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In addition to Parker joining Linn County’s law enforcement records management system, a report located elsewhere in this issue, city leaders heard a proposal by a former city maintenance employee.

At last Thursday’s regular council meeting, Albert Kerr proposed that the city consider his offer to utilize his 18-foot batwing mower beginning next spring at $65 hourly plus fuel to keep the lagoon and City Lake area mowed.

“Rodney (Hetzer, current maintenance) is busier than heck, and I can mow so much more and faster,” said Kerr, whom the council had approved for $150 last month to cut vegetation growth on the lagoon’s bank, a job he said was done four days later.

Councilman Gary Earley said that Kerr’s offer would cut down on the “wear and tear of our mower.” Hetzer, too, said that the city’s older BadBoy mower had blown a pump and that he had intended to ask the council in the spring about a backup. Hetzer said the newer 2-year-old one “is fine. We used both this summer.”

Asked by Earley how long each time and how many times his proposed mowing would take, Kerr said he was unsure “until I do it the first time.”

Mayor Ashley Balthazor said the council could consider his offer in the spring, and Kerr promised to return to the monthly March 9 meeting.

Later in the meeting, however, during Hetzer’s maintenance report after Kerr had exited, Councilwoman Kandice Higgins asked about city liability if Kerr were to be injured during a mowing.

Burton Harding, city attorney, said a liability clause would need to be written into such an agreement.

Hetzer noted his newness to the job this year and admitted that his mowing had “gotten behind because of rain.” But he said he anticipates having summer help again this upcoming year in answering council concerns about paying extra for mowing beyond Hetzer’s wages.

Craig Haley, police chief, said he is “not against helping out since I’m codes enforcement too.” Councilman Jason Webber said the city should “make sure [Hetzer] is kept up with the kind of equipment he needs.”

Other council action elected Webber as council president on a 3-0 vote. Balthazor said she had spoken to Webber about assuming the added position, and she said he had indicated being “up to the task.” As discovered by Parker late in the summer, the council president assumes the mayoral post under Kansas League of Municipalities’ by-laws when a mayor (Cody Adams in August) resigns.

Council actions, all 4-0 with Jerry Summers not present, included setting next month’s meeting for Dec. 12 rather than the regular Dec. 8 date because of council conflicts that would present a lack of quorum and a second for paying bills totaling $13,035.90.

During her report, Kathy Harrison, city treasurer, noted October general fund revenue of $5,453.06 and expenses of $9,095.79, capital outlay revenue of $3,032.36 and expenses of $6,532.91, water fund revenue of $8,599.75 and expenses of $7,499.06, sewer fund revenue of $2,227.96 and expenses of $134.01, street fund revenue of $1,623, and park/lake fund revenue of $257.50 and expenses of $435.93.

In other business before the council:

--Carrie Sewell, city clerk, reminded attendees of the annual Santa Comes to Parker event that returns to the local elementary school Dec. 10 and the annual Christmas lighting contest with prizes for water customers of $50 off both January and February bills for first place and $50 and $25 off January bills for second and third places, respectively.

--On a related note, Hetzer said he had pulled out the city’s Christmas lights, “and all are working.”

--Harding indicated being in contact with a survey company which is indicating interest in conducting a land survey, an action from a formal resolution passed Feb. 10 as “an accommodation for the city” to address “the necessity and public need” of reopening a section of South Walnut Street that late last year a 30-foot-wide strip had been awarded to Daniel and Tammi Gaikowski through a civil quiet claim proceeding. Harding said an update would be provided at next month’s meeting.

MEETINGS

LINN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - Monday, October 23, 2023

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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

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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

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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]

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NEWS

USD 362 to return to onsite food service

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Move follows decade with food management companies   After a decade of partnering with private management vendors, Prairie View Unified School District 362 will return to self-operation of its food service program next school year. The decision came at the monthly... [More]

La Cygne to change insurance carrier

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Purchase will still be through Truly   La Cygne city leaders have opted for a new municipal insurance underwriter. On a 3-0 vote at last Wednesday’s regular meeting, with David Brenneman and Ed Smith not present, the council voted for the city to be insured through... [More]

Agriculture leading economic contributor for Linn County

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Agriculture touches the lives of everyone in Linn County, whether you are a producer or a consumer, providing a direct or indirect impact of over $170 million to our county in 2023.  Farming and beef cattle ranching, including feedlots and dual-purpose farming and ranching... [More]

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SPORTS

Prairie View brings home two State titles in powerlifting championship

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The Prairie View powerlifting team traveled to Santa Fe Trail on March 23 for the 3A State Powerlifting Meet. The Buffalos did very well at the meet with seven lifters placing in the top three and Prairie View placing second overall as a team. “We came up 11 points short... [More]

Jayhawk softball hosts Prairie View in season opener

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The Jayhawk Linn softball team hosted Prairie View in their season opener on March 19. The Lady Hawks played a double-header and lost both games to the Lady Buffs 5-15 and 13-15. The first game saw the Buffalos take a 6-3 after three innings. After this, Prairie View outscored... [More]

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