End of sewer project in sight, mercury removal ends
Council approves zoning for new business
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody mayor and city council members got some good news early in the meeting Monday night when city administrator Jeff Benbrook reviewed a letter from Integrated Solutions, Inc., advising the latest round of tests showed a clean bill of health for the former sewer plant. ISI said the excavation of the area had finally gone deep enough and wide enough that the elevated levels of mercury were gone.
However, Benbrook said the city had not yet received the invoice for disposal of the third and fourth container loads of contaminated soil and concrete that were trucked to a hazardous waste landfill in Louisiana. He estimated that the cost of disposal would be equal to the $60,000 price tag on the first two containers that left Peabody in January.
The city is awaiting final approval from Kansas Department of Health and Environment and receipt of a "no further action required" letter so that final demolition at the former plant can resume.
Another issue with positive implications for the community was brought to council members by Dean and Dona Swingle of Peabody. The couple hopes to open "Fat and Sassy Barbecue" as a carry-out service from the former Standard gas station at 111 W. Ninth Street.
The Swingles were expecting to be inspected by the state Tuesday and if all went well, were hoping to be open for business by the end of this week.
Benbrook noted that the planning and zoning committee had approved the property for catering and restaurant business. No additional permits or licenses were required of the Swingles. The couple eventually hopes to expand to a full service restaurant, but will be operating out of a catering trailer for now.
Dean Swingle explained how they planned to dispose of "gray water" (water used to wash dishes and equipment) and water left in the cooker after preparing barbecue. The city imposes no restrictions on such disposal providing the plan is approved by the state.
The council was unanimous in its support for "Fat and Sassy Barbecue."
In other business the council:
— denied a request from the HUB for funding. The request for $35,000 and lack of discretionary funds for non-budgeted items was the reason given for the refusal.
— heard from Rollin Schmidt that a countywide recycling plan is in the works and Schmidt needs a letter of support from Marion County communities to qualify for a grant from KDHE to start the project. Benbrook was instructed to provide Schmidt with a letter of support from Peabody.
— heard from Randy Dallke that Atmos Energy will be removing the metal storage shed at Ninth and Vine streets. A new gas pipeline storage facility is being constructed.
— agreed to conduct additional research into the official status of the parking lot at the grade school. The city and school are still in dispute about whose responsibility it is to pave the area. The city has paid Inland Paving for the work it did on the parking lot and wants the district to reimburse it for half the cost of the project. The school district feels that since the city made Pine a one-way street that enters the parking lot with no alternative to motorists, the parking lot has become an extension of Pine and its maintenance is the responsibility of the city.
— reviewed options available for long-term maintenance of the water tower. Benbrook explained the financing agreement for the benefit of new council members. Following discussion, members voted 5-0 to approve the plan which will cost the city $12,000 a year for seven years.
— approved a $500 pay increase for pool manager Sarahanne Unruh. Council agreed to review pay scales for the assistant manager and lifeguards after more information is acquired by Benbrook.
Unruh requested permission to give Carol Smith an adult season pass in exchange for a mural she intends to paint on a wall of the bath house. Approval for the pass was granted.
The purchase of three umbrellas for life guard stands at a cost of $70 each was approved.
— heard from public works director Darren Pickens that he has identified another potential problem with the sewer project that will need to be reviewed. As the final snowfall of the season melted, the runoff overwhelmed a pump at the lift station. Engineering specifications will need to be reviewed and adjustments made if a deficiency is found.
— approved the installation of a meter on the outside spigot of Peabody Housing Authority duplexes to bill for irrigation water use.
— approved new signage for the curve south of the co-op where Maple Street turns into Central.
— approved a request by the HUB to host another block party in the 100 block of Walnut on Aug. 11.
— approved the newly designed logo for police department patches. The patches will be ordered and sewn onto the officers' uniforms.
— approved training for officer Travis Wilson and officer Jeremy Wilkerson.
— postponed discussion of finishing the interior of the new city shop until standing committee appointments are made at a future meeting.
— approved a salary increase to $4,000 a year for animal control officer Marvin Lirley.
— heard that police chief Bruce Burke has hired Michael French as a new full-time officer at an hourly wage of $12.50 to increase to $13 following a 90-day probationary period. French is certified and has several years experience as a police officer.
— appointed Benbrook to fill in as temporary health and sanitation officer until a suitable candidate can be found.
— heard the annual city audit is scheduled for May 7, 8, and 9.
— learned the city is in receipt of emergency operation plan updates from all community entities except Legacy Park and Peabody Ambulance.
— learned the city's safety certification audit was once again at the "gold level" which translates into a 5 percent discount on workman's compensation premiums.
