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
Former Zoning Administrator explains KORA requests
During the weekly meeting on Monday, Oct. 20, the Linn County Commissioners heard from former county employee Darin Wilson who served previously as the Planning and Zoning Administrator. Wilson told commissioners that the KORA (Kansas Open Records Act) requests he had made were... [More]
Pleasanton Council overrides mayor veto on firefighter appointments
The Pleasanton Council met at their regularly scheduled meeting Monday and Councilman Aaron Portmann immediately read a prepared statement concerning Ordinance 2065 that Mayor Mathew Young vetoed that tried to take appointment of firefighters from the mayor and put it on the... [More]
Snyder appointed Linn County Register of Deeds
Following the retirement of long-time Linn County Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz, the Linn County Republican Central Committee held a convention Sunday to appoint a new Register of Deeds. Central Committee Chair Becky Johnson held the role call of committee people and 20... [More]
More News
- Blue Mound to apply for KDHE loan for sewer project
- Souza resigns county clerk post
- Farmers State Bank under new ownership
- Linn Valley council updated on water, lagoon projects
- Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case
- Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair
- La Cygne awards lift station bid
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
SPORTS
Prairie View football stays on top of their district with big win over Girard
The Prairie View Buffalos are in 3A District 2 and currently hold the number one seed in that district. The Buffalos 49-20 win over Girard gave them a great chance to be District champions. This week the Buffalos travel to Iola for their final district game and will seal the... [More]
Prairie View volleyball finishes season at Girard
The Prairie View volleyball team finished their regular season games at Iola this past week as they had a Pioneer League triangular against Iola and Osawatomie. They were in the 3A Regional quad at Girard on Oct. 20 and finished their season there going 1-2. To see the full... [More]
Jays lock in league runner up spot at Uniontown
Just as the week before, Pleasanton turned first-half takeaways into touchdowns and won at Uniontown last Friday night, 45-12, in a Three Rivers League and Class 1-A, District 1 matchup. The win assures the Blu-Jays of at least their third consecutive second-place finish in... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk football routs Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton volleyball goes 2-2 in final week of the regular season
- Schneider makes State for Hawks in girls’ golf
- Wade and Britz advance to State for the Buffalos
- Blu-Jays convert takeaways into Homecoming win
- Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown
- Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week
- Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

