City council issues funding

City Clerk Rosie Russell's resignation was accepted during the Oct. 20 regularly called Kimball city council meeting.

Russell was presented a plaque for her "faithful service to the community" by Mayor Keith Prunty on behalf of the entire council and Russell's coworkers.

"You will be sorely missed, Rosie," Prunty said. "We wish you great luck in your endeavors. We know you will be successful where ever you go."

Council member James Schnell, who previously served as mayor, said that hiring her four years ago was one of the best things that happened while he was mayor.

"She takes care of anything and everything. I brought her in and I'm not taking her out. Sorry guys, it's not happening from this seat," Schnell added when Prunty called for a motion to accept the resignation.

The council made short work of multiple funding requests during its meeting.

The first, a request for $1,000 in Keno funds, was granted to the Kimball Concert Association to offset the expense of bringing concerts to Kimball.

Karen Morrison, representing the association, stated that they are challenged annually to keep membership costs down and still provide four quality concerts for the community.

"We have been able to hold to that, but next year, in order to continue to have four concerts, we are going to have to raise prices somewhat," she said. "The good thing that we are going to do is at the last concert of the season this year, in the spring, anybody who wants to buy a membership for 2016-17 can buy those memberships at the current prices."

Morrison said that the association can apply for a grant from The Arts Council, if the association can work through a non-profit organization that falls under category 501(c)(3). This makes the organization exempt from federal taxes.

"Any funding the council could give our way, we would be greatly appreciative of," she said.

Following the sole Keno distribution, the council considered two applications for economic development funds distributed through the Main Street Design and Improvement Program, each for the maximum amount of $3,000.

Challenger Industries, located on the east edge of Kimball, continues to improve the appearance of its building and grounds, according to its application letter.

The company has installed new siding, demolished an dilapidated addition to an existing building, extended the west wall 12 additional feet, and repainted the building in a bold blue and white scheme. Six new windows are also being installed.

Seth Berry, the local lead for the Kimball branch, represented the company before the board, and stated that the company has already spent more than $333,000 into the property.

"It has gone from an eyesore to a beauty at the round-about. You know we got the easement as well and we are going to have it fenced in and gated real quick," Berry stated. "The inside is looking twice as good, I promise you that."

Council members John Morrison and James Shields stated they were impressed with the improvements made to this point, and council unanimously approved the request.

"We are happy to be here, this is a great community," Berry said.

The second request for LB840 funds came from the Plains Historical Society to recover some of the cost of the recent repairs to the roof of the old high school.

"Shane Hays crew finished up and they did a really nice job," Schnell said. "It shows a difference big-time."

Prunty informed council of plans to remove the Goodhand Theater marquis and demolish the battered awning, with permission from Forward Kimball Industries.

"Bill (Hinton, supervisor of the city electric department) should be able to get the electrical sign down that says Goodhand preserve that, and set it inside for future restoration. Then John Heideman and the city crew can tear down the awning," he explained.

The council chose not to consider the purchase of real estate and therefore did not require a closed session that was on the agenda.

"We are not quite prepared for that," Prunty said.