Florence city officials assess storm damage
Florence City Council members took time Monday evening to review community response to various situations and problems during the Jan. 4 ice storm.
Reports of volunteer and city crew activities were given by fire chief Tony Leeds, ambulance director Judy Creamer, city superintendent Ken Hoffman, acting police chief Eric King, council members, and Mayor John Lehman. Each expressed appreciation for help received.
Hoffman reviewed problems at city sewer ponds, City Springs, and the water plant, caused by the storm.
He noted that water pressure in the water tower fell, but not to less than 20 pounds, which would have caused more severe problems. Hoffman credited city employees and volunteers for help trimming trees to allow Westar access to power lines that got everything running again.
Hoffman also reported on debris removal by volunteers and city crews. He, city workers, and volunteers will work until the end of this week to get storm debris hauled off if residents will move limbs to their curbs.
Residents who are physically unable to get debris to the curb can call the city building at 878-4296 and arrange for help.
City clerk Darla Gore reported that she, Hoffman, councilman Ed Robinson, Larry Scriven, and Suzanne Robinson attended a preliminary damage assessment meeting Friday in Marion. They received information relevant to application for federal and state funds for cleanup. Gore said Marion County's designation as a disaster area has not yet been made official.
Gore also noted they were informed that Federal Emergency Management Assistance (FEMA) does not certify any contractors to do cleanup or repair work. She cautioned Florence council and staff not to believe contractors who announce they are "FEMA certified."
Gore reminded council the mayoral position and two council positions held by Bryan Harper and Randy Mills will be up for election in April.
Anyone interested in running for any of the positions needs to have an application and $5 filing fee to Gore at the city building by noon Tuesday. Florence candidates will need to turn the application and fee into Gore rather than the county clerk because Florence is a second class city, Gore said.
In other business, the council:
— approved the purchase of a chain saw by the fire department and heard Bob Ogle and Terry Britton were appointed department captains. Leeds announced the department's annual pancake feed will be held Feb. 6.
— was encouraged to appoint a representative to a new disaster planning committee that will hold an organizational meeting Jan. 27. Randy Mills was appointed to the position.
— approved warrants totaling $16,425.61.
— heard from city treasurer Mary Jane Grimmett that she has reconciled and balanced city accounts. As soon as the quarterly report is finished and printed Grimmett will be able to give council members a monthly report.
— heard that a rural Burns resident is unhappy with trash pick-up near his home. Customers currently drop bags of trash at a corner. He said animals get into the bags and wind scatters the contents. Gore was instructed to talk to the affected trash customers and seek an alternative solution.
— approved the use of an area in the former city building for computer use by Florence Fire Department.
— reviewed a letter from KDOT indicating the department will take care of landscaping and lighting of the roundabout. Council voted 3-1 to accept the KDOT agreement. Mills voted against the motion.
— approved purchase of two batteries for the city trash truck.
— discussed agenda topics for a town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 17 at Florentine Center. Topics selected include sales tax designation, standards board effectiveness, and work done by civic organizations such as PRIDE and economic development.
— discussed a request by Fred Rhodes to cut a new driveway into his property. Rhodes will be invited to a future meeting to discuss his plan and relevant city ordinances.
— approved an agreement to update city utility billing for $750.
— went into a 25-minute executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. After 10 minutes acting police chief King joined the council. No business was conducted on return to open meeting.
