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
Drought conditions speed harvest, pose livestock issues
Ah, drought conditions. At fall harvest for now the third year, they are the story, although maybe in a different fashion this growing season. Abundant precipitation during April, May and June in Linn County gave farmers a bountiful corn crop and ranchers plenty of hay, but... [More]
Pleasanton landowner to city: provide services or deannex
At Pleasanton’s bi-weekly meeting Monday night, the council held a public hearing concerning Brandon McGinnis’ request to deannex his property at 11345 Tucker Road – or provide promised city services. McGinnis deferred to Linn County Planning and Zoning Director... [More]
Commissioners hire new Road Operations Manager
During the meeting on Oct. 28, the Linn County Commissioners held several executive sessions for the purposes of interviewing candidates for open positions of Road Operations Supervisor and Economic Development Administrator. Following the first interview, the commissioners... [More]
More News
- La Cygne schedules chicken town hall
- Akes appointed Linn County Sheriff by Republican Central Committee
- Commissioners discuss Queens Road issues
- Four-day school week discussed by USD 344 board
- Three commissioner write-ins enter November race
- Lack of quorum cancels Commission meeting
- SPECIAL NOTICE - Freeze Warning issued
- Out-of-place footstone bothers La Cygne leaders
SPORTS
Jayhawk cross country, boys and girls, heading to State
It was a big day for Jayhawk cross country on Oct. 26 at Central Heights for the 3A Regional meet. Not only did every runner on both the boys’ and girls’ teams set personal records for the season but both the boys’ and girls’ teams are 3A Regional champions.... [More]
Lady Buffs cross country team earns place at State as runner-up at Regional
The Prairie View cross country team traveled to Central Heights on Oct. 26 to compete in the 3A Regional race. The Buffalos performed well as all runners had a personal best time and the girls’ team placed second overall to qualify for the 3A State cross country meet. The... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View volleyball advances to 3A Sub-State
- Jayhawk volleyball advances to the 3A Sub-State bracket
- Pleasanton football picks up big win against Uniontown
- Wade makes State golf for the Buffalos
- Schneider makes State golf for Jayhawk
- Pleasanton football dominates Southeast Cherokee
- Pleasanton cross country competes at Central Heights
- Prairie View football falls to Humboldt on Homecoming night