Florence council accepts proclamation, gift
By SUSAN MARSHALL
Staff writer
Two promotional issues that will enhance activities for the city of Florence were introduced April 17 at Florence City Council meeting.
Members of Florence Labor Day barbecue cook-off presented Mayor Sue Klassen and the council with a framed proclamation signed by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius designating the city an official cook-off site.
The Labor Day event is officially sanctioned and will be promoted statewide between now and Labor Day weekend.
A second proposal offering positive long-term repercussions came from Florence Historical Society president Sarah Cope. Cope announced an anonymous gift from a foundation to cover the cost of repairs and renovation to Florence City Springs contingent on approval by the city council.
Cope read a list of improvements the gift will cover. Among the planned upgrades are: remove and replace roof, facia, and soffit with 28-gauge metal; tuck point cinder blocks; repair/replace windows, doors, walkway railing; replace existing electrical service with an underground line; paint building; install a stone dam below springhouse; trim trees and shrubs on property; add gravel to parking area and road; and replace the picnic tables.
Cope said the historical society is willing to accept the conditions of the funding and would like to have assistance from city employees as well as community volunteers to do as much work as possible.
She assured council members that other than use of city employees there would be no cost to the city for any of the work at the springs.
Florence City Springs was long ago a spot of interest for tourists and travelers. Cope said the renovation would go a long way toward re-establishing the springs as an attraction.
Unanimous approval was given.
