In addition to giving its police chief a vehicle high limit and hearing a recreational vehicle permit recommendation, both reports located elsewhere in this issue, La Cygne city leaders also approved a public works purchase order request at the council’s regular meeting last Wednesday, Jan. 18.
A unanimous vote authorizes a gas fund purchase through USDI (Utility Safety and Design, Inc., Wichita), the city’s natural gas partner, for an Eagle digital chart recorder with an installation and phone setup fee of $3,000 and $30 monthly thereafter.
Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, cited gas pressure issues, noting that a pressure loss of at least 10 percent “needs to be checked.” The monthly fee allows for phone alerts and storage, he explained.
On a 4-1 vote, with David Brenneman dissenting, the council authorized Jodi Wade, city clerk, to inform intermediary Kansas Municipal Gas Agency of the city’s intent to be a part of a Minnesota Municipal Gas Agency (MMGA) proposed pre-paid gas supply project.
MMGA had first proposed a similar 30-year incentive program four years ago but did not receive enough participants to launch the project.
The council vote allows the city annually to purchase at a discount 20,000 MMBtus (metric million British thermal units) of natural gas, about one-third of La Cygne’s annual average 58,000 MMBtu consumption. If the program does launch this time, Wade estimated a savings of $7,250 for the city, saying that the MMGA discount could range between 25 and 40 cents below market value per MMBtu.
Citing the city’s MMBtu commitment through MMGA must be purchased and its 30-year duration, council members agreed to set their participation rate conservatively.
The council did pass three separate resolutions on unanimous votes.
First passed as a general action Nov. 2, Resolution No. 448 officially acknowledges a transfer reassignment amendment of a ground lease agreement for the communications tower originally contracted through Alltel Corporation doing business as Verizon Wireless on a city-owned 40-foot square at 419 S. Fifth St.
Last week’s action now assigns the lease from STC Towers LLC, Warsaw, Ind., that began in June 2021 to Vertical Bridge Development LLC, a Delaware limited liability company headquartered at Boca Raton, Fla.
Mayor Debra Wilson said the resolution provides a paper trail concerning amendment changes for the 25-year agreement that originally began with Alltel in June 2020.
Resolution Nos. 449 and 450 each close and block portions of Broadway, Commercial and Walnut streets for scheduled downtown spring events near the Community Building.
One closes and blocks the intersecting area from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19 for a Spring Fling Pop Up Shop (small business expo), the other from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 for La Cygne Library’s Block Party family events.
Other unanimous actions include separate payments for engineering services conducted by BG Consultants, Inc., Lawrence, of $32,095 for the sewer rehabilitation project and $4,400 for the storm water master plan.
About the storm water runoff project, Councilman Jerome Mitzner said the master plan, a main topic for a potential town hall meeting next month, will involve “different projects as time goes along.” He said the timeline focus will be from La Cygne’s north side flowing downhill to Kansas Highway 152 and then either under or sideways along the highway to seek flow southward.
Mitzner said a recurring storm water runoff problem is “the amount of debris in ditches” and culverts
“clogged with leaves, sticks and trash.”
Nasalroad agreed that storm water runoff “hot spots” for his public works crew are road crossings and alley culverts.
During discussion on the council’s cemetery committee report, Wade raised a question about being able to create a printed plot map “big enough to be seen” on the available space at the new information board. She also encouraged the information board to make distinctions, especially for out-of-town family genealogy grave seekers, between Oak Lawn Cemetery (older north), Pollman Addition (center) and La Cygne Cemetery (newest south).
During discussion of unmarked paupers’ graves at Oak Lawn’s north end, Mitzner suggested using a ground depth radar to detect sub-surface “disturbed” earth. Nasalroad said the pauper’s section is beyond the farthest north road boundary.
In other business before the council:
--The council accepted a resignation letter from Paul Kana from the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission. Council consensus is to send Kana a letter thanking him for his service.
--Wade reported that advertising for summer swimming pool managers begins this Wednesday, Jan. 25.
--During her mayor’s comments, Wilson presented a 2022 review of La Cygne major initiatives and projects, as well as past year’s policy updates and changes.
--A five-minute executive session for non-elected personnel to review applications and resumes 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
Kansas to follow Trump’s No Tax on Tips initiative

TOPEKA – This morning, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson and Senator Caryn Tyson, who is Chair of the Senate Tax Committee, at a press conference announcing that Kansas will follow President Trump’s No Tax on Tips initiative.... [More]
Souza appointed new Linn County clerk

The Linn County Republican Central Committee held a nominating convention Sunday, Feb. 2 to replace Linn County Clerk David Lamb who resigned effective January 31. The convention was chaired by Becky Johnson with 19 precinct committee men and women present. Johnson read the... [More]
Commissioners hear from citizen on plat approval near Parker

During the weekly meeting on Monday, Feb. 3, Linn County resident Jan Longenecker spoke to commissioners regarding a plat change and construction on a property near his property that he had previously protested during its initial process for a subdivision plat. Longenecker... [More]
More News
- Pleasanton Council allays fears of losing compactor
- Donations sought for families following accident
- Juveniles fall through ice, drown at Lake Chaparral
- Trash compactor negotiation continues with Pleasanton and county
- USD 362 gives ‘go-ahead’ on fire repairs
- Parker patron questions city spending
- La Cygne holds line on water rates
- County Clerk David Lamb tenders official resignation
SPORTS
Jayhawk girls’ basketball defeats Pleasanton and falls to Southeast and St. Paul

The Jayhawk Linn girls’ basketball team was busy last week as they faced Pleasanton, Southeast Cherokee and St. Paul. They traveled to Pleasanton on Jan. 28 and then Southeast on Jan. 30 before hosting St. Paul on Ja. 31. The game against Pleasanton saw the Lady Hawks... [More]
Pleasanton girls’ basketball falls to Jayhawk and Arma

The Pleasanton girls’ basketball team hosted Jayhawk Linn and Northeast Arma this past week. They faced Jayhawk on Jan. 28 and then Northeast on Jan. 31. The girls battled in each game but lost both, first to Jayhawk 11-44 and then to Arma 21-32. The Lady Jays faced Jayhawk... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View girls’ basketball are champions of the Kenny Holt Memorial tournament
- Pleasanton boys’ basketball team placed seventh at Kenny Holt Memorial Tournament
- Jayhawk girls’ basketball takes second at Uniontown
- Jayhawk boys’ wrestling places sixth at Wellsville
- Prairie View girls’ basketball has a busy week against Pioneer League competition
- Prairie View boys’ varsity wrestling places seventh at Louisburg
- Jayhawk boys’ varsity wrestling competes at Louisburg
- Jayhawk basketball sweeps Northeast Arma