The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2023, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.
Smith announced a change in the format for City Council meetings. The agenda will now include “Citizen Participation” allowing residents to make a statement or share information with the council. Each speaker will be allowed three minutes to make comments at the podium. With this change, citizens will no longer have to wait until the end of meetings to offer comments; however, there will be no back-and-forth discussion and the council will not respond to questions or comments from citizens.
In a unanimous vote, the council approved a motion by Council President Robert Suppenbach to pass Resolution #122 authorizing the sale of $5,010,000 General Obligation Temporary Renewal and Improvement Notes. The sale of these bonds will fund ongoing expenses being incurred during the city’s water project.
Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 35 building permits were issued in April, including three for new residences.
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 Domestic Violence Battery, and one arrest for Aggravated Battery Domestic Violence. There was also a report of a Protection from Abuse Order and an investigation opened into Sexual Abuse of a Child. Murrison announced the hiring of Allison Fox as a full-time police officer. Fox will be paid at a rate of $21 per hour with a full benefit package. The department now employs two full-time officers and two part-time officers.
The Fire Department responded to four medical calls and one grass fire in Linn Valley, as well as three fire calls and three medical calls and three in Miami County. The fire department will once again hold its annual 4th of July fireworks sale to raise funds for department needs.
Siffring presented the April 2023 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $11,793 and total expenses of $47,386. The council voted to approve the payment of expense vouchers totaling $204,082 for the month of April.
Mayor Smith announced a proposal to establish a “Linn Valley Economic Development Commission” to improve the economic status of the city and act in an advisory role to the City Council. The objectives of the commission would be to increase revenue and decrease reliance on ad valorum taxes, to increase economic activity and to make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to operate in the city. The commission would consist of five to seven members and would include both full-time and part-time residents.
Also being proposed by Smith is the formation of a “Linn Valley Building Advisory Board” to improve the consistency and safety of building construction within the city. This would be a three member board which would report to the City Building Inspector, and their objective would be to review and recommend building code amendments and increase codes compliance.
Service on either of these new organizations would be voluntary and will exclude elected city officials, city employees, POA elected officials and POA employees. Following this discussion, the council went into a 10-minute executive session on contractual matters and returned with no action taken.
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
Suit filed in Sunshine Meadows building permit case

A court case has been filed in the 6th Judicial District in Linn County by Parker resident Jan Longenecker and 26 other plaintiffs against the Board of Zoning Appeals of Linn County to revoke building permits issued by the acting Zoning Administrator Ben Souza. Souza... [More]
Pleasanton demos asphalt zipper for street repair

The Pleasanton City Council and street crew had the opportunity to watch a live demonstration of an asphalt zipper last Wednesday on 8th Street between Cedar and Sycamore – a street with heavily damaged asphalt. Dave Fokken, Asphalt Zipper Government Sales rep, said many... [More]
La Cygne awards lift station bid

Generator emphasis is the final step in the $6.261 million wastewater project La Cygne leaders awarded a bid to replace every diesel-powered generator at the city’s three sewer lift stations to a Kansas City, Mo., firm. At last Wednesday’s regular meeting,... [More]
More News
- Appraiser’s office announces completion of review
- SPECIAL: KBI conducts statewide marijuana enforcement operation
- Pleasanton council vetoed on fire volunteer appointments
- Kansas Policy Institute talks property taxes with legislature
- Pleasanton city candidate forum Oct. 6
- County logo sees little change
- Linn County P&Z Appeals Board denies subdivision appeal
- Commissioners discuss suggestion to leave EDA position vacant
SPORTS
Lady Jays host league triangular and competes at Uniontown

The Pleasanton volleyball team had a busy week. First the team hosted a Three Rivers League triangular on Sept. 30 against Jayhawk Linn and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 4 the team traveled to Uniontown for the Uniontown Volleyball Invitational. To see the full article, check... [More]
Jayhawk volleyball has a busy successful week

The Jayhawk volleyball team was busy this past week as they had games on Sept. 30, Oct. 2, and Oct. 4. They traveled to Pleasanton on Sept. 30 to play a TRL triangular against Pleasanton and Altoona Midway. Then on Oct. 2 they hosted TRL foes Chetopa and Oswego. Then on Oct.... [More]
Jayhawk football wins thriller over Pleasanton on Homecoming

The Jayhawk Linn football team had a big game this past Friday on Oct. 3. Not only was it their Homecoming game but it was also a TRL/District game against their in-county rival the Pleasanton Blu-Jays. Both teams played hard and one could tell that both teams really wanted... [More]
More Sports
- Prairie View football dominates Burlington on Homecoming
- Pleasanton volleyball travels to Arma and Prairie View
- Jayhawk volleyball goes 4-0 on the week
- Pleasanton volleyball competes at Yates Center and Humboldt
- Prairie View football picks up a big win against Wellsville
- Jayhawk volleyball has a solid week going 3-0
- Seasoned Olpe powers over young 'Hawks
- Wade and Schneider start impressive girls’ golf season for the Buffalos and Hawks