In addition to halving an outstanding water bill and hearing a trailer-park cleanup update, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, La Cygne city leaders verbally agreed on answers to a sewer rehabilitation project contractor’s question at the council’s regular meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 17.
In other action, consent agenda approval included those of an Aug 10 special meeting where, following a 15-minute executive session for non-elected personnel review of applications, Wilson broke a 2-2 tie to hire Jennifer Vogt as a permanent part-time City Hall clerk at $15.50 hourly with a six-month probationary period upon completion of a successful pre-employment physical and drug screening.
Thomas Capp had motioned for the hiring, with Mitzner seconding. David Brenneman and Curtis cast dissenting votes, and Stoker was not present.
Other actions last week included approving the recommendations of both the La Cygne Planning and Zoning Commission and Wilson for Ron Wier to serve as the Commission’s representative to the Board of Zoning Appeals, setting a workshop with the Commission to review current comprehensive plan draft information at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, and approving Invoice No. 1 of $21,623.09 to Midwest Engineering Group, LLC, Sapulpa, Okla., for completion of a technical design memorandum and comprehensive plan on a water treatment plant capability analysis.
In other information, Mitzner noted that one of the settling ponds behind the water treatment plant appears in a “yellow” zone on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood insurance rate map database for Linn County.
“The way we built the pond (during the recent project), it shouldn’t be affected,” Mitzner said, “but we need to make sure that is known.”
Wade said such identified agricultural-zoned land within the northeast city limits “should be addressed” as an expanded flood zone as part of the city’s stormwater master plan.
Wade said the next stage in the mapping of proposed special flood hazard areas will be community workshops. On a related item, she noted that the berms at the sewer lagoons were rebuilt after the 2007 flood for a “100-year event.”
In other business before the council:
--Wilson issued a public reminder of the city’s revenue neutral rate and 2023 city budget hearings to begin at 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Aug. 24, at the Community Building.
--During mayor’s comments, Wilson presented a three-dimensional printed swan to Bill Marchand after presenting a copy of his Oak Lawn Cemetery directory to councilmen. (See related photo in this edition.)
--Wilson noted upcoming Chamber of Commerce-sponsored events: Sept. 2-3 citywide garage sales, Oct. 28 Halloween Trunk or Treat on Broadway, tentative Nov. 12 community Thanksgiving dinner, and Dec. 11 Christmas on Broadway from 3-5 p.m.
--Wilson’s mayoral comments included city success in the demolition of unsafe and unfit structures, Capp praised Jim Thompson, owner of Double Eagle Excavating, for a “job well done” in removing condemned structures at 602 N. 5th St. Thompson was in attendance.
--Wilson noted that a waiver agreement is signed and bids open until 4 p.m. Sept. 6 for the removal of a duplex at 109 N. 2nd St. that partially sits atop a city sewer easement. Those sealed bids will be opened at the 7 p.m. Sept. 7 regular meeting.
--In her report, Tina Fenoughty, police chief, noted two citations since the most recent Aug. 3 council meeting, one each for a suspended driver’s license and for vicious dog/running at large/tag.
--Curtis complimented the public works department for the “nice work with the (newly-installed) posts” at the northwest curve of the Pollman Addition drive at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
--Two executive sessions totaling 18 minutes for non-elected personnel individual employee’s performance produced no public follow-up action.
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
special: SCOTUS agrees to hear Women's Sports Case

Case paves the way for states to continue to protect women and girl's athletic opportunities Topeka, Kan. July 3, 2025 - Today, the Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari in Hecox v. Little and West Va., v. BPJ. Rep.... [More]
SPECIA;: Schmidt Votes to Cancel Massive Tax Hike, Secure Border, and Lower Federal Spending

WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of the budget reconciliation bill by the U.S. House of Representatives, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill”: “Last November,... [More]
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
More News
- Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant
- Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record