(KLZA)-- Following a lengthy discussion during their June 13 meeting, Pawnee City Council members approved a three-percent wage increase for all city employees plus a 40-cent per hours increase for crew members when they obtain their sewer certification.

Council members also approved the purchase of a new side-by-side from E.T.'s Lawn & Leisure. City Foreman Spencer Cumley suggested a larger machine with heat, a solid cab and doors power steering and would be a little wider . With a $7,000 trade-in of the current machine, the final price will be $13,274 which will be divided among six city funds.

The Council also approved the new solid waste disposal agreement with Seneca Sanitation as presented earlier.

City Clerk Tammy Curtis said she has visited with Pat Pat Hatfield with NPPD about concerns with the streetlights along the highway if the highway is changed from a 4-lane to a 2-lane highway with a suicide turn lane in the center. If the change is made, Hatfield said the State Engineers could do a “light study” to see if there were any dark spots along the highway. If there were dark spots, the State would have additional streetlights installed at their expense, but the City would have to pay for the additional electricity costs.

It was also noted during the meeting that during an Auto Loss Notice completed on the Pawnee City Fire Department Tele-Squirt ladder truck it was discovered that a rodent had chewed through wiring in the hydraulic section for the ladder. It is expected the cost to repair the damage will be more than the truck is worth. A claims adjuster will inspect the truck at Danco, in Snyder, Nebraska and a cash value would be placed on the truck with a $100 deductible.

The Fire Department is already looking for another truck to replace this one.