No Vaping, Tobacco For Those Under 21

John Heidemann and Jim Shoup were awarded the 2022 Community Environmental Impact Award from the South Platte Natural Resources District. The Kimball City Council approved the placement of the award on the wall of the park shop/bathroom building in Gotte Park at the meeting on Tuesday.

Another placement sign thanking the groups, businesses, and individuals for upgrading the horseshoe pits in Gotte Park was approved and will be mounted.

Ordinances, updates, special elections and public hearings dominated the meeting.

Ordinance No. 813 was passed, making it unlawful for individuals under 21 years of age to possess tobacco products and vaping products. Fines range from $250 to $500, depending on the offense.

The council approved the date for a special election on LB840 Sales and Use Tax, a half-cent sales tax for Economic Development. The date for the special election will be June 13, other items may be placed on the ballot for the special election.

Suzanne Brodine from Olsson updated the council and the public on LB712, which is the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent Deployment Fund. A hearing will be held on Feb. 23.

Zelle Human Resources Micah Neil faced some backlash from some council members on the length of time it took for the City of Kimball Employee Handbook to be completed. Corrections will be made and the handbook will be presented again next meeting.

During current business, the council approved $6,400 for the Businesses Improvement Grant to Flower Haven and Gifts.

Public hearings were held for two applications for rezoning and one Conditional Use Permit. The Kimball City Council then voted unanimously to approve all three of the items, including Jeff Anderson’s request for rezoning of IDEAL Add Lot 1 A from I-1 Light Industries District to C-4 Commercial Services District, Kimball Health Services request to rezone Clarkson Addition Black 1 Lot 13 (309 Webster) from R-1 Single Family Residential District to C-1 Central Business District, and the conditional use permit for Upside Down Childcare, LLC at 1200 E. 6th Street.

Jordan Dietrich from Twin Cities Development explained the Rural Workforce Housing Grant Fund from the Department of Economic Development, which has $1.8 million available to be used for developers, builders, and contractors with housing projects. The City of Kimball put in $75,000 to contribute to the project. No applications have been received from City of Kimball. March 23 is the deadline for applications. Details and packets for the Rural Workforce Housing Grant Fund are available from the Economic Director in Kimball.

Panhandle Public Health District representative Janelle Visser requested that 6th Street be designated as a walking and biking route with a bike lane.

People walk for a variety a reasons, including exercise/health, recreation, and experiencing nature, but the sidewalks in Kimball are limited because only 41% of streets have sidewalks on both sides, 18% have sidewalks on one side, and 41% have no sidewalks at all making it difficult to have safe and accessible walking and rolling (wheelchairs and strollers).

The engineering firm had a variety of recommendations, including filling sidewalk gaps, and widening and replacing existing sidewalks in poor conditions.

Jon Heidemann, local resident and biking enthusiast, along with Visser proposed that 6th Street – which connects the swimming pool, parks, daycares, schools, and many residential areas – be designated as a biking, walking, and rolling route.

The council voted to move forward with the Activate Kimball proposal to make a bike lane on 6th Street.

The council also went into executive session regarding pending claims and imminent litigation involving Hometown Hardware, Inc.

Other updates included Library Director Amber Sweetland’s yearly report.

The next regular meeting for the City Council is scheduled for February 21 at 5 pm.