Florence patrol cars 1, white-tail doe 2
When Florence City Council members met Monday they heard a report from acting police chief Erik King that three of his part-time officers were involved in an accident Friday with the same deer in Butler County.
King reported that officer Conroy Miller was leaving El Dorado on U.S.-77 after completing a shift at El Dorado Correctional Facility where he works full-time.
Miller was traveling north on his way home to Burns in his Ford Ranger pickup. Close to Northeast 60th Street a doe bolted from the side of the road. Miller's pickup hit the deer and hurled it into the lane of oncoming traffic.
The deer was immediately struck by a vehicle traveling south to El Dorado.
That vehicle was the newest Florence Police Department patrol car, occupied by officers Charles Hefton and Scott Galloway. The Florence officers were on their way to El Dorado to interview a suspect. Officer Hefton was driving the patrol car.
King told council members he wasn't sure what the odds were of three of his officers, traveling in different directions, tangling with the same doe on a highway, but he assured them that was the truth of the matter.
King also reported repairs to the patrol car are covered by city insurance.
Economic development chairman Sarah Cope updated council on the Olathe manufacturing company interested in relocating in Florence.
Cope presented council with a list of incentives offered to businesses by other Marion County communities. Council reviewed the information, but made no decision about what incentives it might offer.
Cope said she is in contact with the business's representative and he intends to get back to Florence soon for a more extensive visit.
In other business the council:
— heard a report from city superintendent Jeff Wagner. Wagner announced the Corps of Engineers will be in Florence Wednesday for a levee inspection. Wagner also reported problems with several water valves, some equipment in need of repair, and presented literature about an automated system for selling water.
— approved a request by Wagner to hire temporary part-time help on the trash route until a permanent employee is hired.
— heard that Florence police officers will take part in the state's final "Click It or Ticket" campaign for 2005 which will concentrate on drunk driving and seat belt violations. The campaign will begin Nov. 28 and remain in effect until Dec. 5.
— scheduled a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss the levee inspection, part-time temporary applicants for trash truck operator, and financial compensation to Morning Star Ranch for the services of its water plant operator.
— approved payment of warrant 2005-21 with the exception of a bill to the fire department from Peabody Market in the amount of $61.15. Council members unanimously tabled payment of the bill until fire chief Tim Parmley was available to explain the purchase and why it was not made locally.
— reviewed a timeline of changes made to accommodate handicapped people in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Members agreed to discuss at the next council meeting which of the remaining items will be addressed and when.
— entered an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel with ADA officer Del Leeds. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
— tabled until the next meeting a decision on providing trash service to a family in rural Cedar Point.
