The council noted that stray cats are likely not receiving shots and therefore could become a health hazard.
Karen Dickerson, public works director, told the council she had attended snow-and-ice school and said residents need to be informed of the city?s procedures for snow removal: Main Street will be cleaned first, then the side streets.
?We cannot remove snow from private drives because of liability,? she said.
Dickerson told the council the city needs a plan in case there is so much snow that the city?s equipment cannot handle the removal. She said she will need to mark water meters with blue water flags prior to the winter so city personnel can find them in the snow.
In other business, the council:
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discussed a possible fall event for the city, as suggested by the Goessel Task Force. Goertzen, Rod Franzen and Dale Wiens are looking into possibilities for an evening in October.
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heard from Police Chief Joe Base that the city?s police department had caught one stray dog, worked two football games, attended training in Marion, handled one noise complaint, made one arrest, and replaced the radiator in the police car.
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acknowledged the need to review the city?s emergency plan. Council members were asked to read sample emergency plans from other cities in preparation for updating Goessel?s plan.
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heard of a free disaster response class that is planned for Oct. 18. Base said he plans to go. Mayor Peggy Jay encouraged council members to attend also.
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agreed to pay the fees and mileage for Jay, Justin Schrag and Donna Duerksen to attend a trail summit in Lawrence Oct. 18-19. Jay and Schrag each plan to attend one day, and Duerksen plans to attend both days. The total cost will be $169.
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heard Jay report the city?s grant application for the trail project has been sent in. Representatives from the city can ?defend? it Oct. 2.
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heard that Dickerson has been attending water classes on Thursdays.
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heard that Dickerson has been working on the city?s generator.
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heard Dickerson report that a Sturdi-Bilt building has been ordered for $800 for well house No. 3.
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n heard Councilor Larry Schmidt report that the new roof has been installed on the shelter house at the park. The sidewalk around the building is done.
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?It looks great,? he said, adding that a new hydrant has been installed.
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heard that Court Clerk Paula Flaming received a scholarship to attend the annual court conference Sept. 20 in Wichita.
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accepted the resignation of Jodi Unruh as city treasurer and hired Donna Cook to fill the vacancy. By state statute, the treasurer must live within the city.
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Council member Duane Duerksen wondered how much time the treasurer spends for the city. Goertzen said about an hour per month.
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discussed a semi-truck that is regularly parked along Summit Street. It seems to provide a traffic hazard for residents who cannot see around it when they back out of their driveways. It also seems to limit the amount of space on the street. The driver will be asked to park the semi on his own side of the street.
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approved the purchase of a wall-mounted literature rack
for the city building hall for $209.99. -
approved an audit contract with Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & and Loyd, not to exceed $5,800 for their basic services.
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adopted the Standard Traffic Ordinance code book and the Uniform Public Offense Code book, which also must be adopted every year.
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entered into a lengthy executive session to discuss personnel but had nothing to report to the public as a result.
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held a special meeting Sept. 4 to discuss Harvest Meadow addition finances with developer Duane Unruh, bond counsel Todd Loescher, and city attorney J. Robert Brookens.
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Unruh signed a waiver on behalf of Harvest Meadow giving the owners the ability to pay all of the assessments at once or over a period of years. Water, sewer, and street details for the addition were discussed at that meeting.
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passed a resolution at the special meeting authorizing the offering for sale of general obligation bonds for the water/ sewer project in the addition.
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discussed access to one of the city wells at the special meeting.
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scheduled an additional special meeting for Sept. 20, to further discuss bonds for the Harvest Meadow project.
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passed an ordinance at the Sept. 20 meeting allowing all-terrain vehicle and work-site vehicles on city streets (not on side?walks). Operators must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver?s license. Goertzen had discussed the matter with the city?s attorney.
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scheduled a brainstorming workshop for Oct. 16.
