Beaver City Clerk Accepts New Position
BEAVER CITY – During the last meeting of the year on December 20, 2021, the council approved utilizing up to $60,000 sales tax funds for economic development projects in 2022. Once the city finalizes the application process, businesses can apply for a grant and funds will be dispersed on a first come/first serve basis. The city will pay 50% of the total project with a cap of $20,000. City Clerk Teresa Youngquist reported that to date, five businesses have expressed interest in participating in the program.
Other action taken included approving Tony Barker’s building permit at 4th and 5th street for a shop with living quarters, and a water tower pay application for $78,663.19.
In discussions regarding nuisance properties, it was reported that the Remarkable Store was demolished, and that the house at 1020 Floyd Street will be torn down after the contractor recovers from COVID-19.
Angie Woodring, Administrator at the Beaver City Manor & Assisted Living, was in attendance and presented the quarterly report. The census is currently at 26, with four beds of the 30-occupancy facility open. The Manor received $51,739.46 from the American Rescue Plan in November, and $75,941.09 from Phase 4 of the Provider Relief Fund in December; both are Covid-19 federal programs. The November payment enabled the Manor to report a net gain in November, even though the average census was 22.
Five former residents of the Arapahoe Good Samaritan Society facility, which closes at the end of the month, have been admitted to the Beaver City Manor.
Woodring reported that all residents and 66% of the staff have received COVID-19 vaccinations. When the federal vaccine mandate went into effect, the Manor incentivized employees to be vaccinated by paying them $500 per shot. The program became retroactive so that employees who were vaccinated before the incentive program was in place received compensation. Approximately 14 staff people have not been vaccinated. At the present time, the federal government’s health care worker vaccine mandate is halted by court order in ten states, including Nebraska.
Staffing remains a major problem throughout the health care field and impacts the bottom line. Woodring reported that agency contracts can require $50 per hour for temporary employees.
The council met in executive session regarding the resignation of the city clerk, effective December 31. Youngquist, who has served as the city clerk for five years, has accepted a position as legal assistant in the Harlan County Attorney’s office. Assistant Beaver City Clerk Jackie Mayberry will assume the position of interim city clerk effective January 1, 2022.
The next city council meeting will be January 3, 2022 and is open to the public.
