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
Commissioners discuss effects of city disbandment of fire department

During the Public Works report at the May 5 meeting Linn County Commissioners heard a brief report on mutual aid agreements for the Linn County Rural Fire Department and what effect the possible disbandment of the Pleasanton Fire Department will have on the county. District... [More]
Blue Mound discusses financing options for water tower project

Members of the Blue Mound City Council heard from Tom Fingers of Midwest Assistance Program and Joey McLiney from McLiney and Company concerning options for financing the water tower on Monday, May 5, for their regular monthly meeting. The city has received a grant... [More]
La Cygne leaders contemplate sales tax adjustment

After bond defeasance, election would be required to alter stated fund focus By all appearances, La Cygne voters may not be far away from seeing a ballot proposal to alter the stated focus for one of its two 1-cent city sales taxes. Information at the two regular... [More]
More News
- 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
- Tanglewood seeks clarification, aid from county
- Commission workshop hears of justification for SEKMHC CEO $600,000 salary
- La Cygne police get automatic plate readers
SPORTS
Prairie View track has a great day as they host home invitational

The Prairie View track team hosted their home invitational on May 1. The Buffalos did very well as the girls won the meet with a score of 142 and the boys placed second with a score of 92. Central Heights won the meet for the boys with a score of 103. Once again, the Buffalos... [More]
Jayhawk track places top three at Prairie View

The Jayhawk Linn track team traveled to Prairie View on May 1 to compete in the Prairie View Invitational. The Hawks did well at the event as the girls placed second overall with 124 points while the boys placed third overall with 89 points. Here are the individual... [More]
More Sports
- 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
- Prairie View track has multiple gold winners at Anderson County, top athletes compete at KU Relays
- Jayhawk baseball earns first victories of the season
- Pleasanton boys’ and girls’ track teams win Oswego Invitational