Klassen sworn in as new mayor at Florence City Council meeting

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
City Clerk Darla Gore swore in new mayor Sue Klassen at the April 18 meeting of the Florence City Council.

Outgoing mayor John Lehman had declined to run for a second term, and Klassen had defeated write-in candidate Josh Inlow. She was quickly updated on recent business.

Acting police chief Erik King reported the Marion County sheriff’s office has received grant money that would cover the purchase, installation and maintenance of a Florence radio repeater. This would increase reception of police and ambulance radios in and around town.

Since the city water tower is the most logical install site, the council will check into whether additional insurance will be necessary. The issue was tabled until this information was obtained.

King also informed the council that he has completed a motor vehicle carrier inspection course after three years on the waiting list.

The $385 fee approved at a previous meeting was waived by the Salina training facility.

In other business, the council:

— will add a provision to repair the city-owned animal shelter to the proposed veterinary contract.

— decided to offer Myrtle Swan the city and ambulance buildings cleaning position.

— approved a one-year contract for as-needed mowing of the cemetery.

— approved Resolution 2005-3 stating that city employees hired from now on will receive single health care coverage and will be allowed to purchase family plans at their own expense.

— approved Resolution 2005-4 acknowledging that the city will support the Florence PRIDE program in the upcoming fiscal year.

— asked that people not allow grass clippings and leaves to fill gutters.

— debated the fate of residential Dumpsters, with Councilor Bryan Harper opposed to and community member Del Leeds in favor of continuing to allow Dumpsters to be placed at homes. Leeds suggested regulation rather than elimination of around 22 Dumpsters which Harper feels “look bad.” No action was taken.

— will draft a resolution abandoning a no longer used section of Main Street which runs through a field.

— approved a fire department request to use the city shop as a meeting room and a place to present training films.

— heard that maintenance will be pursued for a fire truck and an alternator on the city water filtration system.

— heard that a profit of $988 was generated by auctioning surplus city equipment.

— announced that citywide cleanup would take place May 5 and May 9.

— heard that some potholes in 5th Street will be filled with rock.

— heard that around 100 Marion seventh- and eighth-graders will sweep streets, paint and perform other maintenance around Florence on Friday, April 29.

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