City council makes year-end decisions
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
During the final meeting of the year, Peabody City Council members decided Dec. 26 not to approve the use of the city's sewer system for the evacuation of treated waste water coming from a proposed environmental cleanup at the current Food Mart location.
The request to dump contaminated groundwater into the city sewer was made by Doug Mick, environmental geologist for Coastal Mart, the previous owner of the property at Ninth and Walnut.
Council sought additional information from city engineer Al Reiss, who said the lagoons would be able to accommodate the amount of cleaned groundwater Mick was planning to expel.
However, after discussion council decided to deny the request.
"I am not comfortable with amount of information we have on this proposal," said Mayor Tom Schmidt. "If the cleanup stretches out for years, it would put an awful strain on the pipes and the infrastructure."
Councilman Alan Yock echoed Schmidt's concerns. "There are just too many unknowns," he said. "I am not even sure we want that trailer parked up there (next to Food Mart) running 24/7 to treat the groundwater. How long will it be there? What kind of noise are we talking about?"
On a motion by councilman Ed Slocombe, members voted unanimously to deny the use of the city's sewer system.
City clerk Jeff Benbrook reported on the city's other remediation issue — getting rid of mercury contaminated concrete and dirt from the former sewer plant. The materials will be removed and taken by truck to an environmental landfill in Louisiana Jan. 15 to 22. Following that process, the area will receive a clean bill of health and the final demolition will begin.
In other business, the council:
— was reminded the deadline to file for mayor and city council positions is noon, Jan. 23. Application forms are available at Peabody city office, but filing MUST take place at the county clerk's office at Marion County Courthouse.
— approved the transfer of funds to pay for water tower repair and painting by Cunningham Co. of Joplin, Mo. The city will get funding through the company at a cost of $23,000 a year for five years.
— heard from Legacy Park administrator Vickie Nichols about the need for a public transportation service in the community. Nichols said the nursing home gets weekly requests from individuals who would like to be transported to other towns for appointments. Nichols has researched a Kansas Department of Transportation program that provides funding for public transportation. After discussion, council agreed to review the KDOT application and look into the project.
— agreed to listen to input from employees regarding health insurance. Information of options available will go to employees so that council can make a decision at Monday's meeting.
— heard police chief Jeff Pohlman report on a training session he attended on domestic violence. Pohlman also announced that he will provide the program for a drug awareness class Jan. 14 at the HUB. The public is invited to attend. The time will be announce later.
— heard that Inland Paving put rock along the asphalt edge of the curve at Seventh and Pine streets.
— heard the new sales tax will not be charged on city utilities.
— approved a $50 donation to the HUB for a New Year's Eve party.
— learned Gary Jones and councilman Slocombe will represent Peabody on the Marion County Economic Development committee.
— learned all applications for a new public works employees have been reviewed. Interviews with candidates will be scheduled.
— heard that Riggs and Associates of Wichita has responded to the request for information about the city's comprehensive plan. More information will be available at a later date.
