Landscape project gets council approval
Peabody City Council heard Monday night of a long-range plan to replace trees damaged in January by the ice storm that hit Marion County. A group of volunteers, with the help of Stone Creek Nursery in Hesston, has developed a landscape plan for both city park and Santa Fe Park.
The plan incorporates projects that can be done soon such as planting hedges and flower beds of annuals and perennials, long-term projects such as tree trimming/removal, and memorial areas for individuals or groups wishing to plant a tree in memory of a friend or family member.
Mayor Tom Schmidt presented the plan to council Monday and passed out copies of proposed landscape designs.
The first portion of the project will be completed this fall. Irrigation wells will be installed in both Santa Fe Park and city park.
Funds in the park budget will pay for most improvements in coming years. The exception is the provision for memorial plantings which will be dedicated to an individual and paid for by friends and family.
"Nothing has been done in the park in years (in the way of landscaping)," said Schmidt. "We figure most of the trees out there were planted at about the same time and will start dying at about the same time.
"It will be like the ice storm effect in January. Lots of dead and damaged trees with no replacements. This way we will have trees in various stages of growth to replace what is on the way out."
Friends and family of Vic Strotkamp already have indicated a desire to plant a tree at city park in his memory. Judy Claassen, a member of that group, was in attendance Monday evening to hear the topic discussed and encourage council members to approve the project.
"We have a beautiful park," she said. "And this is a way to keep it looking good."
Council unanimously approved drilling irrigation wells. Projects next on the list include landscaping at the city park entry area, creating a hedge buffer along the east edge of city park from pool to entry gate, and planting a buffer hedge along the south and east sides of Santa Fe Park.
Council also heard a presentation from Peabody Main Street manager Joanna Brazil about signs for the highway and city entrance areas.
After discussion it was agreed to work first on a sign made up of concrete letters that spell "Peabody" which were salvaged from the former high school building. Plans are to position the letters on a cut limestone base and place them on the corner of school property at Ninth and Walnut.
Brazil agreed to present the plan to USD 398 board of education and perhaps seek student help with landscaping the project.
In other business council:
— approved change orders and payments to Smoky Hill Construction, Middlecreek Corp., and Reiss and Goodness engineers.
— heard the sewer project will be completed by deadline if weather continues to cooperate.
— heard a request from property owners John and Cora Bloomer for assurance the sewer project contractors will repair damage done to their property. Bloomers' complaints will be sent to Reiss and Goodness within 10 days so they can be included in the engineer's "punch list" to be addressed before the project is finalized.
— approved cleaning beneath the bridge on east Ninth Street near the FFA farm.
— approved an extension until Oct. 10 for Raphael Menjivar to complete renovation of his modular home at 604 Poplar, dismissed nuisance designations at 610 Walnut Street and 205 N. Plum Street after cleanup efforts at those properties, and heard from health and safety officer Deb Buser that 15 letters went out this past week to people with mowing violations.
— appointed a committee to map alley-street intersections in need of additional lighting.
— heard the annual swimming report from co-managers Sarahanne Unruh and Rachel Kostner. Council tabled until spring further discussion about installing shade covering at the baby pool and purchasing additional equipment.
— decided against allowing citizens to use credit cards to pay water bills and municipal court fines. The cost of implementing the project was deemed too expensive.
— approved purchase of an ad in the high school yearbook.
— heard an update from city administrator Jeff Benbrook on budgeted spending by city departments so far this year.
— was presented with utility billing procedure policy for review.
— tabled until Sept. 26 a decision on working with county road crews resurfacing Peabody Street and Old Mill Road.
Second 'Sound of Music' scheduled Sept. 24
Sound of Music will echo Sept. 24 through the downtown streets of Peabody. Sarah and Martin Havkamp and Chloe Mais will present vocal selections from the original "Sound of Music." Sonya Koslowsky will be accompanist. Sarah is a sixth grader and Martin is a seventh grader in Peabody schools. Chloe is a freshman at Wichita East. They will be located in front of Peabody Hardware & Lumber.
The Immigrants, a trio of printers emigrated from Pettigrew, Ark., to make Peabody their home, also are versatile musicians. Beth and her twin brothers, Joshua and Jacob, have established a printing business at Peabody museum. They also are willing to show off the large collection of printing equipment housed at the museum.
Bill Krause, longtime Peabody Gazette-Bulletin editor, and the late Bill Jackson of Wichita amassed a collection of items needed in putting out the local paper of yesteryear. Unfortunately the local museum board could not operate the equipment. Now the old presses and other printing needs are in use and can be shown to the public.
The musical side of the trio will be using the penny whistle, viola, and keyboard to bring Irish folk music to the scene. They will be located just south of Peabody Market.
Tickets for the event are available at Carnegie Library basement. Guides will lead small groups of visitors to the various musicians.
Food is available by donation at 4:30 p.m. at Morgan House. Music begins at 5 p.m. with tours every 15-20 minutes.
All proceeds go to Peabody Historical Society for maintenance and improvements of the museum complex.
