BY TONY FURSE | March 8, 2023

In addition to halting Community Building rentals and discussing beavers damming private-property waterways, both reports located elsewhere in this issue, La Cygne city leaders approved two public works purchase orders at their regular council meeting last Wednesday, March 1.

Purchase Order No. 2023-4 will allocate up to $70,000 from the water capital outlay fund to acquire through Acrison, Inc., Moonachie, N.J., a carbon feeder for the water treatment plant. The city had made a request to the Linn County Commission, which was denied, to use American Rescue Plan Act funds to help pay for what Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, said is a “must have” item.

Nasalroad said the carbon feeder, which he anticipates might still be up to three months before arrival, “will give us flow that we need. Right now, we can’t put the volume of carbon in that we need.”

In answer to Councilman Jerome Mitzner, Nasalroad said the new feeder is large enough to handle future expansion capabilities.

Purchase Order No 2023-5 allocates $15,618 from the special park and pool tax fund through Blue Valley Tractor, Stilwell, for a Wright zero-turn mower to replace the current Grasshopper mower for the city park.

Like the carbon feeder, Nasalroad said the mower will be delivered in the next few weeks because “it’s not in stock now. There’s very little inventory available.”

Nasalroad said his department has been pleased with a similar mower that has been in use at Oak Lawn Cemetery for the past two seasons.

The council also unanimously approved two special project pay applications.

In considering a final invoice of $29,677.75 from Starbuck Trucking LLC, Fredonia, general contractor for the water plant settling pond new construction and renovation, the council opted to keep $10,000 for retainage. Jodi Wade, city clerk, had suggested holding back “a little.” Nasalroad said he is confident Starbuck will complete any remaining work but admitted the retainage “is good.”

Also approved was pay application No. 9 of $279,765.49 from Nowak Construction Co. Inc., Goddard, general contractor for the sewer rehabilitation project, for a 50-day work period ending Feb. 19.

About patching of project street cuts, Nasalroad reported that Nowak is awaiting the seasonal opening of asphalt plants.

In other action, the council unanimously approved sending to the La Cygne Planning and Zoning Commission application for 76,000 square feet of city-owned property at 602 N. 5th St. to be divided into three plats.

Mayor Debra Wilson had asked about an ad hoc council committee being formed to work with a surveyor to draw out the legal plats, but when council members voiced concern about the time required and their own jobs, the consensus was for Nasalroad and Wade to work with the surveyor and with Abby Mills, water resources engineer for BG Consultants, Inc., Manhattan, concerning the site’s drainage relating to the proposed stormwater master plan.

In her report, Tina Fenoughty, police chief, praised Jo LeStourgeon, full-time police officer, and Allison Fox, codes enforcement officer and zoning administrator, in handling an incident at a local business that involved a “subject with a mental illness issue.” Fenoughty said the business complimented both officers for handling the situation “professionally.”

Fenoughty also said that reports for this year’s January-February time span had doubled those of any of the previous four years.

She also told the council that a possible new vehicle might be secured later this month or early in April and that the city’s annual Dog Days veterinary clinic is set for April 15.

In his report, Nasalroad publicly announced that loose decorations “that hinder mowing” at Oak Park Cemetery will begin to be moved starting March 20 “to get us ready for cemetery mowing season.” He said removed items would be labeled and stored at the cemetery’s building “for a while.”

In other business before the council:

--The council rescinded an earlier appointment of Randy Broyles to the city’s Board of Appeals. Wilson said the city did not receive an acceptance response from his appointment letter.

--Wilson reminded those in attendance of the commercial district Spring Fling Pop Up Shop (small business expo) March 19.

--Citing American flag ethics, Brenneman said he wants to see a light shining on the City Hall flag after dark.

--During the park council committee report, Wilson said swimming pool lifeguards will be interviewed this week. In preparation for the pool’s May 27 opening, Wilson reported that pool managers have been interviewed and offers presented to applicants.

--No public action resulted from an eight-minute executive session for trade secrets relating to a possible city partnership with a non-profit organization, nor for two closed sessions totaling 15 minutes for preliminary acquisition of real property discussion regarding potential home development.