By GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | March 15, 2023

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 13, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.  

In connection with the water project, Smith reported that negotiations between the city and Rural Water District #1 continue and that the parties are getting closer to an agreement.  

Likewise, with the proposed new lagoons for the Wastewater Treatment Project, City Attorney James Brun noted that negotiations for the land purchase are going well and a final agreement is anticipated soon.  Smith informed the council that a special council meeting will be scheduled as soon as the purchase is complete.   

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 12 building permits were issued in February, including one permit issued for a new residence.   A total of 39 building permits have been issued in 2023, as compared to 71 permits at this point in 2022.

On Council Member Lou Donelson’s recommendation, the council voted to approve the award of a mowing contract at $150 per occurrence to Mike Van Vlack of La Cygne.  The award is subject to agreement on a final contract. 

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity in the city during the past month, including one arrest for Driving While Suspended, one arrest for Driving Under the Influence, one report of Credit Card Fraud.  There were two noise complaints received, as well as four complaints of Dog at Large.   There was also one arrest for Felony Fleeing and Eluding which involved a high-speed chase.  Officers attempted to stop a U-Haul van for a traffic violation when it fled the area.  After a long chase, the Miami County Sheriff’s Department and the Kansas Highway Patrol assisted in getting the vehicle stopped.  The driver was apprehended on an outstanding federal arrest warrant for drug and weapons violations and was also charged with fleeing and drug possession.  Murrison noted that a state inspection of the city’s dog pound was conducted and successfully passed.

The Fire Department responded to eight medical calls and two fire calls in Linn Valley.  Under Mutual Aid, the department assisted Linn County Fire with two grass fires; as well as, one vehicle accident, two medical calls and two grass fires in Miami County.  

City Clerk Karen Siffring presented the February 2023 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $21,933.  Expenses for the month were $62,570, including annual lease/purchase payments totaling $16,032 for two police vehicles and the code enforcement vehicle.  Per Council Member Robert Suppenbach’s motion, the council voted to approve the payment of expense vouchers totaling $236,908 for the month of February.  

Siffring reported that the city’s insurance policy is up for renewal effective April 1, 2023. On Council Member John Weers’ motion, the council approved an award to Truly Insurance at $61,271, an approximate 8.5 percent increase over last year’s cost.  Siffring noted that approximately $5,700 of this cost will be reimbursed to the city by the Property Owner’s Association.    

Smith announced that the city is looking to hire a new full-time employee who will serve half-time as a police officer and half-time performing codes enforcement duties.  This will allow the employee to qualify as a part-time police officer working 1,000 hours, or less, on an annual basis.  Smith noted that she is developing a formal job description for the position.