Florence council handles troublesome situations
Florence City Council Monday dealt with several issues of major impact to the city.
Early in the meeting council members unanimously accepted the resignation of suspended Florence Police Chief Merlin Stout. City clerk Darla Gore read the letter of resignation which was effective June 1.
Following the acceptance of Stout's resignation council member Randy Mills presented the group with a proposal to appoint a screening committee to carry out the search and interview process for a new police chief.
Mills' proposal calls for individuals from the community to serve on the committee. Larry Blosser, Jolene Gayle, Bryan Harper, Del Leeds, Jeanie Meirowsky, and Barbara or Delano O'Dell are those Mills hopes will be willing to serve as voting members of the committee. He named council member Ed Robinson to represent the city and chair the meetings, but said Robinson will not vote on police chief candidates.
Mills said he hopes using this group of people to fill the slots on the screening committee will pull together years of expertise and knowledge in leadership, law enforcement, and management.
Mills' proposal passed 4-0.
Another issue with major implications for Florence is the proposed roundabout at the intersection of U.S.-50/77. Several officials from KDOT were present seeking the council's recommendation for a five-leg roundabout design as opposed to the traditional four-leg design.
At community meetings in fall of 2003, concerns were raised by emergency personnel about a KDOT plan to close 8th Street from Kimball to U.S.-50 when the roundabout is installed. In answer to those concerns KDOT engineers presented a proposal Monday night to create a new access road from the Kimball-8th Street intersection to the roundabout.
The new access road — the fifth leg of the roundabout — would allow a more direct route for school and emergency vehicles going in and out of Florence.
Several council members and concerned citizens stated their preference for the four-way stop currently installed at the juncture of the two highways. They feel it has turned out to be a safer solution than either roundabout plan.
The council was told by KDOT that the four-way stop only is a temporary solution. The roundabout will be built and Florence's only choice at this time to indicate its preference for a four-leg or five-leg roundabout.
After discussion and additional input from Scott Zogelman, ambulance director, and Tony Leeds, fire chief, council voted 4-0 to accept the five-leg design.
City superintendent Ken Hoffman reviewed research he had done to equip the new pump house with lightning arresters following interruption of water service to the city in May when lightning struck the plant and incapacitated its pumps.
The companies he contacted were willing to install protection systems, but were not in accord as to where in the system they should be applied. Neither was willing to offer guarantees satisfactory to the council.
After discussion, it was decided to table a decision and Hoffman was instructed to contact additional sources of equipment.
Still seeking a more favorable solution to repair of the clear well deck, council again tabled a decision to authorize repair of the deck. Council member Bryan Harper will contact a company that uses rolled sheets to cover concrete structures.
Mills stated again he felt the council should not accept any solution without a guarantee to protect the city against future failure of the deck.
Melissa Parmley addressed the council about swimming pool hours. She said she considers "family swim time" at the Florence pool to be less than adequate considering the cost of a season pass. Parmley also encourage the council to enforce its own ordinance regarding drinking at the baseball field. She said she had observed ball players and volunteers who were doing cleanup and repair work drinking beer on the premises.
Council member Randy Mills said the council would have an "understanding" with the baseball teams and any community groups working at the ball field.
He said pool hours were a result of a recommendation by the pool manager and council was reluctant to disregard her suggestions. He indicated the council would evaluate pool usage as summer progressed.
In other business the council:
— approved warrants in the amount of $12,139.71.
— heard Ken Hoffman was granted class 2 water operator certification by the state.
— canceled a special meeting scheduled for June 22 to consider reinstatement of suspended police chief Merlin Stout.
— heard a report from Sarah Cope on the successful economic development community meeting held Thursday. Another community meeting will be held in three months.
— was made aware of a swimming pool fund-raiser to be held July 19 at the pool.
— agreed to study a proposal by council member Mills for a "work structure change" for city employees. The number of hours worked will be set to a different schedule in an attempt to save money in wages. Council will study the proposal and discuss it at a future meeting.
— accepted a recommendation by Bill Hendricks, insurance agent, that the city not allow go-carts on streets, sidewalks, or public property. Hendricks was of the opinion the city could lose its insurance if this activity is allowed.
— agreed to pay overtime wages to Ken Hoffman for hours he worked during interruption of water service to Florence in May. The vote carried 3-1 with Mills dissenting. Related to Hoffman's overtime pay was a motion by Mills to acknowledge the wages were caused by special circumstances and have no bearing on previously approved regulations for overtime as outlined in the employee handbook. The motion included future occasions when council might decline to follow the handbook in emergency situations determined by the mayor. The motion carried unanimously.
— heard a thank you letter from former resident Teenie Williams for the appearance of Highland Cemetery on Memorial Day.
— approved a trade with Ritchie Paving of Wichita for highway millings in exchange for water from Florence water plant. Included in the approval was the purchase of a valve to prevent back-siphoning when the construction company is pumping water into its trucks. The valve is required by KDHE.
