City implements ATV, snowmobile and dirt bike ordinance; Hazel Avenue bid accepted

The city council passed a new ordinance on Monday, April 21. The ordinance will put a speed limit on recreational vehicles, including snowmobile, dirt bikes, mopeds and ATVs. The ordinance will also restrict recreational vehicle travel from Magnus Johnson St. to Linden Ave. East. Police Chief Todd Rohloff explained that the purpose of the ordinance is twofold. First, the ordinance will reduce the speed of recreational vehicles – which will keep Kimball streets safer for pedestrians and children. Secondly, the ordinance will reduce criminal damaged to property caused by running the vehicles through town. The council adopted this ordinance with a roll-call vote. Every council member – Mickey Fischer, DuWayne Orbeck, Andy Maus, Wayne Mackereth and Mayor Karla Davis – voted in favor of the ordinance. The ordinance will take effect on Thursday, May 1, 2003. The fine for not complying with the ordinance will be $85 for breaking the speed limit. Driving in the restricted area carries a first-time offense fee of $50; second-time offenders will be charged $100. Next, the council added two amendments to the ordinance – one exemption and one addition. First, the council made snowmobilers exempt from driving on Magnus Johnson St. to Linden Ave. East beginning Dec. 1 and ending March 1. The council felt this was not necessary since the ground is frozen during these months and less damage is caused. The council noted that snowmobilers will not be exempt from the 15 mph speed limit, however. The council also added a trespassing amendment on private property. The council made these fines the same as those for restricted area offenses, with a $50 first-time offense fee for trespassing on private property and the second-time violation fee of $100. A complete copy of the ordinance will be printed in next week’s edition of the Tri-County News. On another order of business, the council awarded the Hazel Avenue contract to Kuechle Underground. The council received four bids, the lowest of which was submitted by Kuechle Underground. City Engineer Randy Sabart explained that the city has done work with Kuechle Under-ground before and the city has a good working relationship with Kuechle. The council approved the contract. The bid by Kuechle Under-ground came in less than the city’s projected costs, which will bring down the cost of the whole project. Sabart noted that construction is expected to begin in early June after school is out. The council also:   o Discussed city flower pots and the lack of funding available to pay for the project. Mayor Davis wondered if an “Adopt-a-pot” program could be put into place. The council will look for different city organizations who could donate flowers or adopt this project. As last year, the city will ask the Kids Club to care for the flowers throughout the summer. o Heard a discussion about Willow Creek’s trout population from DNR specialist Eric Alterna. Alterna said streams like Willow Creek are “such a rare resource in Minn.” Alterna told the council that some of the biggest trout in the state were grown in Willow Creek. The DNR hopes to work with Kimball in order to make this resource more valuable. o Approved funding for three firemen to attend state training on Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27. o Tentatively set a preconstruction conference to discuss the Hazel Ave. project with Kimball residents at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 22. o Heard from Public Works that six flags were put up along main street on Monday, April 21. o Asked public works director Brent Neisinger to keep track of calls that public works receives after 2:30 p.m. This will help the council decide what operating hours are most effective to meet the needs of the community.