North Platte’s city council chambers was more than full Tuesday with supporters for a new tennis/pickleball complex at Cody Park.

The audience spilled out into the hall as the council members reviewed the bids.

The first bid was from Beveridge, Inc. of North Platte for $349,595 to remove and replace the soil for the project. The second bid was from LER Inc, dba Renner Sports Surfacing of Denver, for $1.067 million to construct the courts.

The city’s contracted engineer, Brent Burklund, said a start date for dirt work is yet to be scheduled.

Burklund said Renner Sports Surfacing plans to start in late July and hopes to open the courts for play in October.

Pickleball organizer Kevin Wood thanked Mayor Brandon Kelliher for pushing them to greater plans for tennis and pickleball to Cody Park, and he thanked the city administration and council for supporting the project.

Wood also thanked former Mayor Dwight Livingston for providing the seed money for the project and the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation for helping collect and track the nearly $500,000 that they raised.

Wood said many individuals and businesses contributed. John Lehmer of the tennis association expressed pride in the tennis and pickleball communities coming together to see this project come to life. Tennis player Tami Kaschke said she is excited that Renner Sports is chosen for construction because they are dedicated to the process, and their past work shows they will use the best materials to ensure that the courts last a long time on the soft soils of the park.

Eric Seacrest of the Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation said this project is another example of what can happen when the community comes together to work for a cause. Councilwoman Donna Tryon said Pickleball Ambassador Barb Baldrige, who has been influential in bringing pickleball to North Plate, could not attend but was watching from home.

Kelliher said they would be remiss not to acknowledge Baldrige’s outstanding work over several years on this project.

Burklund also said the total price of $1.42 million was under the budgeted amount of $1.5 million. He said Renner Sports Surfacing will use post-tension concrete with an expected life of 60-100 years. The plans include eight tennis courts and 10 pickleball courts with seating in the pickleball space.

The council unanimously voted to accept the bids and begin constructing these new courts.

Blighted

Next, the council voted 5-3 to refer another blight and substandard study prepared by Marvin Planning Consultants to the city planning commission. The study covers the 2400-2300 block of West 18th, which consists of vacant land purchased by Rhoades Enterprises, Inc., with the intent to build three apartment complexes there.

The study does not include nine recently built Habitat for Humanity houses just south of the alley.
In January, Councilman Ed Rieker asked if the developer planned to ask for TIF to help with the development. At that time, owner Josh Rhoades assured him he was not planning to ask for any. Since then, Rhoades has discovered that the sewage main is not deep enough to support the planned units. He said estimates for the sewer work came in at just under $1 million.

“If you take (the cost of) a million dollars over 42 properties we’re going to put in there, that project doesn’t work anymore without TIF,” he said.

The council referred the study to the Planning Commission for a public hearing. Tryon, Woods and Rieker voted no.

Public transit

Mayor Brandon Kelliher proclaimed Transit Week, April 21-27, to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the public transportation professionals.

Kelliher said North Platte Public Transit provides hundreds of rides a week to people who would have no other way to get around the community without it. Kelliher thanked each worker for their excellent service.

Police officers

Kelliher swore in two new police officers. He said it was a privilege. Officers Brian Smith and Jesse Sutpin were hired in December.

They completed 16 weeks of training and received their Nebraska Law Enforcement Certification and graduated with the 216th Basic Training Class in Grand Island on April 12.

Scouts

Kelliher also recognized the Scouts from Troop 81 and their leader, Bob Britton. Britton said the scouts are working on their citizenship and community merit badges and would appreciate the chance to talk to a city council member or two.

Britton it was great to see the Scouts learning about their civic duty.

In other business, the council approved:

• The minutes of the April 2 meeting.
• Sending an application for a Class C liquor license for North Platte 80s, a baseball team of Pecos League of Professional Baseball, to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission. The 80s will play this summer at Bill Wood Field.
• An application by Las Mananitas for a special designated liquor license for a Cinco De Mayo fundraiser on May 5 from 4 p.m.-1 a.m.
• A resolution approving the route of the NebraskaLand Days Parade on June 15, which will be the same as last year.
• A resolution permitting the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages on East 5th and Dewey St during Music on the Bricks on May 17-18.
• The application by GL Concepts, LLC dba Good Life on the Bricks, for a special designated liquor license on May 17-18 from noon to 1 a.m. on East 5th and Dewey.
• A resolution to amend the User Fees Resolution for the fiscal year 2023-24 to add MicroTIF Blight and Substandard Application Fee in the amount of $500. If an area is declared blighted and substandard, the fee will not apply.
• Payment of $473,673.22 to Midlands Contracting, Inc., of Kearney, for work on infrastructure on the Twin Rivers Industrial Park, north of State Farm Road and west of Twin Rivers Road.
• Payment of $281,374.15 to Myers Construction of Broken Bow for installation of a new water main at 9th and Buffalo Bill.
• Paying the bills (claims).

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