Insurance issues may derail city s skate park
Peabody City Administrator Jeff Benbrook presented city council members Monday night with a list of objections from the city's insurance carrier about the proposed skate park.
"These are issues they want us to meet before we even think about proceeding with a skate park," said Benbrook.
Mayor Tom Schmidt reminded the council that Shawna Winter, who presented the skate park proposal, had told them there would be little, if any, liability on the part of the city.
"Shawna is gathering more information and I think we need to contact some of the cities in our area that have skate parks and see how they handle this," said Schmidt.
Benbrook will get additional input from city attorney Mark Wilkerson and present it when Winter meets next with council members.
Council members heard that young people are skateboarding at the intersection of First and Walnut streets. The police department will be notified to keep the children from skating on city streets and intersections.
Benbrook reported on the latest information regarding storm cleanup. The city has been given permission to burn the debris pile and that will be done Wednesday, weather permitting.
Kansas Department of Transportation will be in the community next week with trucks to remove piles of debris piled at the curb.
"People need to get out this week and this weekend and get their yards cleared," said Benbrook. "This is a chance to have the debris hauled away at no charge."
Federal Emergency Management Assistance representatives were in town Monday and viewed the debris pile, the debris that remains at city park and on private property, and the record of expenses the city already has incurred.
"We are just getting started with FEMA," said Benbrook. "But our meeting today was productive."
FEMA recommendations include offering for bid trimming, tree removal, and cleanup as one package at city park.
"They suggested we put that out for bid as a single job rather than having a community cleanup effort for part of it," said Benbrook.
"The city will also take care of tree trimming on city property and anywhere that hanging debris threatens city rights-of-way or streets and alleys."
The cost of the cleanup projects will be presented to FEMA by the city.
Council members agreed that a meeting should be held soon with police, fire, city, and ambulance departments to review and update emergency preparedness.
The council also tackled the sewer rate decision carried over from last council meeting. After studying options, council members agreed unanimously that charges for each user will be a monthly minimum plus a usage fee for heavy users.
The city currently charges $9 a month. The basic charge will increase to $15 a month plus $1.80 per each additional 100 cubic feet of waste.
Council members were responsible for selecting a repayment plan adequate to cover the cost of the debt incurred to build the sewer plant. The fees they chose were the least expensive option for consumers.
In other business the council:
— heard from Benbrook the closing on land for the sewer project was Friday in Marion. At the pre-construction conference Wednesday, a project inspector's resume was presented and the appointment made by Reiss and Goodness. Benbrook has applied to the county for a numerical address for the sewer plant to accommodate deliveries and supplies at construction.
— unanimously approved the new water rate structure with Hillsboro.
— discussed hiring Arlen Gfeller as the city's building inspector. Currently the city uses the Newton building inspector. Action was tabled until Benbrook finds out if the position would be a conflict of interest with Gfeller's standing on Peabody zoning board.
— reviewed the status of a trailer on Peabody Street, a trailer at Second and Spruce streets, and a camper occupied as a residence at Division and Chestnut streets. A status report will be given at the next meeting.
— tabled until the next meeting a proposal on a new server for the city computers.
— heard that only one application for pool manager had been received.
— approved a work agreement contract with Deb Buser, Peabody Health and Safety officer.
— tabled until the next meeting a decision on a request by USD 398 for construction of a concrete slab in front of the new concession stand.
