In addition to patron’s calls for action, a report located elsewhere in this issue, Parker city leaders approved a seasonal snow plowing and salt treatment agreement with Higgins Services LLC, 219 E. Main St.
The action was approved on a 3-0 vote, with Kandice Higgins abstaining and Jerry Summers not present, which is in effect until the city purchases a city truck with snow plow attachment.
Until then, the contract will pay Higgins Services $275 for each salt treatment. Snow plowing costs per event when needed will be $400 for up to 2 inches, $550 for 2-4 inches, $700 for 4-6 inches, $850 for 6-8 inches, $1,000 for 8-10 inches, and an additional $200 for every additional 2 inches.
Pertaining to purchase of a city truck, the council’s 4-0 vote raises an approved ceiling amount to $22,000. Jason Webber, council president, indicated research of prices ranging from $20,000-$25,000 for the city’s need with a recommended dump bed for hauling items such as gravel.
Webber broached a possible lease/purchase agreement--”it’s not a great option but maybe needed in this situation.” He said the previous $7,500 budget limit would “buy us a junk truck that would be in the shop a lot.” Mayor Ashley Balthazor said Federal 2021 American Rescue Plan Act funds received by the city could possibly be used.
Kathy Harrison, city treasurer, also pointed to the city’s Dec. 31 capital outlay balance of $323,835.41 as a source for truck funding.
On a 4-0 vote, the council approved its 2023 events calendar. Events include the Easter egg hunt at 1 p.m. April 1 at Heritage Park, the pet clinic at 9 a.m. May 6 at the city barn, the city wide garage sale June 3, and the city wide clean-up June 10.
Events later in the year are Parker Days scheduled for the evening of Sept. 15 and all day Sept. 16 at Heritage Park, Night Out Against Crime at 6 p.m. Oct. 14 at the senior center, Safe Halloween at 6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Heritage Park, judging for the Christmas lighting contest Dec. 8, and Santa Comes to Parker at 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Parker Elementary School.
During her treasurer’s report, Harrison noted December general fund revenue of $5,107.84 and expenses of $13,888.99, capital outlay revenue of $2,691.80, water fund revenue of $5,977.48, and sewer fund revenue of $2,621.90 and expenses of $339.96. Neither the street nor park/lake fund showed any December activity.
The council approved bill payments totaling $17,583.60.
Another 4-0 action accepts an offer from Wayne Burk to deed empty lots across North Short Street east of Heritage Park for parking. Carrie Sewell, city clerk, said Burk indicated minimal taxes and “some brush at the south end.”
Tabled until at least the 7 p.m. Feb. 9 monthly meeting will be bids received for renovations to the city-owned building at Main and Center streets to be used as a future city hall. Two open bids were received, one from Rockin’ H Construction, Pleasanton, of $30,000 for all requested work, and the other from San Juan LLC, Topeka, for partial services at $10,459.
Observed Councilman Gary Earley, “$30,000 is a lot of money.”
Webber said a council workshop is necessary to look collectively at the building and wondered “if we would be better off to add office space to our current building” at 314 W. Main St.
In business pertaining to codes, Craig Haley, codes officer and police chief, said he will report at next month’s meeting on a property he deems a hazard to the community. He said Burton Harding, city attorney, has asked about its “urgency.” Haley indicated a cost to the city for such items as plywood.
Haley said codes enforcement progress “is being made.” Webber pointed to the “paperwork nightmare” for such processes.
Also to be addressed next month is a request from Julie Hurlock for a zoning change at 412 W. Kimball for the back half of the property to be commercial rather than the current residential to allow for a mechanic shop.
Though Hurlock urged a quick decision because of possible available commercial buildings outside Linn County, Balthazor said a public hearing must first be conducted before a zoning change.
Another item expected to be revisited at next month’s meeting will be materials for repairing South Street at its intersection with Center (County Road 1077).
Chad Page, contracted water/sewer operator, said a “couple loads of cold patch” would help. When Webber asked if the area could be cut out and filled with concrete, Page said the suggestion is “good. That would be more expensive but would last longer.”
In other business before the council:
--Page reported “a couple of” burned-out electrical items caused by age at the wastewater lift station which will require “pulling the pumps out” He reported that the city “got through” the pre-Christmas cold snap “surprisingly without any water meter breaks.”
--Albert Kerr, representing the United Methodist Church, alerted the council that Bascom Ratliffe, Parker United
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