City Council instructed City Attorney Darrel Huenergardt  to prepare a ballot issue  for city voter approval of $3 million of general obligation bonds for the rail spur project. The issue could be placed on the ballot at the November General Election or a Special Election could be called.

The property tax cost  would be $20 per month for the first year on a $100,000 home valuation.

The $20 per month is based on one business, Castronics, using the rail spur. As additional businesses come on line, the tax cost per month would drop. By the time a fourth business was on line, no tax support would be needed at all.

The issue was presented by J. P. Komorny, City Economic Development Director. Komorny said a second business is vitally interested but wants to see the rail spur underway before committing. He also said a $20 million firm looked at 34 locations and Kimball was No. 2 in their investigation.

Komorny said other businesses are being contacted by him and by other state and federal groups. He is optimistic that new users of the rail spur can be signed up soon and that tax support for the project will not be needed for very long

He said agencies awarding grants are interested to see the grant accomplish its purpose of economic growth. To see that happen, the agencies are helpful in finding customers for the new facility or activity supported by the grant.

The city lost a $900,000 state grant while Clean Harbors stepped back from their previously announced verbal commitment  to use the rail spur.

The mayor and all four council members supported the project, which has been years in the making.

Mayor James Schnell said, “The delay  has been frustrating but rewarding.”

Council  Member Baliman said, “ This is a cost we must pay to move the community. Council must lead.”

Council Member Warner said, “We have been conservative these past few years and watched expenses. Taxes have dropped a little. The $20 per month would put the  taxes back to about what  they were before the decrease.”

James Merryfield asked what businesses are coming in.

Komorny replied that he was confident four businesses would become rail spur users. He said UPRR would rather build a spur somewhere else but are now committed to the Kimball project.

Merrifield said, “It’s ‘Field of Dreams.’  If we build it, they will come.”

Baliman said, “We can guarantee that if we don’t build it, they won’t come.”

Council Member Christensen said, “It’s a leap but a leap with a good foundation.”

In other actions, Council approved a $900 Keno Grant to help three KHS students go to Washington D. C. on a World Strides trip. A $1,500 Keno grant for post-prom party support was also approved.

Council approved the third and final reading of Ordinance 657 dealing with annexation of the fair grounds, the cemetery and a Dept. of Roads tract.

Ordinance 660 was approved on first reading. It deals with rules and regulations concerning removal, demotion or suspension procedures in the Kimball Police Department. The ordinance is necessary to comply with LB158 passed by the state legislature in 2009.

Council instructed Huenergardt to provide them with copies of Kimball’s present ordinance regarding sexual predators as well as a copy of new state regulations.

Council wanted the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the language of both before proceeding to bring Kimball’s ordinance in line with new state regulations.

Next council meeting will be on Feb. 3.