Small Town News

City Council OKs Trash Truck, 4-H Shooting Sports At Community Building

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Kiowa city commission members approved 4-H shooting sports in the Community Building and approved purchase of a new trash truck in action at its monthly meeting on Monday, September 8. Council members present were Bill Watson, Mark Lambert, Brian Hill, Bob Drake and Brandon Poland along with Mayor Brandon Farney. City administrator Charley Young was not present as his wife had just delivered a baby boy that day - William Charles Young, who weighed in at 8 lbs., 4 ounces.

In opening business, council breezed through approval of agenda and previous minutes. With no public comment, they next approved bills with the exception of a bill for $3,000 to Barber County Development for an annual donation, which is twice the amount of last year. It was decided to hold that statement until further explanation and a fee structure could be obtained from BCD.

Community Building Donated For Shooting Sports

Jeff Kimmell next visited with the council to request the donation of the Community Building for use by the 4-H for shooting sports practice and competitions. The shooters use air rifles and shoot at targets with backstops. Kimmell said there is quite a bit of discipline involved and "lets the kids learn guns safety and marksmanship." He added, laughing, that it was the "ideal 4-H project" because "the parents can't do it for them."

Kimmell said he hoped eventually that practices would be held once a week with maybe a few competitions on weekends, which would bring several families to the community. He and Tom Holcomb have received certification to instruct the shooters.

Council discussed their agreement with the Border Line Theatre and how the 4-H'ers might be scheduled in as to not disrupt their practices and performances. The theatre group pays $15 to the city for each practice. It was noted that the 4-H group would set up and take down their equipment after each practice.

After further discussion, council voted to donate the use of the Community Building to the 4-H with the requirement of a $200 deposit, which was acceptable by the group.

Trash Truck OK'd

Council next discussed two bids for a new trash truck and after discussing engines and prices, Councilman Watson said that the bid from a local Chevy dealership, Bogner, Inc., was just a few hundred dollars a year higher that the other and he moved make the purchase, providing the financing is approved and acceptable to the council. Councilman Lambert agreed and added that getting service locally was a prime concern.

Total amount of the purchase was not confirmed as the council wants to discuss a lease-purchase agreement with the local banks with payments to be deferred until next year's budget. The new truck would allow the present 2006 model trash truck to be used as a backup and the city would hopefully plan to purchase a hew truck every 6 years or so. Property Cleanup Unfit and dilapidated properties in town were the next topic of discussion, including a property at 821 Hopkins. Councilman Lambert made a motion to have the public safety officer (Charley Young) to move forward with the cleanup of the property, then talks quickly turned to the many other properties in town that need cleaned up or torn down. Mayor Farney said that several properties are on the list, but since it is such a lengthy and detailed process the city is trying "to tackles a few at a time."

Council Items

City attorney Jeff Rockett handled the city administrator's report in the absence of Charley Young and covered several items including the tinuing work on condemnation of the old bowling alley building at the corner of 7th and Main, a request for funds from the Barber County Commission to construct bathrooms at Progress Park, possible ordinance to allow the city to regulate wind generators within the city limits, and more properties that need cleaned up.

Also discussed were zoning ordinances and a grant to clean up needy houses with volunteer work to begin in a couple of weeks. The removal of a cable TV line was also discussed, but it was noted that all affected homeowners have not signed off on it yet.

In other action, the, council:

Were informed by street superintendent Gary Johnson that chip and sealing of several city streets will begin on September 18.

Joined the mayor in commending the city crew for how nice Progress Park and the rest of the community looked for the Labor Day weekend celebration. They also thanked Bob Hays and Dean Brintnall for their efforts to brighten up the buildings at the park.

Voted to issue a liquor license to "The Bar", a new club due to open soon on Main Street.

**Dlscussed damage to a city owned building where "The Bar" is due to open soon, allegedly caused when an adjacent building owned by The Peoples Bank was torn down. There was also alleged theft of property from the building, which is leased to Marcel Gosselin.

Councilman Poland, who is employed by The Peoples Bank and is directly involved in the issue, said the wall in question was not part of the city's building and that a structural engineer was expected to be in town that week to look over the wall.

Was informed by the city street superintendent that an awning being constructed by owners of "The Bar" on the front of the city owned building does not meet KDOT require-, ments. The right-of-way along Main Street and North 7th Street is subject to KDOT authority since it is adjacent to a state highway. The street superintendent also had concern about the posts holding up the awning as one was right next to a city water meter.; Gosselin said he had checked and is within KDOT regulations.

Council asked that KDOT be requested to make a ruling on the awning being constructed and take the appropriate action.

Were informed of a re-l quest to allow electric.ve-* hides such as golf carts,' etc. be allowed to travel on city streets. They would, of course, require lights and signals and otherwise be; street legal. The city attorney was requested to ob-; tain sample ordinances or how other communities handle such vehicles and what liability the city might have.

Were reminded by the, mayor of a request from the Kiowa Hospital District for possible purchase of: the eity-owned property justj east of town, and asked i$ the council "wanted to, put; a number on it?

Held two short executive; sessions with no action be-; ing taken after either.



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© 2009 The Kiowa News Kiowa, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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