Council accepts bid on event center roof repairs

The Kimball City Council approved a bid on the event center roof renovations at its meeting on Jan. 6.

The meeting began with the discussion of the tabled item from the previous meeting. That item was the consideration of the renewal of the liquor license submitted by James E. Larson Jr., manager of Shopko Hometown #700. The main concern brought to the forefront by several council members was whether or not Shopko was making an effort to provide their employees with training regarding the handling and selling of alcohol.

There is currently no stipulation that training must be administered in order to obtain a liquor license. However, the council did express great concern at this. As they approved Shopko's liquor license, they expressed that they wanted to see the training that Shopko makes employees complete in order to handle and sell liquor. Shopko has a computer module training that must be completed by employees.

Among other business was the appointment of Pat O'Brien to replace Bruce Gilliland on the Parks and Recreation Operating Board. Gilliland has handed in a letter of resignation to the mayor, which explains the reason of his resigning being due to health issues.

The City of Kimball had asked for bids concerning the repair or replacement of the roof. In 2014, Fisher Roofing made an offer after the initial inspection of the roof. However, after the deadline for completion was imposed by the city, Fisher Roofing could no longer complete the task. The only bid the city received was from B & C Steel, for $98,034. This was considerably lower than the price that was originally discussed with Fisher Roofing.

The city council approved the bid from B & C Steel. The council directed that the funds for the project will come from the city-designated Keno funds from the trust side of the account.

The council received an update on the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (MEAN) from City Administrator Daniel Ortiz. While Ortiz still has a few more meetings with MEAN to attend, he said last week that MEAN will be implementing a rate increase to all its clients. That will most likely an 8 percent increase over the next four to five years, which means an overall increase of 40 percent for the clients. MEAN is making these increases and it is up to each client as to whether this will trigger a rate increase for their citizens or if the municipalities are well off enough to absorb the increases, which most will not be able to, he said.

A decision regarding rate increases in Kimball has not yet been made. At this point it is known that there will be a rate increase, although the amount is not yet known. No rate increases can be made without holding a public hearing.

The next city council meeting will be held on at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20.