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HARTINGTON — The wheels are now in motion to replace the outdated Hartington city shop.
In May, voters approved bonding $1.3 million to build a new shop to replace the outdated facility the city is currently using.
In that same election, voters rejected a plan to move and refurbish the Skylon so it could be used as a community center. Hartington Mayor Mark Becker said community leaders will now have to come up with a new plan for a community center.
The new city shop will be designed to house the city's fleet of vehicles, equipment and supplies, and will have plenty of room to work on equipment as well.
Becker said city officials are currently examining possible sites for the new seven-bay structure.
The City Council last week met with a representative of D.A. Davidson, an Omaha firm which specializes in helping municipalities set up and sell bonds.
The company will act as the underwriter and will then sell the bonds for the city.
The Council approved an ordinance to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds 'not to exceed $1.3 million.'
The bonds will not exceed 5.5 percent interest, and the bonds must be fully paid off within 20 years.
Becker said he is not sure when the project will be ready to go to bid, but doesn't expect that process to take too long.
'This project is so simple, we built something just like it a few years ago. This shouldn't take too long for the engineers to sign off on it,' Becker said.
The design for the new city shop replicates the new Hartington Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall.
The Council also approved zoning changes last week for Nick Haselhorst and Daniel Heimes Trucking.
Both properties, on the northeast edge of Hartington, are being rezoned from residential to light industrial to allow for the construction of steel buildings for their businesses.
Haselhorst said he wants to use the property he owns in northeast Hartington to 'make a home' for his business, Level Up Builders.
Council members also learned at their May 28 meeting that the new city garbage truck has arrived and is now in use.
The council talked about selling the old truck. The village of Wynot has shown interest in buying the old garbage truck.
The Council also gave its approval for closing down Broadway Avenue from Highway 84 to Main Street for the Aug. 3 Hartington Dayz event which is again being organized by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Council also clarified a recent decision to make sure residential and commercial properties were being billed correctly on their sewer bills.
Hartington City Clerk Brittni Benscoter asked the Council to clarify whether the community's seven apartment complexes should be billed as commercial or residential.
The Council advised her all residences, including multiple family dwellings, are considered as residential.
The Council also got an update during their May 28 meeting on improvements at East Park.
Councilman Colin Kathol said the new pickle ball court is ready.
The Council also learned that preparations are being made to build an additional batting cage at Felber Park so the facility will be ready for this summer's American Legion State Baseball Tournament.
Councilman Chris Bartling said the municipal swimming pool was opened on time and without a hitch.
Councilman Roman Sudbeck said the new softball-baseball restroom and concessions building is complete and being used at the Community Complex.
Sudbeck also said plans call for a new public address system to be installed this summer by Mid States Audio and Video of Sioux Falls, S.D.
Tthe City Auditorium closed June 1 and will be painted and the floor refinished.
Benscoter also informed Council members that she was told during a recent conversation she had with Neb. Dept. of Natural Resources officials, that several more Hartington properties will soon be considered out of the flood plain, which should help those properties with loans and insurance.
