Goessel city council met on April 17 and talked about a fund-raiser golf tournament that the Goessel Community Foundation is planning for Sept. 16. It was noted that public works director Karen Dalke and former city employee Anita Goertzen worked with others in the community to start the Community Foundation some years ago. Dwight Flaming, who is currently a foundation member, was at the meeting and said that people from central Kansas come to golf in the tournament. They pay to play since it raises money for the foundation.
The council discussed other activities that the city could offer that day. Members of the community attended the meeting and offered ideas. A harvest festival was mentioned. The discussion included asking school groups, city businesses, churches, recreation commission, engine club, museum, 4-H, grocery store and fire district to be involved.
Council member Evan Esau suggested scheduling a work session to talk more about the ideas.
Police chief Anthony Voth mentioned the recent community Easter egg hunt and summer baseball and T-ball opportunities. He talked about community pride and bringing the community together.
Dalke mentioned the Bike Across Kansas event. The bike riders spent a night in Goessel. The community came together to host the riders and provide entertainment. Dalke said the community received many good comments from the bikers.
Former mayor Dave Schrag observed, “We have a great community here.”
He reminded the council and community members about a storm some years ago. He said people showed up to help remove the trees that had fallen down. No one organized the effort; people just came and helped.
Turning their attention to another matter, the council heard about equipment needs at last month’s meeting.
The sewer machine has some leaks. It was built in 1982 and purchased by the city in 1991. The original gas tank can no longer be used.
The fuel gauge on the city’s tractor does not work, and the front cylinders are leaking.
The road grader was built in 1991 and has numerous leaks. The city purchased it in 1998. The grader has had numerous other issues through the years.
The finish mower was purchased in 2008 for mowing the lagoon ponds. The mower has numerous issues that need to be fixed.
The water wells were installed in the 1960s. Dalke noted that the pipe coming into town should be a six-inch pipe, but it is only a four-inch pipe, which slows down the water pressure coming into town. The issue of nitrates needs to be addressed.
In other business, the council:
* noted that the city shop has been re-keyed; some items are missing, and some equipment has been “messed with.”
* heard that the locks on the well have also been re-keyed; hose clamps had been loosened, and water was leaking.
* talked about a community meal on the Saturday evening of Threshing Days.
* heard from city clerk Jennifer Bliss that the city is looking for a building inspector. The council has been working with the owners of properties that need to be cleaned up.
* heard that the manager of the Sunflower Apartments would like to turn the apartment complex over to the city council.
* heard about negotiations with Nex-Tech, which provides broadband services over its fiber network. Nex-Tech is based in Hays, Kansas.
* heard that Dalke and Bliss attended a water conference.
