will be $2,967.62. Flowers will include shrub roses, blue salvia, ornamental grasses and daylilies.