Robinson sworn in as new council member
Ed Robinson was sworn in as council member Monday night by Florence Mayor John Lehman. Robinson will fill the position vacated by Rick Turner's resignation in November.
The council cast a unanimous ballot for Robinson.
Prior to voting to approve Robinson's appointment, the council voted once again to accept Turner's resignation. The Nov. 17 vote to accept it was illegal due to the lack of a quorum.
Since councilman Dan Ludwig was absent from that meeting, the council no longer had a quorum once Turner resigned. It was technically unable to accept the resignation.
To be certain Turner's resignation and Robinson's appointment met legal requirements, the council accepted both effective Monday.
In other action the council cut the city's assistant clerk position to 17.25 hours per week effective Feb. 1, 2004. The position currently provides for 25 hours a week.
With Tim Parmley voting against the proposal, it carried by three votes.
Part-time Florence police officer James Parmley requested clarification from the council on whether or not former officer Ken Hoffman was "covering" for Parmley and Chief Merlin Stout over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Hoffman had resigned from the Florence Police Department last spring.
Parmley told the council that a dispatcher with the Marion County Sheriff's Office had confirmed that Hoffman was on duty for the city of Florence.
However, Stout and Lehman had both denied to Parmley that Hoffman was "on duty."
During an exchange between Parmley, Mayor Lehman, and councilman Mills that quickly grew contentious, Parmley asked for "a clarification" of Hoffman's status.
Mills said he felt it was inappropriate for Parmley to bring the matter to the council. He told Parmley to take the issue to his immediate superior (Stout) and resolve whatever problems exist between them.
No action was taken by any of the parties after the exchange.
The council also:
— approved a $200 expenditure for four members of the ambulance crew to attend a bio-terrorism workshop in Wichita Dec. 10.
— tabled until a later meeting a decision on the street light at Johnson's and CW Liquor.
— approved a 26-year lease to the Holiday Motel giving the motel the right to leave its sign on city property.
— heard from former Mayor Jeannie Meirowsky, who asked that they get a better feel for city business, ordinances, and employee issues before trying to change everything.
— heard from Fire Chief Travis Parmley that the department would withdraw its request to make a pickup it owns into a "command vehicle."
— approved the sale of four used trash truck tires to Doyle Creek Land and Cattle. The bid for the tires was $140. Randy Mills abstained from the vote which carried 3-0.
— acknowledged the change of the city's waste water pollution control permit issued by KDHE from a non-discharge permit to a discharge permit.
— tabled for further study proposals by Rick Burcky for changes in the solid waste pickup exemptions and trash route changes.
— agreed to pay the renewal fee for the city website as well as the city's computerized payroll service.
— requested a review of the job description for the city treasurer.
The council went into executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
