BY TONY FURSE | June 9, 2022

LINN COUNTY NEWS

NEWSPAPERSRME@YAHOO.COM

La Cygne leaders have approved continuation of design and bid processes for a potential new city fire station.

On a unanimous vote at their regular meeting last Wednesday, June 1, the council will seek three bids, one a base price for a 4,250 square foot pre-engineered steel building with four equipment bays, a second that builds in interior meeting/office and bathroom spaces, and a third that would add a 1,500 square foot shell for a future police department.

At last week’s meeting, Jodi Wade, city clerk, presented architect cost estimates compiled by Zingre & Associates, Fort Scott, of $552,968 as a base price, $131,559 for the alternate to build in its interior, and $189,214 for the shell alternate.

Once bids are received, the council can “then see the numbers” and determine its feasibility, Councilman Jerome Mitzner said.

At last week’s meeting, the council also unanimously authorized Mayor Debra Wilson to sign acceptance of resumes for Eric Soper and Bill Klimek, resident inspectors on the sanitary sewer system rehabilitation project for BG Consultants, Inc., Lawrence.

On a report related to the sewer project, Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, said that general contractor Nowak Construction Co., Inc., Goddard, is currently addressing manholes.

Also approved unanimously was direction for Burton Harding, city attorney, to proceed with negotiations for structure demolition at 109 N. Second St., a duplex found to be partially above city sewer easement. The action followed a 10-minute executive session for legal client/attorney privilege on the matter.

Other items during the one-hour meeting were informational in nature.

Discussion during the cemetery council committee report centered on map/plot information. Available for council perusal was a brochure that included the information board at Mound City’s Woodland Cemetery that Wade estimated at between $1,200-$1,900 for a La Cygne installation. She suggested, too, an information board might “make a good project” for a high school senior’s or Eagle Scout’s public service project.

Councilman David Brenneman noted that the cemetery beautification association “were too already starting to work on” a similar goal, and he requested that they be present at a meeting yet to be determined.

Wade acknowledged the work by Connie Gore, city treasurer, in creating a computer-stored cemetery module.

In his public works report, Nasalroad advised city leaders of a future capital improvement project request to move gas meters along the alley north of the local library closer to houses to prevent them being struck by vehicles. He estimated the project’s cost at $15,000 and would be carried out by Utility Safety and Design, Inc., Wichita, the city’s natural gas partner.

In his report as fire chief, Nasalroad clarified that the gateway at the south end of Ninth Street and accompanying culvert is accessible only to the fire department.

“It never was a true city street,” he explained.

During reports of City Hall officers, Wilson expressed appreciation to Wade for preparing a proclamation to honor Esther Shields, former city clerk/council member and civic volunteer who died May 29. 

Said Wilson about Shields, 88, “We appreciate all her efforts through the years for our city.”

During her mayor’s comments, Wilson thanked Bruce Snyder, cemetery caretaker, and the public works department for Memorial Day preparations and to patrons who placed American flags throughout the cemetery and at its entrance.

“Our Memorial Day services are very appreciated by many of our patrons,” Wilson said. “They were done nicely and something we can be proud of.”

In other business before the council:

--During the park council committee report, Brenneman announced a workshop at 4:15 p.m. this Wednesday, June 8, at 116 E. Market St. to continue discussing ideas in planning for the July 9 Blast in the Park.

--In her report, Tina Fenoughty, police chief, noted four citations since the most recent May 18 meeting, three for vicious dog/running at large/tag and one for a parking violation. She also reported that a vehicle theft had occurred earlier in the day.

--Nasalroad said a posted list would be helpful for city residents to know what items can or cannot be placed at the curb for the citywide cleanup June 18.

--No public action followed a 10-minute executive session for non-elected personnel for individual employee performance regarding a citizen complaint.