The Kimball City Council held their bi-weekly meeting Aug. 4. The council finalized details for the Kimball Days celebration. The council authorized overtime hours for city workers’ efforts during Kimball Days events. More volunteers were approved for the celebration. These workers will be under the city’s insurance policy during their service. The council questioned how far along the Hazel Avenue project would be. The council was concerned about the sidewalk situation and how it will affect parade-watchers. City Engineer Randy Sabart said there isn’t much that can be done. He said the contractor is focusing on having the road ready and the blacktop laid. Sabart also requested minimal traffic be allowed on the road since more vehicles could cause long-term problems. In other business, the council • Heard a report from Kyle Christiansen about the proposed ordinance change on building permit fees. Christiansen told the council, “Our office put together an ordinance best suited for Kimball.” The council asked for more time to look over the proposal. Members said that they would address the issue at a later meeting. • Approved a motion for the fire department to purchase tools from Sam’s Club in case the grant they applied for falls through. • Heard from Main Street Pub owner Rudy Zimmer and manager Deb Reinert regarding the 2 a.m. closing time. Both parties agreed the bar would try to notify the police department of their various closing hours. Zimmer explained that the bar is currently experimenting with the new hours to find what works. “At this point, it is all new to us …. I am leaving it up to the bartender to determine if we should stay open [until 2 a.m.]. If no one is there, [the bar] should close,” Zimmer said. • Consented to an official claim for repairs of the police car. The report was needed because repairs were made at A.M. Maus and Son. All council members, except Andy Maus, voted in favor of this resolution. Maus did not vote because of conflict of interest. • Discussed concerns about the Hazel Avenue project with Sabart. Specifically, the council addressed how the road has expanded in one area and how the road collects water in another area. • Made a motion to put sidewalks along the whole length of Hazel Avenue, including areas where it previously stopped. The council also made this a precedent for other construction. When new street projects are approved, sidewalks will line streets in all areas. • Accepted the resignation of Public Works Director Brent Neisinger. The council also approved listing a Public Works Department Worker advertisement in the Tri-County News and on the Minnesota Work-force Web site. • Agreed that Public Works would continue to remove snow at the city’s fire hall. • Initiated new fees for the rental of city hall and park shelters. The council decided to charge $30 for pavilion rental, $25 for use of the kitchen, and a $50 returnable deposit. City hall will be a $25 charge; $15 for non-profit groups. These fees will go into effect Sept. 1, 2003. • Heard an update on the baseball field. Neisinger in-formed the council that the bolts on the new fence were cut off, edges were grounded, reflective tape was put up, and poles were removed. • Approved Kelly Traurig to clean the fire hall. • Adjourned the meeting at 10:23 p.m.
