By GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | June 15, 2022

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 13, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present. The meeting began with the Council passing of three resolutions, as follows:

By unanimous vote, the Council approved Resolution No. 114 authorizing the establishment of an account with the Municipal Investment Pool, a public funds investment pool operated by the Pooled Money Investment Board.

By unanimous vote, the Council approved Resolution No. 115 condemning the following city properties of owners who have failed to respond and/or take corrective action. A Condemnation Hearing for these properties has been scheduled July 25, 2022:

- Lot 163, 93 N. Linn Valley Dr. William P. Woodrum Unsafe/unsanitary condition

- 9 Linn Valley Drive L.V. Property Owners Assoc. Abandoned/unsafe structure

- Lot 1423, 238 Fawn Valley Dr. Kathern Armitage Abandoned junk/RV

- Lot 3070, 39995 Alba Way D. Baellow and John Gunther Abandoned/unsafe structure

- Lots 2970 -71, 61 Spruce Dr. Angel Long Abandoned/unsafe structure

- Lot 3932, 86 Silver Shadow Ln R. Spradling and P. Ruble-Kelley Dilapidated/unsafe structure

By unanimous vote, the Council approved Resolution No. 116 declaring the City’s need to acquire a 139-acre parcel of land north of City Hall via eminent domain. The land is needed for construction of two large wastewater lagoons, however, the City has been unable to reach agreement with the landowner Kiwi Cattle LLC of Stillwell, Kan. City Attorney James Brun will file a motion in District Court for eminent domain and acquisition of the property.

Director of Planning and Maintenance Dan Donham updated the Council on the City’s Wastewater Lagoon Expansion Project, noting that (3) aerators have been purchased for the existing wastewater lagoons and are in the process of being installed. Wastewater flow meters at Bathhouse #2 and the Clubhouse were installed and commissioned on June 6, 2022. A flow meter for POA Building has been installed but is not yet functional.

At Donham’s request, the Council approved an award of $4,325 to E.K. Land Management for mowing and herbicide application in the area of the existing wastewater lagoons and the City Hall parking lot.

In connection with the Water Project, an agreement has been made to purchase a 40’ x 40’ parcel at a cost of $9.500 for use as a Booster Pump location. By unanimous vote, the Council approved a bid award of $9,385 for a concrete approach, culvert and brush clearing at the six-acre Water Tower site.

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that code violation letters were sent to 13 property owners in May for various violations.

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity during the past month, including three vehicle accident reports, one arrest for driving while suspended, one criminal damage to property report, one citation for littering, one citation for dog at large, two reports for runaways, one juvenile taken into police protective custody and one suicide. Officers targeted juveniles operating golf carts and ATV’s. They conducted numerous stops and informed parents and kids of the rules for operating those vehicles.

The Fire Department responded to seven medical calls and one fire alarm in Linn Valley. The department also responded to one vehicle accident and two medical calls in Miami County, as well as one vehicle fire and one structure fire. Murrison noted that the sale of fireworks for the Fire Department’s annual July 4 fundraiser will begin on Monday, June 27

City Clerk Karen Siffring presented the May 2022 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $12,498 and expenses totaling $66,179. The Council voted to approve expense vouchers totaling $208,619 for the month of May. Siffring noted that the Council will hold a Special Meeting on June 20 at 7 p.m. to discuss the 2023 Budget and the proposed hiring of a Planning and Zoning Consultant.

Council member Lew Donelson announced that the City’s TNR (Trap, Neuter and Release) program has been temporarily suspended due to reduced activity of stray cats and fuel cost.