Backhoe purchase on back burner
Peabody City Council members opened bids Monday night from five companies for a back hoe and skid steer. Representatives of the companies were on hand.
After more than an hour of discussion, the decision to purchase the items was tabled until the next meeting.
Sales representatives present all felt they had misinterpreted the information they received on the equipment specifications. To give them additional time, the council agreed to table a decision and re-let the bids.
The council also reviewed quotes for the city's insurance coverage. As with most city expenditures, the cost of insurance has made a nearly 20% jump over the costs for the past year.
After discussion, the council approved a bid from Employers Mutual Casualty insurance company.
City Clerk Cindy Harms told the council that the city still had not heard from Gary Harper concerning the purchase of land for the new sewer project. Harms was instructed to continue trying to contact Harper so that the project could begin. A meeting with other property owners was scheduled for March 29, but was canceled when two of the owners couldn't attend. Another meeting is to be scheduled.
KDOT has contacted the city and said that a "road safety audit" needs to be conducted on U.S.-50 north of Peabody. The last audit was in 1999. The city is required to send documentation to KDOT by May 15 of any concerns the community may have with regard to safety on the highway. Harms will gather letters, police reports, and other documentation and present it to the council for review before sending it on.
Of particular concern is the U.S-50/Nighthawk intersection. The city would like to request a four-lane highway around the city or at the very least, a flashing caution light.
In other business the council:
— approved the revised Neighborhood Revitalization Plan after a public hearing at which no one appeared with any issues, questions, or objections.
— approved re-running an ad to offer the position of city health and safety officer.
— held two executive sessions for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken after either session.
— approved the appointment of Vickie Cook to fill Muriel Wolfersperger's position on the Peabody Housing Authority.
— discussed converting the Fourth Fire District's old tanker into a dump truck for city use. The district recently acquired a new tanker.
— heard that the rafters are up on the new shelter house at the park.
— appointed Kevin Ensminger to the vacancy on the Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission.
— agreed to purchase 15 tons of patching material at $75 a ton plus a $5.45 per ton charge for delivery.
— heard an update on the Peabody Main Street program from director Joanna Brazil.
