Council OKs $2.5 Million Upgrade Of Electric System

The Kimball City Council decided against having three public readings for a proposed ordinance and passed Ordinance No. 804, authorizing the issuance of combined utility revenue bonds not to exceed $2.5 million. The purpose of the bond is to finance improvements to and expansion of the city's electric system and other improvements to the city's combined utilities systems.

The city's antiquated power plant, which provides power for brief periods when needed, has diesel generators from the 1950s. Those diesel generators will be parted out and replaced with three clean generators and updates to the building.

The bond is intended to purchase three generators and provide upgrades to the power plant. Brower said, “We can generate for ourselves” when the power goes out. The loan is scheduled for a 10-year repayment with a 3.5% or 3.6% interest rate.

Two other outstanding city bonds exist, one for $170,000 and another from 2018. The 2018 landfill bond has a principal amount of $845,000 for repayment.

In the April meeting, the council voted to take down the barricades from Gotte Park to Adams Street due in part to a letter from Fire Chief Andrew Bohac. Now there are some people from the Adams neighborhood asking that the barricades be reinstalled.

Stephen Watson appeared before the council to get the barricades up again. He said, “I think they need to have them for the safety of our people. It helps to also control the speed down Adams Street in which we have numerous small people. There was a petition circulated when they were put in.”

Mayor Keith Prunty told Watson to notify the neighborhood and for them to call or email the city with their feelings on the matter.

Meanwhile, an engineering, architect and surveyor firm from Scottsbluff, Baker and Associates, was hired to assist the city of Kimball in providing on-site construction site inspection for the hospital project starting in June. In addition, the firm will provide a representative to attend coordination meetings as well.”

The fee for the service will be $700 for any on-site inspections or for on-site coordination meetings. Online meetings or assistance on behalf of the city will be $130 an hour.

In other business, two appointments were approved for seats on the Kimball Public Library Board. Lori Widener will replace Tabitha Behrend, and Terry Bourlier was re-appointed.

In the city administrator report, Annette Brower informed the council and the residents that Family Dollar looks to be open near the end of June.

She also said:

– A major pothole or sinkhole by the underpass has been repaired by the street department.

– The Water Department completed the watering systems on the cemetery, and it is now working on getting the swimming pool filled and opened.

– The handicap area and sidewalks by Dollar General will be redone next week.

Melinda Pearson was introduced as the new economic development/special projects coordinator.

During the business meeting, Michael Hoback with AMGI, P.C. discussed the 2020-21 audit. Brower said later that they were “very pleased” with the audit.