Old ordinances may ease financial crunch at Florence
In an effort to provide some flexibility in the city budget for the coming year, Florence City Council examined two ordinances July 6 that have been on the books since 1985 that will allow transfer of funds between departments.
Ordinance 648 allows the city to establish a capital improvement plan, and Ordinance 649 allows for the establishment of a fund to replace machinery and equipment. Funds may be moved into either plan as needed and available in other department budgets.
City clerk Darla Gore was instructed to determine whether or not the ordinances are in effect and what is needed to re-establish them if they are not. The council approved re-establishing the ordinances, if necessary, 3-0. (Council member Dan Ludwig was absent.)
Mayor John Lehman told the council he had written a letter to both Straub Eaton and the construction company that built the Florence water plant telling them the solution they proposed for repairing the clear well deck was unacceptable to the city.
City superintendent Ken Hoffman reported he had contacted Kansas Department of Health and Environment in hopes of getting the state to put pressure on the construction company to make the requested repairs.
Hoffman was told the city attorney needs to contact Dave Waldo at KDHE in writing to request a recommendation by the state. The city will pursue this avenue of action.
Council member Brian Harper reported he had contacted Burlington Northern Railroad about crossing arms at Main Street crossing and was told the railroad was not interested in such a project.
Harper said the council needs to have a vote placed in the minutes affirming potential danger to local citizens at the crossing. After that, Burlington Northern will send someone to examine the crossing, how much vehicle traffic it bears, and a decision will be made. Harper said he didn't hold out much hope the railroad will install crossing arms.
A Burlington Northern official told Harper an alternative would be to contact Operation Life Saver, a national organization that installs crossing arms in all states.
Council members officially voted to declare the crossing a danger to community members and request an evaluation. In the meantime Harper will look into requirements of Operation Life Saver.
In other business the council:
— agreed to purchase two lightning protection units from U.S. Filter at a cost of $600 for the water plant.
— gave permission to Peabody City Council to tour Florence city building July 19. Dan Ludwig or Mayor Lehman will be present to be sure the building is locked following the tour.
— approved warrants of $29,007.83.
— gave Mary Malone permission to organize a trail ride in conjunction with Labor Day activities.
— heard that Marion County Road and Bridge department has cleared Fifth Street bridge on three separate occasions. Hoffman reported the county's crane is inoperable at this time. Ed Robinson told council members that Joel and Alan Hayes have cut loose quite a bit of the current log jam. The men are volunteering their time and personal equipment to do the work.
— went into executive session for 10 minutes for the purpose of discussing issues related to personnel. Barb O'Dell, a member of the police chief selection committee, was included in the executive session.
On return to open session the council unanimously approved the addition of two local retired law officers to the selection committee. The officers will have no input into selection of a police chief, but will advise the committee after interviews are held.
— heard that several individuals were interested in purchasing the Florence Fire Department pickup and donating it to the city for the maintenance department. Council accepted the offer.
— tabled several items until next meeting including the work structure proposal, a decision on purchasing street signs for city streets that intercept the highway, a discussion on replacing downtown flags, and a new ordinance detailing relationships between the city and library, and the city and Carriage Manor.
— heard interviews with police chief candidates will be conducted Tuesday and Wednesday. City clerk Darla Gore told council members she had received five completed applications and was expecting at least one more.
— approved generally accepted accounting procedures for the city. Approval for this is given annually.
— heard Gore has had multiple complaints about dogs in town. In the past city council has appointed the police chief as animal control officer, but the position is not limited to a law enforcement officer. Council members instructed Gore to write the owner(s) a letter, citing the ordinance and stating the animals would be destroyed if the ordinance was not obeyed. The question of naming an animal control officer will be addressed at a future meeting.
— selected Sept. 14 as the date for a community meeting designed to give economic development committee members feedback on what direction the group should take.
