Staff writer
Peabody Mayor Larry Larsen exercised his option Monday night to appoint a replacement to the city council seat vacated by Jim Philpott in December.
Legacy Park Administrator David Scott was Larsen’s choice. Scott was sworn in and took his seat at the council table.
Scott has been with Legacy Park for more than a year. He also serves on Peabody Economic Development Council.
His family maintains a residence in Topeka and Scott makes the trip back on weekends to be with them. However, the only residency requirement for service on a city council is to be a registered voter in the county in which one serves. Scott is a registered voter in Marion County.
Firewalls must be replaced between buildings
City Administrator Mac Manning reported that he contacted the state fire marshal’s office about inspecting the vacant buildings owned by Brock Baker and was told the state no longer provided that service for commercial properties.
Manning contacted an inspection firm in Kansas City and received a $2,272 bid to perform the inspections.
State law allows the passing of inspection charges to property owners.
At issue are a city ordinance and state regulation that require replacement of firewalls, which Baker removed between the individual buildings when he converted the buildings to furniture show rooms for his business.
The report will be a matter of public record when it is submitted to the city.
After discussion, the council instructed Manning to issue a letter to Baker telling him of the city’s intent and to give him 60 days to replace the firewalls according to state specifications.
In other business:
- Council members discussed Possible changes to the city’s health care policy. The coverage will remain the same. However, because of an 11 percent increase in premiums, council members agreed to look at other providers in six months and see what options might be available in 2011.
- Manning reviewed cost-of-living increases and market adjustments to salaries with council members. Manning recommended a 50 cent per hour cost of living raise for full-time employees and 25 cents per hour for part-time employees. The council went into a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel and took no action on salary increases after coming back to open session.
- A franchise agreement with Allegiance Communications was extended for one year to cover 2010.
- Council members learned the thermostat at the new city shop is set at a constant 60 degrees.
- A proposal made by Tina Partridge in October to ban smoking in businesses and public areas in Peabody was discussed. No action was taken.
- Peabody Main Street was given permission to auction naming rights to the city park sports complex, circle drive, and road adjacent to the north wall. A benefit auction will be March 5 to support Main Street projects.