Florence budget hearing draws a crowd
No comments offered
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
More than a dozen people were on hand at Florence city building Monday night for the annual budget hearing. Mayor Greg Wynn opened the meeting, called for comments from the public, and got no response.
The special meeting was adjourned and the regular council meeting opened. Following regular business approving minutes and warrant 2007-15 for $8,231.32, council members unanimously approved the 2008 city budget with a slightly more than two mill increase. The Florence mill levy will rise from 86.29 to 88.76 as published.
An expensive project for the city will begin this week with culvert repair being done at the intersection of Third and Main streets. City superintendent Phil Baldwin announced the project is going ahead and will be finished by Labor Day.
Streets will be barricaded while the work is being done. Baldwin said the PRIDE committee had asked for the bricks from the street. He said he will make arrangements to stockpile them until such time as the committee decides how many they want.
Mayor Wynn and the councilmen expressed their appreciation to Trayce Warner for the community luau held Saturday night. More than 120 people were in attendance and 72 children enjoyed the free swim and games at the pool in the afternoon.
The event was sponsored by the city and some individuals in the community.
Following two executive sessions, council members raised city employee wages by $.75 effective immediately. Evaluations will be done by Sept. 11 and additional raises will be considered on an individual basis at that time.
In other business, the council:
— heard from Steve Hawkins who hopes to become a new Florence resident soon. Hawkins told council members he is anxious to get his family out of Wichita and they have hopes of moving to Florence and opening a new business. He has made a down payment on some property and had questions about the city's water lease, ordinances regulating modular homes, and other zoning issues. After discussion with council members Hawkins was encouraged to meet with the mayor or city clerk and review the issues.
— heard a report from Wynn that municipal pool manager Lori Kirkpatrick took quick action recently when rumors circulated about someone with a staph infection using the pool. Kirkpatrick immediately contacted county and state health agencies, had testing done, and contacted parents and residents. No infection was found. Wynn praised Kirkpatrick's response to the situation.
— entertained comments by Gary Welty who moved to the city six months ago and was seeking confirmation of ownership regarding 10th Street after it passes his home.
Welty has been under the impression that the street had been abandoned or sold to a previous owner of his home. He has personally maintained the gravel road in front of his house, but felt if the city has not abandoned it, he should not be the one paying to have it rocked.
Welty has a fifth-wheel trailer parked on what would be the street if it were maintained that far and the city has gotten a complaint about the trailer blocking access to other property beyond it.
After discussion, Welty was instructed to bring a copy of his deed and title insurance to the city office for city attorney Marilyn Wilder to review. Welty will move the trailer until a decision is reached. Baldwin will assess the washed gravel in front of Welty's house and add rock if it is needed.
The issue will be reviewed at a future meeting.
— heard requests for city assistance from Reilly Reid of the Labor Day Committee. Council agreed to pay half of the cost of portable toilets, approved the use of city picnic tables, Dumpsters, barricades, and extra trash service to empty the Dumpsters.
— tabled until the next meeting any action related to the Corps of Engineers survey report of the dike. While the city passed inspection, there were some minor problems with mowing issues, woody growth on the dike, and positioning of some of the trees at the Florence Tree Farm. Council will review the tree farm issues with caretaker Leonard Ellis before the next meeting. The other issues will be addressed by the city.
— approved a request by police chief Conroy Miller to enroll the city in two programs that will provide equipment, computer assistance, intelligence, and background help free of charge or at a reduced cost. One program is free, the other is available for $100 per year membership.
— approved a request by fire chief Tim Parmley to attend the state fire chiefs meeting Oct. 25-27 in Great Bend. Parmley also told council the Florence firefighters assisted Peabody with a structure fire July 29. Following the fire the Florence cascade system failed and had to be repaired. City fire extinguishers are scheduled to be inspected this week.
— approved an expenditure to fix the rear-end guides on the city trash truck.
— agreed to purchase a Florence boot for $100 and paint it red, white, and blue. The mayor and each councilman will make personal donations to purchase the boot.
