Florence City Council looks to new housing project in 2006 years ago
Florence City Council moved a step closer Monday evening to a housing project for the city. Council members reviewed an initial "in kind" list of construction costs for the new houses.
Economic development chairman Sarah Cope said Les Littlejohn of Kansas Housing Resource Corporation will attend the Jan. 16 council meeting to review the city's donation to the housing plan.
After review and discussion of the list council instructed Cope to arrange for a community meeting before Jan. 16 to explain the project to residents and sign up volunteers willing to help.
"We need to do our homework on this between now and when Les (Littlejohn) shows up on the 16th," said councilman Randy Mills. "We are going to need to be sure the list is complete and we are going to nail down the costs a little tighter."
Acting police chief Erik King reported he and his officers will meet Thursday to sort and wrap packages for the families they have selected to receive Christmas donations of food and gifts. Deliveries will be made later that afternoon.
King also noted that so far December had been a quiet month with few problems.
Councilman Bryan Harper said he wanted to go on record noting the police officers give more warnings than tickets.
"There has been some comment about not enough warnings being given," he said. "I want people to know that they have given 423 warnings this year."
In other business the council:
— approved warrant 2005-24 in the amount of $4,269.11.
— entered into an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel. On return to open meeting council voted to offer the trash truck operator position to Dan Kyle with wages and benefits to be determined.
— approved a cereal malt beverage license for Junction Saloon. City clerk Darla Gore reminded that all CMB licenses will expire at midnight Dec. 31.
— requested that city superintendent Jeff Wagner and city employees begin snow removal earlier in the event of another snow storm. Council members agreed it may cost more in overtime wages. Discussion of purchasing a larger blade for snow removal resulted in no action.
— heard from Gore that the trash schedule will run a day late the week after Christmas and the week after New Year's. The city office will be closed Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
— council will hold a special meeting at noon Dec. 30 to review year-end business and budget items.
— heard from councilman Bryan Harper that a new business will open soon on Main Street. Crossroads Trading Post will carry guns, ammunition, and hunting-related merchandise.
— heard from fire chief Tim Parmley a salesman will be at the next firefighters' meeting to exhibit helmets and bunker gear. The fire department is applying for a grant to get the uniforms. Parmley also announced Marion County Emergency Preparedness Director Michelle Abbott-Becker has scheduled a class for Jan. 21 to help prepare city emergency departments and city councils for National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) testing required by Federal Emergency Management Agency to facilitate emergency preparedness.
— agreed to contact Florence emergency preparedness chairman Larry Scriven about scheduling meetings to review the city's emergency programs.
— discussed with Americans with Disabilities Act officer Del Leeds the need for specific recourse in the event a city or business refuses to comply with the city's ADA requirements. Leeds and police chief King will meet with the city judge after the first of the year to determine the city's course if this problem should arise.
— heard from Wagner that pump number two at the water plant is up and running. Wagner is awaiting some training books from U.S. Filter Company to assist in repairing future problems. Wagner also continues to work on a fuel log for city vehicles.
