LINN COUNTY NEWS
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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.
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
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- Fire department public hearing nets crowd
- County counselor issues statement on Tanglewood roads
- Linn Valley City Council ends discussion with SEKMHC on building
- SPECIAL: Legislative Update
- 16 criminal cases from Tanglewood Lake incident dismissed
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- Jayhawk hosts home track invitational
- Prairie View track competes at Jayhawk Invitational
- Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and falls to Uniontown
- Jayhawk track wins the Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track places in top three at home invitational
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational