In the coming year, the future of Kimball will have more clarity because of the formation of a new commission. At the Jan. 3 meeting, Kimball City council nominated three members to the city planning commission. The new members included Councilmember Steve Edwards, Kimball resident Steve Maus and Kimball Public Schools representative Scott Thielman. City zoning administrator Chris Jeppesen will serve on the board as a non-voting member. The new commission will take effect after Kimball passes an ordinance outlining the group’s duties and conditions. In the city’s motion, the council decided the new commission would take effect April 1. An invitation was extended to community residents to be part of this commission last November. Applications were accepted and reviewed. The council had a difficult decision to make with the committee, because they were concerned that most of the applicants had a set agenda for the city. The purpose of the commission will be to look at what should be done with the city and advise the council. The commission will look at what areas to annex, where to place homes and businesses, and how to expand Kimball for the betterment of everyone involved. Property owner Shannon Dahl questioned the city on the commission asking why business/property owners weren’t considered to be part of the commission. They too, pay taxes in Kimball, Dahl said. Edwards responded, “I pay taxes in three counties, but I can’t vote in the other three counties.” The council felt it was best for city residents to address these issues. In other business, the council: • Heard from developer Tom Crouch, who plans on purchasing a portion of Don Stein’s property. Crouch plans on converting 40 acres of land into a residential area. He plans on putting 100 homes in this parcel, but exact plans haven’t been determined in what plots will look like. Crouch agreed to extend Elm Street into this new development and will build housing on both sides of the street. Crouch wanted to get support from the city and the township on this project. Maine Prairie representative Jim Unterberger was at the meeting and said he would take the issue back to the township board. • Agreed to work with Clearwater River Watershed District (CRWD) on a stormwater study. Representative Merle Anderson attended the meeting and asked if two proposed areas should be the focus of the study. The council adjusted one area to include more of Linden Avenue. “Linden going south is a bigger concern [than the proposal],” Davis said. Anderson said CRWD would look at the realignment and continue to work with the city. • Addressed postmaster Scott Lindemann’s concern of a recently passed amendment to city ordinance Chapter Four – Public Health and Welfare, Section 4000, Nuisances 400.02, SUBD. 16 obstructions. The amendment added residents could not “[erect] mailboxes in public sidewalks or right-of-way without prior City Council approval.” Lindemann said, “You are taking away some of our decisions/finances [with this ordinance amendment].” The council changed this ordinance when mailboxes were placed in the sidewalks of newly completed Hazel Avenue. The council didn’t want the street cluttered with mailboxes, which also produced an obstacle for handicapped people using the walk. The council passed a motion to remove the words “without prior City Council approval.” Lindemann said he would help enforce the issue and keep mailboxes, which cause obstruction, out of the city’s sidewalks. • Heard from fire chief Tom Ehlinger. He informed the council of pay rates for different positions within the department. The council agreed to the rates and passed a motion. • Set two special meetings. One to discuss non-union employee evaluations at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. The other will be closed to discuss labor negotiation at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15. • Discussed changing the term of mayor from two years to four years. The concern was raised since it takes councilmembers about two years to learn their duties and understand the facets of local government. Davis added that many other mayors have four year terms. She found this out at the mayor’s convention in Dultuh. If passed, the council could make this motion effective immediately, extending Davis’ term for two2 years. Edwards wondered if this was fair to the public. He said that the voters elected Davis for a two year term. City attorney Rhonda Pagel said this term extension could be passed, but take effect in the next term, beginning January 2005. No action was taken on the discussion.
