Staff writer
City of Peabody employees Leah Ottensmeier and Stephanie Ax received pay increases during Monday’s City Council meeting after the board met in closed session.
Ottensmeier’s position as municipal court clerk has been expanded to include the duties of city treasurer and accounting clerk. Her hourly wage will increase from $11 to $12.
Ax will move from deputy city clerk to city clerk. Her hourly wage will increase from $15.10 to $16.
“The community also should know that by restructuring the front office and moving some positions, the city will save $1,258.36 annually even with the pay increases,” City Manager Shane Marler said.
Following a second executive session to discuss personnel, the council took no action on return to open meeting.
In other business:
- The council addressed the repair of a grinder pump at the lift station that was tabled in December. The cost will be $9,921.30. Marler told the council he has requested the public works department establish a maintenance schedule for the pumps. They will also look at purchasing bar screens to help keep the pumps free of foreign items.
- Action on another pump repair — this one at the pump house in Hillsboro — also was tabled in December, waiting on an estimate for the repair costs. An impeller kit was ordered for $1,049.
- The council agreed to allow Ryan Johnson an additional 60 days to make repairs to an inoperable vehicle he is restoring at 803 Prairie Lawn Road.
- Marler reminded the council that the city audit will take place next week.
- Marler reported that he requested an updated inventory list from the police department and the public works department to satisfy Federal Emergency Management requirements in the event of a disaster.
- The council was told the Holiday Shopping Spree generated $16,900 in sales, down about $4,000 from the 2011 Holiday Shopping Spree.
- Marler told the council the Peabody American Legion has filed a complaint with the Kansas Insurance Commissioner because the Legion’s insurance carrier has denied their claim for interior structural repairs. He said the process should take 30 to 45 days to resolve.
- Marler also has filed a preliminary U.S. Department of Agriculture grant application for Peabody Township Library to help with the renovation of the building.
The next meeting of Peabody City Council will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 28 in Peabody City Building.