Peabody council unable to close project by 2006 years ago
Peabody City Council met Dec. 27 for the final council meeting of 2005 with all members present.
Several transactions regarding the sewer upgrades were addressed. The final engineering fee for the force main and lift station in the amount of $15,862.45 was approved.
A change order was approved to allow Middlecreek Corp. extra time to finish the demolition of the former sewer plant due to the city halting the project after the discovery of mercury contamination. The change order allows an additional 67 calendar days.
City administrator Jeff Benbrook presented for review a completed application for the city to participate in a state-sponsored cleanup program, Voluntary Cleanup and Property Redevelopment Program, sponsored by Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Council approved a $200 application fee.
Benbrook also presented council with copies of the formal request to the state for an extension of time to complete the project. Extension requests must be made in blocks of six-month intervals moving the completion date to July 15. The request was approved by council.
In a related matter, council was advised that no comment or response had been received from the Berns family regarding the city's offer to purchase the land occupied by the former sewer plant.
After discussion, council agreed to have Benbrook request a response by Tuesday. Council agreed further delays would significantly hinder closing the sewer project, mediation on the mercury cleanup, and demolition of the former plant.
Public works superintendent Darren Pickens was present to request water operator training for city employee Curtis Gray. Pickens told council most of the training cost would be subsidized by KDHE under the back-up operator program. Gray will attend an 18-week instruction program at Wellington sponsored by Salina Technical School.
Eventually Gray will be certified as a class II water operator. The training was approved by council.
In other business, the council:
— approved an ordinance amending the city ordinance determining charges for trash service.
— approved a credit on sewer charges for Jesse McGaugh at 308 Pine Street. McGaugh had a break in his water line which created excessive water and sewer consumption charges. Council issued a credit of $190.40.
— approved a cereal malt beverage license for Peabody Market.
— heard work on road resurfacing south of town had stopped until after the holidays.
— requested Benbrook acquire curb and guttering cost estimates so council members will have an idea of finances involved in creating, repairing, or replacing curbs and gutters.
— heard the sanitation committee will, after the first of the year, begin discussions with engineering firms regarding the drainage problem between Vine and Olive streets.
— heard economic development committee has begun work on plans and goals for 2006.
— instructed health and safety officer Deb Buser to investigate property at 202 Locust Street to see if a nuisance exists. Council also agreed to contact David Blythe, owner of the property at 411 N. Maple Street, for progress updates.
— agreed to an audit contract with Knudsen and Monroe in the amount of $6,000.
— heard a year-end report from police chief Jeff Pohlman. Included were the resignation of the city court clerk effective Jan. 14, report of revenue from pet tag violations, inoperable vehicles, and other court cases, and department goals for 2006.
— read a year-end review of Peabody Main Street by Joanna Brazil. Projects for 2005 were summarized. Included was a report that Peabody Bucks has more than $1,000 in participation over last year.
