The Linn County Commissioners met on Monday, July 31, with only two commissioners, Jim Johnson and Jason Hightower, present for the meeting.
The meeting began with the approval of minutes of last week’s meeting, followed by the approval of claims in the amount of $504,714.93.
Hightower read a thank you card from the Brown Family for the county’s contribution to the Walter Scott Brown road sign.
Linn County Rural Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Randy Hegwald noted his department had responded to five incidents in the last week.
Hegwald then noted that he encourages the stations to hold family events. One such event was taking place at the Prescott Station, when it was interrupted by a vehicular accident.
“It brings family into the fire stations and keeps our doors open,” he explained.
AMR representative Louis Aloi, Operations Supervisor, gave the weekly update, noting the agency had responded to 65 calls for service so far this month, including 16 transports in the last week.
Linn County Sheriff Kevin Friend reported there are 58 inmates, 31 of which are farm-ins, and noted that they had 59 calls to 911 last week.
Linn County Economic Development Administrator Jessica Hightower reported the request-for-proposal (RFP) requests were sent to five newspapers, plus the two local papers, and three people have already reached out.
EDA Hightower noted the county had been awarded a $100,000 CDBG grant on behalf of the STARS vocational school. She added that an agreement will need to be drawn up and signed at next week’s meeting.
EDA Hightower then told commissioners of an upcoming ceremony for Rural Water District 2 at the new water tower site. A ribbon cutting is currently set for 10 a.m. on Aug. 4 at the water tower site at Kansas Highway 52 and W. 600 Road.
EDA Hightower also requested a five minute executive session for legal matters, and 10 minutes with Levi Fyock from Scarecrow Lawn Care, also for legal matters.
Johnson asked a question regarding the contract with Scarecrow Farms and a discussion between the commissioners, the county counselor, and two department heads followed with Fyock agreeing in the end to credit the county for all but two mowings. (See related article in this edition.)
Public Works Administrator Shaun West noted he had sent commissioners several things, including an assistance application from the Fair Board for preparation of the arena for the truck and tractor pull, boom mowing by the creek, etc. West noted the Board will pay for the spraying and the operator will donate his time. West stated the agreement is pretty much the same as last year and commissioners approved it on a 2-0 vote.
West then presented the RFP for the demolition of the Park house and commissioners approved it on a 2-0 vote.
Denny Hardy, the new south shop foreman spoke to commissioners regarding his initial work at the shop to go through and organize things. He stated he had re-drawn the districts and feels the districts are more evenly divided under this set up and it gives the county an excess grader that can allow them to dispose of the one with the most hours and regroup the others.
West then requested a five minute executive session for legal matters.
County Counselor Gary Thompson presented a road easement for boundary line adjustment to give the county a full 70 foot right-of-way on the Todd and Lori Ferguson property. Commissioners approved the easement.
Commissioners then entered into an executive session for ten minutes; five with EDA Hightower and five with West, both for legal matters. Following the session Hightower noted there was no action to be taken.
Darin Wilson, Linn County Planning and Zoning Administrator, presented a change to the nuisance code that goes along with the rezoning for lake communities and unincorporated cities. Commissioners opted to wait until Commissioner Danny McCullough returns to take action on the change.
Discussion then turned to budgets and County Clerk David Lamb presented several, but again, commissioners opted to wait for Commissioner McCullough’s return next week to take action.
County resident Mike White asked commissioners what it would take to move to a five member commission or larger, and commissioners, as well as, Thompson and Lamb responded that it would require a ballot vote and redistricting and then detailed the process.
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
La Cygne leaders anticipate quotes
Price tags are related to City Hall software subscriptions La Cygne city leaders will be anticipating price-quote reports on City Hall software subscriptions when they meet in regular session at 7 p.m. this Wednesday. As motioned by Jerome Mitzner and seconded by... [More]
Commissioners review option for county website
Commissioners spent a portion of their Dec. 2 meeting reviewing an option for a new website hosting company. CivicPlus representative Ryan McNally provided the commissioners information on his company, focusing on their website design and hosting abilities. McNally began by... [More]
SPECIAL: Lamb resigns County Clerk position
Linn County County Clerk David Lamb announced his intent to resign his position in January; that despite his original words to voters that he’d stay in the position for two years until he could train a replacement. A press release was received over the Thanksgiving... [More]
More News
- 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
- Pleasanton learns property annexation null as not done right
- La Cygne, Linn Valley reignite water talks
- Jayhawk Linn educators recognized for their efforts
SPORTS
Prairie View football sets multiple school and individual records
The Prairie View football team had a great season this year. They finished with an 8-3 record and were both 3A District and Regional champions. With such success multiple records were set this season on both a team and individual level. Here are those individual and team records... [More]
Hume teams lose openers at Appleton City
When your teams graduate four 1,000-point career scorers, a rebuild is to be expected. And that’s the case at Missouri border neighbor Hume. Well, kinda. Yes, Hume’s boys graduated cousins Beriah and Bryson Morrison, Beriah now in Kansas City, Mo.’s, Avila... [More]
More Sports
- 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
- Allen leads Lady Buffs at State cross country
- Jayhawk cross country, boys and girls, heading to State