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.
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