Goessel City Council: City approves property purchase
At the Goessel City Council meeting last Wednesday, Alden and Irma Schroeder made a counter-offer to the city for the purchase of their property at 101 N. Buller and 202 West Main for $8,000. After a ten-minute executive session, the council approved 4-0 to purchase the Schroeder property, with the 202 W. Main property to be demolished by the city, for a purchase price of $8,000 with $1,000 to be paid now and the remaining $7,000 to be made in two equal payments in January and August of 2003.
The city of Goessel will not be receiving an estimated $3,089 from revenue sharing for 2002 and an estimated $2,228 for 2003 for a total of a $5,307 deficit. The amount is equal to 2.859 mills.
Police officer Joe Base reported issuing seven notices to appear, two warnings for speeding, three warnings for tail lights, one warning for break lights, two warnings for violation of driver's license restrictions, and one warrant on a failure to appear. The police department also investigated one hit and run, one domestic battery, and one sexual abuse case. They worked a high school dance, transported a hitch hiker out of town, made three arrests, responded to one 911 call, and assisted the sheriff's office with two arrests.
The police department requested the purchase of a radar gun, bicycle, and breathtester. Due to the budget cuts, the council will review the finances again in January 2003 to determine if any of these purchases can be made.
The council voted 4-0 to pay Officer Base one-half of his wages, if he exceeds the 1,000 hours requirement, while he attends the KLETC basic training academy in 2003.
The council voted 4-0 not to transfer any more money into the Equipment Reserve Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund for 2002.
The council voted a wage increase of 1 1/2 percent for the public works director and city clerk to be reviewed again in six months. All other wages are to remain the same.
In other business the council:
— discussed contracting with Larry Voth for building inspections.
— discussed where the city is with the franchise agreement with the Moundridge Telephone Company.
— decided to have a potluck meal for the Christmas banquet instead of a catered meal.
