By Allison Peck
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
The North Platte City Council approved several key projects during its latest meeting, including a new firefighter training facility, infrastructure repairs, and updates aimed at expanding housing options.
Mayor Brandon Kelleher said the council began with a work session on a proposed firefighter training facility designed to simulate real fire scenarios.
“The training facility is… basically a bunch of six containers… so then they can simulate various types of fires,” Kelleher said. “You want your firefighters acting out of instinct.”
The council voted to support the project and move forward with ordering the first phase. The city will contribute about $179,000, while firefighters have already raised $25,000 and plan to continue fundraising. The facility is expected to arrive in July and be operational by August, with access available to surrounding rural departments.
“Better trained fire department helps everyone,” Kelleher said.
The council also appointed Troy Peterson as North Platte’s new public service director. Kelleher said the position has been vacant since last summer.
“The public service team managers kept the department going and they did a fantastic job,” he said.
In other action, the council approved a $650,833 bid to replace 15 deteriorating manholes along East Philip Avenue, part of a major sewer line impacted by decades of sewer gas exposure.
“You don’t want them decaying too far… otherwise you’ll create a bad scenario,” Kelleher said.
He said the work involves removing sections of roadway, rebuilding the structure, and restoring the street surface, with the project expected to take about nine months.
The council also approved vacating a portion of an alley near East 12th Street, allowing for future development.
“He plans to build a duplex,” Kelleher said.
A rezoning request failed on its second reading after a council member changed their vote.
“This particular one is one of the harder things that city councils have to make decisions on,” Kelleher said.
Council members also advanced changes to mobile home park regulations tied to a planned manufactured housing development by Chief Industries. The amendment removes a FEMA shelter requirement after officials determined it added roughly $2.5 million to the project cost.
“Our community needs housing… not everyone can afford a three hundred thousand dollar plus house,” Kelleher said.
During public comment, a resident raised concerns about a possible homeless encampment near the South Platte River.
“I have to admit I didn’t know that we had something like that going on down there,” Kelleher said.
Looking ahead, Kelleher highlighted upcoming community events tied to America’s 250th anniversary, along with summer staples like Nebraskaland Days and continued improvements at Cody Park, including a new pool, lazy river, and expanded parking.