The Kimball City Council chambers were a hub of activity Monday, Oct. 6. Many residents came to the meeting to receive information on the Hazel Avenue Project assessment as the completion nears. City Engineer Randy Sabart told the guests that this meeting was the second of two parts. He explained the details of the project and said it was nearly complete. “The project is almost finished, but not quite. There is a punch list of items to complete with the contractor. The final project should be completed early to mid-June [of next year],” Sabart said. He then presented the costs associated with the repairs. He said the costs were lower than projected since they had a good contractor and the County State Aid Highway (CSAH) contributed money to offset the total fee. “The approximate property tax increase would be $38.45 on a $100,000 homestead,” Sabart said. He then converted this to make it easier for homeowners to figure their increase. “That is about $3.85 increase per $10,000 of the value on your home.” Sabart also told Kimball residents that the council kept their assessment rates low, at 25 percent. The preliminary assessment costs were set at 50 percent of the street repairs and 25 percent of the sewer and water repairs. He informed that the assessment fees can be paid in full within 30 days or over a period of 15 years at a rate of 6.25 percent increase on property taxes. A member of the community asked if they could pay their whole fee now. “Within the first 30 days, you would make the check out to Kimball and pay with Dianne [Robinson] at City Hall,” Sabart said. “After these 30 days, you pay the money to Stearns County.” Mayor Karla Davis thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. She then closed the meeting and made a four-part motion to adopt the assessment rates on the Hazel Avenue Project. Councilmember Andy Maus seconded the motion. All voted in favor. In other business, the council: • Met with Reed Oster about a conditional use permit on his property on Highway 15. Currently, Oster has a trailer home and green, block building on this property. Oster rents out the home and requested a conditional use permit to rent out the green, block building. At its last meeting, the council asked Oster to come up with some agreeable conditions regarding the trailer. They discussed building a fence or moving the trailer within a specified number of years. Oster came to this meeting to ask for the council’s approval with no conditions set. After a round-about discussion, the council realized no negotiation was going to be reached. “You want the trailer gone and I can’t commit to that,” Oster said. Councilmember Maus replied, “Then I guess we can’t commit to a conditional use permit.” “You are trying to give us an ultimatum,” Councilmember Mickey Fischer said. “You can’t commit to anything and neither can we.” Councilmember Steve Edwards made a motion to deny the conditional use permit. Maus seconded. The motion passed with all members voting aye, except Councilmember DuWayne Orbeck who opposed the motion. • Heard from Merle Anderson of the Clearwater River Watershed District (CRWD). He presented information on storm water management. He said CRWD wanted to know if Kimball would be interested in working with them on this, and if they could provide any funding toward the project. The council said this would be something to look at during their long-range planning meeting at the end of the month. Anderson said he would re-address the council at this meeting, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. • Approved the Police Pursuit Policy amendment as recommended by Police Chief Todd Rohloff. • Heard from Public Works director Dan Dawson about opening well #3 for the city. “I received the Department of Health inspection and got approval from the Department of Natural Resources to allow the addition of well #3,” Dawson said. • Adjourned the meeting at 9:23 p.m.
