BY TONY FURSE | May 10, 2023

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.