Council addresses ball field, other projects

    Projects involving the youth of Imperial were the first agenda items discussed by the Imperial City Council Monday night.
    Council members agreed to proceed in upgrading the baseball and softball fields at Schroeder Park. Improvements were approved in three areas; fencing, lighting and dirt work.
    Public Works Director Pat Davison was directed to complete the three projects, at a cost not to exceed $450,000.
    He estimated that it will cost about $90,000 to replace the 64 lights at the center field with LED lights, and that much again to replace the lights at the north and south fields together.
    Fencing at all three fields could cost $100,000 total. Field work on all three fields will cost $102,000, Davison said. That includes cutting out the grass, laser leveling the dirt and putting the sod back.
    Davison said city employees can provide most of the labor for the improvements, excepting the dirt work.
    Bids don’t need to be made for a project, City Clerk Jo Leyland said, if the cost isn’t assessed to adjacent property owners.
    Council member Craig Loeffler said a new concession stand and rest rooms could be addressed in one or two years.
    The discussion was prompted by a request by the Parks Board to hire the engineering firm of Miller and Associates to produce a plan to improve Schroeder Park.
    The firm advised the Park Board that a plan would be completed by August at a cost of $15,000. It would include a concession stand and rest rooms, as well as improvements to the fields.
    Council members decided to complete the project without the Miller and Associates plan.
    Councilman Doug Gaswick said ”If we’re going to replace the lights, let’s replace the fence too.” He added “I’m tired of patching it (ball fields) up.”
    Fellow councilman Chad Yaw agreed. “Let’s get it done and have a nice setup.”
    Leyland said the city has “been talking about changes for the last 15 years.”
    Funds for the project can come from several sources. There is $500,000 in the Parks Department budget, Leyland said. If all of the project would be paid from there, it would put the fund in the hole, she said, but the money would then be borrowed from the general fund.
    Gaswick asked if there is the possibility of any grant money.  Community Development Director Tyler Pribbeno said grant money is usually reserved for new ventures. There is also the option of asking for community development funds.
    On a related matter, the council approved the hiring of Chino Garcia Ramirez as the city’s soccer director, replacing Abby McNair. He will also be in charge of painting lines at the ball fields, replacing Carl Zuege in that area.
    The city is currently advertising for a Summer Recreation Director, as Ryan Wisnieski has asked to be relieved of that position.
    The council discussed a request by Chase County Schools (CCS) to install a push button light at the intersection of 9th and Broadway Streets for the safety of children crossing there on their way to school and the swimming pool.
    A traffic study was conducted last summer that showed enough traffic to warrant a light. The existing one doesn’t have a push button that alerts drivers to stop at that time.
    School Nurse Angie Paisley told the council that CCS wants to “start a conversation to see if the city wanted to share the cost.”
    CCS Superintendent Adam Lambert suggested the purchase of a Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon, powered by a solar panel, for a cost of $10-15,000.
    Davison said he could research “a cheaper option with constant flashing lights. We could program them to go on and off at certain times.”
    No action was taken by the Council.
Economic development projects
    During his report to the council, Pribbeno noted that  money is being donated for the mini park project near the city offices.
    He said that $15,000 comes from AARP, $10,000 from the Imperial Community Foundation, $1,000 from Waypoint Bank and $100 from a Waypoint Bank employee.
    He added that the CCS art class wants to be involved in the parks’ creation. Plans are still in the work for that project.
    Pribbeno explained two education options financed by West Central Nebraska Development District. WCNDD is offering vouchers to local businesses to pay for a class taught by Mid Plains Community College to set up an online presence to reach larger audiences.
    WCNDD is also providing vouchers for free classes for individuals wanting to study early childhood education, leading to the possibility of opening up more child care in Imperial, according to Pribbeno.
Citizens of Year
    Council members voted to name Kendra Burke as the Outstanding Young Citizen in Imperial, and Jana Pribbeno posthumously as Imperial Citizen of the Year.
    Burke, the daughter of Josh and Courtney Burke, is the youngest member of the Imperial Emergency Medical Services. She also organizes the Red Cross Blood Drive at CCS, and serves on the Lied Imperial Library board as a student member.
    Pribbeno, who passed away in 2021, was a force behind the establishment of the Veteran’s Memorial at the county courthouse, the Smokin’ on Broadway event every summer, and the Traveling Vietnam Veterans’ Wall.
    She served many years on the Chamber of Commerce board, coached and  led various teams and groups, all while selling advertising for the Imperial Republican.
Nuisance declarations
    The nuisance declaration for several properties in Imperial has been rescinded. Those are at 1225 Court St., 141 East 18th St., 121 East 18th St., 405 East 11th St., 1111 Shorthorn St., 410 East 11th St., and 1029 Wellington St.
    Properties at 1119 Shorthorn St. #15 and 406 East 11th St. were declared a nuisance by West Central Nebraska Development District, the city’s contracted enforcement entity.
    A property at 1007 Shorthorn St. was abated and impounded in place. That means that the city cleans up and takes possession of the mobile home.