BY TONY FURSE | October 26, 2022

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.