By JACKIE TAYLOR | October 19, 2022

The council opened the meeting with a five-minute executive session for non-elected personnel pertaining to employee performance. After no action, Mayor Mike Frisbie presented a Distinguished Service Award to Police Chief Tristan Snyder due to a police chase he was in that went into Miami County. The suspect passed a stopped school bus with kids unloading and Snyder chose to slow down to be safe by the children. 

“He, with his calm disposition, is a valuable part of the city of Pleasanton. Thanks for being an integral part of the city,” said Frisbie.

The council swore in new police officer Ivan Squire who will make $18 per hour and go to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center possibly in January.

They also hired Charles Stokes as the new code officer/animal control at $17.50 per hour.

They approved the cereal malt beverage license for Casey’s.

The council then recessed from the regular meeting to hold a public hearing with Mike Higgins concerning property located at 301 E. 12th Street. See separate story in this edition.

City Attorney Burton Harding spoke of a Kansas Open Meeting Act alleged violation. See separate story in this edition.

Councilman Jake Mattingley told the council that he’d asked Harding to work on a city proclamation that their police force would not assist warrantless searches of homes. “We won’t allow our officers to promote any of that.”

He continued concerning the KOMA violation that was turned in and said, “The KOMA deal was just vindictiveness. Brandon McGinnis got run out of town. We’d have had three to four $350,000 houses out there now; but because of three to four 10 percenters overriding the 90 percent of good people – nobody stands up to them.”

City Administrator Teresa Whitaker announced the Trunk or Treat Halloween event scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 30 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. A portion of Main Street from Eighth to Ninth will be closed for the kid’s event.

The Light Up Pleasanton Christmas event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10 from 6 – 10 p.m. with the parade at 6:30 p.m. The council waived the Community Center fee for the event.

Mattingley spoke on the Soldiers for Jesus event and suggested residents in the city could rent their homes to people, AirBnB like, during the event if it becomes a two-day deal. The city also discussed renting the entire RV park behind city hall and using it for attendees.

Public Works Administrator Joey Morrisey spoke on the drought and said he’s seen the lake much lower than it is right now. He said no drought warnings have been issued and people may begin conserving water if they want to.

He said the drought is creating issues with pipes breaking around town.

The council approved the purchase of a Rycom utility locater for $3,495. They also approved the purchase of a nine-foot snowplow for $7,421.30 that will attach to the front of one of their one-ton pickups.

A five-minute executive session for trade secrets relating to acquisition of real estate was taken with no action.

The council approved the renewal of their Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance contract for $7,391.54 per month. Employees pay 10 percent of the cost of their insurance premium.