Ordinance 649 to annex approximately 226 acres into the city passed on second reading at the Kimball City Council meeting of Mar. 18. Approval at three readings is required for passage.The area is bounded by Myrtle Street and County Road 47 and by the UPRR right-of-way and US Highway 30.One citizen who lives in the affected area asked if his rabbits and chickens would be affected by annexation.City Administrator Harold Farrar asked how many acres were involved.The answer was “less than one acre.”Farrar said. “The rabbits, no. The chickens, yes.”Farrar reported that the city has received a $4,244.84 revenue return from the ACE natural gas program. He said the city planned to buy some new red and white flags and flag staffs to be used for street decoration with part of this money. The cost will be roughly $1,000. The high school welding class is making the flag staffs at not labor cost to the city. The city does provide the materials. Alan Held is the welding instructor.The remaining ACE funds will be used to convert the downtown facade lighting to LED bulbs. These bulbs will use less electricity and last longer.Farrar also announced that an SPNRD grant of $4,500 plus $2,500 in city funds would be available for tree removal and replacement in the city.The city will pay half the cost of tree removal and replacement from this fund. The city will offer a selection of appropriate replacement trees and will witness the removal and replacement operations.To take part, citizens should get a bid for tree removal from a licensed tree removal firm and fill out an application which is available at city hall.The project will run until June 1 or the fund is depleted, whichever comes first.A Keno grant of $200 was approved by council to help Girl Scout Troop 198 make an educational trip to Denver. Girl Scout Kallie Bush read the request to council in a very professional manner. The Troop has already raised $740 towards the trip.Melody Farrar was approved to fill a vacancy on the Kimball Housing Authority.Next council meeting will be on April 1. No foolin’.