Mowing issues come before Florence council
In anticipation of the upcoming Labor Day observance, Florence City Council members considered issues related to cleanup and making the community ready for its annual celebration.
It was noted that grass, shrubs, and weeds around the former school buildings have been growing unabated all summer. The property owners live in Oklahoma.
City clerk Darla Gore was instructed to send certified letters to property owners in violation of mowing ordinances and begin the process of abating the nuisance.
Florence ordinance allows city employees to mow and trim nuisance properties and add charges for the work to the owner's property tax. However, the owners must first be notified and given a chance to do the mowing themselves.
"We need to get started on this now," said councilman Ed Robinson. "We need to mow before Labor Day."
In other business the council:
— accepted from PFC Robert Baker a flag that flew over Baker's post in Iraq on March 19. Baker was home on leave until July 22 when he returned to active duty in Iraq.
— approved warrants in the amount of $7,303.01.
— voted to end the practice of purchasing Gatorade and ice for city employees.
— agreed to hold a budget work meeting at 6 p.m. July 25 in the city building.
— agreed to provide trash service on a temporary basis to individuals in Cedar Point who lost their service when a trash crew from Emporia was struck by a train. The service will be offered as a means of helping the property owners until permanent service can be restored. An individual outside Burns also was granted the use of a Dumpster and a one-time pickup for a price of $60.
— tabled a decision on hiring a firm to clean the water tower. The city still is awaiting financing information from one company.
— discussed a Kansas Department of Health and Environment requirement to install turbidity meters at the new water plant. Council received a $5,000 estimate for each meter, but it was unknown whether the cost included installation. Mayor Sue Klassen will contact KDHE for more information on what is needed by the water department.
— appointed councilman Ed Robinson to oversee work at Fifth and Main streets intersection where storm drains appear to have collapsed.
— heard that Bryan Harper will find someone to help paint parking lines downtown.
— agreed to discuss Dumpsters and their placement on personal property at a future meeting.
— heard that city clerk Gore is working on quarterly reports.
