ORIGINALLY WRITTEN CYNTHIA GOERZEN
Work has continued on Goessel’s new water tower, public works director Arlen Goertzen reported to the city council at the May 16 meeting.
“The foundation crew moved in this week,” he said. “They’re a good bunch of guys.”
Rain water had to be pumped out of the pit so work could continue. The pit will have an elbow, and McGuire Iron is donating an insulation sleeve so the pipe won’t freeze.
The concrete will be poured next week, according to Goertzen. The steel will come in September. Goertzen has been photographing the progress and passed around pictures of the work. He said the finished tower will be a very light blue color with blue lettering.
Police chief Rollin Schmidt reported the police department drove 256 miles, issued 13 warnings and one notice to appear, assisted the sheriff’s office with an accident, and took two reports of reckless driving. He said that police officers Eric Reed and Joe Base are attending the police academy.
In other business:
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The council opened the four bids for the swimming pool at 105 S. Cedar. Marlo Duerksen was the high bidder. The swimming pool is to be removed from the site. There were no bids for the house.
“Since no one wants it, the fire department will use it for practice,” Goertzen said.
The property is south of the city building and will be used for parking.
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The council expressed appreciation to Norman Hiebert and Schmidt Studio for aerial photos of the city of Goessel. An enlarged picture will be displayed in the city’s state fair booth and in the city office.
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The council reappointed Anita Goertzen as city clerk, Bryson Mills as municipal judge, Jodi Unruh as treasurer, Bob Brookens as city attorney, and Rollin Schmidt as police chief.
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Arlen Goertzen reported he had purchased yellow paint for a dotted center line on Main Street. Police Chief Schmidt reported the city attorney had approved the striping.
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The council discussed the foot bridge north of the city building, and plans were made to hang a plaque in the city building acknowledging Hillsboro Industries for donating materials for the bridge.
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Goertzen said he had purchased and planted a redbud tree and flowers near the city building with money that had been donated by the Girl Scouts. A plaque acknowledging their donation for landscaping will be hung in the city building.
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Goertzen said he had looked at the foot bridge on Main Street that needs repairs. He said it is outside the city’s right-of-way. The council spent a considerable amount of time discussing how to fix the bridge and who should do it.
“It needs something done to it,” Goertzen served.
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Council member Larry Lindeman said he had noticed that picnic benches and tables have been stacked numerous times by the park’s shelter house. Options for dealing with the matter were discussed, but no decision was made.
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Lindeman said he had made arrangements for stone signs for the new baseball diamonds, Schmidt Field and Voth Field. The signs will cost $150 each and are scheduled for delivery in June.
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The council discussed the need for a renter’s code.
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The council also discussed updating building permits. It was pointed out that some permits need time limits.
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Bruce Harris of Kansas Gas Service attended the meeting for the third and final reading of the franchise agreement. It was approved and will be signed by the mayor and city clerk. It will become effective 60 days after publication in the newspaper.
