Council votes for nuisance review in south Imperial for 2023 program
A south/southwest section of Imperial is on the nuisance code review list for this year.
Approval of that part of town from Park Street west to Golf Course Road and from 8th Street south to Highway 6 came at Monday’s city council meeting.
This year’s review section includes the SeLoCySe Trailer Court at the south edge of Imperial and other trailers along Eskew Street.
Cost of the review will be $14,785 according to the agreement contract with West Central Nebraska Development District.
WCNDD serves as the city’s nuisance officer and their staff does the preliminary review of residences for possible violations. An initial courtesy letter is sent if it appears from the street view the property owner may be in violation.
Amber Kuskie, WCNDD executive director, visited with the council via zoom Monday.
The review will only look at residential property, not businesses, according to the council’s directive.
Kuskie said the reviews will start this month and continue through September.
There had been discussion at the meeting of adding Winter’s Trailer Court to this year’s review.
Kuskie estimated that would cost an additional $7,200.
In the end, the council held off from adding Winter’s Court, but will consider it at the next meeting. They asked Kuskie to get them a firm fee for the trailer court review before the May meeting.
The city budgeted $25,000 for its nuisance program. Council President Doug Gaswick noted that budget also needs to cover any potential abatement costs the city could occur.
The city plans to continue offering a free dump voucher at the transfer station for those property owners receiving a courtesy letter.
While Capitol Mobile Court along East 12th Street is not included this year for a formal review, City Attorney Josh Wendell wanted assurances WCNDD would assist Imperial in the event specific situations there would require it. Building Inspector Nick Schultz is working on a potential trailer condemnation in Capitol Mobile Court.
Pickleball court upgrade
Eight pickleball enthusiasts and a city park board member met with the council on a new playing surface for the Campbell Park tennis courts, where they play pickleball.
After the discussion and review of costs, the council voted 4-0 to earmark $36,750 in sales tax funds for a new playing surface and lines marking out four pickleball courts.
The bid from Pro Track and Tennis, Inc. of Bennington includes a resurfacing of the concrete-based courts and installation of a color coating system to the four courts. All areas needed will be patched and cracks filled, according to the proposal.
Prior to applying the surface, the company will power-wash the surface to deep clean it for better bonding.
Included in the cost will be new lines, in a different color, for one tennis playing surface. The courts will overlap each other on one side, but the different colored line marking will distinguish between the two.
Another bid was considered from Tennis Courts Unlimited, Inc. of Nebraska City.
Marla Hamilton, Phyllis Mock and Evonne Poppe presented information to the council on bids they had acquired. The group offered to hold fundraisers to purchase new nets.
Hamilton noted a pickleball group started playing 4-5 years ago in Imperial and now has 25-30 members.
Park board member Miles Colson said the board favored the project. He said the current surface is 15-17 years old.
Other council business
Rates for Sanitation and Transfer Station fees will be going up this spring. A proposal for the new rates was reviewed at the meeting and shows increases in most areas. The current $10 transfer station minimum flat rate (up to 285 lbs.) is proposed to go to $15, while the individual toter sticker price will rise from $7 to $8. Large dumpster stickers will increase from $28 to $32, while the orange individual bags will be $3, up from the current $2.50. The Construction & Demolition rate charge is proposed to go from $60 to $70 per ton. No action was taken on the proposed rates this week but action on the price increases is expected at the next meeting. Public Works Supt. Pat Davison said rates haven’t been increased at the transfer station for 10-12 years.
Illegal dumping at the city tree pile is occurring again and, from the discussion Monday, it appears city officials are going to get more serious with violators. Mayor Loeffler said he’s told police officers to begin issuing citations to violators who dump other items in the tree pile that are not accepted. Another camera will be installed and at the next meeting the council plans to strengthen a city ordinance, adding that violators will also be charged restitution for the costs of cleaning up the illegal items. Police Officer Jose Ruiz, who was at the meeting, said officers would like to be assured citations will be prosecuted.
Three Fair Board members met with the council concerning trash pickup during the Chase County Fair. The city will pay employee Troy Hoskovec to provide the pickup Thursday through Sunday of fair week, and will pay his hourly wage both during regular work hours and after. The county will be charged for dump fees at the transfer station at the normal rate.
The Sparq Data Solutions electronic meeting service will soon be in use at council and other city board meetings. City administrators Tyler Pribbeno and Sarah Hoskovec have been experimenting with it on a trial bases. Hoskovec recommended its approval at $4,100 per year. The council voted to approval the system on a 4-0 vote. It’s the same electronic system used for Chase County Schools’ board meetings.
Wages were approved for senior care facilities and seasonal public works employees. Manor Parkview/Heights CEO Lynne West was at the meeting, and noted Gail Dinnel has moved into the Director of Nursing position, replacing Yves Montina, who is now working as an RN in the facilities. Jim Hayes was hired as maintenance supervisor. Dinnel is paid $115,000 annually while Hayes receives $28.39/hour.