Florence council hires new chief of police
Staff reporter
Florence has a new police chief. Florence City Council hired Alvin Scobee, a veteran with the El Dorado Police Department, as its new chief of police.
Scobee and his wife, Nancy, were present at Monday's council meeting.
Following a five-minute executive session, the council returned with an offer to Scobee of a starting salary of $26,000 per year. Scobee will receive a $75 per month raise following the first 90-day training period and an additional $100 per month raise following the second 90-day probation period.
Scobee recently retired from the El Dorado force after serving 26 years in that department. He will begin work Monday.
A screening committee comprised of Florence residents assisted with the selection.
Committee members were council members Ed Robinson, who served as chairman, and Bryan Harper, Larry Blosser, Jolene Gayle, Barbara O'Dell, Jeannie Meirowsky, and Del Leeds. Two advisers also assisted — Don Rosine and Delano O'Dell.
The Scobees plan to move to Florence.
In other business:
— Ken Hoffman, city superintendent, reported a cap for the city's clear well at the water plant had been secured and approved by Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Hoffman received a letter from KDHE approving the cap. Cracks in the clear well will be sealed per KDHE's regulations.
The council did not approve the expenditure until clarification of specific repairs could be made.
Hoffman also reported there were 20 water samples taken, as required by KDHE. One sample failed the lead and copper testing but still gave the city a passing grade. If the city's water samples continue to pass other tests, the city water plant will no longer be required to be inspected every six months.
Councilman Randy Mills asked when the last time the city's water tower had been pointed and painted. He had noticed some wear on the structure and wanted it addressed.
— Lightning rods at the water plant will be installed this week. When the rods are installed, workers will check the monitoring boards at the plant for malfunctions.
— A state permit was submitted for the city to obtain highway materials removed from U.S.-50. The materials will be used for a city bridge.
— A city mower was taken to Straub International in Marion for repairs and maintenance.
— Hoffman reported city maintenance projects of repainting fire plugs, Unity Park clean-up, street cleaning, and new barricades being built.
— Comments were made regarding the excellent condition of the city ball fields during the past weekend's tournaments.
Sue Klassen of PRIDE reported $1,000 was made from the concessions this summer for the PRIDE committee.
— City clerk Darla Gore reported she obtained a bid from Western Associates of Marion for American flags. The flags will cost $18 each with a minimum of 25. Prices will be checked for poles that can hold both the American flag and welcome flag.
— Sarah Cope of the economic development committee, met with J.D. Pritchard, owner of the former nursing home.
Cope also reported she had an offer from an individual willing to provide preliminary zoning work for the city at no charge.
The council approved Cope attending a Kansas Partnership Conference at Junction City in September. The city will pay the $40 seminar fee and hotel room.
Cope reported she will attend a meeting Thursday in Tampa with a presentation from a speaker who will talk about small communities.
She also has a speaker coming to the economic development committee meeting to address community foundations.
— Gore reported the city had been notified of a meeting at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Marion City Building regarding the construction of a roundabout at U.S.-77/U.S.-50 and improvements on U.S.-77 from Florence to Marion.
Kansas Department of Transportation will have a road designer, construction officials, and other personnel at the meeting to discuss the projects.
— Warrants in the amount of $47,573 were approved.
The next regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 7 instead of Sept. 6, due to the Labor Day holiday. The meeting will be held in the city building.
