Florence City Council covers light agenda
Florence City Council breezed through its first meeting of the month Monday night. Even the addition of three items to the agenda failed to stretch the meeting to a full 45 minutes.
Mayor Sue Klassen read a letter from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Marion County asking for help with its annual Bowl for Kids' Sake. Councilman Bryan Harper volunteered to organize a Florence bowling team to participate. Team members will raise funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters by gathering sponsors to support their bowling efforts.
Council was asked to submit in writing the names of its Marion County Economic Development representatives. Sarah Cope has been the only Florence delegate for a number of years although the city is entitled to send two. Dan Ludwig volunteered to be the second representative.
Members discussed new signs at Moses Shane Park that prohibit truck parking. Mayor Klassen said the trucks cause wear and tear on the asphalt drive creating added expense for the city. She added drivers who need to rest can use the parking areas at Johnson's General Store or Town and Country Cafe.
Councilman Harper said he thought the park was a more appropriate place for trucks to park than in the parking lot of a private business. A motion to remove the signs passed two to one with Ludwig opposed and Ed Robinson absent.
In other business, council members:
— approved warrant 2006-02 in the amount of $26,269.61.
— entered a 10-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing acquisition of property. Sarah Cope and Rex Savage were included in the session. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
— heard from Florence Fire Chief Tim Parmley the department's annual pancake feed held Sunday grossed more than $2,000. Parmley didn't have an itemized list of expenses to present to council, but acknowledged the firefighters were pleased with the turn-out.
— heard from acting police chief Erik King that his department had received a $3,069.90 grant to purchase bullet-proof vests for Florence police officers.
— heard from city superintendent Jeff Wagner that new turbidity meters were installed at the water plant and calibration on the meters would be done this week. Wagner also noted wastewater samples would be collected Wednesday.
