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OGALLALA, Neb. — The Ogallala City Council took care of a mix of routine and forward-looking business during a relatively light meeting Tuesday night, according to City Manager Kevin Wilkins.
Wilkins, speaking Wednesday morning on the Sandhills Spotlight on Z 93.5 Country, said the council efficiently moved through a lengthy consent agenda, which included over two dozen contractor license renewals. Most of those were for gas fitters, master and journeyman plumbers, right-of-way contractors, and mobile home license renewals.
“We’re in that season where there are a lot of contractor renewals,” Wilkins said.
The council also approved a new engineering agreement for a flood control project along Highway 30. While a federal grant that initially supported the project—FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program—was canceled, Wilkins said the city is continuing engineering work independently.
“We’re keeping momentum going while working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation,” he said, adding that the estimated project cost is around $9 million.
In preparation for next week’s Keith County Fair, the council approved a request to provide picnic tables for the fairgrounds. The parks department will collect tables from city parks and deliver them to a central drop-off point at the fairgrounds.
“Fairgoers will get to enjoy them out there, but just a heads-up—your local park may be without tables next week,” Wilkins noted.
On the public health front, Wilkins encouraged residents to cooperate with city workers conducting lead pipe surveys. Though Ogallala isn’t believed to have many, if any, lead service lines, the city is complying with a required survey by taking random samples.
“We want to make this as smooth as possible for our water department,” he said.
The council also took further steps in its ongoing nuisance property initiative, declaring one property a nuisance and advancing three others to formal abatement. Wilkins emphasized the city’s commitment to cleanup, citing $60,000 spent on nuisance enforcement last year, including the removal of fire-damaged structures.
“If a property owner doesn’t follow through, we will—and then bill the cost. And if it’s not paid, we’ll put it on the property taxes,” he said.
Council members also addressed invasive species, specifically the “tree of heaven,” which has been reported growing along some city walkways. Wilkins warned that the tree, often mistaken for sumac, is fast-spreading and harmful to local vegetation.
“If you think you have one, it’s important to remove it—and you can reach out to the tree board or a local arborist for help,” he said.
Additional reports included a $50,950 grant award for a city project, ongoing planning for a new ambulance barn at the Community Hospital, and a public health alert about tick-borne illness and the risk of West Nile virus during the summer months.
“We’re just trying to keep the community moving forward—and looking good while doing it,” Wilkins said.