By JACKIE TAYLOR | October 4, 2023

The Pleasanton Council opened their Monday meeting with a sales tax public hearing; after no questions were asked of the council, the regular meeting was resumed and the council heard from Wendy Conley concerning a Josh Haynes Memorial Park idea, see separate story.

The council held executive session for 15-minutes to discuss trade secrets with no action resulting. City Attorney Burton Harding was not present so no legal executive session could be held.

The idea of a Park Advisory Board with three to five people on it was broached. The council was agreeable as the board was advisory in nature and would work to get the community involved in making city parks better. City employee Mike Kerschner, who has a degree in Parks and Recreation, will head the board.

City Administrator Becky Hegwald told the council the city’s health insurance through Blue Cross/Blue Shield is up for renewal and told them she’d get the insurance rep to visit and explain coverages.

Hegwald said the family who bought the old Dr. Justus building decided not to tear down the building as it was not in too bad of shape.

The KanPay system through the state is ready for those needing to pay for traffic or court fines; water bill payment can be made through it in November.

Hegwald said she was advised that old unpaid water bills need to be written off the city’s accounting; if the person comes back and wants water, they’d have to pay the old bill to get reconnected.

Police Chief Tristan Snyder reported 15 arrests with five for distribution of meth, five for meth possession and more. He’s had 245 calls for service in the last three weeks.

The council approved the purchase of a new utility bed for the city’s 2016 F350 for $12,287. Funds are available in the sewer fund; the old bed is rusted out and was for a 1990s model truck.

The council also approved approximately $18,500 to repair several issues with the John Deere 331G skid loader.

Morrisey also mentioned he is looking at equipment to trim trees back from roads.

The council learned memorial bricks may be for sale for fund raisers; they approved the harassment policy for city employees; mentioned free Hepatitus B shots for city employees and approved raising the credit card limit from $500 to $1,000 for Codes Enforcement Officer Candy Houtman.

The land sale to Brandon McGinnis was tabled as was the city sponsored movie night at the Community Center.