Fire truck The Kimball City Council on Monday, Feb. 2, authorized the Kimball Fire and Rescue Department to purchase a used truck (up to $18,000) to be used as an equipment van. They have three bids and, with the council’s approval, will purchase the best available truck. In about six months, said Chief Tom Ehlinger, they will bid out a 16-foot box to be outfitted for Kimball’s equipment. Ehlinger estimates the box could cost as much as $40,000, although he anticipates it to cost less. There is currently $64,000 set aside for new fire trucks, and no other truck purchases are anticipated for some time. “This should be the last truck [we need] for awhile,” said Ehlinger. Ehlinger was also authorized to purchase a $500 air compressor and $600 pressure washer for the fire and rescue department from existing funds. New business in town Doug Woolridge discussed with the council his ideas for transferring his current manufacturing plant from Cokato to Kimball, behind Styme Industries and the Fire Hall. Woolridge manufactures stainless steel components for industrial food processing plants like Kraft and Land O’Lakes. He currently leases a building in Cokato, but is investigating the benefits of building his own plant. Kimball is one of the communities he is considering. The land Woolridge is interested in is already within a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district. The tax savings offered by TIF is one appealing factor in his decision of where to build. Kimball’s convenient location on Highways 15 and 55 is another important consideration. His proposed building would be about 6,000 square feet. This would be a consolidation and expansion of his current operations. The plans will allow for future growth, as well. “I started out of my garage in Hutchinson,” said Woolridge. He currently employs six people other than himself. His five- and ten-year plans would include as many as 10 employees. Woolridge is comparing the benefits of wood and steel construction for his building. He will likely appear at a future council meeting with more specific cost estimates for his building. Woolridge lives in Hutchinson and would consider moving to Kimball if he builds his plant here. The council agrees to pursue this potential industrial addition to Kimball within an existing TIF district. “We need to do more of this kind of thing to get more people here [and to grow],” said mayor Karla Davis. Frozen water tower Kimball residents and businesses awoke Saturday morning to a rude surprise: no water. With frigid temperatures last week, the public works department was carefully watching Kimball’s water delivery system, parts of which are rather old. Extraordinarily cold temperatures contributed to a water main breaking on Magnus Johnson Street, to the north of Highway 55. Kimball’s water and sewer consultant, Paul Heschen, explained that the rush of water from the broken main caused a chunk of ice in the water tower to jam in the outflowing pipeline from the tower that was already constricted about 75% with ice. This narrowing of the flow is normal in winter, and the remaining estimated 12-inch flow would have been sufficient for Kimball’s water needs. The added ice jam was too much for the system, though. Because of these two disruptions to water service in the city, a main pressure valve in the water treatment building shifted. It actually rose up nearly a half inch from its rubber gaskets and flange, explained Heschen, and it now leaks. Heschen will repair the leak by turning off all water, taking apart the now faulty connection, replacing gaskets as needed, and putting it all back together. The broken main on Magnus Johnson was repaired, and the water tower was heated enough to thaw the ice jam. Water service was returned to Kimball by Saturday afternoon. In other business Other items discussed or acted upon at this council meeting are listed below. o Approved paying Shadduck, Young & Brown for legal fees related to the Hazel Avenue project pending approval by Rural Development. o Approved renewal of Kimball’s worker’s compensation insurance. o Repair of mold damage caused by a sewer backup in Larry and Karla Davis’ home has begun. The bill for re-excavation of the sewer line was submitted to the city; the city will in turn pass this on to its insurance company for payment. o Kimball’s building permit costs were compared with those of other cities. Some fees are a bit higher than in other cities, although they are not the highest. Most are considered by the council to be in line with other communities. o Snow removal within the city of Kimball is progressing slowly. Both employees in the public works department are relatively new; they are still learning the “ropes.” Remaining piles of snow on the street should be removed soon.
City council: Fire equipment truck, potential new business, frozen water
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