By Kalin Krohe, Panhandle Post
The Alliance City Council recently met to approve a resolution to build a new Public Works Facility to house many city departments. The resolution passed on a 3-2 vote with councilman Earl Jones and Vice Mayor Brian Mischnick voting no.
The Public Works Facility will expand the services for the electric, sewer and water departments, and be utilized for the transit buses. The street department will also move out to the the new building.
"I can't support this," said councilman Earl Jones. "It's a $2 million project to park vehicles. I mean we need a garage to park them. Then we decided to tack on a new place for streets...give the Parks Department the old street garage. $2 million, I mean that's probably four or five times the highest...most expensive house in Alliance. That's just beyond my ability to comprehend that we would think about spending that kind of money."
The project is expected to cost in the range of $1.8-$2 million dollars.
"A good chunk of that cost is expected to be offset by the US Department of Transportation and the State of Nebraska in cost share that is available for the construction of a transit barn to house the city’s buses and vans," said Jeff Sprock, Alliance City Manager. "We anticipate getting the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the State to contribute between $600,000 and $800,000 towards the expansion project. That could bring the city’s cost for the expansion project down to $1-$1.2 million dollars."
Alliance Mayor Mike Dafney was for the resolution because he wants to get things done for the city that haven't been accomplished in a long time.
"I'm trying to move the city forward too with some things we need to get done that haven't been done," said Dafney. "It's more than just a department garage for transit. Streets department is coming over, electric department is getting added...they're out of room."
Council Jones continued with his points on why he's against the project.
"When I look at the utility costs we spend on buildings every month...I mean that set cost...at some point it's got to get cheaper because I can guarantee you we're going to have less people here," Jones added. "That's going to continue. Every time you build a building you add to the fixed cost before we hire anybody...before we do anything...you have a building to heat and cool and maintain. It scares me to death. NPR news said they expect Ag is going to be up 23% this year. The railroad is already talking about laying off 75 people [since this conversation, BNSF has furloughed many Alliance-based employees]. Parker Hannifin sells a lot of hose to the oil industry. Look at the price of oil right now. I mean this community is going to hurt. We're not going to have the money to take care of all these things we're going to buy. It scares me to death to think at some point we're going to have to figure out a way to run this city with a lot less money."
Vice Mayor Brian Mischnick agreed with Jones.
"I just can't wrap my head around why this is costing $2 million dollars," said Ryann Reynolds, Councilwoman. "I was driving on Kansas street...south Potash the other day and there's a brand new repair facility...nice, nice building that would do basically what we need it to do...and I doubt that person invested $2 million dollars."
Councilwoman Annora Bentley said she was concerned about what the city does with the Parks Department employees.
"The poor parks people have never had a decent home," said Bentley. "I'm not saying that the Streets Department garage is the prettiest facility that we have, but at least that would give them a place to work on their equipment. We have to give our people some place to work. I really hate to give away the CARES act money that we could possibly get. We are never going to be able to do this with that much extra money again probably. I understand what you're saying and I appreciate it...and it's scary, but at the same token we have free money available to us that I'd like to take advantage of. "
In other business, Council:
-Approved the AFFF Project at the Alliance Airport. This project is covered at 100% with no cost share from the city.
-Approved the purchase of a 2020 Ford F-250 Extended Cab Pickup in the amount of $32,701.38 from Cover Jones Motor Company in Alliance. This pickup will be used for the Parks Department.
-Approved the purchase of a programmable traffic sign for $14,175. The need for this sign was identified by City Council as a safety concern for the Public Works staff.
-Approved the second quarter financial report from finance director Randy Waggener.