ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
When Unified School District 419 Superintendent Bill Seidl met with the Canton City Council at their regular meeting Feb. 2, he informed members that improvements the school had made to the ball field had exceeded last year’s cost estimates.
At that point, the council voted to enter into the same agreement as last year with USD 419 for the school’s use of McMurray Ball Park. The 2004 rental agreement states that the city will make the facilities and concession building available to the school district during the 2004 Canton-Galva High School baseball/softball season, and the district will be responsible to maintain the ball field, parking area and adjacent areas during that season.
At the beginning and conclusion of the season, the facilities will be inspected by a representative from both the city and the school district, and any repairs or replacements will be the responsibility of the district.
In 2003, council members voted to waive any rental fees when USD 419 agreed to install new batting cages and make other improvements.
A drainage ditch in front of his home at 111 S. First Street caused J.R. Farley to address the council. He said because of the deteriorated condition of culverts and the drainage ditch in that unpaved portion of town, water continually stands in the ditch.
Council members concurred it was the city’s responsibility to make appropriate repairs to the area. The maintenance department will make those repairs in spring.
Even though Canton no longer has a formal recreation commission, Sue Unruh, representing Galva Recreation, outlined the summer baseball and softball program for children in Canton and Galva.
With the program’s acceptance into the Hesston League, home games will be played equally in both Canton and in Galva.
The council approved a motion by Councilor Alan Prieb to allow trash rates to remain the same regardless of the fact that McPherson Area Solid Waste Authority has increased charges to the city by 2.5 percent.
Rates established in November 2002 allowed for this increase, but future increases by the Solid Waste Authority will cause council members to revisit the issue.
The council also approved Ordinance No. 566, which proposed a an increase in the fee to reconnect residents who have been cut off for not paying their utility bill.
The ordinance raises the fee from $25 to reconnect any service disconnected for nonpayment of a delinquent utility bill to $60.
The council discussed 2004 summer employment opportunities with the City of Canton. Applications will be invited for the positions of swimming pool manager, ball park manager and maintenance helper. Applications will be reviewed at the March 1 meeting.
