In addition to debate leading to denial of a zoning change, a report located elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne’s governing council voted to rescind a March 1 action that would have sent to its city Planning and Zoning Commission an application for city-owned property at 602 N. 5th St. to be divided into three plats.
The rescission at the regular council meeting last Wednesday, April 5, passed on a 3-2 vote, with David Brenneman and Danny Curtis dissenting.
Brenneman noted that, after its approval, follow-up discussion at the March 15 regular meeting had indicated marketing options that could avoid plat development on the inherited residential plot as presented then by Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, and Jodi Wade, city clerk. The two department heads were appointed as an ad hoc committee at the March 1 meeting to study survey options.
Brenneman contended that the March 15 discussion had occurred despite the three-plat action having still been in effect.
Following what was at times contentious debate between councilmen, Jerome Mitzner said that city leaders “need to follow our managers. We tasked them and need to follow them.”
Councilman Keith Stoker reported on negative comments he has received on another March 1 action, one that discontinued rental of the city’s Community Building.
Conjectured Stoker from his patron conversations, “Why not pursue building a community center down at the park?”
Thomas Capp, along with Stoker, the two members of the council’s park committee, said a potential site for such a structure could be “just south of the swimming pool. It has parking around it.”
Wade suggested involving the city’s Public Building Commission with the idea and also reminded leaders of a current 1-cent city sales tax for pool/park new facilities that is scheduled to sunset in 2027 with final payment of a swimming pool bond.
She said 1-cent city sales taxes (another is for special highway) generate between $190,000 and $206,000 annually.
Concerning special projects, Mayor Debra Wilson read that bid opening for the proposed new fire station was on Tuesday, with the council scheduled to consider an award at its 7 p.m. regular meeting next Wednesday, April 19.
Wade reported that five contractors attended the March 23 pre-bid meeting, with one question of waiving the building permit fee that the council then approved last week on a unanimous vote.
Said Mitzner, who motioned for the approximately $50,000 fee waiver, “If they have to pay it, it’ll be mostly from grant money. If not, we pay.”
Added Capp, “It would be another number to drive up the cost.”
About the sewer system rehabilitation project, Wade said a walkthrough to determine its substantial completion was conducted last Thursday. Items still to be completed will include asphalt patching, grading and seeding, and a final closed caption television scope. Curtis said one item to be addressed is a culvert drainage box near the library that was refilled completely with concrete following a street cut.
In a related unanimous action, the council approved pay application No. 10 of $192,214.62 to Nowak Construction Co., Inc., Goddard, general contractor for the sewer project, for a four-week pay period ending March 20.
Other unanimous actions were the passing of Ordinance No. 1507 concerning conditional use permit amendments, Ordinance No. 1508 amending purposes and duties of council committees which City Attorney Burton Harding said “takes out micromanaging of city employees by council committees,” and Resolution No. 453 amending city employee attendance and leave policies and guidelines.
In other business before the council:
--Wilson reminded attendees of both the “Build Your City” open house from 4-7 p.m. this Wednesday, April 12, at the La Cygne Library’s Swan Room and the Dog Days veterinary clinic from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the La Cygne Community Park.
MEETINGS
LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023
The Linn County Commissioners met in regular session on Monday, Oct. 23, and began their weekly meeting with the approval of the minutes of the last meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $272,818.97. Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald presented... [More]
LA CYGNE CITY COUNCIL - Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Among actions at the regular La Cygne council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 18, was a split vote in which the city accepts a draft agreement for title search and warranty deed preparation of seven lots at 402 S. Broadway in exchange for absorbing a $16,400 house demolition bill.... [More]
LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 23, 2023
The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present. Following approval of the October 9th and October 14th meeting minutes, Mayor Smith opened the floor... [More]
More Meetings
- USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Tuesday, October 17, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 2, 2023
- PLEASANTON CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- BLUE MOUND CITY COUNCIL - Monday, October 2, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, August 28, 2023
- LINN VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, August 28, 2023
- USD 344 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
- USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, August 14, 2023
NEWS
Commissioners hear engineer on Hell’s Bend Bridge
Motion to accept grant funds fails for lack of second Linn County Public Works Administrator Shawn West spoke to Commissioners again this week on the Hell’s Bend bridge project, northwest of La Cygne, noting that a decision needed to be made that day as it was... [More]
Pleasanton pound pups get new kennels
After a warning from the state concerning the condition of Pleasanton’s animal shelter, the city and STARS faculty and students joined forces to create a safer, cleaner environment for dogs held by the city. The new kennels were constructed by STARS welding, construction... [More]
Pleasanton discusses Kansas Police & Fire Pension membership
While trying to hire more police officers, the Pleasanton Council met with KPERS representative Paige Ashley to discuss enrolling the city in Kansas Police and Fire Pension System (KP&F). Ashley explained that the KP&F system is two-tiered as police officers and firemen... [More]
More News
- Commissioners hear reports on Hell’s Bend Bridge
- La Cygne Fire Station ribbon cutting held
- Evergy reps speak about bridges at commissioners’ meeting
- Special: U.S. 69 resurfacing project starts this week
- Special: Governor issues State of Disaster Emergency proclamation for approaching severe weather
- Commissioners hear damage report, declare county as state, local disaster site
- Mayor vetoes vacating 7th Street off of Main
- USD 362 to wait on admin addition
SPORTS
Jayhawk Linn track wins Three Rivers League meet
The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Northeast Arma on May 9 to compete in the Three Rivers League meet. The Hawks were the class of the Three Rivers as both the boys and girls placed first at the meet. The girls placed first with a score of 121 while the boys placed first... [More]
Pleasanton baseball falls in Regional semifinal
The Pleasanton baseball team entered the Central Heights 2-1A Regional tournament as a three seed. The Jays hosted the six seed Jayhawk Linn in their first game on May 8 and won 7-5. The next game was at Central Heights on May 13 where they faced the two seed Crest. This is where... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk and Pleasanton baseball split in double header
- Prairie View softball goes 4-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk track has a strong performance at home invitational
- Prairie View track takes top two places at Jayhawk
- Pleasanton track has a school record mark set at Jayhawk Invitational
- Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
- Jayhawk baseball splits against Southeast Cherokee