In addition to awarding a new fire station construction bid and setting a flat fee for damaged water meters, two reports located elsewhere in this issue, La Cygne city leaders waived $36.92 in late water fees for a local property owner.
At the regular council meeting last Wednesday, May 3, April Ryan, North Kansas City, Mo., told of a property purchase at 410 Walnut last September, with water turned on there two months later to wash the structure and repair of a leak.
Since then, Ryan said she recently received a “surprise” cumulative billing of $472 and surmised that the bill had been sent to the property address rather than the billing address.
Mayor Debra Wilson indicated that Connie Gore, city treasurer, had reported that none of the bills had been returned. The mayor admitted “a bit of a glitch on our end” but said Gore had indicated “some water use had shown up. I want to remedy this, but I want to be comfortable with the remedy.”
Councilman Jerome Mitzner agreed that “on our end we want to do what we can to remedy.” He noted that he had not received a water bill last month.
“I know there are issues out there,” Mitzner said. “But water went through your meter. We can’t compensate that, but we can waive penalties because of the glitch.”
Ryan, who is inquiring about other city property, said she wants “to do more to make the city nice, but this isn’t a pleasant experience.” She asked that the water be turned off at the Walnut address for now.
Another local property owner, Brad Snodgrass, reported on the eventual demolition of old houses and inquired about a discounted dump fee.
Wilson said his request is possible “but tricky” if wanting to bypass the technicality of a condemnation process and will include application to the county for approval.
On another 3-0 vote, with David Brenneman and Danny Curtis not present, the council empowered Jodi Wade, city clerk, and Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, to list city property at 602 N. Fifth St. through a local realtor. Nasalroad indicated that a realtor agreement should be ready by the 7 p.m. regular council meeting next Wednesday, May 17.
On Wilson’s urging, a related 3-0 vote allows the city, pending attorney review, to enter into a joint service agreement on the North Fifth property with Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) for professional planning and zoning services.
Wade said no monetary commitment is due to IBTS “until you utilize their services.”
Another council action authorizes Wilson to sign a substantial completion certificate for the water treatment plant settling ponds project. The certificate sets last Nov. 15 as the effective warranty date.
About the project, Nasalroad said changing of some bolts will occur in August, and fencing supplies are in stock and awaiting drier weather for installation.
In other business before the council:
--In her mayor’s comments, Wilson noted the June 1 noon deadline to file for mayor and two council positions (Curtis and Mitzner) for this fall’s general election. Wilson, who said she had filed for reelection earlier that day at the county clerk’s office, also urged voter registration.
--Wade said the audit report for fiscal year 2022 “did very well, with no hiccups.”
--With the Kansas Department of Transportation’s City Connecting Link Improvement Program widening the intersection of Kansas Highway 152 and Industrial Boulevard completed and warranty past, Wilson indicated that cracks in the new poured sidewalks there will be the city’s responsibility.
--Following a five-minute executive session for non-elected personnel, the council approved advertising to fill a laborer-1 public works department position.
--The council set a workshop to review a draft of Article 18, factory-built home district including recreational vehicle storage, for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
--No public action followed a five-minute executive session to discuss security measures regarding City Hall protocol nor a 10-minute closed session for legal attorney/client privilege to discuss potential litigation.
--Nasalroad anticipated completion of street-cut asphalting for the sewer rehabilitation project at the end of last week, and Wilson said residents can still add project punch list items by contacting City Hall. During his public forum time, Snodgrass reported a clogged sewer at one of his properties.
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
Boil Water Advisory Issued for the City of La Cygne, Linn County

TOPEKA –The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has issued a boil water advisory for the City of LaCygne public water supply system located in Linn County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice: Boil water for one minute... [More]
Pleasanton PD makes drug arrest during domestic call

On July 24 officers with the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a call for an ongoing domestic issue at 605 E. 5th Street in Cabin 3 with the assistance of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. During the ensuing investigation, it was found that the... [More]
Commissioners review departmental budgets

SEKMHC budget cut During the July 28 meeting, the Linn County Commissioners reviewed several departmental budgets. Discussions began with Linn County Sheriff James Akes. Sheriff Akes explained to commissioners that initially he had budgeted extra hours to cover... [More]
More News
- Wisdom appointed Pleasanton Fire Chief
- Pleasanton Council cuts to get to revenue neutral
- Local residents warn of bad business practices
- Special: Resurfacing to begin on U.S. 69 in Linn County
- Pleasanton FD again at center of heated discussion
- La Cygne city to be below revenue neutral
- USD 362 files revenue-neutral exceedances
- Commissioners discuss airport future, request more information
SPORTS
Pleasanton trapshooting team shows grit at National Championship

Eight members of the Pleasanton Trapshooting Team traveled to Mason, Mich., last week to compete in the USA Clay Target League National Championship. Five members participated in the team event, and all eight competed individually. The team was among 264 qualified teams competing... [More]
Blue Mound softball earns second place at Crest

The Blue Mound girls’ coach pitch team 1 places second at the TRL girls’ coach pitch tournament at Colony. The tournament took place from July 7 to July 9.
More Sports
- Nobodys wins Blue Mound co-ed softball tournament
- Pleasanton 12-14 baseball wins championship
- Gratton at Nationals
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Summer Ball Tournaments
- Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship
- Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad
- Prairie View trapshooting competes at State