It's taken 4-months to do, but at last night's October city council meeting, the Glen Elder City Council quickly voted to accept 4-different ordinances that formally put into effect a new utility rate schedule. City residents will see a jump in rates when they receive their next sewer, water and electric billings and more for those residents incurring connect fees.
Also at last night's meeting, the council voted to approve the list of contractors to do housing re-hab tied to a state housing grant the city was recently awarded.
One contractor on the list got some special attention though, Kansas Sand and Construction out of Salina. The council voted to attach a 60-day start time to that contract. The reason, according to Mayor Ryan Duskie, the company has a reputation for late starts which could possibly force the city to ask for a timeline extension. The Salina company is required to start work within the 60-day deadline or the contract will be pulled.
The council also voted unanimously to have City Attorney Katie Cheney draft a letter to city resident Dan Winkel. The action came following a 20-minute executive session which included Cheney. The only comment on the nature of the letter in open session came from Mayor Duskie who said the letter was in regard to yard lights.
The council also agreed to a request asking that a small stone sign to be placed by the Peace Pole in the Square. The Peace Pole was erected several years ago to commemorate the work of Glen Elder native Clarence Pickett who was a Nobel Peace Prize winner in the late 1940's.
At one point in the meeting City Superintendent Eldon Beyhemer asked the council what to do about non-working security cameras positioned throughout town. After a short discussion, the council agreed by consensus to continue to use those that are working but not put any money into those that are not working.
And finally, a conversation that literally went to the dogs and cats during council member reports. Council Member Tracy Anderes opened the door when she expressed concerns about a dog dung problem in her neighborhood. She said someone has been walking their dog in her part of town and has allowed the animal to leave "expletive dilative" (SHIT) on the sidewalk by her house. She said the doggy dump takes place at least once a week. The council took no action on the complaint nor did it take any action following a soon to follow discussion concerning an over-abundance of cats in town.