Goessel Council makes appointments

The Goessel city council met on May 15 and made the following routine appointments: City Clerk/Court Clerk — Jennifer Bliss, Municipal Judge — Greg Nickel, City Attorney — Reece Hiebert of Adrian and Pankratz, City Treasurer — Courtney Demaray, bank depository — Citizens State Bank.

Turning their attention to another matter, the council listened to a report from the flood task force and approved the task force’s recommendation to hire EBH to engineer a drainage flood control project. The hope is to reduce flooding in town, especially in the areas by the city building, fire station, and grocery store.

EBH will also help with the park project. Bliss explained that applying for a grant is the next step in the project.

In other business, the council:

* approved the purchase of a newer police car, a 2020 Dodge Durango Pursuit at a cost of $29,600.

* mentioned the recent community survey. Bliss expressed appreciation for those who took the time to complete the survey. Their input will be considered as the city makes plans.

* heard that a committee is working to plan fall events.

* talked about a Community Foundation grant for a walking path.

* heard that James Kraus is willing to take care of animal control issues, although he works during the day and is not available during that time.

* briefly discussed Main Street. Mayor Ben Schmidt had received an email from Brice Goebel, Marion County engineer, who estimated that micro surfacing Main Street would cost about $65,000.

* talked about establishing a 20 MPH school zone, noting that a consultant suggested that all of Main Street would become a 20 MPH area. The consultant will need to do a traffic study. Bliss said the city had looked into the matter three years ago.

* discussed purchasing additional picnic tables for the city park. The current park picnic tables were purchased five years ago.

* talked about yards that need to be mowed.

* talked about the Uniform Building Code and hiring someone for building inspections and code enforcement.

* noted another town that uses IBTS (Institute for Building Technology and Safety) for inspections. However, council member Evan Esau mentioned the “prohibitive” cost that IBTS charges.

* heard that the city limits sign on the west side of town had been stolen.

* noted that the city had received complaints about cats.

* heard that North Newton is soliciting bids for recycling/trash. Currently, North Newton’s recycling items are stored near the gas pumps in Goessel. It was mentioned that KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) had been contacted.

* approved the month’s expenses of $80,344.55.

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