Staff writer
Peabody City Council created a new position Monday by combining municipal court clerk duties with those of the animal control officer. Both positions will remain part-time.
After an executive session to discuss applicants for the vacated court clerk job, the council returned to open session and hired Jylle Wilson to the combined position. Wilson already serves the city as animal control officer.
Wilson will begin her new duties at an hourly wage of $12 per hour during a six-month probationary period. At that time, with a positive review, her wages will increase to $12.50 per hour.
In other business:
- Council members approved the transfer to USD 398 of two lots previously known as Westbrook Park. Park equipment fell into disrepair and was removed several years ago. No effort was made to purchase new equipment and the two parcels were added to the list of properties the city maintained. Since they are adjacent to the Peabody-Burns Elementary School property, they were offered to the school district at no cost. The board of education accepted the lots at the February board meeting.
- Council voted to return to the county treasurer $21,825 incorrectly transferred to the city from the motor vehicle tax distribution.
- A request from St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Wichita to use Peabody City Park for overnight camping by members of the Chaplain Kapaun pilgrimage to Pilsen in June was approved. The group will spend the night of June 3.
- Approved funding for conferences and training for Peabody fire fighters, Peabody Police Chief Bruce Burke, and city employees Ronnie Harms and Todd Woodruff.
- After discussion of problems with the baby pool liner and review of an estimate of more than $8,000 for a replacement, council members instructed Harms to investigate a short-term solution until funding can be built into the next city budget.