Terrorist attacks affect fireworks display
Brian McDowell addressed the city council Monday night concerning the purchase of fireworks for the annual July Fourth Celebration in Peabody.
McDowell said that since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the ATF has tightened its restrictions on the purchase of fireworks and explosives. The city will be required to be the purchasing body for the fireworks the Fourth Fest Society plans to shoot at the annual celebration.
McDowell explained that the committee will reimburse the city for the money spent on fireworks, but that the check must come from the governing body. To give McDowell and his crew the authority to work with the fireworks and do the shooting, the city also is required to send a letter confirming the community celebration and the city's contract with McDowell and the Fourth Fest Society for their involvement.
The council also agreed to pay McDowell's $100 licensing fee.
Peabody City Administrator Jeff Benbrook updated the council on the progress of the new sewer project. Benbrook said the preliminary title opinion has been completed.
He noted that Dale Yeager of Kansas Rural Development is completing his department's review of the project and will be sending his approval to the state within the week.
Benbrook reported that the project is still on schedule and the city should be able to put it out for bids soon.
Local veterinarian Dr. Virginia Skinner addressed the council concerning the city's animal ordinance.
After discussion, the council agreed to re-visit the ordinance and change some regulations. In the future, animal licenses will be issued on an annual basis every January beginning in 2005.
The city will require an annual vaccination. All late charges for the remainder of 2004 have been waived and anyone who already has paid them will be issued a refund.
Other changes in the animal ordinance will be announced as it is reviewed and clarifications are made.
In other business the council:
— instructed Benbrook to contact area physicians in hopes of finding one willing to serve the city as the Workman's Comp designated physician.
— heard that the new Peabody brochure will be available from the economic development committee soon.
— heard an update on the status of the strategic plan for the city.
— issued a directive to the police department to have inoperable vehicles belonging to absentee owners towed from the city.
— heard that most of the information for the city web site has been turned in to Rick Burcky. Burcky is waiting for information from emergency services.
— agreed to submit a bill to the city's insurance provider for the cleanup of sewage that backed up into Rod Hague's basement when the city was cleaning out a sewer line.
— approved a proclamation to declare April fair housing month in Kansas.
— agreed to release funds to pay for one half of the $3,500 charge for cleaning and painting the tennis court lights. Peabody-Burns Rec Commission will pay the other half of the charge.
— continued its discussion of the revision of personnel policy and procedural guidelines. Under discussion was employee personal leave days. The council will get a legal opinion concerning the current practice of allowing personal leave days to accrue.
— agreed to hire Dennis Pickens to mow and maintain the city's parks and public areas effective April 12. Pickens will work for the city until mid-October. The council also approved the seasonal employment of Bob Kyle for a total of 400 hours from June to mid-August.
— heard from Benbrook that the citywide cleanup and the community garage sale are scheduled for the first weekend in May.
