Long-time Yuma City Council members let out a sigh of relief as the council took steps forward with a pair of long-planned projects, last week during the first meeting in 2026.
All six current members were in attendance — Mayor Tim McClung, Mayor Pro-tem Nathan O’Neal, Dan Baucke, Marc Shay, Jerry Thompson and Michael Fitzsimmons. The council will appoint a seventh member in the near future.
Among the action items was awarding the construction contract for the Third and Fourth avenues paving. The job was awarded to Concrete Specialties and Utilities Construction. A total of three blocks are involved. The bid was for $2.706 million. It was noted it is actually slightly under the estimate. The city has been working toward getting the project done for the past few years.
“Significant completion” is July 23, prior to the Yuma County Parade.
Relative to that project, the council unanimously approved additional services from the engineering firm Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH), including inspection services throughout the project. The additional fee is $283,935, brining SEH’s total fees to $581,180.
The council also took steps in regards to the swimming pool project. D.A. Davidson was selected as the finance company for the bonds. It’s fee is $120,000.
A resolution in relation to the pool project was approved. It declares the “City’s Official Intent to Reimburse Itself with Proceeds of Tax-Exempt Financing for Capital Expenditures Undertaken or to be Undertake by the City to Construct and Equip a City Pool; and Providing Certain Other Matters on Connection Therewith.” The purpose is so the city can reimburse itself for expenses related to the pool if there are expenses before the fund is set up.
The first reading of an ordinance amending the municipal code concerning park hours and curfew was passed 6-0. It clarifies the parks are closed to the public between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. New signs at the parks will include the hours. It also outlines it is unlawful for persons under the age of 18 “to loiter upon any street, alley or other public place” between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The ordinance also outlines exemptions, such as school or religious activities. One can read the full ordinance in the “Public Notices” section in this week’s edition.
The second readings of two ordinances dealing with wireless services facilities, and turf landscaping passed on 6-0 votes. No one spoke up during the public hearings prior to the votes. Both have been necessitated by state legislation.
City Hall the city’s website were designated as the official posting places for notices of regular and special meeting by the council and other public bodies of the city. The designation is done on an annual basis.
A master services agreement and an addendum regarding rate-based services with the Municipal Energy Association of Nebraska (MEAN) was unanimously approved.
City Manager Eric Duthie provided a written report, and council members did not have much to report. It was one of the shortest council meetings in recent memory.
The council’s next regular meeting is set for January 20, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.