City considering purchase of church for child development efforts, more

    An ad-hoc committee will be formed to study the city of Imperial’s possible purchase of the Imperial Bible Church.
    An agenda item to consider “ideas for utilizing vacant church for non-profit early childhood development center” and other options were discussed at Monday’s city council meeting.
    Tyler Pribbeno said he’s had several conversations the past six to eight weeks with community residents about more affordable daycare “and a desire for early childhood development programs.”
    In effect, he said, that could mean a curriculum from birth to preschool age and even kindergarten age, “setting these kids on a track so they will be better geared and equipped to be better students when they get to school.”
    Pribbeno said he felt there was a lot of opportunity for partnerships on this, such as the school, “having them involved with developing that curriculum and potentially even employing the teachers” to work at the facility.
    He cited possible involvement with Mid-Plains Community College, as well.
    With the church’s size, Pribbeno threw out other possibilities along with the daycare/early childhood development programs.
    Those included a teen center, using kitchen facilities as an “incubator” for start-up restaurants and even rental housing.
    He said using the large building for only a daycare center or for-profit business “wouldn’t make sense” because of the cost in purchasing the building.
    “It will probably take some city involvement in doing something like this,” he said.
    Pribbeno said he has not visited with the school yet on the proposal.
    Pribbeno said there is a lot of funding available for non-profits and government entities that focus on early childhood development.
    Some of the COVID funds would also potentially be available for such a project, he said.
    While no price for the building was given, Pribbeno said it’s insured for $1.5 million.
    The study committee will include council members, Pribbeno and likely a representative(s) from the former church.
    The Imperial Bible Church ceased services in December 2020.
Other business
    Considerable time was spent on nuisance updates from Amy Sauer of West Central Nebraska Development District, the city’s nuisance officer.
    Approval was given to abate 19 properties, meaning removal of the nuisance by the city or someone it hires, with costs charged to the owner. Those property owners still have 30 days to remove the nuisance, she said, after Monday’s action. Weather in the next 30 days will be a consideration, she added.
    In addition, three properties will be given five-day notices of upcoming abatements, seven former nuisances were rescinded due to clean-up and three new properties were declared as having nuisances at 121 East 18th, 231 East 18th and 395 East South Street.
    The council approved purchase of a new Bobcat  5600 from Titan Machinery, Inc. of North Platte.
    With a trade-in allotment of $35,937.83 for the city’s three-year old Bobcat, the cost will be $20,000. Supt. Pat Davison said funds were budgeted for it in the street department.
    In other action, the 2015 Dodge Charger purchased when Police Officer Chris Bustillos was hired was declared surplus property and will be sold on the Big Iron site. Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski said it was purchased mainly for the dog kennel in it and officer vest, and came as a package deal when acquiring the canine partner.
    New fabric shade cloth replacements were purchased for the pool to replace the original ones. Funds for the $10,672 purchase will come from community development sales tax money.
    The city agreed to add the Chamber’s welcome sign at the east edge of town to its insurance coverage.