By JACKIE TAYLOR | June 9, 2022

Linn County News

jackielcn@ckt.net

A full council met Monday night to learn that councilman Aaron Portmann would be missing several meetings the rest of the year due to first, summer ball for his kids, and second, a new work schedule that had him working Monday nights. The council discussed allowing him to use Zoom during the meetings.

During public comment Virginia Haynes asked that Thunder on the Street incorporate all of Main Street businesses next year. She said where the barriers were located lessened sales at This & That by $300 last Saturday.

She next asked why City Administrator Teresa Whitaker was at the eviction of Always & Furever Pet Rescue when it was a private matter.

Whitaker and the council discussed that when Always & Furever called the Kansas Department of Health and Environment on gas tanks that had already been taken care of, that potentially involved the city.

The council heard from building owner Brandon McGinnis who explained why he evicted Always & Furever; see separate story in this edition.

Councilwoman Melanie Staton commented after McGinnis said he was done helping with projects in Pleasanton, “I have pure frustration with people who push back on that man; he does nothing but try to help Pleasanton and now he’s done.”

Councilman Jake Mattingley echoed the same sentiment stating that “I thought several houses needed to be torn down and Brandon rehabbed them. The lake community was a good idea. Now look at Pete’s – it’s the nicest building in town. He’s one of the few people that have tried to improve the town.”

Whitaker said that Fire Chief Rob Dent agreed to stay on the fireworks committee for three more years in order to train city employees John Harrington and possibly Dustin Ridenour. The two will apprentice with Dent.

The council approved paying $5,000 for the fireworks display, with Whitaker stating fireworks have gone up in price a lot, and approving to pay $1,000 to volunteers who light off the display.

The council discussed the Soldiers for Jesus Thunder on the Streets event at length and commented that the group has printed cards with three more years of dates on them, intimating they will stay in Pleasanton for the future.

Whitaker said by drone footage and other methods, it was estimated the crowd hit 4,500 to 5,000 on Saturday.

Public Works Director Joey Morrisey said the pool pump is not working. He said they turned it on, it worked for a while and then quit. He is reaching out to other pool experts to try to figure out why the 60 year old pump is apparently sucking air.

The council approved paying lifeguards for 25 hours per week to keep them employed during the down period.

Whitaker mentioned the Pleasanton Business Expo coming Saturday, June 18 that will give local businesses a chance to show some of their products to the community. The expo will go from noon to 4 p.m.

Street repair was briefly discussed with Mattingley questioning if they could pour a concrete base on portions of Ash Street then overlay it with asphalt. Councilman Joe Whitaker said that would be good, but concrete was very expensive at this point.

City Attorney Burton Harding said he found out that Kansas Department of Transportation owns U.S. 69 Hwy. and he is in contact with their attorneys concerning Pleasanton annexing the highway to patrol.

Police Chief Tristan Snyder reported several cases including five drug cases that resulted in four pounds of THC, marijuana and $8,200 in cash being confiscated. He said they are handling more calls this year than last.

The council questioned Snyder about school shootings and he said the procedure is to stop the shooter, then secure the premises.

The council approved several zoning changes including land in front of Cox Motor Company to CP2.

Dennis Clayborn won the hay bid at East and West lakes bidding $2,235; Umphenour Farms bid $1,518.

Diversion fees that were designated to go to Olive’s Hope were approved to go to the Angel Tree Toy Express project. Plus, $100 in the account will go to the same place.

The council thanked the city employees, volunteers, etc. for all of the hard work to make the Thunder on the Street event a success.