Council reviews plans for housing at former football field

    If Dennis Kunnemann’s plans become reality, the former Chase County Schools football field lying south of East 12th Street between Wellington and Park will have 13-14 new homes.
    City council members got a look at Kunnemann’s preliminary plans Tuesday, after a recommendation to move forward came from the Planning Commission.
    At their Feb. 15 meeting, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the construction plans move forward with approval from city engineer Miller & Associates, including a replat and street vacation.
    Kunnemann’s WellPark Housing Development project has been in the works for a couple years, after the property was purchased at a school auction.
    The plan currently includes 13 slab-on-grade homes, with the potential of one lot to be rezoned and developed for a commercial business.
    City Clerk/Administrator said there are some areas that also need to be addressed beyond a replat and vacating 11th Street, which is platted to run through the center of the property.
    Another street for access would have to be dedicated, according to the Planning Commission minutes.
    At Monday’s meeting, the council discussed drainage in the area, which has caused problems in the area in the past, said Public Works Supt. Pat Davison.
    “Their engineer has said the project will not shed any more water into the streets than now,” Leyland said.
    There will be need to create a sewer extension district to the property. Council members agreed Monday that those costs will be borne by the developer.
    Davison noted an 8-inch water main would be required for the project, which may have to be contracted with another firm.
    It would be laid along the utility easement, which in the plans is an 85-foot grassed area between the two rows of homes. The homes would face Wellington and Park Streets.
    Kunnemann is working with Engineering International of McCook on the development plans.
    The council took no formal action on the plans, but will forward them to Miller & Associates for further review.
    The city’s engineer was on a zoom call during the Planning Commission’s Feb. 15 meeting, when their engineers had a first look at the plans, Leyland said.
Police bonuses
    No action was taken, but City Attorney Josh Wendell was directed to draw up paperwork on bonuses for new and current Imperial police officers.
    Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski said he continues to struggle with hiring a police officer. The city has been short an officer for about a year.
    With positions open across the state, Wisnieski said he doesn’t know what to do next on hiring an officer.
    He reported on several communities/counties in the state and what they are doing for bonuses.
    After a long discussion, the council directed Wendell to draw up potential contracts offering a $10,000 signing bonus to new officers already certified, with $5,000 paid up front. For non-certified officers who would need to attend 16 weeks of training, it would be $5,000 with $2,500 up front.
    A retention bonus of $10,000 for Sgt. Chad Ostmeyer and $5,000 for Officer Chris Bustillos, who’s been on the job seven months, were discussed.
    Wisnieski asked to be left out of the bonuses.
    One potential officer has visited, Wisnieski said, but has not committed to working here.
    More on Tuesday’s meeting will be in a story next week.