Linda Coon Files for Re-election to County Treasurer Position

Alma City Council Permits ATV Traffic, Alters Outside Fire Usage

The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise/S

Last Tuesday evening members of the Alma City Council adopted two city ordinances. The first ordinance will allow the operation of work-site utility vehicles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs) to operate on the streets within the city limits of Alma. Operation of those vehicles will be allowed PROVIDED they, and their operators, meet certain requirements. Those requirements for the vehicles are, but not limited to, headlights, brake lights, turn signals, horns, mufflers, mirrors, reflectors and seat belts. Operators must maintain liability insurance for the vehicle and must meet all standard traffic regulations including possessing a valid driver's license. Upon meeting all requirements set forth by Ordinance No. 447, an operator must apply for and receive a $5 annual permit from the city clerk. That permit will include a registration sticker that must be displayed on the vehicle. The second ordinance adopted will allow citizens to utilize an outdoor stove, oven, fireplace, barbeque pit, portable burner, or other similar self-contained structure for the purposes of cooking food or generating heat. This ordinance still restricts starting a fire to burn refuse, papers, shavings, weeds, brush, grass or leaves within the city. The reason this ordinance was adopted is to allow the use of the increasingly popular outdoor fire pits. Both of those ordinances can be viewed in their entirety in the legal section of this newspaper on page 15. The council also briefly discussed permitting the erection of fences on city easements. City Attorney Tom Barnes said in the past easements have not been an issue. He added, however, that since new housing developments don't include alleys, some homeowners assume their property includes utility easement areas and wish to fence them in. Barnes continued by saying permitting those fences may not be an issue as long as the property owner is aware that if city employees must enter that property, and remove the fence to service utilities, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to replace the fence. City Superintendent Jon Bolinder reminded the council that a "fence" could include anything that blocks access, which could include hedges or bushes. Barnes added that anything that interferes with access to an easement may be removed by the city. Barnes told the council he would research the fence easement policy further. City Clerk Sharon White reported to the council that several tables and chairs in the community center are in need of replacement. She added that she priced several items including dollies that are used to truck stacks of chairs around the community center. White said those dollies cost approximately $250. Mayor Maurice Baker commented that he thought that cost excessive, and said he could build them much less. "I can throw those together. I'll just charge for whatever the castors run," Mayor Baker said. White was asked to look into purchasing six new fiberglass tables, as opposed to the much heavier particleboard tables. Marshall Mark Falk asked the council to consider allowing Wabaunsee County to proceed with the proper signage and painting/marking in front of the new ambulance station located at 3rd and Missouri. The council voted to permit the county to proceed with the necessary signage. In other business the council discussed the future of the old patrol car. Marshall Falk told the council he is afraid keeping the car will end up "nickel and diming" the city to death. He added that it has a number of mechanical issues that any vehicle with the equivalent of 200,000 miles on it would have, and said the city should sell the car. "It's just another thing to insure and maintain," said Falk. The council told Falk to proceed with the sale of the car. Superintendent Bolinder reported that he reached an agreement with KDOT to install rock in the drainage area of the roadside park at the north entrance to town. He also asked for and received permission to purchase a new utility trailer, since the old one had been stolen. Bolinder reported that the new playground equipment at McKnight Field has been installed, and that he will order gravel to be put around the equipment. Bolinder initiated a discussion on the city's permitting system for gas, electric, and plumbing installation projects. Bolinder told the council he and his staff are qualified to inspect plumbing and gas installation projects; however, they are not qualified to "sign off" on electrical projects. Barnes recommended that the council consider finding someone qualified to complete electrical inspections. Mayor Baker said he knew of someone that may be qualified, and told the council he will talk to them about it. Bolinder also asked for permission to purchase a truckload of utility poles and informed the council that one of the swimming pool sweeps had an electrical problem. He said he would rather not spend the usual $300 to $400 to get it repaired, since there is a second pool sweep available to perform the job. Finally, Bolinder told the council that beginning June 30, and continuing through July 14, a temporary change would be used in treating the city's water supply. Bolinder said the treatment has a slightly stronger disinfectant that may temporarily create an unusual taste or odor. He added that the water will continue to be safe, and said that the annual practice is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency, Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Rural Water Association. 2008 The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise Alma, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. 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Baseball Size Hail Hammers Area

The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise/S

Ouch! Paul Gronquist was out of town Monday morning. When he returned home he found that a Good Samaritan had covered his car with a tarp. When he removed the tarp he ...

Area 4-Hers Recipients of Grensing Family Memorial Scholarship

The Wabaunsee County Signal-Enterprise/S

She currently is a junior at Kansas State University majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a pre-medicine option. In December, Genna was chosen to be a 2008 IFYE Representative from ...