By GEORGE NUNNEMACHER | September 14, 2022

The Linn Valley City Council held its bi-monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept.12, 2022, with Mayor Cindy Smith presiding and all council members present.  

See separate story for the budget hearing in this edition.

Codes Enforcement Officer Don Hastings reported that 51 building permits were issued in August, including two for new residences.  To date the City has issued a total of 364 building permits in 2022, including 22 for new home construction.      

Public Safety Director Corey Murrison reported on Police Department activity during the past month, including one arrest for a runaway out of Franklin County, two accident reports and one report of possible animal abuse which was unfounded.   Activity was heavy during the Labor Day weekend with 27 traffic citations, 25 traffic warning violations, two arrests for Possession of Narcotics, one arrest for Driving While Suspended, one arrest for No Driver’s License and one arrest for an Open Container.

The Fire Department responded to six medical calls and two accidents with injuries in Linn Valley; as well as five medical calls in Miami County.  

City Clerk Karen Siffring presented the August 2022 Financial Report which included General Fund income of $22,220 and expenses totaling $69,083.  The council voted to approve expense vouchers totaling $222,220 for the month of August.   Siffring reported on a grant opportunity notification from Linn County Economic Development.  The Rural Champions Grant is a pilot program being administered by the Kansas Department of Commerce.  The grant will reimburse up to $25,000 in salary costs for a person hired to focus on a specific goal designated by the county.  Linn County intends to apply for this grant so it can hire a housing coordinator for the county.   In response to the county’s request, the council authorized Smith to issue a letter in support of pursuing the grant.

At the request of Smith, the council approved mid-year bonuses totaling $1,500 to be awarded to four city employees.   Smith also mentioned that the council is working on a policy allowing residents to utilize the space in the City Hall buildings for events and meetings.   The space will be made available, at no charge, to Linn Valley residents; however, a reimbursable security deposit will apply.

Smith announced that the council has scheduled another town hall meeting concerning the water and sewer projects.  The meeting will be held at the Clubhouse on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.