The Superior Express -

Members of the Superior City Council learned Monday evening that the Nebraska Department of Roads had approved the city’s plan to improve access to the Superior East Elevator operated by the Aurora Cooperative.

Last week the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad replaced the crossing. Ties salvaged from that project will be used to construct retaining walls needed to stabilize a widened corner.

The highway department has approved the city plan to expand the turning radius off of Highway 8 twenty-five feet to the east and west. This will eliminate what has been a 90-degree turn off of the highway onto 3750 Road.

In a related matter Monday evening, the council approved on second reading a package of ordinance changes which includes a lowering of the speed limit on a portion of East First Street from 25 to 20 miles per hour. When asked, Andrew Brittenham said the only comments he had received with regard to the proposed change was support from Aurora Cooperative. The gravel surfaced street primarily serves the Superior East Elevator. It is thought the lower speed limit will help control the dust created by trucks entering and leaving the elevator. During the fall harvest, the elevator reported on occasion more than 400 truck loads of grain were received per day.

Monday was reorganization day for the council. The meeting was opened by the retiring council and mayor. As there was no old business to be disposed of the council was adjourned sine die before the new council took office. If you weren’t present to watch the ceremony, you probably wouldn’t have noticed any changes as there was no change in personnel. The incumbents with terms expiring were reelected in the last election and took the oath of office Monday evening and returned to their seats in the council meeting room.

First order of business for the new council was the election of a council president. The president serves in the absence of the mayor and, as was the case this year, when a mayor resigns, advances to the office of mayor. Carrie Lemke was selected to fill the office of council president.

Mayor Peterson’s appointments were also confirmed without objection. Jan Diehl continues as city clerk, John Hodge as municipal attorney and city prosecutor, Dr. T. D. Blecha as city physician, Jill Allgood as police chief and Andrew Brittenham as utility manager. The board of health will be composed of the mayor, council president, police chief and city physician.

David Ziska, an employee of Olsson Associates, was retained as street superintendent and city engineer.

Without publicly discussing the application, the council approved a $25,000 REDLG loan to an existing business. The loan will be used to replace aging coolers with a walk-in cooler. For security, the city will receive a second mortgage on a building valued at $180,000. The borrower currently owes $30,000 on the building.

With the project BOOM housing project getting underway, the council approved a materials bill from Kenny’s Lumber for nearly $9,000.

Less than 30 minutes after the first meeting was called to order, the council had reorganized, handled the business at hand and adjourned.