City council approves pool season
Peabody swimming pool manager Deanna Baker was hired Monday night for another season by the city council.
Baker presented the council with figures on pool use during the 2003 season and her plans for the coming summer. Baker was unanimously approved at a salary of $5,000 to manage the pool from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
She and the council discussed the cost of season passes, charges for private pool parties, scheduling of hourly employees, and changes in the method used to report sales tax on concessions.
City administrator Jeff Benbrook informed Baker and the council that the Kansas League of Municipalities strongly recommends that no one under the age of 16 be on the pool payroll. The council agreed that the city should abide by that recommendation.
After discussion of the expenses involved for supervising private pool parties the council tabled a decision on charges, pending more information from Baker about what other communities charge and the number of parties held at the pool last summer.
The city will take on the responsibility of reporting sales tax based on a weekly report by Baker of concession sales.
The topic of season passes and number of people allowed on a family pass was discussed and no change was made from the 2003 season. Prices for season passes were not established.
Morgan Marler was present from the city of Hillsboro to discuss the final changes to the inter-city agreement between Hillsboro and Peabody and answer any questions the council had concerning the final draft.
The council reviewed the contract with modifications by each city's legal council and approved the agreement unanimously.
In a related matter Benbrook advised the council that he had received an opinion from the city engineer's office regarding those property owners who currently are not connected to city water or sewer.
The council will have to address the matter of connecting everyone or risk jeopardizing its position in federally funded programs. To be in compliance with federal regulations any residence within 300 feet of existing water or sewer service must be connected to the system. There is no provision for exceptions or "grandfathered" residences or businesses.
The council took no action, but will address the issue at a future meeting.
The council established a policy forbidding overnight camping and use of RV hook-ups at the city park without making advance arrangements through the city office.
Related to the city park was discussion of the new concession stand/press box project between USD 398 and the city. After discussion the council agreed that before approving the plan it needed more information about the scope of the project and the level of expertise of the volunteers.
In other business, the city council:
— instructed the city administrator to order signs forbidding the use of skateboards, bicycles, skates, and motorized scooters on the tennis courts.
— approved a bid from Inland Paving for 2004 (not to exceed $40,000) and a five-year repair and maintenance schedule.
— agreed to split the cost with Peabody Rec Commission for hiring Bill Dutton to provide a bucket truck to paint and repair the lights at the tennis courts.
— heard that a claim had been submitted to the city's insurance carrier for the damage to the Rodney Hague home during a sewer line repair.
— unanimously approved the animal control ordinance and the fair housing ordinance.
— entered into executive session for the purpose of a six-month job performance review of city administrator Jeff Benbrook. No action was taken when the council returned to open meeting.
— reviewed a summary submitted by Rick Burcky of activity on the new Peabody web site. The council requested that information about the site be included in the next newsletter accompanying the water bill.
— approved a plan by Jim Truax to have a kite festival. The council OK'd the use of city property for the event.
— heard that the city administrator is still contacting area physicians in hopes of finding one to handle the city's workman's comp issues.
