Planning At its July 6 meeting, the Kimball City Council heard from the Kimball Area Chamber of Commerce. The chamber hopes to revive interest and the process to work toward a comprehensive plan for the city of Kimball and surrounding areas. “We believe that the next 3-5 years are very critical for Kimball,” explained chamber president Leo Wirth. Several members of the chamber addressed the council. As a group, they encouraged the council to revisit a planning committee to serve in an advisory capacity to the council. They hope such a committee would include representation by Kimball businesses as well as surrounding townships (including some of their board members). City hall The question of what to do about Kimball’s city hall has resurfaced. This Thursday, July 8, the Kimball City Council will join St. John’s Lutheran Church Board to discuss one possibility: purchasing the current church for conversion into city offices and/or library. This meeting is open to the public. Renovating the current city hall is also an option, as is constructing a new building – perhaps adjacent to the fire hall. The council is not sure what the general public supports, and they are considering another survey similar to the one the city did in 2001. Nuisance complaint Acting as a concerned Kimball resident, Mary Spaulding compiled and presented a list of several properties in the city of Kimball that she believes are unsightly. Weeds, trash, unlicensed vehicles, needed repair or paint were among the specific complaints. This list was presented to the council at its last meeting, June 21. There was a good deal of discussion that night and again July 6 about interpretation of the city’s nuisance ordinance and the role of the city council in enforcing good citizenship. City attorney Tim Young clarified that it is the responsibility of the city council to interpret what constitutes a “nuisance”, and to decide what actions to take. The council must decide how much of its resources it can apply to the policing of private property within the city. It also must determine what policing actions are appropriate for which problems. Young went on to explain that the criteria of “offensive” and “unreasonable” – words in the city’s nuisance ordinance – are to be determined by the city council. Since its last meeting, the council had police chief Todd Rohloff investigate properties on Spaulding’s list and others for violations of city and state ordinances. Within the next two weeks, informal letters will be sent to property owners on Rohloff’s revised list. Each letter will identify the nuisance problem and request that the owner correct it. At a future meeting, the council will consider further steps for persistent problems. Police Kimball police officer Brian Stiles has accepted a position with the McLeod County Sheriff’s Office and resigned his position in Kimball. A search will begin immediately to find a replacement. Stiles read his letter of resignation to the council. He explained that this was a difficult decision for him, and he thanked Rohloff for his example and support. Miscellany In other matters in recent meetings, the Kimball city council: o Accepted a reduction in cost of the Hazel Avenue project in the amount of $4,886.40 from Bauerly Bros. They had mistakenly used recycled bituminous in the final layer of tar recently applied to Hazel Avenue and have deducted that amount from their bill. o Appointed Gary Caauwe as chair of the city’s parks committee. The council will identify another two individuals to serve with Caauwe in advising the council on parks matters. o Heard from Willow Creek Concrete Products and its neighbors to determine appropriate screening between the residential and commercial properties. These issues are still being worked out. o Civil Defense Director Donn Driver is working with trained volunteers and Stearns County to refine emergency needs and plans for our area. o The Kimball Police Department is pursuing a CIS (Cops in School) grant that would provide for an additional officer on the Kimball police force for four years. This new officer would spend 75 percent of his/her time in the school and at school activities such as athletic events o Broadened the ordinance for signs permitted on residential and commercial properties in the city. o Agreed to provide health insurance to eligible part-time employees, at the sole cost of these employees. Get involved All city council meetings are open to the public unless closed for a specific reason. An open forum is offered at the beginning of each council meeting where anyone can briefly address the council. You do not need to speak or have an issue before the council in order to attend a meeting. This Saturday, July 10, has been set aside to clean up Willow Creek Park. Meet at 9 a.m. in the park shelter. Bring your own beverage and something to share at the pot-luck lunch.
