BY TONY FURSE | August 9, 2023

In addition to conducting further discussion on proposed city code changes, a report located elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne city leaders also named an interim chief for public safety at the regular council meeting last Wednesday, Aug. 2.

Following two executive sessions totaling 10 minutes for non-elected personnel individual employee’s performance, the council voted 4-0, with Jerome Mitzner not present, to name Jo LeStourgeon, full-time police officer, as interim police chief, interim codes officer/zoning administrator, and interim public health officer at an hourly rate of $24.25 beginning this Friday. 

LeStourgeon will assume the temporary interim posts in the absence of Tina Fenoughty, police chief, who will be on a medical leave.

On business items involving expenditures, the council approved up to $7,900 for 6-foot wood fencing through Wildcat Fencing Company LLC, Overland Park, to fulfill building-permit requirements for privacy fences abutting residential properties at two special projects sites.

Of the total 250 linear feet needed, Dan Nasalroad, public works administrator/fire chief, said approximately 110 would be along the north boundary at the water treatment plant and the rest along the east boundary at the new fire station site. He confirmed that both sites are already surveyed.

As well, the council authorized a $5,000 change order addition per engineer’s specifications at the fire station site, northeast of the corner of South Fourth and Sycamore streets. Nasalroad explained that beginning excavation dirt work there last Wednesday had unearthed an old cistern approximately 6 feet deep and 8-by-8 feet square.

Thomas Capp’s motion included a stipulation that a special meeting be called if more than the $5,000 authorization is necessary as project engineer Zingre & Associates, Fort Scott, said no other progress can occur until the cistern is filled.

Nasalroad noted that a change order last month had reduced the fire station bid award of $911,900 for general contractor Hofer & Hofer & Associates, Inc., Humboldt, by $8,800 for a change in the building’s steel siding from a thickness of 24 gauge to a thinner 26 gauge.

Also relating to the fire station project, the council approved pay application No. 1 of $11,357.10 to Hofer for a 74-day period ending July 21.

During reports of council committees, Jodi Wade, city clerk, requested a workshop of the water and gas committee to review natural gas finances and rates, and Nasalroad asked for a park committee meeting to discuss future park plans, including ideas for the former water slide area. Danny Curtis, council president, suggested that swimming pool companies “come in now” before end-of-season pool draining “to see what problems we might have.”

During the cemetery committee report, Wade recognized the measuring of undocumented lots “in very hot weather” in the newest south section by Connie Gore, city treasurer, and Bruce Snyder, seasonal cemetery caretaker.

In other business before the council:

--During notes and communications to the council, Mayor Debra Wilson highlighted that the city had received an $8,734.58 commercial insurance policy dividend from EMC through the local Truly Insurance agency.

--In her report, Fenoughty noted six citations since the most recent July 5 meeting: two each for animal cruelty and aggressive dog/running at large/tag and one each for insurance and improper backing.

--In her mayor’s comments, Wilson encouraged support of local youth and adults participating in this year’s Linn County Fair and Rodeo at Mound City which concludes Saturday. She also alerted that school is back in session next Wednesday, Aug. 16, and encouraged safety cautions. Fenoughty said that school crossing lights would be activated sometime this week.