Florence signs off on water project

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
The Florence City Council agreed at its Feb. 21 meeting to sign off on the long-running water project and make the final payment.

Problems with the plant and questions over how well other problems would be covered by warranty have held up this payment for months.

The city attorney has assured the council that appropriate warranties are now in place.

The Council decided to pay $492.50 in transportation costs to the company that delivered generators from Kansas City following the ice storm.

The charges were disputed since the order had been cancelled when power was restored in town that afternoon. Although some felt appropriate lines of communication weren’t followed by the company, councilors said they don’t want to “burn any bridges” and risk not being able to use this company in the future.

Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster funding over the ice storm was also discussed. FEMA representatives will be looking into each community on an individual basis before making a decision on the amount of funding that community will receive.

In other business, the council:

— decided the next Standards Board meeting would be held at 5:30 p.m., March 7, prior to the regular council meeting.

— heard that Chamber of Commerce meetings will now be held in the Ambulance Building barring scheduling conflicts.

— approved sending City Clerk Darla Gore to the Clerk Spring Conference from March 8 through 11.

— approved one new appointment made to the fire department.

— approved use of community service hours for labor needed by the Fire Department.

— approved fire department purchase of two 10-inch quick-dump valves for draining fire engine water tanks at a total cost of $860, six pairs of gloves and other miscellaneous items. This amount will be divided between the rural fund, general fund and proceeds of the pancake feed.

— requested more information on what would be necessary for the city to be zoned.

— heard that a representative of El Dorado Mid-Kansas Community Action Program will attend the March 7 council meeting to discuss a home building and rental program.

— approved purchase of a motor for one of the police cars at a total cost of $4419.50.

— heard that new parts for the water filtration system will be delivered by the end of the week.

— will meet with a homeowner regarding building a driveway to his home from Eighth Street.

— tabled the issue of whether a mower will be repaired or traded in on a newer model.

— heard that one sewer pond motor’s alternator has been replaced but more work is needed.

— moved not to renew the contract for the city Web site unless issues can be cleared up with the Web master.

— will write a contract with the new veterinarian for care of stray animals brought in by animal control officers.

— will renew city employee health insurance with the current provider.

— broke for a 10-minute executive session for personnel reasons, then on returning to open meeting broke for a second executive session for personnel reasons with no action to follow.

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