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
Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case

A court case has been filed in the 6th Judicial District in Linn County by Parker resident Jan Longenecker and 26 other plaintiffs against the Board of Zoning Appeals of Linn County to revoke building permits issued by the acting Zoning Administrator Ben Souza. Souza... [More]
Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair

The Pleasanton City Council and street crew had the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of an asphalt zipper last Wednesday on 8th Street between Cedar and Sycamore – a street with heavily damaged asphalt. Dave Fokken, Asphalt Zipper Government Sales rep, said many... [More]
La Cygne awards lift station bid

Generator emphasis is the final step in the $6.261 million wastewater project La Cygne leaders awarded a bid to replace every diesel-powered generator at the city’s three sewer lift stations to a Kansas City, Mo., firm. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting,... [More]
More News
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
SPORTS
Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown

The Pleasanton volleyball team had a busy week. First the team hosted a Three Rivers League triangular on Sept. 30 against Jayhawk Linn and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 4 the team traveled to Uniontown for the Uniontown Volleyball Invitational. To see the full article, check... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week

The Jayhawk volleyball team was busy this past week as they had games on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, and Oct. 4. They traveled to Pleasanton on Sept. 30 to play a TRL triangular against Pleasanton and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 2 they hosted TRL foes Chetopa and Oswego. Then on Oct.... [More]
Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

The Jayhawk Linn football team had a big game this past Friday on Oct. 3. Not only was it their Homecoming game but it was also a TRL/District game against their in-county rival the Pleasanton Blu-Jays. Both teams played hard and one could tell that both teams really wanted... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks