In addition to setting an amended budget hearing and streamlining a single year-round regular meeting start time, a report included elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne city leaders handled routine business during their one-hour regular council meeting last Wednesday, Oct. 19.
On a 3-0 vote, with Jerome Mitzner and Keith Stoker not present, the council approved a $5,600 consultant-client agreement payment for civil engineering services on the proposed new fire station at 219 S. 4th St. to BG Consultants, Inc., Lawrence.
After Councilman David Brenneman expressed hesitancy about the expenditure, Jodi Wade, city clerk, said the city “had already committed to a stormwater survey” and said the BG plans address water drainage for the site’s “long concrete driveway.” Councilman Thomas Capp said the project “can’t be put out for bids without these civil plans” and motioned to approve payment, even though he expressed dissatisfaction with past BG agreements where he said the city “didn’t get what they were paying for.”
Wade said the one-time payment for the “stamped set of plans” can be filed and reused at a later time if the council rejects all bids returned after the project’s letting in January. Added Danny Curtis, council president, about the BG drawings that will include side, grading and water/sewer utility service plans, “These make sure bidders are comparing apples to apples.”
During her mayor’s comments, Debra Wilson read a prepared memorandum on the state of La Cygne city government and then asked each councilman present for additional comments.
Capp said his reason for being on the council is “to give back to the city.” Brenneman expressed concern about property tax increases for lower-income residents.
Curtis was most direct--”We need to listen to taxpayers more. It seems like we’re doing what city employees want, and we shouldn’t be going home and hiding in our holes.”
Later in the meeting, the council on Brenneman’s request conducted two executive sessions totaling 20 minutes for non-elected personnel individual employee’s performance, with no follow-up public action.
During her comments, Wilson also noted Halloween-related activities over the next week that include Friday’s trunk-or-treat along Broadway from 6-8 p.m.--”anyone who wants to set up can”--along with a La Cygne Christian Church event.
Monday events include trunk-or-treats at the Family Cafe and the Christian Church, along with the annual hot dog/chili feed beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Thayer Park and hosted by the La Cygne volunteer fire department. Dan Nasalroad, fire chief, urged trick-or-treaters and their adult chaperones “to be careful with all the construction going on around town.”
In other business before the council:
--With paper costs per case rising to $68, Wade urged leaders to “hold on and utilize copies for policies without needing to make multiple copies for other meetings.”
--Nasalroad reported that Nowak Construction Co, Inc., Goddard, general contractor for the sewer system rehabilitation project, is expected to begin the relining phase again this week. He said the contractor is “finding a lot of abandoned taps.”
--Curtis reported that the Oak Lawn Cemetery display board is completed and the concrete base pad poured. He said quotes are being sought for a concrete parking area there. He noted individually Leon Callahan, Bob Curry, Carol Stainbrook and Judy Wier for their volunteer efforts during the project.
--Wade reported that topical town hall meetings concerning the stormwater master plan are expected to begin after the first of the year. Also proposed in early 2023 will be a town hall meeting involving the council and Linn County commissioners for the public to review a comprehensive economic plan.
--Nasalroad said completion occurred two weeks ago on a project to move natural gas meters originally along the alley north of the local library closer to houses to prevent them from being struck by vehicles.
--Tabled pending suggested corrections by Burton Harding, city attorney, for the 7 p.m. regular meeting next Wednesday, Nov. 2, is another reassignment of a ground lease agreement at the original Verizon communications tower site, this time to Vertical Bridge Development LLC, Boca Raton, Fla.
--Wilson reported that the community Thanksgiving dinner is set for Nov. 19 at the Christian Church, with donations welcome to cover the $1,200 needed for turkeys. She reported that the La Cygne Chamber of Commerce has donated $500.
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
NOTICE:

The Linn County News and Linn County Printing offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in honor of the holiday.
Pleasanton awarded $617,000 KDOT street grant

The city of Pleasanton was notified June 24 that they were the recipients of a much-needed street grant in the amount of $617,000. City Administrator Becky Hegwald said, “I was surprised when we got it; you normally have to apply several times. I didn’t have a lot... [More]
Commissioners discuss development zoning appeals

Linn County Planning and Zoning Director Ben Souza deferred to Interim Public Works Administrator Jesse Walton during the June 30 meeting of the Linn County Commissioners in regards to a request from Jan Longenecker for an appeal on a building permit. During the meeting, Walton... [More]
More News
- Questions on employee emails leads to lengthy discussion
- NOTICE:
- Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners
- Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
SPORTS
Gratton at Nationals

Pleasanton’s Ashton Gratton qualifies for the Adidas Nationals in Greensboro, North Carolina after winning the 100 and 200 meter dashes in the KSHSAA 2A State tournament in Wichita on May 31. The Adidas Nationals took place from June 20-22 and Gratton did well in both the... [More]
Summer Ball Tournaments

The Parker 8-11 baseball team 1 places first in their league tournament at La Cygne on June 28. See more photos on page B1 of this week's edition.
More Sports
- 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
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record