Busy Kimball agenda this month

Styme International Industries

The July 13 regular meeting of the Kimball city council started with four public hearings, three of which related to the proposed expansion of Styme International Industries on the north end of town.

The first hearing was about vacating a utility easement that goes through the lot on which Styme plans to construct a new building. The easement was there for a 9-1-1 phone line to the fire hall 20 years ago. The phone line has since been disconnected, and was dug up in 2008. Owners of a neighboring property, Richard and Kerry Johnson, submitted a written objection to vacating the easement, stating that they will need it to develop their property. It was found, however, that there are no utilities and never will be in that location, so the council approved vacating the easement.

The second hearing was to rezone the property in question from highway commercial to light industrial. According to the comprehensive plan, those lots are designated for governmental/public use. The city?Äôs attorney advised the city should first change the comprehensive plan to allow this change from ?Äúinstitutional,?Äù in order to do it properly. The hearing was continued until the next meeting (Aug. 1). The council approved a notice to amend the comprehensive plan, and instructed the clerk to publish notice of public hearing.

The third hearing was for a request for variance of 30-foot setbacks to 15 feet. The lot in question is 100 feet wide, and 15-foot setbacks will allow for best use of the land, allowing for a larger building. The state fire code requires 10 feet or more. The Johnsons?Äô letter opposed this request as well, stating that it would interfere with their intended development for their land. The council found that this variance was in harmony with the intended use and is consistent with the comprehensive plan; that the narrow lot is out of the control of the owner; and that the variance will maintain the aesthetic character of the property. The council approved the variance.

In a separate issue, the council approved a minor division in the same area, to split a lot so it can be purchased and recorded. This purchased land will be combined and recorded with existing Styme properties.

Swimming pool ordinance

The board approved a resolution to correct the wording in the ordinance relating to swimming pools in urban residential areas. (See the ordinance on page 18.)

Future of Kimball Library

Brandi Cantor of the Great River Regional Library presented the Space Needs Analysis for the Kimball Library. It was determined that there is a need for 800 to 1,800 additional square feet over the earlier estimate. A total of 3,467 to 4,390 square feet is required for a library of Kimball?Äôs size and usage. The lower number would be the barest minimum required, and the larger square footage would allow for some growth and future needs. Cantor explained the process of the analysis, and what it means for the city. The library currently has not enough books at 10,000, and what is there is jammed in too tightly; there should be 12-14,000 books in Kimball, based on patronage of the library. She also explained how the role of a public library has evolved to ?Äúfeel like the living room of the community.?Äù She recommends using an architect with experience with libraries.

Erin Gutwasser asked if there are other 20-hour-a-week libraries with the same space requirements. Cantor explained that the requirements are based on the number of borrowers and materials used, not on hours of operation. There are two ways the hours can be increased: by an increase of client and book activity, in which case the GRRL will pay the additional cost, or by a direct financial contribution by the city for the extra hours.

After this year?Äôs state legislative session, there is $2 million available for library accessibility and construction in the state, without earmarks. It is a competitive process, and Kimball may submit an expansion project for up to 50 percent funding.

Mayor Tammy Konz said it must be a multi-use building to present it to the community for funding.

Maus Drive parking

No-parking signs were installed along Maus Drive to protect the roadway that was just done last year. The signs in front of one business (Kim-Built Country Store & Deli) were removed in the middle of the night, and semi trucks now park along the edges of Maus Drive, in front of Kim-Built and a neighboring business (Kimball Garage). The road is already deteriorating as a result. 

The signs will go back up, and it will be enforced.

Storable swimming pools

The current ordinance requires a 48-inch fence, at a minimum, around any swimming pool deeper than 24 inches. Apparently, some insurance companies are okay with no fence on a 54-inch high pool if all means of access (like ladders) are removed. On the advice of the city attorney, the ordinance will be modified to give property owners options, and the new ordinance will then be strictly enforced.

Other business

Plans for the proposed solar garden on the south end of town have changed again; the company wants to move it even closer to the creek which will put them in hot water with the DNR. The city?Äôs attorney advised that the city should designate where solar gardens are desired or not wanted, that the city require a conditional use permit for a solar garden, and use the county?Äôs ordinance as a start.

The Police Department Durango is in the shop for repairs. It hit a pole and a deer this week, about $3,500 total for the two insurance claims. Chief Jason Mehr wants to close the alley behind the police building; this would improve safety, and give an off-street place to park the squad car. Two trucks have struck the police building since they moved into it, and closing the alley would prevent that as well.

The sewer line at The Body Strength and Training Shed broke and backed up into the business several times. The line had to be dug up and repaired. A bill for this expense has been submitted to the city for payment, but the council wants fault to be resolved first. The city does not have sewer backup insurance, and it is up to property owners to have their own.

The council approved a bid for rebuilding (but not yet paving) 83rd Avenue on the east side of Kimball. The city?Äôs portion will be $71,267.48; this includes their share of the asphalt removal.

Kimball Days has added events on Thursday, an extra day, and music in the park Sunday after the parade.

The next regular meeting of the Kimball city council will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1.