Citizen, mayor to meet on dog complaints

    Although the topic was not listed on Monday’s city council agenda, an issue of concern to some residents still yielded some discussion.
    The issue is loose dogs in the city, and Becky Carman has a problem with it. That led to a Letter to the Editor she wrote that encouraged residents to attend Monday’s council meeting “to share your experiences with dogs and suggestions you might have.”
    However, the handful of people there found the dog issue not on the agenda. Carman said she was told that afternoon it wouldn’t be on the agenda.
    Rather, Mayor Craig Loeffler said he preferred that the correct avenues be followed in addressing the concern­­—calling police first. If not resolved then City Administrator Tyler Pribbeno, then the mayor if not satisfied, and finally, the city council.
    He said it was his decision not to include it on the agenda.
    Loeffler commended Carman for her Letter to the Editor, saying “you hit all the points” that there are dogs running at large but, sometimes, neighbors don’t want to report on neighbors.
    “The police hands are tied if there is no follow through or reporting,” Loeffler said, unless the police witness a loose dog themselves.
    Loeffler and Carman will meet on her concerns.
    “If you are not satisfied, then you can get on the agenda,” he said.
Police officer search on
    Police Officer Jose Ruiz has returned to work in law enforcement in Kimball, Imperial Chief Ryan Wisnieski informed council members Monday.
    Ruiz was working in Kimball as a police officer before accepting the Imperial job last fall.
    Ruiz started employment with the city Sept. 26 after the council earlier in the year approved police signing and retention bonuses.
    Already being a certified officer, Ruiz received a $10,000 bonus, half of which was paid up front and the other half at six months, according to the city ordinance. At Ruiz’s request, the council approved giving Ruiz the second $5,000 earlier than at six months. Non-certified officers hired receive a $5,000 signing bonus.
    Council member Jan Elliott noted when Ruiz was hired, the city paid off his $2,040 contract at Kimball. At the time, city officials indicated they were unaware there was an agreement to buy out his contract.
    His starting salary here was  $52,000.
    According to a story in the Western Nebraska Observer, the Kimball City Council hired Ruiz as Police Chief at a special meeting May 24 at a salary of $88,000.    
    He started duties in Kimball June 1.
    Wisnieski said he’s already advertising the position and has had three contacts.

Other council business
Another Campbell field upgrade was approved on a 4-0 council vote when they okayed the $3,500 bid from Bomba Painting to paint the concession building. Carl Zuege, who is the Jr. Legion State Tournament Director for the event here July 15-19, told council members with new paint on the press box and restrooms, along with new dugouts, a new warning track and bleachers moved in, the concession stand’s exterior stands out. He offered to split the cost between city funds and the Imperial Baseball/Softball Association, but the council voted to fund the full $3,500. “I’m humbled by how much people here have put in for this,” he said. Funds to pay Bomba will come out of the park budget.
The council’s July 3 meeting will likely be cancelled due to closeness of the Fourth of July holiday and the city’s fireworks show that night. City offices will be open on July 3 and closed on July 4. Council members and Mayor Loeffler also discussed holding a retreat tentatively July 10 with the second meeting of the month on July 17. More will be finalized at the June 19 meeting.
A bid of $37,797.23 for a new engine was approved for the city’s 2012 dozer used at the transfer station/C & D site. The council also chose to pay for an extended warranty. The 2012 dozer was purchased about a year ago from 21st Century  after the city bought Chase County’s interest in the SWN Solid Waste Agency. Funds for the new engine will come out of the city’s sanitation department,said Supt. Pat Davison.
Several fees were raised on a number of city services, after discussion the past several months. Fees for the transfer station, solid waste collection and the pool are among those fees raised with passage of a resolution Monday.
In his monthly report, Davison said he expects the 12th Street water main project to by done as early as next week. Alleys behind businesses in the 600 block of Broadway have been surveyed, he said, but he has not received a plan update yet from Miller & Associates. Drainage issues in both alleys have been reported by some business owners. Cameras set up at the tree pile are yielding results as police reported two citations were issued recently for illegal dumping. Cameras are also up a the recycling center now.
Parker Dillan was approved as a new member of the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department.