Mobile phone providers have asked about proposed changes to Broken Bow regulations

BROKEN BOW – During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, two mobile food vendors withdrew some of Broken Bow’s proposed rule changes.

Tim and Mishayla Freburg from Gothenburg are co-owners of Tropical Sno. Tim warned the council that, as currently written, the proposed ordinance had the potential to make Broken Bow known among cell phone retailers as a difficult town to work with.

Freburg argued that some garbage collection regulations are too strict and that the overnight parking ban could cause headaches for Market on the Square and special events like the Spirit of the Sandhills softball tournament. He also said the proposed rules unnecessarily complicate the application process.

Mayor Rod Sonnichsen and City Administrator David Schmidt responded that regulations allow for parking with city approval and communication with the event coordinator. They also offered clarifications on some sections that could have been worded differently.

Mishayla Freburg stated that she believes the new proposed fee schedule is inconsistent with the services provided by the city. She said the fees appear aimed at discouraging people from using the town square and encouraging vendors to park outside city limits, where ordinances don’t apply.

Both Freburg residents said the proposed $25-a-day electricity fee is far too high and would be much more cost-effective to use their own generator, which could cause noise problems.

At the previous council meeting, there was a suggestion to increase the electrical capacity of the square, which is currently struggling to cope with the load during the Market Square. Schmidt said he discussed the issue with the electrical inspector, who estimated the cost of the necessary upgrades at $20,000 to $30,000.

The final reading of the proposed ordinances will be scheduled for the June 11 council meeting. We strongly encourage anyone who has questions, comments, concerns or suggestions to contact any board member in advance.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council approved the subdivision of a parcel of land owned by Arrow Seed on the north side of Highway 2, west of V-Bar Trailer Sales. The southern part of the plot will be sold to V-Bar for use as a trailer park.

Council also approved the appointment of LeeAnn Taylor as the new city treasurer.