Burn permits no longer option for Florence residents
The question of burning by individuals was put to rest Tuesday afternoon by the Florence City Council.
Mayor Jeanie Meirowsky asked if any of the council members had been contacted by the public concerning the ordinance against burn permits.
"No one has complained to me, so I guess my feeling is that we let the new ordinance stand. We leave the burn pit open two and a half days a week and encourage people to bring non-burnables to the city dumpsters," she said.
"I'm not going to try to force the issue — it is up to the council. But we can't keep changing our minds every time someone is upset by a decision we've made."
"I think we need to stand by the decision to ban burn permits," she said.
Larry Timm said he had been contacted by a couple of people who have burn barrels. "They appreciate the convenience of being able to use them. Maybe we should just raise the fine to $500 like other towns and get tough on people who violate it by burning illegal items or not getting a permit," he said.
Dan Ludwig and Bev Baldwin agreed with Timm.
During discussion, the council did agree that it would no longer allow citizens to dig their own pits for burning.
Timm added that he respected the opinions of Meirowsky and fire chief Reilly Reed.
"I don't think that this topic is worthy of a major confrontation," he said. "No matter which way we go, someone will be unhappy with our decision. I think we need to decide and move on."
In the end, the council agreed to let the new ordinance stand. Individual burn permits will no longer be issued. In addition, a fine was approved of "up to $500" for violating the ordinance.
Anyone caught burning illegally will be reported to the police department and given a warning. If the same person violates the ordinance a second time, he will be ticketed and fined. Tickets will be issued by the police department.
CIS questioned
Barbara O'Dell read a communication from the "Community in Our Schools" committee asking for donations for the coming year. The council examined the list of contributors from last year and noted that Florence had given the group $800 and that that amount was considerably larger than other communities of the same size.
On a motion by Timm, the council voted to cut the contribution in half this year. O'Dell recommended that the council look at the program before the request for donations arises next year. "I think we need to look at the program and see exactly what affects Florence," she said. "Maybe we need to have someone from the committee come in and visit with the council between now and then."
In a related issue, Timm asked if any of the council members knew whether or not the middle school band T-shirts were supposed to say "Marion-Florence" rather than just Marion.
"I was under the impression that as groups ordered new uniforms and T-shirts and such the name Florence would be included," he said. "I noticed at the parade on Labor Day that everything just says "Marion" or "MHS." I wondered if I misunderstood."
After discussion, Timm agreed to contact the school district for an answer.
Council members and city superintendent Stuart Funk discussed the purchase of a new tractor for the city. The council agreed unanimously to purchase a New Holland tractor for $28,666. City clerk Ann Brenzikofer told the council that about $17,000 would come from various department budgets and the rest would be on a lease-purchase agreement through an area bank. She cited several institutions willing to finance the balance. A decision will be made when the exact amount is known.
Revitalization
Sara Cope reviewed the revitalization project. She said that Florence's application had been signed by the county commissioners and was awaiting the signature of the attorney general. "We should be ready to start the project after Oct. 1," she said.
She encouraged the council members to review the report she had given them and be knowledgeable about it so that they could talk about it with community members.
"Rick Burcky will be putting information on the Florence Web site and I'm hoping we can get some people involved in the application process right away," said Cope.
She said that the deadline for the next round of applications for the housing grant would be Oct. 1 and that the city would know by Jan. 1, 2003.
Sewer project paid
The council approved the transfer of funds from the sewer and water budgets to pay the bonds and interest on each. The amount transferred from water was $37,082.50 and $10,800.00 was transferred from sewer. Brenzikofer informed the council that with that payment the sewer project was paid.
Funk reported that progress is being made on the new water treatment facility. He said that representatives will be in town in the next week or so to inspect the building and select a location for the clear well. The next step in the project will be putting the work out for bids.
Funk was given permission to purchase a new harness and two lanyards for city employees when they are changing the light on the water tower.
Brenzikofer was given permission to attend a KPERS meeting in El Dorado on Oct. 24 and Police Chief Creighton Smith was given permission to be gone for three days to attend an "Amber Alert" conference in Virginia.
Smith told the council that the conference is a training session to combat the problem of exploited and missing children. Smith will attend at no charge to the city except for paying for someone to cover his duty on the days he is gone.
Smith also was given permission to purchase four new tires for his police vehicle and have it serviced, and to purchase ammunition for practice and for duty.
The council heard that Toby Moore had requested trash service at his home close to Aulne. After discussion, the council declined to provide city trash pickup to Moore because of the distance to his home.
A sewer license was approved for Tony Schafers.
Councilman Dan Ludwig reported that the work on the intersections of 6th and Main and 8th and Main would begin in the next week or so.
