Florence Mayor Mary Shipman and Florence City Council accepted the resignation of Florence Police Chief Conroy Miller at the city council meeting March 1. The resignation will be retroactive, effective Feb. 17.

“It was just too many complaints from city residents, excessive complaints,” Shipman said. “It was discussed in executive session back in December.”

Part-time police officer Jeremy Rodriguez will assume peacekeeping duties while the city searches through a field of police candidates.

The council also decided to contact Marion County Sheriff Robert Craft to create a community watch program.

In other business:

• Florence alumni will be allowed to use the gymnasium free of charge for their alumni banquet.
• Anonymous volunteers were commended for rebuilding the shelter house at Moses Shane Park.
• Florence’s water tower has been placed on the historical registry. The City received a $48,000 grant from the Kansas Historical Society to help restore the tower. “Janet Robinson, our city clerk, and Neva Robinson have worked very hard to get that grant,” Shipman said.