The Linn Valley City Council held its bimonthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.
The meeting began with the installation of the newest appointed member of the Linn Valley Planning & Zoning Commission. Linn Valley resident Eric Groce was sworn in by City Clerk Karen Siffring as a member of the commission joining members Monte Chayer, Danny Davies, Greg Ahnemann and Commission Chairman Eric Victor.
Smith presented to the council a list of city priorities for 2023 which included the following:
1. Continued oversight and focus on completion of the city’s water project.
2. Continued oversight and focus on completion of the city’s wastewater treatment project.
3. The review and updating of staffing requirements in both the short and long term.
4. The review and updating of the city’s employee handbook.
5. A comprehensive update of the city’s website, potentially by an outside firm.
Consideration of compensation for first responders in the volunteer fire department, including possible incentives for training.
Determination of the cost, availability and financing options for the purchase of a fire truck.
Achieving the goal of taking on no additional debt for the city.
A review and update of zoning ordinances by the Planning & Zoning Commission, as well as an update of the commission’s comprehensive plan.
Review and update of both short- and long-term rental of property by the city, including a long-term plan for City Hall. This will entail an evaluation of whether to continue renting the current building addition, purchasing it or building a new permanent structure.
Smith noted that the above is a working list of priorities and is subject to change.
Council Member Robert Suppenbach spoke on behalf of the council in congratulating Public Safety Director Corey Murrison on the Police Department’s successful “sting” operation which resulted in the break-up of a local theft ring. On Jan. 21, 2023, officers from the Linn Valley Police Department set up an operation to purchase stolen items from an individual on Facebook Marketplace. It was believed the items had been taken from a residence in Linn Valley.
From Murrison’s report: “Officers posed as potential buyers and set up a meeting with the suspects in Louisburg. With the assistance of the Louisburg Police Department, two suspects were arrested when the items were positively identified as stolen.
“The suspects were transported to the Linn Valley Police Department where they confessed to the theft of items in the initial burglary report. During further questioning, both suspects admitted to breaking into several trailers in the RV storage area west of City Hall. While investigating those crimes, which had not yet been reported, it was discovered that a camper had been stolen. The suspects admitted to stealing the camper and agreed to show the officers where it was. They located the camper in Kansas City, MO, and with the assistance of the Kansas City Missouri Police Department, it was eventually recovered.”
Murrison noted that his department is still working on contacting additional victims and working with the Kansas City Missouri Police Department to recover additional property. Both suspects apprehended were lodged in the Linn County Jail and are awaiting formal charges.
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 appoint new county counselor
The Linn County Commissioners held several interviews in executive session following their meeting on Monday, Apr. 15, for the position of county counselor, legal advisor to the Board of County Commissioners. This week the commissioners appointed Mark Hagen, of Hagen Law Offices,... [More]
La Cygne accepts desludging cost
Biosolid removal at lagoons part of major sewer project La Cygne city leaders have accepted a cost for desludging at two of the city’s three wastewater lagoons. In a unanimous action at their regular meeting last Wednesday, the council approved $412,400 for... [More]
USD 362 sets capacity numbers
District now prepares for lottery applications Prairie View Unified School District 362 has set capacity numbers for the 2024-25 school year. At their monthly meeting April 16, the board of education unanimously adopted capacity of 80 students per grade level at... [More]
More News
- Pull Tabs for Pound Puppies
- Linn County Planning Commission proceeds with prohibiting commercial solar fields
- Commissioners send CUP for rock quarry back to P&Z again
- La Cygne to update police gear
- STARS welding competes at GCCC 2024 competition
- Mine Creek Battlefield Foundation to hold music festival
- SEKMH presents outreach program to commissioners
- Linn Valley residents respond to council appointment
SPORTS
Prairie View softball goes 4-2 in busy week
The Prairie View softball team played three double-headers this past week. On April 15 they hosted Paola and swept the Panthers 16-7 and 8-7. Then on April 16 they traveled to Osage City and split against them losing the first game 4-10 and winning the second 6-3. On April 18... [More]
Pleasanton baseball sweeps St. Paul and Oswego
The Pleasanton baseball team recently played league foes St. Paul and Oswego and swept them each in double-headers. On April 15 the team traveled to St. Paul and won both games 13-1 and 16-3 and then on April 22 they hosted Oswego and won both games 15-0 and 17-2. In the... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View track has strong performance at Anderson County
- Jayhawk track wins Pleasanton Invitational
- Pleasanton track hosts home invitational
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Crest
- Prairie View track takes on tough challenge at Paola
- Pleasanton baseball routs Yates Center
- Pleasanton baseball starts season 4-0
- Jayhawk softball sweeps Central Heights, splits against Uniontown