New City Strategic Plan Put In Place

After two public hearings, the Kimball City Council voted to approve and adopt the new zoning ordinance and the new comprehensive plan at the June 18 meeting.

John Shepherd from Marvin Planning said they had been working with the City of Kimball and the planning commission for over a year, updating the comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. Marvin Planning held a town hall meeting, conducted surveys and got people’s opinions to develop the plans.

According to Shepherd, the comprehensive plan is the strategic plan for the city, and it is the people telling the city what to do. It is a toolbox to pick and choose from. It is a plan for the next 20 or so years that will lead to planning for utilities, electric, water, sewer and streets. Residents can get a copy of both the comprehensive plan and the zoning ordinances by asking at the city offices.

A lengthy discussion occurred at the council meeting on Tuesday evening about the increase in traffic at the intersection of 7th and High School streets. Suggestions and citizen requests of one stop sign evolved into a motion for at least three or four stop signs. The signs won’t be installed immediately because construction is still ongoing on the apartment property.

Adam Vath from MC Schaff said, “There is some pretty clear guidance on them (stop signs).” He will be advising Jim Shoup, street department head, on the placement of the stop signs.

The Clean Harbors apartments, Kimball County Manor traffic, Vista Villa residents, and residents on Vista Drive using 7th and High School street have increased traffic in the area.

Additional subjects were raised concerning access to the apartment complex by the fire department, parking, and sewer and water extensions to the complex.

In a show of support for community events, the council approved a Keno request for $2,000 by Kim Baliman on behalf of the All Class Reunion. This financial support is intended to not only help to organize such events but also foster a sense of togetherness among the graduates and residents of Kimball.

Logan Luft, the new K-9 police officer, was sworn in during the council meeting.

The council approved the purchase of a 2017 AWD K-9 handler Charger with 92,000 miles on it from a department in Kansas.

The meeting concluded with reports from the mayor, city administrator, and chief of police.

Mayor John Morrison reported that he has been attending regional meetings. He said the sentinel missile program is proceeding although overspending created a delay in the program. It appears that after July 9, Congress “pass it again so that we can move forward with that.”

Morrison also met with the land bank, and they are moving ahead with finding board members from the city. He said this would “be a good tool for the city to be able to take dilapidated properties and make them useful again.”

Morrison said the new apartment buildings are “looking pretty good. I mean, there is a matter of time. They gotta put porches on them and stuff like that. The goal is to be ready by July.”

City Administrator Annette Brower’s report focused on an affordable housing grant, expanding bathrooms at City Park with the help of a philanthropic organization, Walter Scott Foundation, and the sewer and water construction on the new apartments.

Brower also said that Union Pacific is building an office on 1st Street, and that August is the month for dismantling park equipment and installing new park equipment at City Park.

The reports continued with Police Chief Jose Ruiz stating that the department has taken 130 calls since May 28. There have been 24 abatements, five completed and 19 active. Department calls included a wide variety of harassment calls, welfare checks, burglaries, thefts, fraud, trespassing, vandalism, disturbance, domestics, suspicious, child abuse and noise complaints.

Police also made an arrest for domestic assault and for terroristic threats, and violating bond condition. Other police information included a Kimball p candidate having to withdraw from the academy due to academic performance, the Explorer program beginning, and the department hosted a less-lethal impaction munition course.

The next council meeting is July 2 at 5 p.m. at the city office meeting room