By JACKIE TAYLOR | July 12, 2023

The Pleasanton Council met Monday, July 3 and thanked outgoing City Administrator Teresa Whitaker for her time serving the city. Mayor Mike Frisbie wished her well and said, “It’s been a pleasure working with you – you laid a good foundation.”

Whitaker told Frisbie that the last eight years were amazing and said that the volunteer council were good stewards and had courage to make hard decisions.

She said she felt there was still work to be done but she had personal issues that made her decide to retire.

Whitaker then received permission to leave the pool open until the end of August so water aerobics can continue. Instructor Kym Hargrove will stay through that time to do classes.

The council approved the demolition of Michael Shapel’s house located at 205 W. 4th through the city’s CRRRP program. It will cost Shapel .50/square foot for the demolition.

They next approved Mason Barron’s Eagle Scout project to install two benches at the General Pleasonton Park.

Whitaker told the council that the city’s budget was set to stay revenue neutral; it went from 85 mills to 79 mills and has reduced 13 to 14 mills the last two years.

She said in 2022 the mill levy was 93.380; 2023 it was 85.472 and expected to be at 79.054 in 2024.

Whitaker went on to state that another $50,000 has been transferred from the general administration budget to streets with another $19,000 added for repair. She reminded the council that the $69,000 for streets would barely be enough to repair one-half of a block.

Councilwoman Rochelle Schreckhise asked who makes the decision to close the pool and Whitaker said it is the city administrator and pool manager. She said the pool had only been closed twice this year and it is a judgment call when it is done.

Councilman Jake Mattingley said fireworks not allowed on city streets is a state law and it was enforced on everybody.

Mattingley then recognized Lynnae Sullins for her good citizenship in Pleasanton. He gave her a certificate and thanked her for her good attitude and volunteerism in the city. He said of Sullins, “I’ve known your whole family; they are wonderful people. That is exuded through your employees; you’ve done a lot of stuff for the community.”

The council then went into a 10-minute executive session to discuss annexation.

Whitaker then told the council a portion of the resolution dealing with the sales tax question was left off of Resolution 439. She explained that the sales tax for street repair will also be used to purchase street repair equipment, such as a milling machine. The new resolution is Res. 440 and was approved 4-0 by the council.

Police Officer Mason Roberts was approved to receive the second half of his sign-on bonus of $500 plus a .50 per hour raise at his one-year anniversary.

The council approved changing their credit card company to KANPay cutting the expenses for credit card services by $7,648 per year. The old service cost users $1 to use, but charged the city the fee. The new service will charge the card user 2.5 percent for a convenience fee. This move is effective Sept. 1.

The council approved allowing the Farmer’s Market to use the Community Building Tuesday nights from 4 – 7 p.m. for no charge until Sept. 1.

Discussion ensued concerning the STARS scholarship. Councilwoman Kimberly Herring wanted to see a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for the $1,000 scholarship. STARS trade school requires students to maintain a 2.5 GPA. Herring said she wants to make sure the student that receives the scholarship is good for it.

Whitaker said the money comes from the Council Event Fund and has longevity to it. The council then approved the scholarship for Casey Osborne and Russell Purdy Memorial Scholarships 4-0.

The council held a five-minute executive session for preliminary acquisition of real estate with new City Administrator Becky Hegwald included. No action was taken.