Florence zoning group will present final draft
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Florence City Council will host the city planning and zoning committee in a joint session at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 17 in the city building for a final review of new zoning regulations for the city of Florence.
"Since we have already had the community meeting with a question and answer period, this meeting will not address any citizen concerns," said councilman Randy Mills. "The community can certainly attend the meeting to hear what goes on, but we will take no comments from citizens."
The planning and zoning committee, under the direction of economic development chairman Sarah Cope, has spent more than a year reviewing city ordinances related to zoning, growth planning, and community development as well as how neighboring communities address such issues.
A community meeting was held in November to introduce changes to Florence citizens.
Following acceptance by Florence City Council the new zoning regulations will have to be approved by Marion County Commission. They will then become a part of the city's ordinances governing the location of business and residential boundaries.
Council members also had a first reading of ordinance 786, which will allow the transfer of land to the city of Florence from the state of Kansas. The land adjoins U.S.-50 and U.S.-77 where recent highway improvements were made in conjunction with the roundabout.
Florence City Clerk Darla Gore said an issue about legal descriptions for boundary lines needs to be addressed by city attorney Marilyn Wilder. Wilder's legal opinion will be presented at the next meeting.
In other business the council:
— approved a 2007 plumbing license for Tony's Plumbing, a 2007 electrical license for Roger Johnson, and a 2007 gas fitter's license for Reliance Energy.
— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley that Florence firefighters were called to 48 fires in 2006. He also informed them the furnace at the station had been repaired and was in good working order.
— heard a long list of requests from city superintendent Phil Baldwin. Baldwin told council members a new ladder needs to be built for the sewer ponds. After discussion, it was agreed that Baldwin should contact Kansas Department of Health and Environment to review safety requirements as well as issues related to the walls of the sewer ponds.
Baldwin also told council members the city would need an ordinance to ban tractor-trailer rigs on Eighth Street. The Eighth Street "leg" of the roundabout confuses some drivers who think they are heading for U.S.-50 by taking the Eighth Street exit. They find themselves in a residential area, unable to turn around and go back, and unsure of what is ahead of them. Baldwin had requested signs be erected by the state indicating trucks were not allowed to use that exit. Council will look at creating an ordinance to allow "local delivery trucks only" at that exit.
— heard other issues from Baldwin including the need for a new computer for the water department, the growing need for a new city truck, and replenishing water plant supplies. Following discussion, council agreed to fix the 1972 truck and look at the purchase of a newer model soon, have Baldwin get more information on a computer tower and any software agreement, and order needed water plant supplies.
— approved the attendance of Baldwin and Larry Scriven at an 18-week wastewater school at McPherson. Both men will attend one day a week for wastewater certification.
— authorized the purchase of 20 bags of sealant to fill pot holes on city streets. According to research by Baldwin, the sealant will bond with brick or concrete and can be installed this time of year.
— tabled indefinitely a preliminary report on extending trash service to Cottonwood Falls and Strong City.
— approved attendance by Gore to a Feb. 1 ADA workshop in Emporia at a cost of $25.
— heard that no one showed up to stuff water bill envelopes with the community newsletter and the job fell to city employee Janet Robinson. Mayor Sue Klassen said the issue would be addressed with the chamber and PRIDE.
— heard the city audit with Knudson and Monroe will take place Jan. 16 and 17.
— approved the 2007 holiday trash pickup and the spring and fall cleanup dates. More information will be announced to the public at a later date.
