Kimball Considers Plans For Future

Kimball's proposed noise ordinance was a major focus of the City Council's July 19 meeting, but other important issues were addressed.

Two agenda requests from council members were addressed early in the meeting.

Christy Warner asked for an updated comprehensive plan and blight study. The previous one was done in 2016, but is still effective. The staff was directed to investigate a new comprehensive study and blight plan with bids for the cost.

Warner's also requested to discuss the option of hiring a consulting service for assistance with larger projects.

“It behooves us to get some experts on board,” she said, referring to annexation and housing developments in the foreseeable future. The staff was directed to look into the subject.

And Warner's third request involved discussing options on posting signs in the park.

Councilman Gabe Ingram also had his own request, which included: “Keep the Trees in Downtown Business District – Keep Moving Forward on Downtown Area Appearance.”

The downtown sidewalk issue created quite an exchange and a lengthy discussion on the removal of the bricks. Shane Hays explained that salvaging the bricks is more labor intensive then replacing them with concrete.

Shane Hays had submitted a bid, and the bid had been accepted for the bricks to be taken out and replaced with concrete, as well as adding four handicap curbs, and replacing some curbs.

The bricks have become a tripping hazard and quite possibly a liability issue due to settling, mounting, expanding, contracting, and icing, which he said is “typical with bricks.” Hays said the same look could be obtained by coloring and stamping the concrete. Other issues arose in the discussion, including an irrigation system for the trees, the foundation under the bricks and tree grates.

The sidewalk issue was tabled while the council waits for Hays' bids on irrigation, coloring and stamping.

The council quickly approved the Keno request for $1,000 to help defray the Farmers Day expenses for 2022. The Farmers Day Committee has been restricted in its fundraising due to COVID.

As the meeting continued, Tiffany LaBeau presented an overview and update of the Feral Cat Program, which she started and received funds from the city for her expenses. LaBeau has made 12 trips to Cheyenne and has had 22 cats spayed and vaccinated.

Jean Gilbert reviewed the past few years of the creation of the Kimball Community Trail and High Point K-9 Park. She said: “KAFF would also like to address the ongoing maintenance of the Kimball Community Trail. Since 2018, KAFF has provided the funds and most of the labor, both paid and volunteer, to maintain the trail.”

She continued that the KAFF volunteer base is “aging out, and we are no longer able to provide maintenance for the completed trail and dog park. We would like to see the City of Kimball add this to their regular yearly parks and open lands maintenance schedule.” Gilbert spoke of the final project to be completed, installing water at the dog park.

Police Chief Andy Bremer gave an update on the continual clean-up and citations for abatements. In addition, Bremer asked for financial support to purchase an Intox DMT breathalyzer to replace the blood testing kits that the city uses.

The Downtown Lincoln Highway Crosswalk project was approved and is on track to be completed before Farmers Day.

Additionally, the council approved an amendment to resolution 2017-01, which provides a six-month time extension granted by the Community Redevelopment Agency to Johnson Construction.

Mayor Prunty appointed, and the council approved the appointment of Kayla Janicek to the Board of Adjustments. And two more names were added to the Kimball Volunteer Fire Department: James McDonald and Jeffrey Teauge.

In the city administrator's report, it was noted that Region 21 is helping the city with addition of tornado sirens for the ballparks and golf course, and that August is budget season.