BY GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | April 12, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 10, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.   Smith noted that Linn County Commissioner Jason Hightower was in attendance.

Following bid discussion for the water project (see separate story), the council went into a 20-minute executive session on personnel matters and returned with no action taken.

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 16 building permits were issued in March, with no permits issued for new residences.   Last October, the council placed a moratorium on new building permits for construction involving water and sewer due to pending completion of the land purchase for the new lagoons.  With the land purchase nearly completed and the project moving forward, concerns about exceeding the capacity of the existing lagoons have lessened.   Based on Council Member Lew Donelson’s discussions with the Kansas Rural Water Association earlier this month, the council approved Donelson’s motion to lift the moratorium on new building permits effective immediately.  

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity in the city during the past month, including two arrests for Possession of Controlled Substances, two citations for Dog at Large and one citation for a Vicious Dog.   There were two motor vehicle accident reports and one open investigation for Child Sex Abuse.  Murrison noted that the city’s old patrol car has been cleaned and is ready for sale.  The council approved Council Member Lew Donelson motion to put the vehicle up for bids.    

The Fire Department responded to four medical calls and one grass fire in Linn Valley, as well as two medical calls and three grass fires in Miami County.   The Fire Department will once again hold its annual 4th of July Fireworks Sale to raise funds for department needs.  Based on Council Member Brenda Muncy’s motion, the council voted its unanimous approval of providing up to $13,000 in reimbursable funds for the sale.  Under “Old Business”, Donelson reminded the council that the need for a new fire truck remains an issue for the department.  Murrison noted that the cost of a used truck is probably in the range of $200,000 to $250,000.  Donelson proposed a 1 percent sales tax over a 10-year period to cover the purchase of emergency equipment.   City Clerk Karen Siffring was instructed to prepare a resolution for the tax, as this issue must be placed on the ballot by June 1st of this year. 

Siffring presented the March 2023 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $49,564 and total expenses of $132,893.  Income included $8,115 Ad Valorem tax and expenses included $83,740 for the city’s insurance policy and quarterly health insurance payment.  The council voted to approve the payment of expense vouchers totaling $135,887 for the month of March.   The council also approved a motion by Donelson increasing the city’s credit card spending limit from $2,500 to $6,000.

On a motion by Council Member Robert Suppenbach, the council approved an expenditure of up to $15,000 for the purchase of ClerkBooks software which will integrate into the city’s existing QuickBooks software and will simplify management of the city’s multiple accounts.   Smith stated that, although the software is expensive, the cost is justified given that the city is managing $25 million in projects involving both loans and grants from the federal government.  

Suppenbach proposed a measure to increase the city’s court cost fee from $55 to $85.  Council Members John Weers and Michael Hemphill opposed the increase and Council Member Brenda Muncy requested data justifying the additional cost.  Smith acknowledged that the city’s administrative costs have increased, but that any increase in the current court cost fee considered should be included in the city’s upcoming budget discussions. 

The city received a bid of $6,750 for installation of a wooden ramp at the entrance of the new building.  Smith said the bid seemed high and Muncy questioned whether additional bids were received.   Donelson stated that he would check on the cost of a metal ramp and the matter was tabled pending further review.

The council has scheduled a special meeting at City Hall on Saturday, April 15 at 10:30 a.m., to update the public on the city’s water project.