Florence council attends to light agenda
Florence City Council made short work of a light agenda Monday night.
Several council members complimented Florence Chamber of Commerce for a successful community holiday celebration Saturday evening. Chamber members brought Santa to town to hear the wishes of Florence youngsters. Council member Dan Ludwig said he heard Santa was impressed with the turn-out for the celebration.
A new community Christmas tree was lighted in the intersection of Fifth and Main. Due to the cold weather, Santa was moved to the American Legion building after the tree lighting.
In a related holiday item, police chief Erik King informed the council that he, his officers, and other city employees will sponsor another Christmas drive for needy families in the community. This will be the third annual drive by the group.
Information about donations of food, toys, gifts, and cash is available at the city office.
In other business, the council:
— heard from city superintendent Phil Baldwin that businesses getting deliveries from large trucks need to warn the drivers to be aware of the snowflake decorations on the light poles downtown. Several have had to be repaired.
— clarified a benefit noted in the employee handbook. Employees will earn 4.2 hours of sick leave each month whether accumulated sick leave is used up or not.
— instructed Baldwin to meet again with Chuck DeForest to discuss a water delivery problem to an area where DeForest waters his cattle.
— heard a meeting with the city planning and zoning committee will not take place until after the first of the year. Council also heard that Gary Nesser has acquired 125 signatures on petitions that request the council put the zoning question on a ballot for a public vote. Nesser will formally present the signatures at a later date.
— tabled until a future meeting a decision to give Morningstar Ranch light poles and light fixtures from the former football field. Mayor Sue Klassen said the ranch is building a baseball diamond and requested the lights if the city has no plans for them. Council instructed Baldwin to take an inventory of poles and lights and talk to Westar representatives to find out what the city might need in the future.
— heard the price of the required court filing software has dropped considerably. Purchase of the software will take place after Jan. 1.
— agreed to have an area along U.S.-50 highway west of Florence surveyed to confirm the boundaries of the city.
— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley that repairs have been made to the doors at the station and changes will be made to the cascade system to keep it insulated in cold weather.
— heard new street lights will be installed on U.S.-77 at Kimball and on Seventh Street east of Barker.
