Epp reports on tax rebate program
At the Goessel City Council meeting held Feb. 17, Tony Epp reported on a meeting he attended that dealt with a countywide tax rebate program. The rebate would be made available to existing properties and new construction.
The committee is just in the beginning stages and many details need to be worked out. The program is an attempt to improve dilapidated property in Marion County. Epp reported that Goessel has the least amount of dilapidated houses in the county.
The council voiced concern on how the program will affect the assessed valuation of the city if the tax was paid and then rebated back to the property owner. Epp will keep the council updated on any new information.
Dave Schrag attended the meeting to get information on the situation at the burnsite since the lock has been changed. Schrag also requested looking into leasing some ground to Alltel to put up a tower. Goertzen will contact them again to see if it would be possible to have a tower put in Goessel.
Council member Larry Lindeman cited several streets that need some attention. One of them is the west side of State Street which is not in the city limits. Public works director Joe Base has contacted Marion County about the condition of the road.
City clerk Anita Goertzen informed the council of the upcoming Kansas Rural Water Association Conference that she and Joe Base will attend on March 29 through 31 in Wichita.
Council member James Wiens received the new lock and keys for the burnsite. Residents who have paid a deposit for a key will be sent a letter asking them to turn in their old keys for a new key. The keys cannot be duplicated. Only trees, brush, leaves, grass clippings, and garden waste are allowed at the burnsite. No lumber of any kind, plastic bags, or paper is permitted.
Anita Goertzen will check with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment about the possibility of making the temporary burnsite into the permanent burnsite and closing the current one by the sewer ponds. This would make travel to and from the burnsite much safer since it wouldn't be located off K-15.
Council approved reimbursing Mennonite Heritage Museum for the Kansas Sampler booth fee that has been paid for 2005.
Schwab-Eaton, engineers for the sewer project, has not received the plans back from KDHE. The engineer is still hoping to have the project go to bids in early March to be returned in April.
The council approved the purchase with money from the general fund of a police car from North Newton for $6,000.
The 1994 Ford Crown Victoria will be advertised for sealed bids in the Hutchinson News. Bids will be opened at the March 17 meeting.
The council reviewed the list of past due water bills. Anita Goertzen reported that most of the landlords have requested in writing that the bills continue to be sent to the tenant.
Mayor Peggy Jay informed the council that the county wants to hire an economic development coordinator.
Anita Goertzen did not receive a response from Allison Schmidt before the meeting so she was instructed to contact her regarding any decisions that have been made about her property located on Buller Street.
Anita Goertzen reported she will attend a meeting with FEMA on Feb. 18 to be held in the Marion city building.
Storm debris on vacant properties was discussed. A letter will be sent to owners reminding them of their responsibility to clean up their properties. Anita Goertzen will check with the county about getting some help from them again with a loader and possibly a dump truck to help with some of the major areas that still need to be cleaned up.
Keith Banman, of Keith's Foods, was denied a variance to put a green house in front of his store on the sidewalk.
The council authorized Anita Goertzen to appoint a Goessel Housing Authority board member.
The council approved retaining the services of Preferred Builders to clean out ditches starting with the ditch east of Bethesda Home and west of the Goessel Mennonite Church for a cost not exceeding $1,000.
Tampa group
will meet Monday
The public is invited to a meeting of Tampa Community Association at 7 p.m. Monday at the Tampa Senior Center.
A mini-fair will be discussed.
