On Monday, June 2, Chris Jeppesen, Kimball Days organizer, informed City Council that the organization is planning on adding three new events to this year’s celebration, August 8-10. Proposed events include wheel chair basketball, a fun run and a business vendors expo and sidewalk sale. The expo will invite local businesses to participate in a sidewalk sale and area vendors can sell their products downtown. “Letters have already been sent to area vendors to invite them to come in and sell,” said Jeppesen. Jerome Kuechle of Kuechle Underground informed the Kimball Days committee that Hazel Avenue should be finished in time for the celebration’s parade, weather permitting. At this point, the committee is planning the parade, which will feature Kimball organizations and Little Miss Kimball. Jeppesen also said that there has been a good response for donations. “We have already received $250 and about $270 more is coming in.” This money will be put in the council’s general fund and they will designate which part of the celebration the money will pay for. The council previously decided to ask for donations for the fireworks, something they usually sponsor. Because of state budget cuts, the council determined that it would be harder to support this cause and donations should be requested. In other business, the council: • Passed a motion to allow Kimball Days to draw up a lease with A. M. Maus and Son for a convertible to drive Little Miss Kimball in the Kimball Days parade and the Fair Haven Old Settler’s Parade. • Approved a motion to spend up to $75 for clean-up at the high school after the teen dance. • Was briefed that Sunrise Town Homes are currently not in compliance with the city’s ordinance that requires outside readers on all homes. The council determined that a letter would be sent to the owner of this property indicating meters must be put up. If they are not installed by a certain date, meters will be installed and the owner will be billed for the maintenance fee. If the owner does not pay for the meters, the water will shut off. • Approved a motion that the second phase of the Greely Edition would be inspected on a part-time basis by the city engineering staff. The city engineer explained that this was how Phase I of the project was also completed. • Discussed the Greely Edition sewer systems and where the pipes would lay and connect. • Was briefed by Community Education Director, Kris O’Brien as to where the city’s donation is spent. In the past, the council earmarked its donation to go to the swim lesson program. This year’s council said that it will try to give the same amount it usually gives – $1,000. However, it will not be able to do this until it sets up the city budget. Mayor Davis said she is interested in sitting on a Community Education committee with other community representatives to determine where the individual donations were being spent. The council noted that they would like to see the money benefit more Kimball students and didn’t think it was effective to earmark this money for the swim program since few Kimball residents participate in this program. The council discussed designating a scholarship fund to help defray costs of support programs for Kimball students. • Approved a motion to change the locks at the fire house. It was noted that many past firefighters have not returned keys and this would be a good safety precaution. • Discussed the Great River Regional Library branch agreement. The council has been checking with other cities to see if they have signed their agreements, what was altered, if anything and what restrictions were put on different aspects of the agreement. The council said they would discuss this issue again at the next council meeting after more information can be gathered. Kimball City Council meets the first and third Monday of every month at City Hall. Meetings are open to the public and begin at 7 p.m.
