Goessel City Council holds on-line meeting

The Goessel city council met on April 20 via technology, due to COVID-19.

The council discussed the sewer project and voted to allow an extension until August 1. The project can probably be done sooner, but Mayor Dave Schrag suggested allowing extra time in case of weather interferes. Schrag said the project is taking longer because of stay-at-home orders. The project had been scheduled for completion by the end of March, but that is not possible. Public works director Karen Dalke said that K. C. Construction employees are working hard and putting in long hours. She said they have run into several problems.

The council also approved a monthly sewer project payment of $155,562. City Clerk Jennifer Bliss explained that this is the total of a payment to BG Consultants of $21,732, a $3,000 bill to Ranson Financial Groups, and $130,831 to K. C. Construction.

Bliss explained that money remaining from the sewer grant could be used for rock for streets since some have been damaged by the sewer project.

The council approved a bill with Goering Hardware for $487.50 for coming to help clean out a pipe between two of the lagoon ponds. Dalke said that a turtle had been wedged in the pipe, and that prevented water from flowing through. Goessel does not have the equipment needed to dislodge the turtle. Schrag commended Dalke: “Thank you for all you’re doing. I appreciate it.”

Turning their attention to another matter, the council discussed Main Street. Bliss said that the Kansas Department of Transportation would pay 80 to 85% of a construction project for Main Street. Schrag said the city would need to pay an engineer $500 and 20% of the project. He showed a plan for improving intersections along Main Street.

In other business, the council:

n heard that the city is adapting due to COVID-19. Bliss mentioned adapting city business accordingly. She had been involved in conference calls and webinars. Schrag commended her too for her work: “I really appreciate what you’ve been doing.”

n heard from council member Evan Fast that the city park is blocked off, due to COVID-19; it is not currently open to the public. Schrag noted that the city building, library, churches, and schools are also closed.

n discussed recycling. The county is currently not offering recycling bins in Goessel. The city does not have the equipment for offering this service, and it does not have sufficient money to buy recycling equipment. However, residents can take their recycling products to the Marion County transfer station on Friday mornings. Another option is to take recycling products to Hillsboro. The county has looked into options for recycling. The cost of recycling was noted: $120 per ton for recycling products, compared to $37 a ton for trash. From a stand-point of money, it is cheaper to throw everything away. But the city wishes to take care of the environment, so they will keep searching for opportunities to recycle. Jonah Gehring, a county commissioner, joined the meeting to discuss recycling.

n heard the police report from Anthony Voth. He said there had been an incident of domestic violence. He noted traffic stops and lots of warnings. He also said that shots had been fired at the trailer park.

n listened to council member Dean Snelling’s concern about door-to-door salesmen. Bliss said, “We require door-to-door salesmen to have a permit.” They have to apply for a permit with the city, and they are required to carry the permit with them. Bliss said if they are not from Marion County, a background check is required.

n approved hiring Susan Robson as the city attorney.

n heard that a tire on the backhoe has a slow leak.

n approved new toilets for the city building.

n approved the month’s bills, totaling $198,575.42.

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