The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, Jan. 30, beginning their meeting with the approval of the minutes from their last meeting. Commissioner Jim Johnson then moved to approve the claims in the amount of $475,575.17. Commissioner Jason Hightower seconded the motion and it carried on a 3-0 vote.
Linn County sheriff Kevin Friend presented his weekly report noting he is currently housing 31 farm-in inmates for Wyandotte County and the U.S. Marshals Service. Friend then asked commissioners about his prior proposal to include all county owned generators in the maintenance agreement he is working on for generators at the new Justice Center; and Public Works Administrator Shaun West stated he was waiting to review one more bid before making a decision. Friend agreed to wait.
Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management coordinator Randy Hegwald reported on incidents for the week and noted the CPR classes held on Saturday went well. He added that they are looking to do more classes in the future,
West provided commissioners with a copy of the year-end inventory and reported the new employee has moved into Phase Two of his training. West then stated he had met with Pfefferkorn on the landfill needs and that work is still in progress. Commissioner Danny McCullough asked West about the situation with State Line Road and West replied that the county had requested a meeting with the other party and had heard nothing back.
West then requested a 10-minute executive session with five minutes for personnel and five minutes for legal matters.
Sherri Loveland, Linn County Park and Marina manager, requested approval to go out for bids on the dredging of the lagoon and work on the swimming and parking area improvements.
Commissioners then approved Resolution 2023-09 regarding the use of poly-tanks and adding in a reduction in lateral systems requirements in the sanitation code for properties larger than two acres.
Commissioners then entered into an executive session for legal matters for 20 minutes with Economic Development director Jessica Hightower and Darcy Wilson, followed by 10 minutes for West with five being for personnel and five for legal matters for a total of 30 minutes.
Upon resuming regular session, County Treasurer Janet Kleweno reported on the interest earnings for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Kleweno and Register of Deeds Kristy Schmitz then requested permission to spend $4,479 for a new copier for the courthouse to replace the one currently in use as parts can no longer be purchased for the one they have. Commissioners approved the request on a 3-0 vote.
Public comment followed in which a gentleman who used to reside at the Linn County Park and Marina asked when the issues he had asked about previously would be dealt with. County Counselor Gary Thompson stated he had received the information required from him but had not yet had an opportunity to discuss it with commissioners and modifications could result from that discussion. The man replied that he had sent the information twice and being unable to verify where he had lived for the last five years was making it extremely difficult to find a residence or to find work. Commissioner McCullough apologized for the delay and stated the commissioners would try to discuss things that day and Thompson stated he would provide a letter verifying residency for him by the next day no matter what the decision.
Following public comment, commissioners entered into a 10-minute executive session for legal matters with Thompson with no action taken afterward.
Commissioners then heard from Mike Dallman with PVD Compliance who explained the process of the sampling of the property valuation and noted that the county was in the confidence range for commercial property sales in the county for both level and uniformity. Residential property sales, however, were in the confidence range for level median and out of range for uniformity. This resulted in possible points of 26.6 points for the county but because the residential ration was both in and out, no points had been given, so the county only received the 3.6 points available for the commercial side of the report for 2022. (See related article in this edition.)
Trading Post curator Ali Hamilton then spoke to commissioners regarding the Kansas legislature renaming a portion of U. S. Highway 69 for a Navy aviation machinists mate second class who lived in Pleasanton when he joined the Navy and subsequently died at Pearl Harbor. Hamilton is trying to raise funds for signs noting the memorial highway to be made and placed by the Kansas Department of Transportation. (See related article in this edition.)
Commissioners then entered into another executive session with five minutes set aside for trade secrets with Jessica Hightower, 10 for legal matters with Thompson and 10 for real estate acquisition with Thompson.
Following the executive session EDA director Hightower reported on available ARPA funding, with Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center requesting $217,500 to cover expenses; La Cygne requested $65,000 to make improvements. McCullough and Johnson felt the funds could be better used in-house and Hightower moved to deny the request from Southeast Kansas Mental Health and motion carried. Johnson moved to deny the request from La Cygne with the motion approved on a 2-1 vote with Hightower voting against.
Commissioners gave permission for Jessica Hightower to develop a request for bids for a developer of the Moderate Income Housing grant.
Commissioners approved the use of the $100,000 allocation from ARPA, which is separate from funds received from the federal government. This grant from the Kansas Housing Corporation would pay for a developer to come in and build houses around the county; the motion carried on a 3-0 vote.
Commissioners reviewed financial information for the airport provided by Hightower and discussed current issues with the pump. She further noted that one owner at the airport is held up on developing his portion of the property due to the county being unable to complete some areas of development. The county is currently paying county, city and school district property taxes. She gets calls on a regular basis asking about lots, but they are not interested in buying them.
“We need a draw that’s not just fuel,” said Director Hightower.
McCullough asked what it would cost to have a developer build on the property and manage it.
“Pilots are not paying for our lots,” stated Thompson.
“We need to develop a plan,” said McCullough.
Director Hightower noted she had applied for a $50,000 grant for development. Discussion then turned to attending the committee meeting next Monday and Commissioner Johnson suggested a workshop to develop a plan.
Chris Martin reported all buildings at the Park are set up for internet and new laptops are in and delivered.
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
Lettuce, lettuce for everyone
USD 344 wins vertical sustainability garden grant A grant that Pleasanton USD 344 went after in October 2023 for a pod to grow vertical sustainability gardens was confirmed won by the district. Superintendent Don Epps said the program should produce 400 to 500 heads... [More]
Local food drives to aid Linn County organizations and families
Three local schools and one local business are working to ensure that all of Linn County has a happy and healthy holiday season. Pleasanton Elementary, Parker Elementary and La Cygne Elementary are collecting canned and shelf-stable food products for the holiday season. Parker... [More]
Commissioner questions process of clerk’s resignation, appointment
During the Dec. 9 meeting, Linn County Commissioner Jim Johnson noted he had been asked by several people and questioned County Clerk David Lamb on the process that will take place when his resignation becomes effective. Lamb explained to the commissioners that it is up to... [More]
More News
- La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
- Commissioners review option for county website
- SPECIAL: Lamb resigns County Clerk position
- Deputy extinguishes fire at Prairie View
- Commissioners meet with city representatives on compactor sites
- Pleasanton Council discusses compactor agreement
- Commissioners hold election canvass
- Linn Valley Council fills vacant council seat
SPORTS
Prairie View varsity girls’ wrestling compete at Spring Hill
The Prairie View girls’ varsity wrestling team traveled to Spring Hill on Dec. 7 to compete in the Spring Hill Girls’ Invitational. The Lady Buffs placed 10th out of 21 teams with a score of 46. Gardner Edgerton won the tournament with a score of 179. Here are the... [More]
Jayhawk varsity girls’ wrestling start season at KanOkla tournament
The Jayhawk girls’ varsity and JV wrestling teams traveled to Caney Valley on Dec. 6 to compete in the KanOkla girls’ wrestling tournament. The Lady Hawks placed 14th out of 20 teams with 50 team points. Douglas won the tournament with 130.5 team points. Here are... [More]
More Sports
- Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
- All County Volleyball team 2024
- Three Rivers League releases 11 man All League football team
- Jayhawk volleyball has a great season and earns four unanimous all league selections
- Prairie View volleyball celebrates record setting season of team and individual accomplishments
- Prairie View football defeats Columbus to move to the sectional round of the playoffs
- Prairie View football advances to Regional round of 3A playoffs
- Jayhawk cross country finishes season at 3A State meet at Rim Rock