The Mound City Council met Monday night and addressed several items on their agenda; with that they heard from two public speakers, the first Janice Schubert concerning a large water bill.
Schubert said her bill increased in November by 280 percent during a 12 day period with 200 gallons metered out per day. She said she and her husband put die in toilets and found no leaks; they prodded the ground for soft spots and more with no sign of a leak.
Further she said her above-ground pool was closed Sept. 11 and is hose fed so that was not the reason for the increased water usage. She suggested the meter was bad and asked the city to replace it, and, if it proves the meter was bad, to adjust her water bill.
JLHS Spanish teacher Juanita Spitzenberger asked the council for help closing roads for a scheduled 5K run this weekend that benefits the Spanish Club’s 2024 trip to Spain. Police Chief Paul McKee said the roads she wanted to close were not city streets and asked that she reach out to the Sheriff’s Department. They said that the 8:30 a.m. run will probably not have much traffic in Mound City to deal with and suggested more advanced warning of events.
Mound City residents that have overuse of grinder pumps will be charged $250 per call for the city to maintain the pumps. This move came after the council voted to charge Burton Harding $250 for the last call out for the grinder pump, one City Superintendent John Bruns estimated to be one of 12 to 13 call outs due to baby wipes clogging the pump.
Bruns said they opened the pump up and every time found baby wipes; once pulling the pump twice in one day.
City Consultant Josh Baldwin said the city has been to the Harding’s grinder pump more times than anywhere in the city thinking of his 15 year history.
With that, the council moved to approve the $250 per call for overused grinder pumps. A notice to all grinder pump users will be sent out by the city.
Lorna Turley questioned the two dogs per household and leash law in Mound City and asked if it was being enforced due to several dogs on a property near her. She said the city used to pick up loose dogs, of which some of the neighbors dogs were not leashed, and took them to the pound for the owners to claim.
Chief McKee said the dogs in question have dog houses and are not deemed abused.
The council viewed the amended budget with capital improvements and unencumbered cash moved into the general fund and Parks & Recreation.
McKee informed the council that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) has gone to a new LIMS system, Lab Information Management System, that will help streamline lab operations and help get information processed quicker. He said it should assist with stolen property and is being initiated statewide. The lab is in Pittsburg, Kan.
The council discussed that the city has made approximately $2,500 in VIN fees so far doing 37 of them in November at $18 each.
They are hoping to get another grant so the city can purchase another traffic sign; they hope to have four around the city.
Codes Officer Jacob Bush reported he took a codes class and learned about the International Codes Council and said it would be advantageous for the city to spend $35 to join the group so the city has a set standard for all codes. The city will have to adopt an ordinance to bring new codes in and remove the old standard codes still in use.
With that, the city approved the immediate resignation of City Attorney Jesse Randall as of Friday, Dec. 2. They will place an ad for attorneys interested in becoming Mound City Attorney in the Linn County News.
Bush said they are making progress on the Michael Morris and Gerald Cox houses, but need an attorney to proceed further.
Baldwin thanked city employees for the work they did on the Christmas decorations and events and said the city looks great.
The council approved $150 Christmas bonuses to full-time employees and $75 to part-time employees, including seasonal workers.
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