By ANNE JACKSON | April 19, 2023

The Prescott City Council meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. City Attorney Burton Harding had other responsibilities and was unable to attend.

A statement was made that only half the insurance bill had been paid, a motion was made and seconded to accept the paying of the bills that passed unanimously.

Karen Springer gave the food pantry report. Joyce and Lonnie Gourley donated $500, two families donated 155 pounds of food, Curt and Dusty Laderer donated 45 dozen eggs, Loren and Ivana Higgenbottom brought in a box of bags which would otherwise have cost the pantry between $24 and $30. Finally, the family of Louise Shattuck brought in $1,200 that had been given to the food pantry in her memory. Again, Mrs. Springer expressed appreciation to all who give to the pantry, whether it is money, items, time or energy to keep the pantry open and helping needy people.

In old business, City Clerk Kathy Wood spoke to Harding  concerning letters requesting residents with untidy yards be present for a court date; those letters did get sent out and reminders using registered letters also went out to make sure the recipients did, in fact, receive the letters. 

In other old business, a reminder was made that the citywide cleanup will be from April 22-30. A list of unacceptable items, like paint, can be requested by calling city hall. Council members were surprised to hear that four dead tires per residence would be acceptable. The official date of the citywide garage sale is Saturday, the 29th, but of course, residents may use another day if they wish.

In new business, City Clerk Wood talked about all the reports she has had to do for the American Rescue Plan Act and the money given to Prescott City in the wake of COVID - 19. Wood said that representatives from the SEKRPC (South East Kansas Regional Planning Commission) were in Prescott, the 10th, to help Wood with the report.

Prescott City still has some of the recovery money yet to spend. The cost of the help is $677 per year and will need to be paid for the next three years for a total of $2,031. Wood needed the council to vote to pay these fees so she could continue to use this service. A motion was made and passed unanimously to let her pay this fee and Mayor Kevin Wood signed the papers for her.

The City Superintendent report given by Kathy Wood was that grass growing season has started again, so the mowing machines have been tuned up and put to work. Also, the city has been gotten rid of five puppies. A place was found in Parker that would keep them in foster care until they found homes.

City Clerk Wood brought up for discussion a resident who is quite far behind in paying for electricity and water. It was agreed that during the winter months expenses could be high, so the council made the decision to make a motion that the resident be given another month, to the 10th of May, to bring the balance back to zero before the electricity gets cut off. This motion also passed unanimously.

Council Member Zach Gillis wanted a discussion about trailers being used inside the city limits as a place to stay. Council Member Ron Roberts thought the city ordinance currently in place allowed them to be used if they got moved out and back in at least once every month. He suggested the ordinance be found and brought to council meeting next month so everyone could read it. The council felt that if they were permitted, they should not be allowed on the roadways, nor too close to them.