A $46,408 contract to Kerns Excavating Co., Plattsmouth, was awarded for sanitary sewer improvement project on the Syracuse Sports Complex Monday, May 5, by the City Council. It was the lowest bid received by city officials.

Sunday, June 1, is anticipated starting date. Kerns officials can start work as soon as paperwork is completed.

City officials will hire an appraiser to investigate the value of the South Park property. City officials reaffirmed an interest in working with Otoe County Agricultural Society members on a positive outcome of the issue of selling the property.

Tom Kreifels, Agricultural Society president, said that society officials have received support from the Otoe County Commissioners to negotiate with Syracuse officials to acquire the property. Agricultural Society officials were authorized to speak with city officials. The property was appraised at $112,000. Any sale is pending the Agricultural Society’s ability to acquire funding. Kreifels said that it was “extremely important” to work diligently to get something settled and wanted to work with city officials. Agricultural Society officials have talked with Mayor Raymond Umbarger and Councilman Alan Britton on the issue.

Britton said that city officials have a great relationship with the Agricultural Society. He said that it was great to have the Otoe County Fair in Syracuse.

Kreifels said that the fair is a community event and is for the good of the community. He said that the Otoe County Fair is one of the few left in Nebraska that has free gate admission and free entertainment admission.

The council reaffirmed a city ordinance not to allow beer during adult ball games or adult tournaments at South Park. Signs will be posted that no beer is allowed.

Resolutions on payment vouchers in connection with the Syracuse Sports Complex were approved: $9,871.25 to Reischick Well Driving; $10,140 to JEO Consulting Group, Inc. and $256.50 to the Nebraska City News-Press.

The council allowed the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca High School Rocket football team to use Williams Park for practices.

Hiring of AquaCenter of Syracuse staff for 2008 was approved.