Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
North Platte Mayor Brandon Kelliher is highlighting a wide range of decisions following a nearly three-hour city council meeting Tuesday night, pointing to ongoing development, infrastructure investments, and zoning changes across the community.
During an interview Wednesday morning, Kelliher said the length of the meeting reflects the amount of work ahead for the city this year.
“It was a good meeting, lots of good discussion… not quite three hours,” Kelliher said. “We have a lot of business to do this year and we got started with it this month.”
The meeting began with approval of appointments and reappointments to the North Platte Tree Board. Kelliher took time to recognize the role of volunteer boards in the community.
“They serve their community for free… they don’t get paid anything and they have to go to meetings and attend to city things,” he said, adding the board plays a key role in maintaining the city’s Tree City USA designation.
Council members also approved a small subdivision project along Rodeo Road that will allow for new duplex housing. As part of the approval, developers will be required to include sidewalks.
“We want to try to make the community as walkable as possible,” Kelliher said, noting the importance of keeping pedestrians safely separated from highway traffic.
In Cody Park, work is moving forward on a new shelter after the council approved more than $38,000 in funding for concrete work. Kelliher said the cost is tied to the need for a strong foundation.
“The concrete for this is about three feet deep and that’s one of the reasons it’s rather expensive,” he said.
The city is also moving ahead with repairs to its fuel system near the Public Service Department after determining it was the most cost-effective long-term option. Kelliher explained the city saves money by purchasing fuel in bulk, allowing the investment to pay for itself over time.
“If we figure we’re paying 50 cents a gallon less… this repair pays for itself in about three years,” he said.
One of the larger infrastructure projects discussed was the industrial wastewater treatment plant tied to Sustainable Beef. Kelliher said the project is nearing completion, with only the final portion remaining.
“We’re getting to basically the last 10% of the project,” he said.
He also emphasized that the cost of the facility is not being passed on to local taxpayers.
“Sustainable Beef… pay for the industrial wastewater plant. City of North Platte taxpayers do not pay for the industrial wastewater industrial plant,” Kelliher said.
At the Wild West Arena, the council approved a conditional use permit for a new permanent beverage facility ahead of NebraskaLand Days. The upgrade will replace temporary tents used during events.
“If there’s high wind… those tents aren’t particularly stable,” Kelliher said, adding the new structure will improve both safety and crowd flow.
Housing and zoning issues were also a key focus of the meeting. The council approved changes allowing a property near North River Road to be subdivided and developed for additional residential use.
“That’s the residential low-density,” Kelliher said, explaining the change is necessary when agricultural land is divided into smaller parcels.
Another zoning decision involving property near East 2nd Street prompted discussion from neighbors concerned about introducing commercial development into a residential area. Kelliher acknowledged those concerns but said the location sits on the edge of an area that already includes a mix of uses.
“If this was a random house in the middle of a neighborhood… the council would have said no,” he said.
The measure ultimately passed on a close vote, with Kelliher casting the deciding vote to move the process forward.
Council members also advanced an ordinance related to manufactured housing foundations, aimed at providing safer and more practical options in areas with high water tables. Kelliher said traditional underground shelters can be costly and difficult to maintain in those conditions.
In addition, the council approved a conditional use permit for Lutheran Family Services to establish an outpatient clinic, which Kelliher described as a first step toward bringing expanded behavioral health services to the community.
Looking ahead, Kelliher pointed to continued growth and improvements across North Platte, including projects underway at Cody Park and new amenities expected to open this summer.
“Lots of exciting things happening in our community,” he said.