By JACKIE TAYLOR | August 3, 2022

Mayor Mike Frisbie opened the Pleasanton City Council leading the flag salute then reported that a large loan the city had been paying off was due to pay off with a last payment of $22,444.

City Administrator Teresa Whitaker said that many of their loans have been paid off or are being paid down with excess money being put aside for street repair.

She informed the council that the new Ford Explorer police car that was ordered last January/February was not on Ford’s schedule and she had no idea if it ever would be. She said Ford had an issue with their Police Interceptors catching on fire.

She said Dodge opened a window to put in a spec sheet that would allow the city to purchase either a Dodge Durango or Dodge Charger in October. Dodge will tell the city how much the vehicle will cost based on government pricing, and then if ordered, take three months to build.

Whitaker said that Chevy opened a window to order cars and 22,000 orders were sent in within 24 hours. She said it was important that they got the spec sheet into Dodge so they didn’t miss the opportunity.

She told the council that EMC/Truly Insurance gave the city a check for $14,033, $1,000 more than in 2021, as a reimbursement for business on the $95,000 premium the city pays for insurance.

The 2023 budget will be published with a shift in money from the general fund to streets in order to afford a new Public Works employee.

New police officer Mason Roberts was sworn in by City Clerk April Umphenour. Roberts will attend the police academy Aug. 29 through Dec. 9.

City Attorney Burton Harding informed the council that the state is offering Kansas Open Meetings Act and Kansas Open Records Act training, both in person and online and recommended the council take advantage of it.

Councilman Jake Mattingley made a motion to pay up to $500 to cover the cost of five council people to attend the training.

Harding gave the council a dangerous animals report for them to read after several dog bites in the city. More will be done on an ordinance in the future.

Codes Officer Sandy Atkisson asked that the council address junk vehicles so the city can move them.

Public Works Administrator Joey Morrisey said his summer help has left; they continue to work on street repair and more.

The amended budget was approved for publication this week.