Water plant problems may be solved in Florence
Florence City Council heard Monday night that technicians from U.S. Filter were in Florence this past week changing out parts between pumps one and two at the water plant until they found the problem in the system.
"The new part should be here in a week," said city superintendent Ken Hoffman. "Hopefully that will fix the problem and the two pumps will work like they are supposed to."
Council members also heard the city is in receipt of a letter from the engineering firm, Schwab Eaton, requesting final payment be sent to J&N Elliott, the contracting company that built the plant.
The city has not approved payment of the final installment pending completion of repair work by Elliott and an agreement to extend the warranty to accommodate the extra time involved in correcting the clear well deck problems.
Council unanimously approved the final payment pending consent of city attorney Marilyn Wilder.
Council members heard from county commissioner Randy Dallke and Florence Ambulance Director Judy Creamer concerning a plan to place Florence ambulance service under the auspices of the county service.
Creamer reported on a meeting held Jan. 31 by ambulance crew members. With 13 members present the crew voted to end city ambulance service and go with the county.
Dallke and Creamer reviewed the verbal agreements reached at the meeting. A preliminary agreement will be drawn up and reviewed by county attorney Susan Robson before being agreed to by the city of Florence and county commission.
Details of the agreement include allowing the Florence group to keep its memorial fund, any money earmarked for a new ambulance, and funds billed for services rendered before the date it joins the county.
Florence ambulance will continue to service areas it currently serves such as Wonsevu, Cedar Point, and other rural areas.
The rescue truck will be offered first to Florence Fire Department. The city will need to assume some responsibility for utilities and upkeep for the ambulance building and meeting room.
Council and crew members will continue to work with county commission and county emergency personnel to reach agreements before switching Florence ambulance to county control.
In other business the council:
— heard from fire chief Tony Leeds the pancake feed Sunday brought in more than $2,000. Leeds estimated fire fighters served about 220 people.
— went into executive session to discuss personnel. On return to open session members unanimously approved a $1 per hour pay increase for acting police chief Erik King and a $.50 per hour pay increase for part-time officers. King also was given an additional four hours work per week.
— in additional executive session business council unanimously approved disbursement of $11,000 of Federal Emergency Management Funds (FEMA) to contract labor who worked to displace the log jam on Cottonwood River. A presentation to those workers will be made at a 7 p.m. town meeting Feb. 17 in the Florentine Center.
— tabled until a future meeting a decision on allowing Fred Rhodes to break a driveway into the front of his property on 8th Street. City clerk Darla Gore will get more information on property survey pins and easements on the deed.
— tabled discussion on cell phone accounts.
— instructed Hoffman to get bids on repair of the city's Grasshopper mower. Hoffman also was instructed to find out how many hours city workers spent mowing the dike and compare that cost to hiring someone with the proper mowing equipment to do it.
— approved resolution 2005-1 taking care of year end business and transfers.
— accepted the resignation of Patty Williams as custodian for the city and ambulance buildings.
— approved warrant 2005-3 in the amount of $34,790.16.
— appointed Ken Hoffman as sexton for Hillcrest Cemetery. Hoffman was sworn in by Mayor John Lehman.
— read a resolution from the city of Topeka challenging Kansas communities to donate to tsunami relief, but took no action.
— heard from Brian Clay that he plans to tear down the house on Main Street that burned just before Christmas. Weather has been a factor in his inability to hire someone to do the job. He told council he will board up windows and doors if he is unable to get the house demolished soon.
