Atmos agent proposes changes to Florence power supply

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
Randy Dalke of Atmos Energy was present at the March 1 meeting of the Florence City Council to propose major renovations to the city’s power supply.

As an electrical rectifier is slated to be removed by the U.S. Highway 77 project, Atmos has suggested replacing it with a rectifier within the city. Because the rectifier is necessary to protect old-style buried metal conduit from corrosion, it should be placed as close as possible to the town’s older buildings.

After discussing the best location, the council approved con- struction on city property near 7th and Marion streets. Only the electrical pole would protrude from the ground as most of the equipment would be buried just outside the city tennis court.

After much discussion as to whether a different URL would be more beneficial, the current domain name of www.FlorenceKS. com was renewed for an additional year.

Independent Web consultant Karen Linblade presented a product that would allow various areas of local government to control their own sections of a website. It was described as fundamentally a “weblog,” but with a one-time cost of $2,500 plus hosting costs of $144 per year. As the product cost is much higher than the city’s current plan, it will not be adopted.

Infinitech Software’s proposal for replacing the city billing software will also not be accepted. Instead, current software will be upgraded if necessary at a projected savings over the cost of replacement.

In other business:

— Warrant 2004-05 in the amount of $14,234.36 was approved for payment of the city’s bills.

— Former resident and council member Teenie Williams informed the council that one side of the cemetery billboard had been promised to people that donated trees for the cemetery. She offered assistance in recovering the information that has faded in the sun since a its posting in the mid-80s.

— Mayor John Lehman told the council that Stuart Porter had assured him that the contractor will be repairing cracks in the city well cover at the contractor’s expense.

— City employees will attend a special meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Friday, March 5.

— Lighting fixtures will be added at Johnson’s General Store at a total cost of $163.

— Construction of restrooms at Grandview Park has begun. It was suggested that water usage be metered at the main line. New 2-inch water line will be run to the proposed bathrooms.

— Due to licensing requirements for emptying treated sewer discharge into the river, the city will be required to provide the name of the individual who is trained and licensed in wastewater treatment. In the intervening time, the council will have to decide who will be sent for the training.

— Mowing of the cemetery is required to be opened up for bidding due to the current contractor’s price increase.

— City property insurance coverage will be discussed at the March 15 meeting. Several library board members were asked to be present as insurance on the library will be discussed and a stand-alone policy offered.

— Health insurance is also up for renewal, but at a 9 percent cost increase. Other options will be looked into before the next meeting.

— City representatives will sign an agreement to formally join the Kansas PRIDE program. The local branch of PRIDE will be holding a fund-raiser March 13 at the American Legion building in downtown Florence. Food service will begin at 6:30 p.m.

— The Labor Day committee will hold Spring Fling at 3 p.m., April 4 at Veterans Park to raise funds for the Labor Day celebration. The city will provide tables and trash service for the event.

— City Clerk Darla Gore will attend municipal budgeting seminars in Andover April 27.

— Ambulance director Scott Zogelman reports that a TV-VCR was given to the department by an anonymous donor, a desk was given by the Historical Society, and a piano currently in the ambulance building will be placed in the Harvey House Museum.

More from article archives
FOCUS ON AGRI-BUSINESS: Area vets give advice for winter calving season
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN BRENDA CONYERS Mike Moore, a veterinarian with Florence Veterinary Clinic,...
Read More