City of Goessel budget increase is necessary to maintain public services
On Aug. 15, Goessel City Council held a budget hearing and approved Ordinance 205. No members of the public attended the meeting. After deliberations, the council determined that in order to maintain the public services that are essential for the citizens of Goessel, it will be necessary to budget property tax revenues in an amount exceeding the levy in the 2005 budget by two mills. The increase will generate $3,678 for the general budget.
The council then adjourned to West Branch Park to view the area for new playground equipment, reconvening in the conference room at 8:20 p.m.
Public works director Joe Base reported that Mayer Specialty Services will clean the scheduled sewer lines on Monday, Sept. 19, and the ditch has been cleaned out across from the high school and questioned putting a tube in the ditch to allow for better parking along Main Street.
The council discussed the confusion over who is responsible for seeded the ditches that the city is cleaning out. City clerk Anita Goertzen will send a letter to residents explaining the city will scatter seed in the fall but will not be spraying for weeds before hand. The ditch is the ultimately the responsibility of the landowner.
Mike Unruh of Unruh Lawn Service is changing out meters for underground sprinkler systems to allow for more water to be dispensed. Base questioned what the cost should be for the new meter and his labor to dig up the old one. Consensus of the council was to charge $100 for the meter and labor. The council agreed citizens should be made aware of the possibility of damage to the heads if they are put too close to the street.
Base reported the lift station has some problems with keeping batteries charged. Funk Electric is checking it out.
Base borrowed Floyd Nickel's posthole digger for the burnsite fence and would like to compensate Nickel for it. Consensus of the council was to get Nickel a $50 gift certification to Applebees.
The Council authorized Base to find someone to help replace the fence at the burnsite him at a rate of $10 per hour. The city agreed to pay Eric Reed $10 per hour for his seven hours of work for the city during Threshing Days.
Base thanked council for the pole saw and reported the weed-eater is broken. The council authorized Base to purchase one at Mike and Milts Small Engine Service.
The city pickup had a recall on it and will go into the shop on Tuesday afternoon.
Goertzen will work with getting some type of job description and procedure manual for the backup water operator for the next meeting.
Council member James Wiens suggested that the elementary school remove several evergreen trees from the corner of Poplar and Centennial Street. Wiens reported there are four camper hookups in the park which may be used for $10 a night. Campers will need to get a key from the city office or Base. Wiens also thanked the council for its support of Threshing Days.
In other business council:
— Adopted the 2005 Standard Traffic Ordinance #203 and the Uniform Public Offense Code, Ordinance #204. 5-0.
— Reviewed the list of items needed for the installation of the playground equipment on Saturday, Aug. 20.
— Received a link to a website where the city can let Alltel know if there is land available for a tower. Goertzen will get more information from other cities on size of land needed and how they went about getting a tower built.
Wiens requested that the elementary school remove several evergreen trees from the corner of Poplar and Centennial Street. This has become a blind corner. Base will talk to someone from the school about this issue. Wiens reported that there are now 4 camper hookups in the park and can be used for $10 per night. Campers will need to get a key from the city office or Base to unlock the electrical boxes.
Wiens thanked the council for their support of Threshing Days.
SRS to host
training workshop
Newton SRS Service Center will host a community training workshop from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Aug. 24 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church hall, 2001 Windsor Drive, Newton.
For more information, contact Vicky Allen at 620-342-2505, ext. 210 or e-mail vlxa@srskansas.org.
