What s Happening in Kimberly

A Progressive Community P.O. Box Z 132 Main Street N. Kimberly, Idaho 83341-1125 Phone: 208-423-4151 Fax: 208-423-4297 What s Happening in Kimberly May 1, 2011 INFRASTRUCTURE: In July 2010, the City completed a $400,000 rehabilitation of Center Street East, which was solely funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This project removed the deteriorated pavement/base material and replaced it with new road base/asphalt surface. This should create a 30 year life for Center Street East. Currently the City is undergoing a $6.6M Water System upgrade. This unique opportunity was presented to the City through the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. The City has been offered $1M forgiveness and a 1% interest rate over a 30 year term. Currently the project is about ¾ complete and is expected to wrap-up during the spring of 2011. This project will: place Kimberly as the first community in the United States to have the I-Perl 2-way read meters installed at every residential and commercial location. In addition, it will provide a new well at the City Park to provide much-needed water for the community; upgrade/replace the existing water storage tanks; install backup generators at booster stations/wells, so the water system continues providing water to homes and businesses during power outages; and upgrade the distribution system to provide adequate pressure and fire hydrant flow. In 2010 the City of Kimberly was awarded The Best Tasting Drinking Water in the State of Idaho from the Idaho Rural Water Association. In addition, the City has been made the first cut in our grant application for Family Health Services to locate a medical facility in Kimberly. The grant would provide $500k for the completion of a new building for the medical facility. The City has worked out a lease of the current old City Hall building location to build this new facility. We anticipate the demolition of the old City Hall structure to begin toward the end of May 2011, with the construction of the new Family Health Service building commencing soon after. We hope to have Family Health Services up and running by this fall. 1

We are currently in the process of preparing to apply for a $500k downtown revitalization grant to implement new American Disability Act (ADA) requirements, as well as safety features for our pedestrians and motorists. It will also add a beautification component to our downtown area. This project will initially consist of 3 phases, with separate funding sources. The City will be working with professional planners, along side of the Kimberly Business Owner Association to incorporate the best possible answers to our downtown needs. The City Council entered into an agreement with Mark Rivers Brix Company. Mark works internationally with downtown projects and is known for his BODO project in Boise. He will be working with the City staff, Kimberly Business owners and residents to enhance our downtown, while assisting with development and business retention. He will be hosting several town meetings to get feedback, as well as assisting the Kimberly Business Owners to enhance their Buy Local program. The City has applied for $100,000 LHTAC LHRIP grant to assist with the Downtown Revitalization grant. We are currently waiting to hear if we have been approved for this grant. In addition, the City is also currently working on 2 additional grants for infrastructure funding. These grants will be used for street projects, in combination with the downtown and safe routes to school projects. The LHTAC STP grant will be a substantial grant to fund infrastructure down East Center street, to include sidewalk, curb gutter, draining, lighting and road reconstruction. In addition, in December City applied for an Idaho Parks and Recreation grant to implement a new RV Dump. This will be used in combination with the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway Tour, as well as tourists that utilize the south hills. The City would like to incorporate a walking tour of Kimberly, which will be provided at the RV Dump location site. 2

Idaho Power installed new power poles on the West side of town on Center Street continuing down past 3400 East. In addition, Idaho Power is currently installing a brand new sub-station at the corner of Kimberly Road and 3400 East. This will provide Kimberly with incredible electrical future potential. They are currently in the process of installing some amazing new power poles along Kimberly Road. The City is working with the Idaho Department of Transportation to get a signal light installed at Red Cap corner. This is a very critical light and if everything continues moving forward, we hope to see construction begin in the summer of 2012. FACILITIES: In March of 2011 the City Council committed to the purchase the current Rock Creek Fire Protection District building located on Hwy 30 in Kimberly. This site was donated by the city to RCFD in 1998 for the purpose of constructing a new Fire Station. The City Council and the Fire District agreed that if this building was ever to be sold, that the city would have first right of refusal at an agreed upon price. The City Council intends to remodel this building to incorporate all police and city offices. The city should see construction begin sometime early summer 2011. The City will also be working toward an expansion of the current Library facilities, to allow for more reading space as well as a possible Idaho History center. COMMUNITY: Even with the slower national economic growth we have issued 16 permits and 5 new business licenses from January 1st to April 30 th. The City works closely with our school district and in November 2010 hired our City s first Safe Routes to School Coordinator Jamie Carlton. She will work hand-in-hand with the School and City staff. We received our first grant from SR2S in 2010, which will provide education to our school youth. We have applied for our first infrastructure grant, which will be utilized to install sidewalks, curb/gutter and lighting for safe routes to school for our students. We have tentatively requested this funding for Main Street south from Center to Gem drive, which will probably be around $300k. Jamie has implemented Walking Wednesdays and walks our youth safely to school, where they are welcomed with hot chocolate and fresh fruit. In April 2010, the City applied for 100 Best Communities For Young People. The City was one of the final runner-ups for the National award. Kimberly has an excellent academic/athletic school district. Over the last three years the district has averaged between 95% - 100% graduation rates. We are in the process of applying for this opportunity again along with the Kimberly School District and will submit our application in May 2011. (Please refer to our website to view our application and accomplishments: http://id-kimberly.civiccities.com/documentview.aspx?did=566) 3

In March 2011, the MAD4KIMBO {Make A Difference for Kimberly}campaign was rolled out to the Kimberly 5 th grade students. This was a group effort with the Kimberly 5 th grade teachers, Counselor, administration, along with Mayor Overacre and the Mayor s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC). Mad4Kimbo was developed by Mayor Overacre and MYAC and presented to the 5 th grade teachers, which went right along with their current lesson plans. The students were awesome and their entire student body came up with a pledge to incorporate kindness into their everyday lives. They were all given wristbands with the Mad4Kimbo logo. In addition they performed songs, wrote poems and designed dances to promote their pledge. Arctic Circle provided them with treat coupons. Our future is in good hands! To see pictures of the event, please logon to our website @ www.cityofkimberly.org. The Kimberly Library hosts the summer reading program for our youth. It will begin on June 9 th and will run each Thursday through June, from 10 11:30 in the City Park. They will be exploring different Countries through their reading. Do not miss out on the special treat on June 30 th with Gary and Bev Stone. You do not want to miss it! The Public Works Department, along with the City Planning and Zoning Board, Mayor s Youth Advisory Council and the Kimberly School District and working together to develop a Master Parks Plan and Walking Trail System. Currently the City of Kimberly has been asked to participate in some initial discussions with the City of Twin Falls regarding the possibility of creating a Recreation District and possible future Recreation Building sites. Every Thursday during the summer month, Laughing Daisy sponsors the Neighborhood Market. It begins at 6:00pm and runs until dark. There are numerous vendors and a wonderful downtown gathering. PROGRAMS: In April 2011, the City Council moved forward and approved the first Urban Renewal Agency for the City of Kimberly. Currently the URA Board has been appointed and will soon be holding their first meeting. The City Council will hear a proposal from Western Waste in May regarding a proposed recycling program for the City. In addition to the recycling program, Western Waste will also provide information on Commercial Franchising, so the Council is aware of the possible benefits to the current users, as well as for the City. Currently the City is looking into implementing a GIS program, which would allow the City officials to monitor all infrastructure, as well as Planning and Zoning tracking tools. This program would allow monitoring of dates and information regarding infrastructure fixes and well as monitoring for compliance dates. This is a very exciting opportunity for the City to continue toward the goal of providing up-to-date information. 4

Project Cool Spaces is the third real estate initiative being highlighted by SIEDO during 2011 Generally, a Cool Space as pictured below is an eclectic mix of new architecture and historical structure. A quote from Mark Rivers the bones of Twin Falls are good can also be applied to many of the historic buildings in the SIEDO region Spaces such as this one below, are appealing to young entrepreneurs or young-atheart entrepreneurs alike Involving youth in downtown business ownership will clearly drive the expansion of this type of ownership and encourage the social energy of our downtown areas Most economic development professionals and downtown revitalization proponents, feel that expenditures for facelifts of various magnitudes are the next critical steps behind infrastructure improvements for downtown revitalization. Operation Facelift, could provide a focal point for these improvements Downtown revitalization must be funded through private sector donations. There are no grant funds available for this initiative Representatives from each city or community will be part of the Operation Facelift Team The team will involve business owners, city leaders, citizens, high school students and other area volunteers Donations will come from businesses, suppliers, service clubs and individuals. Donations from suppliers will be from local hardware, lumber & paint stores that will provide paint and painting supplies as well as a modest amount of building materials Other contributors will be service clubs, banks, attorneys, cities and more Southern Idaho Lands for Industrial Development (SILID) project already largely completed, is the engine that will drive Project Land. This engine provides detailed information for available shovel ready (certified) properties and publicly held land. This information will give outside investors precise data that will allow them to act quickly and in turn, be likely to direct their inquiries to SIEDO. Having this tool with it s connection to Gem State Prospector, should allow the City to enjoy more opportunities for property proposals. 5

Having and communicating this information will put SIEDO and its economic development partners in a position to market specific land only properties nationwide. The reason for implementing Project Land is to position SIEDO s team in the most competitive position for business expansion opportunities. M ore and more, rail access is critical to business success from a cost and efficiency perspective. Primary companies that use the rail in our territory are grain companies, dairies, alternative energy companies, food commodities companies, plastic manufacturers and more This focus will put South-central Idaho in a position to market nationwide specific to the use of rail. Knowledge of the building structures that are on the rail corridor and specific attributes of each is critical to the success of this program The benefits to rail usage are: Potential storage for bare land, existing warehouses and silos Green alternative as compared to truck freight Cost savings as compared to truck freight especially with larger loads and longer distances Encourages business expansion as most proposal requests require the use of rail and rail spurs STAFFING: The City of Kimberly is small, but mighty. We have an incredibly cohesive and supportive City Council that work very well with the City staff to make the best decisions for our community. The City leadership continues its commitment to forward and progressive thinking. When I took office as Mayor in January of 2008, one of the first tasks the City Council and I addressed was the creation of the City Administrator position. Since Kimberly does not have a full time Mayor, we felt it was important to have an appointed professional position that would be an advisor to the Mayor and City Council. The City Administrator drives projects, grant opportunities, economic development and assist the Mayor in the day to day operations of the city. Polly Hulsey has done an outstanding job as our City Administrator and continues to bring positive innovative thinking and initiative to her position In July 2010, the City hired an experienced Planning & Zoning (P&Z) Director Jenny Nickerson. Her expertise provides our contractors with the answers they need to move forward in a quick and positive manner with their projects. In addition to her role as P&Z Director, she encompasses the role of the City s Economic Development Officer. 6

In August 2010, the City hired a new City Clerk Jennifer Rowe, to continue moving toward the City s goal of being a front runner in automation, billing and front-office expertise. She works full-time in our front office, working with our Deputy City Clerk Jean Hopkins. They work together to implement positive changes for our community and our citizens. In March 2011, we will filled a newly redefined position, which will include a Permit Technician/Community Service Officer and front office staff member, to work with our P&Z and front office staff, to continue our goal of providing the best possible service to our community. Currently, the City has a police staff of 6 and a public works staff of 5, which assist and protect our citizens throughout the year. These individuals continue with their respective certifications and training to enhance their individual positions. In addition we have 1 librarian and a part-time librarian assistant, which operate our library facilities, as well as our summer reading program BUDGETARY: The City of Kimberly is a fiscally responsible City and has moved money into our reserves over the last several years. The City has a strong Kimberly Business Owner s Association (www.kboa.org), as well as several service organizations to support our community. We welcome you to reference our website for more information on our community @ www.cityofkimberly.org. We invite you to attend our City Council meetings, which are held at the School District Office Building, (located on the corner of Oak and Center Street) on the 2 nd and 4 th Tuesdays of each month @ 6:00 pm. Citizen input is always welcome and appreciated. David T. Overacre Mayor Polly Hulsey City Administrator We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. Ralph Waldo Emerson 7