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 VALLEY CITY COUNCIL - Monday, May 22, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 22, 2023, with Council President Robert Suppenbach presiding and all council members present. Mayor Cindy Smith was absent due to illness. Joey McLiney, the city’s financial advisor,... [More]
LA CYGNE CITY COUNCIL - Wednesday, May 17, 2023

In addition to a codes officer resignation and a councilman’s code-violation letter grievance, both reports located elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne city leaders passed Ordinance No. 1510 that codifies a May 3 vote to charge a $200 flat fee for repair costs to damaged... [More]
LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, May 22, 2023

The May 22 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners began with the approval of the minutes of last week’s meeting followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $414,681.39. County Clerk David Lamb noted a need to reschedule the regular meeting on May 29 to Tuesday,... [More]
More Meetings
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, May 15, 2023
- PARKER CITY COUNCIL - Thursday, May 11, 2023
- USD 362 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, May 8, 2023
- LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, May 8, 2023
- MOUND CITY COUNCIL - Tuesday, May 2, 2023
- PRESCOTT CITY COUNCIL - Monday, May 8, 2023
- USD 346 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, May 8, 2023
- USD 344 SCHOOL BOARD - Monday, May 8, 2023
NEWS
Health and cancer screening to be held June 3

A health and cancer screening event is planned for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 3 at the Pleasanton United Methodist Church, 751 Main Street. This event will have prostrate and skin cancer screenings, take-home colorectal cancer screening kits, blood pressure readings, tobacco... [More]
Third annual Thunder on the Street set for June 3

This year’s Thunder on the Street event, set for June 3 on Main Street in Pleasanton, promises several activities for all ages. The wall of death is back this year, only under a new company - Ives Brothers Wall of Death and promises tons of gravity defying entertainment.... [More]
Memorial Day events in Linn County

Saturday, May 27 Linn Valley Memorial Day ceremony at the memorial at 10 a.m. Prescott Cemetery Memorial Day ceremony at 10:30 a.m.; a potluck lunch will follow at the Community Building in Prescott with the city providing the meat, drinks and table service.... [More]
More News
- Tanglewood Lakes gates destroyed by crowd
- Tanglewood incident tops commission meeting
- La Cygne codes officer resigns
- SPECIAL: Press release on protest at Tanglewood Lakes
- Click It or Ticket Campaign Reminds Drivers: Buckle Up May 22 - June 4, and Every Day
- SPECIAL: K-152 resurfacing project to begin in late May
- Commissioners approve STARS funding at 1 mill for 2024
- Commercial solar farms top zoning regulation discussions
SPORTS
Prairie View girls win 3A State track meet

The Prairie View track team traveled to Wichita May 26-27 to compete in the 3A State track championship and brought home some hardware to say the least. The girls’ team earned the school’s first State track championship as they scored 41.5 points to win the 3A girls’... [More]
Jayhawk boys bring home multiple medals at State track

The Jayhawk-Linn track team traveled to Wichita on May 26-27 to compete in the 2A State track championship. The Hawks were well represented this year as they sent a total of 13, seven girls and six boys, to State. The boys’ team earned multiple medals at the meet. Gus... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk softball wins Regional, advances to State
- Lady Buffs win Regional track meet
- Pleasanton track qualifies six for State
- Prairie View girls win Pioneer League track meet
- Pleasanton track places fourth in TRL meet
- Jayhawk track places top two at TRL meet
- Prairie View softball 3-0 against Osawatomie and Girard
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Marmaton Valley and splits against Uniontown