Florence web site commended as ADA leader
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Florence City Council acknowledged Monday night the completion of its web site and accepted a commendation for being a leader in the creation of a site that conforms with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ADA officer Del Leeds commended Jackie Sigwing who was instrumental in redesigning the site to meet ADA compliance regulations.
The letter of commendation was from Frances Smith who is Web Accessibility Coordinator for the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. Smith helped Sigwing develop the site.
"I want the community to know that Florence is really in the forefront for ADA issues," said Leeds. "This site is one of the first in the state to meet compliance regulations. Jackie and Frances (Smith) are to be publicly commended for the hours they put in on the site."
Sigwing was thanked by Mayor Greg Winn and the four council members as well.
Councilman Bryan Harper noted, "Jackie is one of those volunteers we have who has made a difference in the community — good people who do good things."
Sigwing said the web site will need updates and changes as time goes along and as technology develops.
Leeds agreed, "There will always be ways to improve a web site where handicap accessibility is concerned. We will need to stay on top of it, but I am confident we can make the web site an official part of our ADA compliance project."
Council members also discussed upcoming budget decisions. On the plus side for Florence is the fact that several large expenditures will be phased out during the next few years. Debt on the water plant, the city building, and the street project will be retired by 2009.
Long-term projects such as a water tower, curb and gutter replacement, sewer repair and replacement, and culvert replacement will receive funding next. Council members already are looking at funding for these items.
Council members approved a special budget meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the city building.
In other business, the council:
— reviewed an advance copy of proposed plans for improvements at Veterans Park. PRIDE chairman Judy Mills presented the plans to council members with an invitation to attend the unveiling of the project at a community meeting downtown July 28.
— heard from councilman Bryan Harper that cross arms are being installed at the Main Street intersection with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
— approved the sale of the city's oldest ambulance by sealed bid to Joe Heath. Voting to sell the ambulance were Harper and Trayce Warner. Councilmen Randy Mills and Dan Ludwig voted against it creating a rare tie which was broken by Mayor Greg Winn who voted to sell the vehicle.
— heard from police chief Conroy Miller that his officers issued 44 tickets and 25 warnings last month. They also made several arrests for possession of marijuana. Miller asked that anyone noticing strange vehicles on the streets late at night contact his office or Marion County dispatcher. He said that while patrolling the community late at night he has noticed cars he does not recognize driving in the community.
— voted to purchase a mosquito sprayer for the city for $2,850 and a five-gallon container of chemical spray for $182.50.
— approved a $550 expenditure to Kaye Electric for the installation of dawn-to-dusk lights at Grandview Park and the purchase of an air actuator valve for the water plant at a cost of $300.
— discussed a land ownership dispute on what was formerly 10th Street. At issue is whether the city formally closed the street and deeded the property to an adjoining landowner. A person wanting to get a mower through the area to another property has been unable to do so because a fifth-wheel trailer is parked in what was formerly the street. Police chief Miller talked to the landowner who said he had a deed for the property. Miller will instruct the man to appear at the next council meeting to discuss the issue.
