Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Council OKs Ordinance To Borrow Up To $2.5 Million
A public hearing was opened at 5:03 p.m. during the Kimball City Council meeting Aug. 1 for public comment on Ordinance 823, which authorizes the city to borrow not more than $2.5 million for the purposes of financing improvements and expansion of the city’s electric system and other improvements to the city’s combined utilities system.
Scott Keene from Piper Sandler, a bonding company for this project, told the council members that the city had “plenty of capacity to take on new debt.”
Ordinance 823 was approved by a 4-0 vote.
In other business, the final water study was submitted to the council, and the Board of Public Works recommended acceptance of the final document from Olsson Engineering. Recommendations in the water study include upsizing the 4-inch water mains, maintaining or replacing aging water valves, placing hydrants where there are gaps in coverage, adding more supply wells for storage or supply, replacing aging mains with 6-inch or larger mains, and installing new 12-inch diameter water mains on the outskirts of the city in relation to future growth.
Possible future expansion projects were listed: temporary housing development northeast of the current city limits, potential new development northeast of I-80 and Highway 71, a potential casino site, golf course development, a housing development/truck stop south of I-80, and a secondary Department of Defense site.
The City of Kimball also is considering combining or contracting with Panhandle Area Development District for the abatement process. PADD would run the nuisance/abatement program for the city.
Amy Sapp from PADD explained the costs and program schedule.
By spring, the program would be operational, and PADD would have appointed a nuisance officer. Residents would have a chance in the spring to clean up with, it was recommended, roll-off Dumpsters for residents.
The city would be divided into quadrants, and letters to address violations would be sent to targeted properties in the first designated quadrant. Residents would have 30 days to take care of the problem. If violations continue, residents will be responsible for the costs of cleanup.
The next council meeting will be August 1 at 5 p.m. in the city council chambers.