Police chief applications to be reviewed at Florence
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Florence City Council Monday night heard from city clerk Darla Gore that 10 applications for the police chief's position had been received by the city. Former chief of police Erik King, who had served Florence for two and a half years, resigned effective March 1 to take a job closer to his home in Butler County.
"Today is the last day to accept applications," said Gore. "I am assuming we have gotten all we are going to get. This is a good response to our advertisements."
Council members discussed the interview and selection process briefly and decided to meet again at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for a work night.
They will review the applications and select those candidates they would like to interview for the position.
They also accepted the resignation of officers Phil Crom and Ryan Mitchell.
Council members also heard from city superintendent Phil Baldwin about the need for a valve on one of the water plant filters. "If this valve gives way, there is no way to fix it," said Baldwin. "It's leaking and we need to get it taken care of. We also should have a spare on hand at all times."
Baldwin said he could order the valves from Water Products of McPherson for about $100 each. Council authorized the purchase.
Baldwin announced that he and the city workers will be having Kansas Department of Health and Environment visit for a review of the sewer plant. "We need to get some input before we start working on the sides and dredging it out," he said. "I want them to see it now and give us their opinion."
He also noted the bagged street filler the city purchased is working well so far on the areas of application.
In other business the council:
— accepted insurance quotes from Continental Western Insurance, the company that insured the city last year. The premiums will be about $2,000 less than for 2006. Council members also expressed to insurance agent Bill Hendricks, their disappointment in his oversight of the city's policy. The city paid for full coverage for a year on an ambulance it no longer had in service. Council and Hendricks reached no resolution on the matter.
— tabled until the next meeting a decision on Rick Turner's request to buy a portion of the former football field on 8th Street. Council is awaiting information from a real estate agent about property values.
— heard from Americans With Disabilities compliance officer Del Leeds that some ADA issues on the city web site are being addressed. Council approved changes to city ordinances that would make ADA issues enforceable. The city attorney is currently looking at changing the language of the ordinances and will report to council at a later date.
— approved a $50 donation to National Child Safety in care of the sheriff's department.
— heard questions from city council candidate Dorothy Cleverley regarding the city charter and city ordinances. Members felt they needed additional time to research Cleverley's concerns. They received a copy of her questions and will address them at a future meeting.
— heard from Tim Parmley that purchases for the fire department will include a 1995 Chevy fire truck and a storage building for the generator and cascade system. He said the department also has voted to keep the former "city truck," fix it up, and use it and take sealed bids on the old ambulance the department owns. Parmley presented quotes for oil changes for all six trucks from area businesses. After discussion, he agreed to get more information to present at the next meeting.
— heard from Ed Robinson that Lori Kirkpatrick is willing to run the pool again this summer if she can hire some extra help. He also said they anticipate extra pool usage during the coming summer while Marion's new pool is under construction.
— learned a "No Truck Traffic" sign has been installed by the state at the 8th Street exit from the roundabout.
— tabled a decision on the purchase of court system software until Gore returns from city clerk school this week. Council had previously approved an expenditure for up to $5,300 for the software, license, and training, but the total cost to the city will be $5,700. Gore thought more information about the state-mandated issue would be covered this week by the League of Municipalities. Council did approve the purchase of utility billing software at this time, however.
— tabled until next meeting a request by part-time police officer Tommy Wilson to attend a training session in April.
— discussed the frequency of calls for Marion rescue and the Jaws of Life when an accident is closer to Florence and the Florence crew also carries the Jaws of Life. No action was suggested.
— instructed Gore to contact the Wichita Eagle and find out who the delivery person in Florence is after complaints were aired about bagged and rolled newspapers being dumped along Kimball and 8th streets.
