Racers cycling toward Nevada

This bicycle race is looking for a new home and Nevada is a possible new location, Nevada City Manager JD Kehrman told the city council before they voted 5-0 to approve budgeting $12,000 in motel tax money to try and bring a USA Cycling Criterium Race to Nevada in late July.

Kehrman told the council these race courses are usually between 2.7 and 7 miles long with lots of turns and action.

"The spectators love them," he said.

Kehrman said that he has been told they can expect 150 to 200 cyclists the first year.

He said because this would be a new race, the money would be used to guarantee prize money. The goal is to have sponsors for the event that will cover the entire cost.

Kehrman said that he is proposing to hire the current race coordinator to run the race here the first year and teach people here how to do it. Bringing the current race coordinator here the first year will help give the event credibility.

He told the council that Nevada has about 200 available rooms, which is a good fit for the race.

Nevada Mayor Seth Barrett asked when the council could expect to hear from the race organizers about bringing the race to Nevada.

"I hope to have them at the next meeting. They're anxious," Kehrman said.

In other business the council:

* Held a public hearing and voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance vacating the utility easements in lots 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 47, 75. 76, 77 in the Eastview Heights subdivision, located southeast of Wal-Mart and 3M, at the request of the property owner Monte Curtis. The property is under contract for sale to build an office building and treatment center. Kehrman told the council that with the winding down of the Habilitation Center the plan is to build a new 20,000 square foot office building for administration offices and a day treatment center where people with special needs can receive care, such as visiting a dentist.

* Held a public hearing and voted 5-0 to pass on first reading a special ordinance to change the zoning on part of the 500 block of East Austin Boulevard from R-3, apartment district, to C-3, commercial district at the request of Melanie Samora, agent for Casey's, which has purchased the property for a new store. The zoning change will make the property purchased by Casey's all the same zoning.

* Voted 5-0 to establish rural fire membership fees fees. The fees are based on residential or commercial and the number of buildings covered. The only change is the addition of a $25 late fee that will be assessed after June 30.

The fee for a single residence and one acre is $120 per year, with each additional residence on that property $120. Pasture without residences, $120. Commercial property, one acre without buildings, $150. Commercial property, one acre and one building, $200. Commercial property, one acre and one-four buildings, $300. Commercial property, one acre and five or more buildings, $400. The fee for each acre beyond the first covered acre, $1 per acre.

* Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1362 approving a traveled portion of right-of-way permit for the American Red Cross to solicit donations at the intersection of Osage and Austin boulevards, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 4.

Voted 5-0 to adopt Resolution No. 1363 approving a traveled portion of right-of-way permit for the American Cancer Society to solicit donations at the intersection of Osage and Austin boulevards, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 26 and 27.

* Voted 5-0 to give final approval to Change Order No. 2 to the city's contract with Kenny Singer Construction Inc., for the Meadow Lane Sewer Expansion project. The change, which was recommended by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources increases the amount paid to Singer from $293,940.62 to $296,327.48, an increase of $2,386.66.

* Voted 5-0 to pass on second reading a special ordinance approving a contract with the Western Missouri 9-1-1 Dispatch Center to provide all dispatch services for the city of Nevada for a fee not to exceed $200,000 for the period of Jan. 1, 2013 to Dec. 31, 2013.