City holds on ADA parking until state installs curb ramp

At Kimberly Bishop’s first meeting as a newly-appointed Grant City Council member, one of several discussions was a potential handicapped-accessible parking stall in front of Grant Pharmacy on Central Avenue. 

City Engineer Tom Werblow with TC Engineering of North Platte submitted a letter stating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires every six handicapped-accessible parking stalls be van accessible. Therefore, if there is only one it must be van accessible, which would require the space of two current parking spaces. 

Werblow stated the curb would need to be removed and the sidewalk would need removed and relaid to a slope. The walkway within the sidewalk would also need to be sloped gradually. 

The space would not be centered directly in front of the pharmacy as desired, as it will have to align with existing lane markers and avoid light poles. 

The estimated cost for the project was just over $5,500. 

City Clerk/Treasurer Jessie Faber said the Nebraska Department of Transportation is going to be completing a curb ramp on the corner south of the pharmacy as part of a construction project for District 7. However, it could be up to two years before the construction takes place. 

Councilman Darrell Pierce said if the state is going to be completing work, potentially tearing up work the city completes on a new handicapped-accessible parking stall, he would rather wait until the state is finished. The other council members agreed. 

Housing funds

The council unanimously approved the application and guidelines for the Community Development Block Grant (GDBG) Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation (OOR) program.

The city is applying for $252,000 of CDBG funds to rehabilitate eight owner-occupied homes within the city limits. Up to $25,000 will be offered to those who qualify. Households that fall 80 percent and below area-median income qualify for a 100 percent forgivable loan with 10 percent forgiven each year as long as the home remains the primary residence. 

Rehabilitation will focus on making homes safer and more energy efficient. 

Southwest Nebraska Community Betterment Corporation (SWNCBC) submitted the only bids to serve as both the general and housing administration for approximately $20,000 each. These costs are included in the $252,000 grant request.  

The council unanimously approved SWNCBC to serve as both. 

SWNCBC Executive Director Amy Thelander, who wrote the CDBG grant application on behalf of the city, explained $200,000 of the grant is for direct assistance to eight homes; $20,000, housing administration; $20,000, 

general administration; and 12,000 for lead-based paint inspections. 

Housing administration will be in charge of completing inspections and qualifying homes, and general administration will oversee the entire project. 

SWNCBC began working with the OOR program in 2001 and has administered over $1.5 million to assist 107 homeowners. They’ve assisted 92 homeowners with CDBG funding of $1.9 million through contracting with other communities they serve.

CRA request

Grant’s Community Redevelopment Authority (CRA) requested the council transfer the ownership of 204 Hancock Ave., to the CRA. 

Don Softley, CRA member, said they plan to remove the current house from the lot. 

Councilman Matt Greenwood asked if the corner lot was too small for a duplex. Softley said he thought a small duplex could be put there. He noted one contractor has discussed the options for a duplex but others are thinking a single-family house. 

City Attorney Phil Pierce suggested the CRA submit a written request for the property to the city, specifically stating they want it for redevelopment. He stated if there is ever any litigation, it can’t come back on the city as the request would show the city transferred the property for that purpose. 

Mayor Mike Wyatt asked if they could expect a written request from the CRA. 

“If there is a feeling in the air that we should continue. I guess we were just simply testing the waters to see if it would be met favorably or if we should hold up and go for another project,” said Softley. 

CRA member Kevin Poppe said they have been established for a while and are looking for a demonstration project.

All council members expressed interest in the project and voted to table the transfer until they receive a written request from the CRA. 

Mayor offers thanks

Wyatt thanked Dana Harris for her five-and-half years of service as the city superintendent and Wayne Pick for serving on the tree board.