City probably won't quality for federal funds
Peabody City Council Monday night waded through the murky territory of federal funding as city administrator Jeff Benbrook explained dealing with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
"To begin with," said Benbrook, "the President has not yet even declared any county hit by the ice storm a disaster area."
No federal dollars will be available if that designation is not made he told council members.
In the meantime, contractors who paid their help, bought fuel, and had expenses related to equipment use have billed the city for reimbursement. Bills currently total $65,000.
"And of course we aren't even close to finishing the cleanup," said Benbrook. "We estimate the final total to be three or four times that amount."
An additional problem is even if FEMA funds become available to Peabody, none of it can be used to pay contractors who did not have a signed agreement with the city before the storm struck.
"As near as we can figure, the last appeal for federal disaster funds probably came in the mid — 1970s when we had flood water half-way up Walnut," said Mayor Tom Schmidt. "Things have changed a great deal since then."
City council will review statements from contractors and find funds to pay them at the Feb. 14 meeting.
"We can't 'stiff' these people," said councilman Alan Yock. "They worked with our people and Westar in good faith. They moved an awful lot of debris.
"This will cause some real belt tightening," he added.
City council members will meet with local contractors and have agreements in place to authorize their work for the city in the future.
"We need to formalize agreements with them and then review contracts at the beginning of every year," said Schmidt. "We can't afford to get caught like this again."
Benbrook said Peabody is still eligible for some help from KDOT to move debris from curbside areas to the debris pile at Second and Locust. Also he noted that many people had hauled their own debris.
"We haven't even looked at the park yet," he added. Council members agreed that park cleanup could be an organized community volunteer effort later in the year.
Benbrook will keep council apprised of any further information that becomes available from FEMA or the state.
Council members also approved moving forward on city sewer upgrades. A pre-construction conference will be held at 11 a.m. Feb. 23 at the city building and current plans call for construction to begin during the first week or two of March, weather permitting.
Council approved two ordinances related to city sewer upgrades. One authorizes additional funds to pay for the project and the other updates the original sewer ordinance to bring it in line with Kansas Department of Health and Environment guidelines.
Benbrook presented council members with a new contract agreement with Hillsboro for the purchase of water. Hillsboro currently is selling water to Peabody for $1.40 per 1,000 gallons. The new agreement will raise the price to $1.48 per 1,000 gallons. Council members approved the increase 3-1 with Steve Rose opposed and Jon Gard absent.
Council members will review the city's water ordinance in February to see if any of that cost will be passed on to water customers.
In a related matter council agreed to begin looking at a different solution to the drainage problem at Third and Vine. Since city wells were closed after Peabody started receiving water from Hillsboro, groundwater saturation has become a problem in a couple of areas in town.
The Baptist church is one of those problem areas. The church has been pumping moisture from its basement for several years and the problem has steadily worsened.
What was formerly a trickle of water at Third and Vine has become a small stream. When the water freezes it creates a hazard at the intersection.
Council will contact KDHE and begin looking at other solutions.
In other business the council:
— scheduled a citywide garage sale for April 30/May 1 and citywide cleanup for May 7 and 14. Curbside pickup will be May 13.
— tabled until a future meeting a decision on a logo for city departments. Deb Buser was appointed to chair a committee to select designs and bring them back for council consideration.
— heard Danny Miner accepted the city's offer of employment and approved offering a third position to Curtis Gray.
— heard Deb Buser will begin contacting owners of vacant houses to determine the status of those structures.
— agreed to advertise for a swimming pool manager for the summer season.
— heard economic development will contact Westar about installation of a three-phase hook-up for the industrial park.
— agreed with a recommendation from Peabody Zoning Commission to grant a variance request at 305 Maple.
— approved a contract extension for an additional year of service to the city web site by Florence Web Computers. Council also heard the site will be revised and updated.
— agreed to accept a plan from Flint Hills Termite and Pest Control to treat the city building.
— heard city insurance carrier EMC will not renew coverage of Peabody city shop building. A decision was tabled until bids can be sought from other insurers.
— approved an annual subsidy of $900 to Peabody Fire Department.
— heard the city is working with engineer Steve May of Reiss and Goodness to evaluate the proper size generator and connection for the water tower.
— approved pay increases for police officers per Jeff Pohlman's recommendation on a 3-1 vote with Gard absent and Rose opposed.
