Kimberly city workers to return to 40-hour work weeks

Some good news for city workers in Kimberly: They are about to go back to full-time status.

That bit of good news came from Mayor Bob Ellerbrock in Monday night’s city council meeting. Beginning Feb. 1, all city workers will go back to full 40-hour work weeks. In addition, council members and Ellerbrock will now be paid their monthly stipend once again. In addition, volunteer firefighters will receive $5 per fire run they respond to.

The council cut back workers to 32 hours a week last March because of declining city tax revenues.

Meanwhile, two residents spoke to complain about issues with streets within their subdivisions.

Former mayor Ralph Lindsey addressed the council about the continuing need to finish paving on roads in the Liberty Crossings development. It’s a problem the council has heard about in the past, with developer Clint Singletary offering to appear before the council several times and then canceling.

Lindsey said the streets still had not received a top coat as required, and implored the council to demand completion by Singletary, or else  call in his performance bond.

There’s a problem, though — the bond, which was adequate to take care of such an issues years ago when the subdivision was first built, may not be adequate now because of far higher prices for petroleum-based products.

Angela Lowe spoke to the council about a continuing issue with drivers on Deerview Lane in the Promise Manor subdivision, who ignore a newly-installed stop sign and go over the speed limit.

Ellerbrock and councilman Brian Pharris also mentioned a need for more volunteers for the fire department. Those interested may call City Hall at 647-5551 or pick up applications there in person.

In other business, the council:

• Approved spending $2,516.33 on repairs to a fire engine and truck;

• Heard from Matt Denton on a proposal for new liability insurance for the city;

• Briefly went into executive session to discuss possible pending litigation;

• Accepted the application of Dennis McCoy for a part-time police officer position. McCoy, a lieutenant with the Hoover Fire Department who is retiring soon, was previously the chief of the Brookside police before that town went to an all part-time force.