SIDNEY - Downtown Sidney glows a little brighter from Oktoberfest weekend through the Christmas season, thanks to a former business owner's dedication to add and maintain lights a top downtown buildings in 1997.

Larry Fraas would often be seen along Sidney's skyline working diligently on the lights. He repaired them after a major hailstorm in 1999 and added lights to the Sidney Public Library, City Offices, and the Chamber of Commerce. 

City Manager David Scott says Fraas put up over 5,000 Christmas lights and maintained them for 16 years, virtually single-handily. 

"Now that we're putting committees together to revisit that, get those up, working and looking great again, it's come to light that, 'Wow, that guy truly was amazing. It takes a whole bunch of people to do what he used to do by himself,'" Scott said. "He was very dedicated to it, so it's an extremely deserving proclamation for him."

Sidney City Council will honor Fraas with a proclamation at their meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall. The proclamation was decided after a committee of 10 people, who replaced bulbs this summer, realized what a massive undertaking and level of commitment Fraas gave to the project and to the City of Sidney.

The proclamations states, "Larry's efforts have enhanced the appearance of the City of Sidney for local residents and visitors alike, and his tireless work and dedication is unmatched."

Fraas owned and operated Larry's Clothing Company from 1995 to 2013. 

City council will also discuss a salary increase for council members for the first time since 1996. The Sidney mayor currently makes $6,300 annually, while other members earn $4,200 per year. The new proposal calls for an increase to $6,600 for the mayor and $4,400 for the other council members.

Cheyenne County Chamber President Toshia Jones will make a request to use Illinois Street for the annual Parade of Lights on Dec. 2, referring to a request she sent to the Nebraska Department of Transportation. 

The public is invited and encouraged to attend city council meetings.