Purchase of equipment for Syracuse ball teams and the Syracuse Sports Complex was approved by the City Council Monday, Feb. 1.
    Cost of the equipment was $10,920.74. Lynn Wilhelm, Parks and Recreation director, said that some of the equipment is purchased annually. Some items will be purchased with contributions received towards the complex, she said.
    The final payment to Kreifels Conservation & Excavating, Inc. for work at the Syracuse Sports Complex was approved. The $3,701.03 will be paid from keno funds. The council approved accepting the completed work.
    Wilhelm reviewed plans and guidelines for various aspects of the complex. She said that she surveyed representatives of municipalities with similar facilities.
    She said that plans for signage are coming together. There will be signs on each of the four fields. The contributor board will be on the southwest side of the concession building. It is hoped to have signage ordered by the end of March, Wilhelm said. WriteTime Communications representatives are doing the graphics.
    Wilhelm reviewed guidelines and agreement for the concession stand. Parks and Recreation staff will keep it stocked. Wilhelm said that worked well last fall at the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Rocket softball games. Sorority members volunteered at the concession stand. Wilhelm said that she has heard from representatives of a lot of groups who want to help serve concessions. She said that she wanted to make it fair for everyone. Wilhelm said that she needed to meet with a health inspector. No outside food and beverages will be allowed to be brought into the complex. The exception is ballplayers bringing in water, she said.
    Field usage guidelines are similar to past guidelines, Wilhelm said. They will be shared with coaches, she said. Guidelines for fees were reviewed. Wilhelm said that all scoreboard advertising was sold for five years. There will also be advertising on the restroom stalls.
Street plan, excavation bid approved
    The one- and six-year street plan resolution was approved. No one spoke for or against it at the hearing.
    A $6,975 bid from T.J. Osborn Construction Co., Lincoln, was approved for excavation work on Education Drive between the Syracuse-Dunbar-Avoca Life Skills Center and the new middle school.
    Application of the preliminary plat for ZCI 1st Addition in northeast Syracuse  and replatting of a block and a lot in the Meisinger 2nd Addition in northeast Syracuse was approved. It was also approved to include the ZCI  1st Addition within the city corporate limits by annexation. The final plat will be considered by the Planning Commission.
    Parking issues were discussed on two Syracuse streets. Discussion will continue.
    Residents of Third Avenue requested no parking on either side from Park to Poplar streets. A letter will be sent to residents involved. Vehicles parked on Third Avenue make it difficult for snow removal and emergency vehicles to have access to the street. Concerns were presented about driveways being blocked. Residents said that Third Avenue seemed to be narrower than other Syracuse streets. The Planning Commission has recommended no parking or four-hour parking.
    Also discussed was no parking on either one or both sides of 11th Street from Park to Walnut Street. The Planning Commission recommended that. The request was to alleviate parking and traffic issues.
    It was discussed not waiving three readings of ordinances for either issue to allow those involved to have an opportunity to speak up.
    An off premise liquor license was approved for Slattery Vintage Estates Vineyard & Tasting Room, Nehawka, at Alte Haus Bed & Breakfast for wine tasting Sunday, April 11, during Ladies Day Out sponsored by the Syracuse Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Trade Committee.
    A request to use South Park for a machinery auction Saturday, Feb. 27, was approved.
    Mike Holland, Otoe County deputy sheriff, reported that sheriff’s officials responded to 33 calls during January, 11 of which were rescue calls. Holland reported that there were business burglaries in the western end of Otoe County. He suggested that business owners make sure that they had functioning security systems.
    City officials said that many positive comments were received on snow removal efforts.
    The council’s regular March meeting is Monday, March 8.