NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — In a nearly three-hour session Tuesday night, the North Platte City Council tackled a packed agenda featuring major infrastructure investments, commercial redevelopment progress, and housing rehabilitation projects.
Mayor Brandon Kelliher said the council’s extended discussion reflected “a lot of good activity,” highlighting the reappointment of Lee Davies, Kathleen Matthews and Emily Worll to the city’s Planning Commission. “They dedicate three to six hours a month—sometimes more—on work that really shapes our community,” Kelliher said.
The council discussed the first reading of an ordinance outlining wastewater charges for users of the city’s new industrial wastewater plant, built to support Sustainable Beef. As the facility's sole user for now, Sustainable Beef will shoulder all operational and debt service costs. The city also authorized a contract with HDR Engineering to assist with the plant's construction phase.
“This isn’t costing taxpayers anything,” Kelliher noted. “And this infrastructure is already attracting interest from other major employers looking to bring about 150 jobs.”
In redevelopment matters, the council approved an amendment to the North Platte Mall project’s redevelopment contract, part of the District 177 site. The site, which now hosts successful retail additions like Five Below and TJ Maxx, could soon see further expansion in the near future. “This incentive-based model rewards developers who bring in retailers our community wants,” Kelliher said.
On housing and road expansion, council members discussed paving changes and awarded a contract to Paulsen Inc. to extend Francis Street eastward.
Lastly, the council reviewed a proposal from the North Platte Regional Airport Authority seeking budget distribution changes to avoid high-interest lines of credit, potentially saving taxpayers money.
“We’re trying to be efficient with every tax dollar,” Kelliher said.
The next city council meeting is scheduled for August 6.