NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — The North Platte City Council meeting began with a proposed ordinance aimed at addressing long-abandoned properties, which sparked the lengthiest discussion during the May 20th meeting, as officials opened the floor to public feedback on the measure.
Ordinance 4211, which would establish a vacant property registration system, was brought back after being tabled at the previous meeting. Mayor Brandon Kelliher emphasized that the session was intended solely for discussion, with no vote planned.
“We wanted to give the public an opportunity to comment,” Kelliher said, noting that about 10 residents spoke during the hearing. “Many of them were thoughtful, had questions, and we were able to clarify a few misunderstandings.”
The ordinance targets properties that have been left unattended, often due to unresolved estates when owners pass away. Kelliher acknowledged the difficulty of balancing property rights with neighborhood well-being, especially when abandoned homes are infested or hazardous.
“A big part of this discussion is you don't want to run across the property rights of an owner who isn't taking care of their property,” Kelliher said, “but the neighbors also have some rights in this as well. And so, you have we have to try to find balance.”
A revised version of the ordinance is expected to be returned for council consideration at a future meeting.
The Council also approved two ordinances that move forward the long-term expansion of Francis Street, a project expected to improve traffic flow and encourage economic development on the city’s east side.
Ordinance 4204, passed on its third reading, creates a new paving district to extend Francis Street from Tabor Avenue to Bryan Avenue.
“This is an ordinance for the beginning of the extension of Francis Street,” Kelliher noted. “Francis Street is the one that runs kind of across the one-ways by McDonald's, down by the edge of the mall, and behind Walmart… right now, it kind of ends on the eastern head stop on the east of the town. This little piece right here will extend it about a block and a half because the homeless shelter and that organization are going to build some housing right there on that corner — well, what will be a corner.”
The council also approved Ordinance 4208, which advances the next segment of the Francis Street project, stretching the road behind the post office and eventually out to Newberry Access at Golden Road.
“Nothing’s going to happen there next week,” Kelliher added, “but over the next few years, what you have to do is set your community up for success in the future… It’s going to be a great deal for the town in the long run.”
Items 9 and 10 were removed from the meeting agenda for further work and will be considered at a later date.