Goessel council OKs loan ordinance with KDHE

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
The Goessel City Council approved an ordinance between the city and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at its March 15 meeting.


The ordinance will become effective upon publication. It stipulates the terms of the revolving fund loan that KDHE granted to the city for the construction of a new water tower.


According to City Clerk Anita Goertzen, 252 households currently use the water system.


Attorney Bob Brookens was present at the meeting to explain the terms of the loan, which was granted in an amount not to exceed $325,000. If the water-tower project costs less, the city receives a smaller loan.


But Arlen Goertzen, public works director, said it is possible the project could exceed that amount, too. He said the state has a contingency account in case that happens.


The proposed water tower will be an elevated water-storage tank. The loan would also cover the costs if piping and telemetry. Brookens said the interest rate on the loan interest would be 4.25 percent (3.9 percent is the loan interest; 0.35 percent for service fee).


Payments of $12,142.61 will be due twice a year. The first payment will probably be due Aug. 1, 2003.


“This is a standard 20-year loan agreement,” Mayor Peggy Jay said.


Arlen Goertzen said trees at the tower site have been removed. He is waiting for dry weather to obtain soil samples.


He also reported he had met with Marlin Wilson from Ritchie Paving to discuss Main Street. In Wilson’s opinion, “it’s in pretty bad shape,” Goertzen said.


Wilson pointed out “alligator cracks,” which suggest the base is giving way. He told Goertzen that a two-inch overlay would be the minimum solution and would cost $15,000. Goertzen said the last overlay job had been done in 1983, with chip and seal since that time.


Goertzen quoted Wilson as saying, “We’re very close to ripping it out and starting over.”


Wilson declined to estimate how much that might cost; he preferred to discuss it first with others from the paving company.


Council member Larry Lindeman asked who was responsible for maintaining Alamo between Main and Kansas streets. Complaints had been received about the “washboard” bumps on that road.


Goertzen said the county was responsible, although he takes care of some maintenance on that road himself. Goertzen was authorized to tell county personnel he would be willing to maintain that portion of the road.


Goertzen said he had spread three loads of sand on Buller and Euclid streets. He anticipates hauling more sand and asked if there was sufficient money in the budget to pay for it.


Anita Goertzen said that although the amount of available money is low at present, another disbursement from the state would be forthcoming.


The council discussed progress on the baseball diamonds and who is responsible for work there. The recreation commission had asked about dugouts and sidewalks. Arlen Goertzen said the city has some fencing panels that could be used for dugouts if the recreation commission would provide a little more fencing material and concrete for the dug-outs.


The council felt an underground water system should be the responsibility of the recreation commission. The council agreed that the city had fulfilled its obligations to the project and had spent a considerable amount of money on it. But Jay said the city will continue to take care of Athletic Drive.


The council also expressed willingness to help the recreation commission apply for grants to fund the rest of the project.


Arlen Goertzen said it would cost $15 per foot, or a total of $6,000 if KG&E would install two underground conduits for electrical service at the baseball park. The pad-mount transformer would cost $300.


In other business, the council:


approved a resolution for installing two street lights, one by the football field and one at 216 E. Marion. Goertzen said the additional lights will cost the city $152 per year, which will bring the total annual fee to $5,130.73. Goertzen said there is no initial fee for overhead lights; installation is figured in with the annual cost.


accepted the resignation of Kelly Jost, city building custodian, effective March 21.


Jay said, “I feel like she has done a good job.”


Council member Jim Wiens added, “I’ve never seen it when it didn’t look like a new building.”


Anita Goertzen said Jost supplied her own cleaning equipment and supplies. She worked two and one-half hours a week for the city and she also worked for the library. The council will advertise for a replacement.


heard in Police Chief Rollin Schmidt’s monthly report that department personnel drove 388 miles, took one disorderly conduct report, took one criminal damage to property report, took one report of battery, took one report of stalking, worked three accidents, wrote no citations, and gave five good-driver certificates.


approved Goertzen’s participation in a court conference in Topeka on April 19. Since that event falls on the date of a regular city council meeting, the next council meeting will be held at 8 p.m., Thursday, April 26, in the city building.


discussed inoperable, untagged vehicles within the city limits and reviewed the ordinance.


The ordinance prohibits such vehicles within the city. It states that such vehicles are a potential fire hazard since they could block fire trucks. The ordinance also states that such vehicles are accessible to children.


Wiens asked, “Do they know they can erect a fence?”


voted to absorb the additional health-insurance premium until October, when city employees can switch to a different health insurance company.


approved the financial statements of $12,330.66.

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