Staff writer
A combination of unusual circumstances delayed the start of Monday night’s Peabody City Council meeting by about 30 minutes.
Mayor Larry Larsen and council president Travis Wilson were on an ambulance run from St. Luke Hospital in Marion to Wichita.
Council member Steve Rose, who was appointed at the last meeting to replace Bob Knapp after Knapp’s resignation, had not yet been sworn in and could not take his place at the council table.
Clerk Stephanie Lago, who could have done the swearing in, was in Wichita with her husband, who is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery.
New Treasurer Jonna Munson has been at her job only a few weeks and had no training or certification to swear in officials. She was present to take minutes in Lago’s absence, but unable to fill any other capacity.
After Larsen and Wilson arrived, the meeting began and Rose was sworn in by Larsen and took his seat at the council table.
Lyle Leppke was present to review last week’s auction of city-owned property — seven empty lots and a house at 215 E. Division St.
Terry Tucker of Wichita purchased the house for $22,000. Three of the lots sold at the auction for a total of $225.
Tucker was at the council meeting and expressed an interest in three of the unsold parcels. She made an offer to the council of $75 per lot for the properties at 408 N. Locust St., 709 N. Sycamore St. and 711 N. Walnut St. and offered $75 for each.
Mike Reynolds also was present and offered $65 for the lot at 607 N. Locust St.
The council accepted all offers.
In other business:
- Council members approved a 20-year natural gas franchise ordinance with existing franchisee Atmos Energy. The agreement provides for five-year reviews at which time the city may ask for renegotiation of the ordinance if it choses.
- Larsen reported on weather damage to the city building roof. Rain got into a little-used back office, leaking onto a laptop computer. An insurance claim has been filed.
- Police Chief Bruce Burke said he had received four applicants for a court clerk position and would begin interviews next week.