Staff writer
Peabody City Council members and Mayor Larry Larsen heard Monday from City Administrator Mac Manning that century-old sewer lines still are need of repair and replacement.
Manning said Meyer Specialty Services came to Peabody during the past week to clean and televise the sewer line on the south side of Second Street between Olive and Vine after some problems there.
The city crew had discovered two house services that were protruding into the sewer main. When they dug up the service, they found the sewer main badly deteriorated.
Later, the Meyer pictures showed a major crack in the crown of the sewer line, with the crown settling into the line. When the pipe was totally exposed, there was not enough good pipe from which to install the hookup to the house service.
Bids were sought from Middlecreek, Inc., Graber Backhoe, and Rod’s Ditching and presented to the council. Council members approved the bid from Rod’s Ditching for $18,228.86.
In other business:
- The council approved an ordinance declaring March 12 through 16 2012 Flood Awareness Week. The ordinance is part of the countywide Emergence Preparedness Plan.
- Marion County Emergency Preparedness Director Dan D’Albini presented the council with the county’s emergency preparedness plan. The plan is necessary to qualify for federal funds in the event of a disaster.
- Council members approved an ordinance establishing an electronic transaction fund for the purpose of receiving and accounting for payments from credit and debit card payments and electronic transfers.
- Council member Tom Schmidt announced that after a meeting with Jim Ralston of APAC, the street committee plans to spend about $103,000 to finish the Locust Street project to the city limits. Peabody Street also will be finished if the work can be coordinated with the county. If the 2012 projects come in under budget, Eighth Street from Poplar to Peabody Street will be resurfaced. The council approved the proposal.
- Austin Glenn appeared before the council to request permission to get a petition in favor of a skateboard park for Peabody. Schmidt told him he could do that, but that he might have better luck talking to Beth Peter, president of Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission, because that group had already done some preliminary work on a plan for a skateboard park.
- A communication from Hilger Insurance, the city’s insurance carrier, indicated that although the city had no claims during the past year, its renewal premiums would increase by 15 percent. Manning was instructed to get an additional quote from W.E. Avery Insurance.
- Manning informed the council that a second computer crashed at Peabody Police Department. Council approved the purchase of a new computer for $1,369 from Advanced Computers in Haysville. Council member Pam Lamborn voted against the purchase.
- Manning told the council that he has been working on a capital improvement budget for the years 2012 through 2016 so that the council can look to the future and be able to plan for and prioritize capital expenditures each year.
- Manning said he had two more requests to keep alley lights. After discussion, the council decided to go ahead with its plan to remove the lights voted on at the Feb. 27 meeting.
- The council heard from Shane Marler that the Baker Lofts storefront project had received another grant for $20,000. This grant is from the Kansas Main Street program.
- Marler reported on the Main Street Benefit Auction held Saturday night and thanked the mayor and all the council members for their attendance and participation.
- The council went into executive session for 10 minutes with Public Works Director Darren Pickens to discuss personnel. Members took no action on return to open meeting.
The next meeting of Peabody City Council will be 7 p.m. March 26 in the city building.