Florence mayor signs agreement
On a unanimous vote in front of about 15 visitors, Florence City Council passed Ordinance 745, Monday, authorizing the city to enter into a lease/purchase agreement with Koch Financial Services for the purpose of erecting a new city building in Florence.
The question of constructing the addition to the ambulance building to house the city offices and the police department, has caused a great deal of controversy and discussion in the community.
Some townspeople are opposed to the project for a variety of reasons. Some want to see the current building remodeled, others want the city to renovate an already empty structure in the downtown, and others simply don't want to support the tax increase they think will accompany a new building.
The council also was divided on the issue when the vote was taken on whether or not to go ahead with the building. However, once the decision was made to proceed, the council members have presented a united front.
Dave Shupe of Ranson Financial Consultants was present with the final papers and they were signed by the mayor, Jeanie Meirowsky.
After the ordinance is published in the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, official city newspaper, the funds will be available and construction can begin. The amount being financed is $100,000.
Mel Flaming, of Flaming Metal Products, will construct the building. He was present to review building plans with council members and go over change options, the payment schedule the city will follow, and the timetable for construction.
The council will consider a partial brick front on the building which was not covered in the original bid and Flaming will return to a future meeting with cost estimates. Flaming thought the dirt and concrete work could begin by the first part of May.
In other business:
The council heard from Bill Henricks on their insurance coverage, but tabled a decision until all members had had a chance to review the material he presented. The city's insurance carrier will not provide coverage for municipalities any longer and Henricks presented bids from four new companies. The council will make a decision before April 15 when the current coverage ends.
Steve Waite told the council about several programs available through the state to small towns like Florence. The Affordable Housing Project helps provide incentives for new housing. The Neighborhood Revitalization Act already is at work in many Kansas communities, helping restore business districts and existing neighborhoods.
Waite is president of Community National Bank in El Dorado and has been working with the city of Burns where his bank has a branch office.
Sara Cope and the Florence Economic Development committee are interested in pursuing some of the ideas that Waite presented. They will return in April with a more concrete proposal for the AHP and a determination of what they will need from the city.
The council approved a bid from Steve Koehn, owner of Oil Valley Lawn Service, to take care of the Highland Cemetery mowing this summer. Approval of the bid is contingent upon confirmation of Koehn's references.
Janette Parmley and Trayce Warner presented the council members with an update on the Labor Day Celebration. The annual Spring Fling, which is a fund raiser for the fall event, will be held April 13 and 14. Children's rides and games will be featured. Entertainment and a community meal will be a part of the weekend.
Travis Parmley requested permission to apply for a grant through the Forestry Department for the Florence Fire Department. The grant, which is for funds matched by the city, will be used for equipment. Parmley was given permission to apply for the grant.
