Bird Rides approved citywide

NEBRASKA CITY – City commissioners approved an agreement for a scooter rental program, heard a report on positive trends at the swimming pool and prepared for Trail of Treats downtown.

A shared mobility agreement allows scooter riders use of public right of way anywhere in the city limits in a two-year pilot program. The same rules that apply for bicycles, except that users have to be 18 or older.

Bird Rides is approved for up to 50 scooters. The company’s ground operators will provide scooter maintenance and manage the fleet.

Under the agreement, Bird Rides will not hold the city responsible for the condition of streets.

City Administrator Lou Leone also reported the highest revenue for the Steinhart Aquatic Center to date. Parks and recreation reports $178,227 in revenue in 2021.

Pool attendance was 21,796 and there was $32,000 in concession revenue. In the last two years, it was sporadic when the pool could open and a flood in 2019 also limited attendance.

The city updated an animal impound agreement that dates back to 1978. The city budgets $6,000 for animal impoundment. One or more veterinarians can participate.

Leone said he has also returned calls regarding smell at the Cargill plant and talked with Cargill personnel.

Leone said the company assures the city the system is operating as it is suppose to. They are looking into that smell. Leone said the misters are working to minimize the odor.

Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce is hosting Trail of Treats downtown from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 29.

The city council approved closing a portion of Ninth Street for photographs and the placing of cones with signs urging motorists to slow down.

EMS reported the process for filling an open EMT position. Leone said the budget had 6.5 people with an EMT serving as a medic from time to time. The city approved 5 medics and one EMT.

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