Golf Carts On City Streets Possible

The monthly meeting of the Kimball City Council was held on May 19 at 6 p.m. on the Zoom platform. The council discussed and voted on a variety of subjects from the Kimball Handyman Project and golf carts on local streets to streamlining the application process for the Business Facade and Infrastructure Improvement grants.

Wendy Baker, local coordinator of the handyman services, explained the longstanding handyman project to the council and they approved the mayor’s signature for the program to continue for the 2020-21 year. The project, in cooperation with the Aging Office of Western Nebraska, has been in existence in Kimball for 38 years. It provides seniors, 60 and over, with services for lawn mowing and house cleaning on a sliding scale.

Ordinance No. 665 is being considered for amendment. It moved forward from an agenda request which would allow golf carts on the local streets. After checking out the rules and regulations, the possibility of allowing golf carts on city streets may happen. Andy Bremer spoke about the rules and requirements that needed to be addressed and educating the public.

The most discussion on an agenda item was in reference to the removal and attempt to sell the old flagpole at Gotte Park as surplus. The vote was 2-2 with the mayor breaking the tie with a yes vote to remove the flagpole and put it on the surplus sale.

Meanwhile, two entirely separate issues were voted on and approved by a unanimous vote; both items had to do with upgrading and efficiency of the water system for the city.

Carson Sisk explained the Water Loop Project, which will loop water from two spots in town back around and produce better flow. The $210,000 program will cost the residents a minimum amount because $158,00 was state money from the 1990s for just such a project. New fire hydrants will also be installed, and dead-end lines will be alleviated.

The other water/well projects will install a variable frequency drive on the three city water wells. This will allow maximum efficiency and save wear and tear on the motor and shaft.

A popular business program should have business owners pleased with the new and improved application process for the improvement grants. A checklist was also created to improve efficiency and ease of acceptance.

The city has selected finalists for the city administrator position and background checks are being conducted. The mayor’s appointment of interim administrators and a division of duties was approved unanimously. Annette Brower and Katherine Terrill were approved for the interim duties.

According to Mayor Prunty, there is good news as the April reported sales tax receipts are up 27%. April actually reflects February sales. May sales tax are as follows for the past few years: 2020-$45,700, 2019-$71,530, 2018-$42,100, 2017-$42,100, 2016-$35,577. May 2019 is simply an outlyer because in March 2019, Shopko had its closeout sale.

The next meeting of the Kimball City Council will be held in person on June 16 at 6 p.m.