Florence council handles regular business
Despite the presence of television news crews, a larger than usual group of concerned citizens, and an emotional personnel issue on everyone's mind, the Florence city council attended to regular business at its Monday night meeting.
Following the executive session to discuss personnel issues, the council not only voted to suspend Police Chief Merlin Stout, but also suspended City Superintendent Stuart Funk for five days without pay. The suspension was in response to the loss of some sewer rods from a city truck last fall. Funk's suspension carried on a 3-1 vote with councilman Tim Parmley voting against the motion after stating that he thought Funk should receive a three-day suspension.
An explanation of the repairs to the clear well at the new water plant had to be postponed because Straub Eaton engineer Stewart Porter failed to appear to address the council.
The council requested that the mayor contact Porter and have him attend the next meeting.
In a related matter, council members unanimously approved a payment to KDHE in the amount of $7,813 on the city's loan obligation for the water plant.
Following a proposal to change the city's billing software, the council requested more information about financing and lease purchase arrangements. Laura Blossom, the representative from Infinitec, will return to a later meeting with more information.
On a motion by Randy Mills, the council unanimously approved the renewal of the city's web site contract with Rick Burcky pending Burcky's ability to change the domain name.
Councilman Ed Robinson reported that progress on the Grandview rest rooms had slowed because of the size of the old water lines. The pipes are not adequate for today's specifications. After discussion, Robinson was authorized to locate the lines and get a bid to replace them with two inch pipe. He also is to check into cutting the road at Grandview Park to replace the lines and get assurance from the contractor that the asphalt will be replaced.
Economic development chairman Sarah Cope announced that prospects looked good for the proposed duplex project for which the city has been seeking grant funding. She cautioned that all the paperwork had not been finalized, but what is left is mostly just a formality.
Cope also announced the formation of a city park board to create a plan for the parks to avoid duplication of landscaping, equipment, and services.
In other business, the council:
— approved payment of warrants in the amount of $17,263.40.
— approved six months of free sewer, water, and refuse service to Jim Steele at his liquor store to compensate him for the length of time he was without services awaiting the installation of water and sewer lines by the city.
— heard that the new lighting at Johnson's General Store and U.S.-50 will soon be installed.
— instructed city clerk Darla Gore to contact the library board to have a representative at the next city council meeting so that insurance for the building could be addressed.
— agreed to hire Lori Kirkpatrick to manage the city pool this summer. The council took this step early to allow Kirkpatrick to look into ways to minimize expenses at the pool. She will be compensated at the same rate as the 2003 season.
— approved the appointment of Bill Harris to a spot on the fire department and heard that the annual pancake day fund-raiser netted the department $1,000.
— heard from Scott Zogelman that three members of the ambulance crew participated Saturday in an ice rescue class at the reservoir. He also announced that the county had provided two new radios to both the ambulance department and the fire department.
— heard that the PRIDE committee will host a dinner and evening of entertainment March 13 at the American Legion building.
