Skate park gets tentative approval from council
Peabody City Council members heard from Shawna Atwater and Beth Peters representing Peabody-Burns Recreation Commission Monday night regarding more detailed plans for a skate park in Peabody.
Atwater said she had contacted the city's insurance carrier and discussed the liability issue with them. She told council members she found liability issues for a skate park are no different than a city-owned swimming pool.
A 78X40-foot cement slab will accommodate the equipment selected for the skate park.
Through the city of Peabody the rec commission purchased empty lots at 2nd and Locust streets a number of years ago. The area is large enough to accommodate a skate park, t-ball field, and parking area.
"Total cost for the skate park will be approximately $15,000," Atwater said. The rec commission board has agreed to commit $2,000 of its current budget to the project and will add money from next year's budget as well.
City council members agreed to consider budgeting some funds when they begin deliberations on next year's budget.
Atwater said grant assistance also was a possibility and the rec board has someone willing to write a grant for some of the funding.
Council members asked Atwater and Peters to bring back a plan for the entire complex as well as a projection for funding from grants, the rec commission, and student fund-raisers.
City administrator Jeff Benbrook told council members the sewer project was ready to begin as soon as the state issues a letter to proceed.
Council also will look at the cost of hooking up service to three homes on Prairie Lawn Street.
In a related matter Gale Abney of Mayer Specialty Services presented a plan to annually clean portions of the city sewer system. Abney told council his bid of $7,290 a year would cover a three-year rotation schedule.
After discussion a decision on Abney's service was tabled to await budget meetings in April and May.
Council members approved hiring Arbor Masters of Wichita to do cleanup at city park. Arbor Masters will cut remaining "hangers" from the trees, remove trees that are too severely damaged to survive, and pick up the remainder of debris on the ground.
Arbor Masters will not have the park cleared in time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by Peabody Kiwanis. It was noted the organization would need to find another place for the hunt this year.
In other business the council:
— agreed to file an intent to purchase property owned by Corey Lawson on 9th Street.
— passed an ordinance to increase user fees for city sewer to $15 per month and $1.80 per 100 square feet of waste in excess of the base amount.
— approved purchase of two stalls for the bath house at the pool at a cost of $1,600. The pool also will have two new lifeguard stands and a new diving board platform this year.
— requested more information on the cost of a mower attachment for the city tractor.
— heard 183 loads of limbs and debris were hauled this past week to the city debris pile at 2nd and Locust streets.
— approved a part-time position for Arlen Gfeller as Peabody building inspector.
— reviewed and approved a preliminary plan for a press box at city park at the baseball diamond. Jon Richstatter will bring cost estimates to a future meeting.
— approved a citywide logo designed by Stephanie Ax to be used by city departments for stationery, uniform patches, and vehicle logos.
— gave Joe Plume permission to make payments on a water bill totaling several hundred dollars from a pipe under his house that broke and went unnoticed after the ice storm.
— agreed to offer two applicants for swimming pool manager a co-manager arrangement.
— agreed to take out a hedge row parallel to Locust Street because of poison ivy. A fence will be erected that matches the rest of the board fencing around the park.
— approved a draft copy of an ordinance to license all contractors working in Peabody. Final action will be taken next meeting.
— approved a five percent salary increase for city treasurer Stephanie Ax.
