City of Burns to apply for PRIDE grant
When Burns City Council met Feb. 11 Mary Glenn reported to fellow members that she had met with Wal-Mart officials in regard to a PRIDE matching grant.
Council member Tom Grimwood said he has been in contact with Bruce Wells of Flint Hills RECA, who will come to Burns to meet with the public.
Glenn said the PRIDE committee has decided that April 13 will be the date of the city wide garage sale. The PRIDE committee also will have a garage sale that day, with all proceeds going to PRIDE projects.
The council voted to make the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin the official city newspaper again this year.
The council adopted the Uniform Offense Code and Standard Traffic Ordinances for the coming year.
The council debated the policy of having a city sales tax. Mayor Brent Miles said the council needs to consider expanding city services by encouraging more local businesses and renovation of the downtown area.
He noted that a sales tax would be paid by people who come to Burns, and not be entirely put the burden on local residents.
Cecilia Kennedy made a motion to explore a one-cent local sales tax. Jim Hoffman seconded the motion and it passed 5-0.
Kennedy also made a motion to send Earl and Mary Glenn to the Kansas Rural Water Association in Wichita at a cost of $185. Hoffman seconded, and it passed 5-0.
Randall and William Koehn presented their monthly street report. They have been busy cleaning ice off the streets, spreading asphalt millings, and digging out the dry lagoons of the city.
The council decided to purchase property at 301 North Church from William Koehn for a price of $3,500. Tom Greenwood made the motion, seconded by Marty Reagan and passed 5-0.
City Clerk Carolyn Koehn and water superintended Earl Glenn submitted reports which were read by the council.
Mayor Miles shared with the council an agreement prepared by city attorney Eric Kraft that will allow property owners who have abatement proceedings on nuisance buildings on their property to sign a contract for the city to repair or clean up the property.
The mayor also read e-mails that had come from visitors to the town's official web site.
The city has selected a site for building a senior housing project. The council will proceed on the project.
Council members discussed upgrading the city clerk office's computer. By unanimous vote it was decided to purchase a computer from KMK Company at a price of $1,350.
Kennedy made a motion to discuss the solid waste contract at a future meeting. It passed by unanimous vote.
Jim Murflin represented Kevin Bliss at a hearing on an ordinance violation in regard to an unoccupied trailer home. He asked for a 60 day extension, it was granted by unanimous vote.
The mayor announced that a recycling grant workshop will be held April 21 at Emporia. The council voted to send Carolyn Koehn and Mary Glenn.
After a 10 minute executive session, the three-hour meeting adjourned at 10 p.m.
