Council approves chicken ordinance in split vote

Council advances ordinance banning junk material fences

City finalizes annexation of state properties

Engineering approved for new sanitary sewer district

City adopts 'Safe Streets for All' safety action plan

Police department highlights staffing, crime tech in annual report

Ambulance funding agreement extended

Council approves street closure for downtown anniversary car show

Council approves chicken ordinance in split vote

GERING, Neb. — The city council passed an ordinance establishing guidelines for keeping chickens within city limits, despite one dissenting vote. The ordinance defines enclosed structures and provides exceptions for keeping fowl. During the discussion, opponents argued the measure fell short by not prescribing specific materials for coops or requiring enclosed feed and manure containers to prevent neighborhood nuisances. City staff emphasized the ordinance was designed to provide basic clarity to residents without imposing heavy regulations, and the measure ultimately passed 4-1.

Council advances ordinance banning junk material fences

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Property owners will face stricter guidelines for fencing under an ordinance passed on its second reading. The zoning text amendment to Chapter 25 explicitly prohibits the construction of fences using salvage, sheet metal or other junk materials. Additionally, the ordinance bans closed fences exceeding 48 inches in height adjoining a curb sidewalk to prevent blind corners at intersections, with city staff citing the southwest corner of 5th Ave. and 27th Street as a prime example of the safety concern.

City finalizes annexation of state properties

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The corporate limits of the city will officially expand to the south boundary of the Scotts Bluff Country Club following the final approval of an annexation ordinance. Passing unanimously on its third reading, the ordinance annexes two tracts of land at 4500 and 4502 Avenue I, which house a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Office and the Nebraska State Patrol. Officials noted that the properties are already successfully connected to city water and sewer infrastructure.

Engineering approved for new sanitary sewer district

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Preparing for further residential development, the council unanimously approved a preliminary engineering services agreement with M.C. Schaff and Associates for Sanitary Sewer District No. 167. The district is tied to the recently annexed Know How Addition and will extend sanitary sewer lines through the newly incorporated area. The engineering firm will handle the system's design and bid specifications before the city puts the infrastructure project out for public bid.

City adopts 'Safe Streets for All' safety action plan

GERING, Neb. — Seeking to reduce traffic collisions and secure future implementation grants, the council unanimously adopted the Safe Streets for All safety action plan. The comprehensive report, developed by JEO Consulting Group following extensive data analysis and public engagement, identifies high-injury corridors across the city, including U.S. Highway 26 and 27th Street. The city currently averages roughly 500 vehicle crashes annually, and officials hope the formalized plan will provide leverage when working with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to improve safety on state-controlled roadways.

Police department highlights staffing, crime tech in annual report

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — The Scottsbluff Police Department presented its annual report, highlighting improved officer retention, traffic enforcement and technological successes. Department officials reported the agency currently employs 31 sworn officers against an authorized strength of 33, with recent testing expected to fill the remaining vacancies. In the past year, the department responded to nearly 21,000 calls for service. According to the report, the department managed cases that led to five homicide arrests stemming from two early-year cases, and recorded 1,100 hits on stolen vehicles utilizing new automated license plate readers.

Ambulance funding agreement extended

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — A resolution extending the funding obligation for ambulance services with Regional West Medical Center for an additional four years received unanimous council approval. The agreement, structured in partnership with Scotts Bluff County and the city of Gering, includes a 2 percent annual rate increase. While questions were raised regarding specific staffing configurations and response time standards for the three required Advanced Life Support-equipped ambulances, the city administrator noted the service remains a bargain that prevents the city from bearing the heavy financial burden of staffing its own ambulance fleet.

Council approves street closure for downtown anniversary car show

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Downtown will host a large car show on May 23 after the council unanimously approved a community festival permit for Broadway Bar and Arcade. The permit allows the closure of Broadway between 17th and 18th streets from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accommodate an expected surge of attendees for the business's first-anniversary celebration. Organizers plan to host live music and an outdoor vehicle showcase for up to 120 cars before concluding with an evening screening of "American Graffiti" at the Midwest Theater, with proceeds benefiting the venue.

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