BY TONY FURSE | September 28, 2022

LINN COUNTY NEWS

NEWSPAPERSRME@YAHOO.COM

In addition to addressing a sewer-line slope issue discovery, a report located elsewhere in this edition, La Cygne city leaders heard Tina Fenoughty, police chief and animal control officer, explain that 19 animal cruelty citations and three for aggressive dog/running at large/tag have been turned over to the county where enforcement will likely “have more teeth.”

At the regular council meeting last Wednesday, Sept. 21, she reported one dog at the city’s pound, with another two that were to be picked up by week’s end. Dan Nasalroad, public works superintendent, reported also that crew members for Nowak Construction Co., Inc., Goddard, general contractor for the sewer rehabilitation system, are also “having issues with dogs.”

Otherwise, Fenoughty reported two citations, one each for general speeding and a suspended driver’s license, since the most recent Sept. 7 meeting. She also reported that the Linn County Sheriff’s Department is resuming vehicle identification number inspections, which she said should lessen the load for her city department.

Unanimous council actions last week included approval of pay application No. 3 for $244,735.38 to Starbuck Trucking, LLC, Fredonia, general contractor for the water treatment plant pre-sedimentation pond new construction/rehabilitation. The payment includes two previously approved change orders totaling $102,564 and leaves unpaid retainage of $39,677.75.

Another pay approval was for inspection voucher fees of $21,530.17 to be released from the city’s pre-paid $379,000 deposit with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to Cook, Flatt & Strobel Engineers, P.A. for 23 days of service ending July 29. The Topeka-based firm inspected the KDOT City Connecting Link Improvement Project widening at the intersection of East Market Street at Industrial Boulevard.

The council also approved a $6,820 second-phase payment to the Institute for Building Technology and Safety, Ashburn, Va., the entity assisting with La Cygne’s economic comprehensive plan development.

During the codes report, the council granted Allison Fox, permanent part-time codes enforcement officer and zoning administrator, the okay to search for a small truck or utility task vehicle. Councilman Jerome Mitzner suggested a directive in the $25,000 price range for a small truck that would “be conducive for city duties and for travel.” Danny Curtis, council president, recommended pricing vehicles, too, through auction-service searches.

Jodi Wade, city clerk, said capital outlay budget for the police department is $45,000 this year and $52,000 next year.

The council also approved Wade resubmitting for a second-round Historic Economic Asset Lifeline grant of up to a $75,000 match by the Oct. 21 deadline as opened by Gov. Laura Kelly and Lt. Gov. David Toland, who also serves as the Kansas Department of Commerce secretary. Wade said building facade or construction projects are eligible for the matching grant, with La Cygne to identify the Community Building in its application.

Wade also reported on city expenditures this year totaling $48,633 to raze four condemned houses and indicated gathering information about the Kansas Resource Housing Association and the Kansas Department of Commerce, which assist with housing programs.

In other business before the council:

--The council will consider at the regular 7 p.m. meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 5, whether to retain the current policy of changing starting time to 6 p.m. during late fall/winter standard time. During daylight savings time, regular meetings convene at 7 p.m. Without a change next week, the 6 p.m. start time would first occur Nov. 16

--Wade said that bid letting on the proposed new fire station could occur in January.

--Curtis reported that woodworking on the new Oak Lawn Cemetery information board was constructed Sept. 17. He expects its metal protective roof to be installed by week’s end, with work still remaining on a concrete slab base.

--The council will meet with the Lincoln Township board for a 6 p.m. workshop this Wednesday, Sept. 28, to review its charter ordinance pertaining to the Park Board, with results then to be brought before the council at next week’s meeting.

--On a guideline article pertaining to discipline and personnel policy, Mayor Debra Wilson suggested tabling it until November after Mitzner, along with Curtis the council’s employee relations and training committee, asked for input from division supervisors.

--No public action followed a seven-minute executive session for preliminary discussion of real estate acquisition.