Staff writer
City administrator Mac Manning will have a 60-day evaluation before the Peabody City Council’s next meeting June 29.
Council members approved an evaluation tool Monday night and asked that department heads also evaluate Manning.
The reviews will be discussed behind closed doors.
An additional council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday in the city building. It will be open to the public. The council will begin the budget process at that meeting.
David Scott, Legacy Park administrator, requested and received permission to barricade the street in front of the care facility from 4 to 11 p.m. July 3 for an annual barbecue and fireworks show.
Scott also asked for asphalt patching on Locust Street before the event.
Permission was granted for a fireworks show from dark until about 11 p.m.
In other business:
- Council members agreed to allow a trailer with donated exercise equipment to be stored in the former city shop for six months or until the building is sold.
- Brian McDowell and Tammy Whiteside were hired by the city for $1 to be in charge of the fireworks and parade, respectively, on July 4. Permission was given for the Peabody-Burns Road Warriors to host a car show at Santa Fe Park that day.
- Council members will determine use of a community announcement sign removed from Walnut and Second streets and put in storage at the former city building. Steve Rose and Jim Philpott opposed the action.
- No action was taken on a proposal to purchase grinder pumps for the lift station. Manning said the city was awaiting completion of motor repairs.
- Council member Janice Woodruff asked that Manning research ordinances to determined where responsibility lies for trimming trees that hang over public sidewalks.
- The property at 109 Walnut was dismissed from the nuisance list, the council moved to repair or demolish 803 N. Olive, but granted extensions were granted for three other properties.
- Peabody Main Street Director Shane Marler reported on Operation Celebration. He said more people attended the Memorial Day weekend event than in 2008. Several businesses reported profitable activity. Marler said Peabody Main Street didn’t make as much money this time even though the crowds were larger, but he attributed that to the economy.
- Marler also reported on a more aggressive approach by Peabody economic development to achieve goals set out in the city’s comprehensive plan and committee planning sessions. The committee is trying to bring high speed Internet to Peabody and is looking at Web site development and upgrades and at business recruitment and expansion.
- Manning told the council he had accepted an appointment by the Kansas Department of Commerce to serve on a committee to study the impact of stimulus money for broadband expansion.
- Jim Rippe presented information on an aluminum structure to replace the concrete bridge that collapsed on Fifth Street. Cost is about one-half what the previous vendor estimated for a concrete replacement. No decision was reached. Council members wanted public works director Darren Pickens input before making a decision.
- The city will pay one-half of the cost of a $3,257 cascade unit of high-pressure tanks for the fire department. Marion County Fire District 4 will pay the other half.