Florence City Council hires Wagner as city superintendent
Florence City Council members met Tuesday to accommodate the Labor Day holiday. Early in the meeting they voted 3-0 (with Bryan Harper absent) to offer the job of Florence City Superintendent to Jeff Wagner. The offering will be effective Monday. Wagner is from Wichita and will move to Florence.
Council also held a lengthy discussion about mowing and the regulations against blowing grass onto city streets.
Council members agreed there is a conflict for homeowners whose property borders a culvert — a common occurrence in Florence. Those homeowners will be forced to blow the grass into the street or leave it in the culvert where it will be washed into storm drains, a situation council would like to avoid.
The ordinance allows for fines of "up to $100" for leaving grass clippings in the streets and gutters.
Council will address the issue again in the spring and make a decision about enforcing the ordinance.
At that time they also will put together a letter advising citizens of the city's rights regarding lawns that require mowing by city crews.
In other business council members:
— approved warrant 2005-17 for $54,286.58.
— accepted a final report from Americans with Disabilities Act officer Del Leeds regarding his inspection of the Harvey House which is on the National Register of Historic Places. A final report on the city storage facility on Fourth Street is awaiting legal review.
— asked Mayor Sue Klassen to visit with veterinarian Brendan Kraus regarding his agreement to house strays from Peabody and how the job impacts the city's financial responsibility to the animal shelter.
— agreed to hold a work meeting at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 12 to discuss priorities in capital improvements and equipment reserve. No action will be taken.
— accepted memorial money from Twilah Williams in memory of Joyce Hett. Williams presented the council with $430 to cover the cost of three new "rule" signs for Florence swimming pool.
— agreed to pay fuel expense for firemen to attend a training session Oct. 24 at Topeka about fires in hybrid cars. Council heard from Chief Parmley about department expenditures. Parmley also announced the purchase of a generator which will provide electricity to the city building and ambulance shed in case of a disaster. The fire department currently is looking at costs for a trailer to carry the generator and other equipment.
— approved a permit for Tony Britton to build a 30'x40' shop, contingent upon Mayor Sue Klassen's approval of the proposed site.
— responded to a query by Joe Heath that cracks on Fifth Street will be filled and sealed before winter.
— agreed to have city employees close the swimming pool for winter, fix a leaky sink in the ambulance kitchen, and fix the dryer vent on the ambulance department's dryer.
— agreed to adopt a housing resolution similar to that of Cassoday to facilitate a housing project with MIDCAP.
— heard from acting police chief Erik King that his officers participated in the second part of the "Click It or Ticket" event involving law enforcement officers across the state.
— went into executive session for 15 minutes for the purpose of discussing personnel. City Clerk Darla Gore remained in the meeting. No action was taken on return to open session.
