By GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | August 10, 2022

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present, except for Council Member Brenda Watkins-Muncy. 

Based on the lone sealed bid received, the council voted to approve the sale of a condemned utility building located on Lot #3417 for $1,800.

Mike Page, the city’s sewer contractor, presented the sewer report outlining several problems with the city’s aging system and the need to replace the main lift station.  Page advised the council that he will initiate an audit of the entire Low Pressure Sewer System.   Council Member Lew Donelson recommended scheduling a workshop soon to deal with sewer system issues.  

In connection with the city’s water project, the council voted to award a contract to Walker Brothers in the amount of $13,625 for material and installation of culverts at the site of the city’s new water tower.   The award was approved subject to final agreement on contract terms.

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 42 building permits were issued in July, including 2 for new residences.  To date, the city has issued a total of 313 building permits in 2022, including 20 for new home construction.      

In a unanimous vote, the council approved Resolution 117 to condemn five city properties, as follows:     

LOT NUMBER, PROPERTY LOCATION, CONDITION

163, 92 North Linn Valley Drive, Occupied dilapidated and unsafe structure, unsafe and unsanitary condition of property

n/a, East Woodcut Drive, Abandoned house, unsafe structure

1423, 228 Fawn Valley Drive, Abandoned junk, recreational vehicle

3070, 46 Black Oak Drive, Abandoned/unsafe house and unsafe structure

3932, 86 Silver Shadow Lane, Dilapidated/unsafe trailer, unsafe and unsanitary condition of property

A condemnation hearing has been scheduled for 7 p.m. on Sept. 26, 2022, at the Linn Valley City Hall.

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity during the past month, including the investigation of a burglary at the Lake Shop.   There were two arrests for Driving While Suspended, one report of Criminal Damage and one report of a Lost or Misplaced Vehicle tag.  There was also a report of Tattooing a Minor.  During the investigation it was discovered that a second juvenile had also been tattooed.   An 18-year-old female was charged with two counts of illegally tattooing a juvenile.   

The Fire Department responded to four medical calls and one telephone pole fire in Linn Valley; as well as one injury accident, two grass fires and one vehicle fire on Highway 69 in Miami County.  The department has ordered a new Ultra High Pressure (UHP) firefighting system which should be delivered in about five weeks.  The system will replace the tank and pump on the department’s existing brush truck and is being paid for with funds from the July 4^th Fireworks Fundraiser.

In a unanimous vote, the council approved Ordinance No. 241 adopting the standard traffic ordinance known as the “Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities”.  The ordinance deals with regulations for the registration and operation of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s), Work Site Utility Vehicles, Golf Carts and Micro Utility Trucks within city limits.   The council also approved Ordinance No. 242 adopting the Uniform Public Offense Code for the purpose of regulating public offenses within the corporate limits of the city of Linn Valley.

City Clerk Karen Siffring presented the July 2022 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $22,257 and expenses totaling $42,143.  The council voted to approve expense vouchers totaling $150,052 for the month of July.   At Siffring’s request, the council voted to approve the purchase of new accounting software for $900 plus an installation fee of $125.  Siffring noted that the software is needed to manage the city’s eight different bank accounts.   The council also approved consulting fees of up to $2,500 to cover two days of start-up assistance and training with the new software. 

The council voted to approve a 2022-23 propane supply contract with MFA Oil Company for up to 5,000 galloons of propane at a cost of $2.05 per gallon.

At this point the council adjourned to enter into a 15-minute executive session related to property acquisition, reporting upon its return that no action was taken.