Kingsburg BID approves locations, agrees to $3,000 match to apply for Swedish phone‑booth micro grant

The Kingsburg Downtown Business Improvement District advisory board voted on Feb. 3 to approve two proposed downtown locations and to commit $3,000 as the BID’s matching contribution to apply for a micro grant to install a Swedish‑style phone booth.

Board members chose a bump‑out near Fugazi’s as the preferred site and identified the area near Model Drug as a second option. Board volunteers Steve and Amanda agreed to join city staff to walk the sites and verify space, power and other constraints. "I'll have my staff identify any utilities or any conflicts that are there," Daniel said, noting on permitting that "it would probably be a $25 encroach for permit fee" and that additional building permits were not expected for a standalone booth.

Sponsor member Kyle introduced the micro grant application. Cindy Regier, who has been helping lead the project, said the booth could be installed without the interactive audio feature and recommended a more durable metal phone if the interactive elements are removed. "If we don't do the interactive piece, we could get a metal phone," Regier said, adding the phone itself was budgeted at roughly "$300, $150, somewhere in there depending on which phone."

Board members debated how much the BID could responsibly commit. Several members suggested pursuing additional donations and allocating a modest, predictable percentage of annual revenue to future betterment projects. The chair moved that the BID apply for the micro grant and provide a $3,000 match; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Next steps: Daniel will walk the chosen sites with volunteers to confirm utilities and conflicts, and Abigail Palosgaard, the city clerk, will prepare the micro grant application and gather any required community signatures and permit information. The board discussed timing constraints in the grant's reimbursement rules: project completion generally must occur within 60 days after permits and approvals are issued.

The board voted the motion into effect during the Feb. 3 meeting and directed staff and volunteers to continue site verification and permit coordination.