City dealing with more roof issues

    The city of Imperial is dealing with more roof problems following the heavy rains in August.
    At Tuesday’s city council meeting, rescheduled due to Labor Day, Clerk/Administrator Jo Leyland gave the council somber news about more damage in the city administrative offices at the west end of the office complex.
    That comes as roof repair is finishing up on the building’s east end above the city council chambers, which also suffered damage after hail caused roof leaks there.
    Tuesday’s discussion ended with no action, but Mayor Dwight Coleman suggested some investigation into a potential pitched roof for the building.
    Leyland said Public Works Supt. Pat Davison’s office took the brunt of the damage, resulting in a “lake” in his work area.
    Tyler Pribbeno’s office also received water, as did the hallway and bathrooms.
    The rain came through a tear in seams of the rubber roof above the administrative offices. Patching has been done since then by city workers and a contractor, Leyland said.
    On the positive side, Leyland said there was no computer damage or loss of records since the rain, but is still concerned about location of the city office servers and internet service.
    Some items out of Davison’s office and others have been moved to the city gym while the carpets dry.
    “We are still pulling water out of the carpet,” she told council members.
    In consultation with their computer supplier in McCook, suggestions were to move the servers elsewhere or invest in a water-resistant cabinet to protect that equipment.
    A cabinet as suggested could cost as much as $4,100, she said.
    Davison said he’s talked with several contractors about bidding on a new roof above the offices. However, no one would guarantee work to be done until next spring.
    “I hope it’s patched now, “ Davison said, but was unsure what several inches of snow will do to the roof this winter.
Other business
    The council gave 4-0 approval to an expenditure up to $1,000 to place a 10 x 12-foot concrete pad at the home of Officer Chris Bustillos for his K9 partner Jago. Bustillos and his wife are purchasing a home in Imperial. Leyland said she checked with the State Auditor for confirmation the city could use public funds on private property.
    A resolution was also passed for closing down Broadway from 2nd to 12th Streets on Saturday, Dec. 18 for the Chamber’s Christmas Parade.
    No action was taken on a request from Nielsen Contracting of Kearney, which asked for an extension of one month on completion of the paving contract for East 3rd and Holland Streets. They were to be completed the first of November.
    Matt Nielsen cited COVID illness, shortage of workforce, material delays and weather as factors in their request. Davison said the request will actually come before the council as a change order on the contract.
    See next week’s issue for a story on the city’s approved 2021-22 budget.