Council discusses pool, meetings

The Hebron City Council is planning to hold public meetings to move forward with a plan for the Hebron pool, although based on responses to the 2019 Hebron Pool Survey, the council chose a $3.5 million design.

Seventy-six percent of survey respondents elected for a new pool on the existing site while 45 percent opted for a new pool on a new site at $4.1 million, and 55 percent said they would support setting aside funds for a new pool in three to five years. 

In the plan, the old pool and bathhouse would be removed, and the entrance to the pool would move from the corner closer to the walking trail. 

Features for the new pool include swimming lanes and the slide, which respondents wanted to keep. 

In other business, councilmember Denese Sudbeck asked Blue Valley Community Action to inform the council on their building that has housed the thrift store and food pantry. 

There are for sale signs at the location, 135 N. 4th St. Ryan Bailey, the family and community services director, said Blue Valley is hoping to sell the building, but it is still safe, she said.

“We are not concerned the building is going to fall in,” Bailey said. “Our concern is the slanted floor. It’s a tripping hazard.”  

Blue Valley received an estimated $28,000 bid to brace the building based on a structural engineer’s conclusion. The board of directors is looking at other options. 

“Our ultimate goal is to sell it,” Bailey said. 

The New Life Assembly Church at 12th and Union Streets offered space for Blue Valley’s food pantry, emergency assistance and commodity program. That eased worries for Blue Valley, which is committed to staying in Hebron, preferably downtown Hebron. 

“Staying in downtown would be ideal. Thayer County has been very supportive of us,” Bailey said. 

Glenwood Communications also spoke to the council and gave an update on their operations. Next week on Aug. 14, Glenwood will hold an official ribbon cutting to celebrate its arrival in Hebron. The company is looking forward to rolling out its fiber technology before the end of August. Representatives will be meeting with the residents of Southern Hills to answer questions this week. 

In other business, the city formally accepted the bid for $1 on 119 N. 4th St. Doug and Michelle Modlin of The Bottle Shop have purchased the lot and are planning a green space and small shed to store equipment for the empty lot. In order to make the sale, the council needed an ordinance and Mayor Doug Huber will need to sign a quick claim deed. 

The council also reviewed the following addresses that have been declared nuisance properties or updates on nuisances: 

•310 Jefferson Ave. — The property has been cleaned up and new occupants. Councilman Kurk Wiedel said the occupants are planning to make the house livable or demolish it;

•121 S. 10th St. — The siding is falling apart and windows are broken. The front door is continually open and it is unknown if someone lives in the house. The council believes the tenant has moved and decided to invite the owner to the September council meeting;  

•830 Eads Ave. — There are loose tires and a full trailer. The address will stay on the list of nuisance properties;

•445 N. 4th St. — The foliage has been trimmed, but there are two mattresses in the yard and the grass has not been mowed. The council acknowledged an effort has been made to make the property look better, however, it is planning to send a letter to the occupants; 

•115 S. 6th St. — The address will stay on the list, however, the owner has been in contact with the city;

•745 Union Ave. — The property has been cleaned up and foliage trimmed. A new tenant occupies the property. The council will send a letter to reinforce the efforts made; 

•225 S. 7th St. — The property has not been mowed and foliage is coming out of home; and 

•248 Eads Ave. — The owner has asked the city for a to-do list. The property will stay on the list.

As for the property at 6th Street and Jefferson Avenue, a neighbor said the owner has not worked on the property for two months, the structure is not wrapped well enough because wood is exposed to the elements and two side walls are sealed. The neighbor has mowed the lawn himself.

The owner, Aaron Taylor, was required to come to council meetings or at least keep the council updated on the property. 

“This is the third concerned neighbor,” Sudbeck said. Taylor will receive a notification for the September council meeting. 

Another resident who attended the council meeting said the city should check if the business in the former Sale Barn fits within zoning regulations.  

The council invited Jamie Luttrell to speak on a possible town mural for Hebron. Luttrell recently completed a rendition of a 1950s fair scene in Deshler, complete with the round agriculture building that was hit in a tornado.

Luttrell’s idea is to use the side of Majestic Theatre to recreate Hebron’s history in 3D. 

She said the wall is a quality surface because it isn’t deeply textured brick and has the best potential for a mural. She wants to incorporate three eras — Hebron’s founding, the 1953 tornado that changed the city’s dynamics and current times. 

Luttrell has found her researching for accuracy intensifies with each project she works on. 

Councilmember Kurk Wiedel said grants, private donations and community organizations could support the mural.