BY TONY FURSE | October 19, 2022

In addition to autumn physical housekeeping items and drafting of updated city codes, both reports located elsewhere in this edition. Parker city leaders will invite county law enforcement or information technology (IT) representative to next month’s 7 p.m. Nov. 10 meeting.

The invitation for either Kevin Friend, Linn County sheriff; Bobby Johnson, undersheriff; or Chris Martin, county IT director, came during an agenda item at last Thursday’s monthly council meeting revisiting a request by Craig Haley, police chief, for the city to be a part of Linn County’s law enforcement records management system. He said Parker’s is the only city police department not a part of the county’s system.

Haley said being part of that CentralSquare Technologies system platform is “beneficial for storing records and creating and keeping track of reports. Everybody’s moved away from paper and now store their records electronically elsewhere in the event of a computer crash.”

He said that, if dispatch calls him out for a case under his Parker jurisdiction, “they put it in their database but not my report.” If his city computer were to crater, Haley said he would lose that report information needed for prosecution.

Haley admitted that the cost would probably exceed $10,000 for Parker to be a part of the county’s system.

Another request made by Albert Kerr, representing Parker’s United Methodist Church, is expected to be completed. Appearing during public comments time, Kerr asked that an 8-inch whistle be placed to the south end of the east parking area with a concrete box in between--”we need more room for funerals and for a hearse to park.” 

Kerr said he had made the request at least 34 months ago, prior to the completion of Wayne Burk’s final year as mayor, “but it never got done.” 

Chad Page, contracted water/sewer operator who was also contracted maintenance at the time of the request, said he believed the installation of pipe and gravel could be accomplished among himself, Kerr, and Rodney Hetzer, current maintenance.

During her report, Kathy Harrison, city treasurer, reported September general fund revenue of $15,363.98 and expenses of $8,850.03, capital outlay revenue of $7,264.92, water fund revenue of $4,570.07 and expenses of $6,896.65, and sewer fund revenue of $2,283.48 and expenses of $742.25. Neither the street nor park/lake fund showed any September activity.

Because the council’s regular September meeting was cancelled due to lack of a quorum, a presented report showed August general fund revenue of $2,383.53 and expenses of $9,227.49, water fund revenue of $5,205.71 and expenses of $4,162.10, sewer fund revenue of $2,663.78 and expenses of $1,082.18, and park/lake fund revenue of $772.50 and expenses of $273.42, with no August activity for either the capital outlay or street funds and bill payments that month totaling $15,736.

On a 3-0 vote with Kandice Higgins and Jason Webber not present, the council approved an $800 expenditure to Crystal Riggs, who is organizing the Dec. 10 Santa Comes to Parker annual Christmas event, this year returning to the Parker Elementary School.

During her report, Carrie Sewell, city clerk, shared complaints about the noon whistle sounding at 12:13 p.m. each day and said she would reset it if she knew how. Page said the problem could be fixed and agreed to train Hetzer on its resetting.

In other business before the council:

--Sewell reported information from John Terry, business development representative for KwiKom Communications, Iola, that his company expects to be laying broadband fiber optics in Parker by the end of the year. KwiKom is currently in Greeley. She said homeowners can expect letters explaining their options for tying in.

--Page reported a repaired leak in the area of Heritage Park to a residence, as well as meter and hydrant installation at the park, a $1,555.40 Page Enterprise invoice part of the current month’s $22,226.63 approved bill payments.

--Sewell read a thank you letter from the Linn County Library District No. 1 for the “generous donation” of $300 for the Parker library’s summer reading program.

--In answer to Councilwoman Jody Bloodgood concerning mosquito spraying equipment, Sewell said that VanDiest Supply Company conducts area April seminars where they will inspect equipment and recommend repairs.

--Hetzer and Sewell confirmed that Tony Ikenberry, Parker United Methodist Church minister, donated 50 pounds of fish food to the city.

--A decision on electing a council president to replace Ashley Balthazor was tabled to next month’s meeting. Under Kansas League of Municipalities by-laws, Balthazor assumed the mayor’s post upon the August resignation of Cody Adams.