Compliance officer will not be full-time position
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News Editor
Peabody City Council rejected the possibility of creating a full-time compliance officer position during Monday evening's meeting. The proposed position would have combined the duties of health and safety officer, animal control officer, and police officer currently logging information on untagged vehicles. Code enforcement for city ordinance violations also would have gone into the mix.
"We didn't budget for this in 2007," said Peabody Mayor Tom Schmidt. "Combining the part-time salaries we paid for those positions in the past year will not come close to funding a full-time position.
"Using fees generated by tickets, fines, and citations doesn't add enough revenue either," he said.
After discussion council members agreed the job does not justify a 40-hour a week, full-time employee.
"The problem is we still need someone to do these jobs," said councilman Alan Yock.
The council agreed the city has finally gotten a better handle on animals at-large, nuisance properties, and untagged vehicles.
"To quit now would mean everything we have worked for in the past several years was for nothing," said Schmidt. "It wouldn't take long for some of the chronic offenders to return to their old habits."
The council asked city administrator Jeff Benbrook to work with the chief of police to come up with job descriptions for both the health and safety officer and the animal control officer, keeping the combined salaries at less than $10,000 a year.
Council also approved re-writing the ordinance allowing the sale of cereal malt beverages on Sunday. The city was informed by the state that the sale of cereal malt beverage is prohibited before noon and after 8 p.m. on Sundays and is prohibited all day on Easter. The local ordinance does not restrict sales before noon, after 8 p.m., or on Easter.
In other business, the council:
— heard the mercury remediation project at the former sewer plant is entering the final stage. Integrated Solutions, Inc. hauled contaminated concrete and soil to a special landfill in Louisiana two weeks ago. ISI did a test of the soil and when the results are known, a report will be written for Kansas Department of Health and Environment. KDHE will review the results and rule whether or not the problem has been abated and the demolition can be finished. City administrator Jeff Benbrook said the project could wind up as early as mid-March.
— heard that property tax on city owned properties was reduced this past year by $3,500. The reduction is due to the city taking advantage of tax exemptions on qualifying properties.
— heard workmen's compensation premiums have decreased due to the amount of payroll, the city's safety program, and a lower injury record. Benbrook cautioned, however, that the coming increase in payroll will make premiums rise.
— heard also that Benbrook has completed a safety training manual for full-time employees and their test results will become a part of their evaluations in the future. Kansas Municipal Insurance Trust requires the city to maintain a safety program. Employees will receive their copies of the manual this week.
— named Benbrook the city's voting delegate to the Kansas Rural Water Association annual meeting March 29.
— heard that applications for funding to repair and maintain the water tower have been submitted to Consolidated Financial Resources.
— discussed plans for the new city shop building and questioned details related to the proposed police evidence room, a restroom, and a mezzanine storage area. Councilman Gene Schmill will confer with Mel Flaming of Flaming Metal Products about the council concerns and report back.
— heard from councilman Ed Slocombe that an ordinance is on the books requiring residents to clean their sidewalks of snow. Council elected not to enforce the ordinance at this time.
— heard, during public comment time from former mayor Randy Dallke who encouraged the council not to go overboard on zoning regulations when the comprehensive plan is reviewed.
