Following a budget amendment hearing, see related story, the council approved bonuses for employees. According to City Clerk Karen Siffring, the city distributed approximately $5,500 in bonuses to 10 employees. Mayor Cindy Smith thanked employees for their hard work and dedication as she passed out envelopes to employees and department heads.
Smith also recognized Siffring for all of the work she is doing, as the sewer and water projects are on her plate, as are the everyday tasks included as clerk of the city.
The city council spoke of two condemnations they are working on; one with personal property and after discussion with City Attorney James Brun, a letter will be sent to one property owner asking that they remove all personal property from the condemned home.
Brun said the city has the capability to remove the personal property, but Smith said they’d rather have the owner remove it.
Councilman Robert Suppenbach asked if the Codes Department couldn’t get a ‘boiler plate’ letter to use where personnel fills out the name of the party and Brun said he could write it for them.
Brun next addressed a dock permit that had been tabled by the Property Owners Association and said the homeowner had submitted the proper documentation to the POA, who tabled it.
He continued that according to research he’d done, there is no legal way to table the permit request.
Brun continued that 30 days have lapsed and the homeowner has the legal right to put up the dock.
He said the dock must be the same as the one submitted in the permit in 2020, which was never denied by the POA or the control committee, so “the city is legally obligated to issue the permit.”
Brun and Smith discussed that the new Ordinance 239 changed the issue with the POA overseeing permits such as this one as the city now has direct control. Smith asked that the permit be issued using 2020 pricing.
During the Mayor’s Report, Smith asked that waste water volume meters be put on the January agenda. Discussion ensued concerning the current contractor for volume meters and issues the city has had with delivery. Councilman Lew Donelson and their engineering firm, BG Consultants, are looking into the situation as they need to proceed with equipment for the low pressure system at the Community Center.
Smith next spoke of fencing around where the new water tower will be as some residents are choosing to not use the gated entrance. Police Chief Corey Murrison has issued tickets to some of those people and Smith said the city needs to fence it to avoid further problems.
Murrison next addressed the council and said his new patrol car was delayed until January, that after ordering it 1.5 years ago.
The council approved two cereal malt beverage licenses; one for The Lake Shop, the other for the golf course.
Smith addressed the building permit moratorium and said they will meet in the near future to see what else can be eliminated from the list of items requiring a building permit. With that, roof replacement was discussed with the council approving a motion that states if a roof repair is less than $5,000 it does not require a building permit.
The council was concerned that reroofing sheds was holding up building inspections. Donelson also addressed that the council wanted to protect Linn Valley residents from disreputable contractors that might want to scam homeowners needing a new roof and suggested the city keep the building permit for new roofs.
Smith went over a sizeable list of accomplishments the council has completed in 2022.
The council approved the appointment of Eric Gross to the Planning and Zoning Committee 5-0.
They also approved an eight-percent cost-of-living increase for employees.
There will be no meeting on Monday, Dec. 26. The next meeting will be Jan. 9, 2023.
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
Pleasanton requests 1-year automatic aid fire extension

Council opts to bolster fire department during grace period Continuing what ended in a tabled discussion two weeks ago on whether to keep or dissolve the Pleasanton Fire Department, the council met Monday night at the Community Center and again heard from the public... [More]
Commissioners hear update, discuss aid agreement for Pleasanton FD

During their May 12 meeting, the commissioners questioned Linn County Rural Fire Chief Randy Hegwald on where the county stood with mutual aid agreements with municipal fire departments, in particular the one for Pleasanton. Commissioner Jim Johnson noted he had received several... [More]
Filing deadline approaches for local seats

Filing deadline is noon on June 2 for open positions on local city government and school district boards; as well as, for Linn County seats on the Marais des Cygnes K-State Research and Extension district board. Danielle Souza, county clerk, said that candidates can file for... [More]
More News
- Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department
- Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project
- La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment
- 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
SPORTS
Pleasanton baseball splits against Jayhawk

The Pleasanton baseball team hosted Jayhawk Linn in a double header on May 6. This was the Jays’ final regular season games before the 2A Regional tournament starting on May 14. The Jays split against the Hawks winning the first game 6-1 but losing the second game 3-6.... [More]
Prairie View softball defeats Osawatomie and Girard

The Prairie View softball team played Osawatomie and Girard this past week. The Lady Buffs did well as they traveled to Osawatomie on May 6 and beat the Trojans in a double header, 11-1 and 15-2. The team then hosted Girard on May 9 and the Lady Buffs won a close game... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational
- Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View
- Pleasanton track travels to Madison, boys take first
- 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