2002
| July 16, 2002 Arma leaders try to balance 2003 budget without increasing mill levy July 4, 2002 Summertime issues dominate discussion at Arma council meeting June 21, 2002 Sewer lagoon project hits another obstacle June 19, 2002 Arma lowers rental fees for community center June 4, 2002 Arma residents face stricter grass, weed regulations May 7, 2002 Arma sewer renovation is half complete Council reviews diagram of proposed sewer lagoon |
April 16, 2002 Bank president responds to criticism April 2, 2002 Arma council looks at opening up the depositing of city funds in different banks |
2001
| September 5 | |
| November 7 | September 4 |
| November 6 | August 22 |
| October 16 | August 21 |
| October 2 | August 19 |
| September 18 | August 07 |
Tuesday, January
22, 2002
Arma leaders searching for grant detectives
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma is looking for a few good grant-finders.
Whether people can find the grants on the Internet or anywhere else,
the Arma City Council Monday night solicited the public's help in
digging up leads on possible grants.
"We don't have the money to hire a city manager, but I just put the
challenge to people in the city to look up grants for us,"
Councilmember Bill Toschi said. "I don't want to see services for Arma
go down, but I don't want to raise taxes either."
Answering a question from the council, City Attorney Rick Smith said
anyone who finds a grant subsequently awarded to the city could
be paid a percentage of the grant award.
"We want to give people incentive to look up this kind of stuff,"
Toschi said.
City Clerk Bette Lessen said the city could write for help from the
Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, which provides free
grant advising for member communities.
She also also said the city needs to act quickly to apply for
grants under the previous low- and moderate-income survey which
qualified
the city for the Commuity Devleopment Block Grant which is partially
financing Arma's sewer project.
"We don't want that survey to expire, or we'll have to do it all over
again," she said.
Arma residents should also expect to see more backhoes and dump trucks
starting this week as construction is expected to begin Wednesday on
the in-town portion of the city's sewer project.
The general contractor for the project, Chase Contractors Inc. in
Chanute, was expected to begin construction last Monday, city
superintendent Marlin Lentz said, but work was held up by a delay in
pipe shipments.
City Councilmember Bill Toschi said the company was also delayed in
finishing another project in Erie.
"The pipe is supposed to be in (Tuesday)," Lentz told Arma City Council
members at their regular meeting Monday night. "They should
be starting by Wednesday."
Lentz said the city's contract with Chase gives the company 120 working
days from Jan. 14 to finish work.
In other action at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* Approved a resolution opposing the proposed reduction of one state
House district in southeast Kansas and redrawing House and Senate
boundaries in Crawford County. The resolution is expected to be
forwarded to the Legislature during Pittsburg Day on the Hill Wednesday.
* Appointed Councilmember Frank Esposito to serve as the council's
representative on discussions with Northeast USD 246 and architects for
the district's construction and renovation project. The district is
seeking the city's help in locating and moving utility lines where
construction will take place.
* Turned down bids on a skid loader.
* Gave the Regulators Club motorcycle group to conduct its monthly
meetings without charge at the Community Center unless the building is
rented for the same night.
* Continued the condemnation process on a dangerous structure
at 414 S. Third. Back to
Top
Monday,
January 14, 2002
Arma won't link to Pittsburg sewer system, mayor says
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Ask Arma Mayor Rock Anderson about sticker shock.
Anderson met Thursday with Pittsburg City Manager Larry Stevens and
Public Works Director John Van Gorden about the possibility of
connecting Arma's sewer system with Pittsburg's wastewater system as a
possible
cost-saving measure.
However, Anderson had to balk at the plan after Pittsburg officials
told him construction costs for connecting with Pittsburg would be
about twice as much as the cost of Arma's sewer renovation project now
under construction.
"The costs were just too prohibitive," Anderson said. "Even if it had
been a wash, I would've said we should look into it."
Arma is paying about $2.1 million for its sewer project, with
funding coming from a combination of a Community Development Block
Grant
and a Kansas Department of Health & Environment loan.
Anderson said estimates for constructing 10 miles of pipe from Arma to
connect with the Pittsburg sewer system came to between $3 million and
$4 million.
As the pipe from Arma likely would pass from the west side of
Arma to the north side of Pittsburg along much of the route of the
proposed new U.S. Highway 69 bypass, Anderson said the sewer could have
served as a springboard for new housing or commercial development.
"We have plenty of capacity at our wastewater treatment plant
to handle Arma, but the cost to Arma was just too high," Stevens said.
"We really appreciate Arma's interest in this."
Stevens said Pittsburg left the door open for future cooperation with
Arma or other cities in Crawford County.
"This could turn out to be a long-term solution at some point," he
said. "Regional solutions need to occur."
Anderson said he thinks smaller cities need to work together to survive.
"You've got to work together in unison," he said. "If we pull
our resources together, we can do neat things." Back to Top
KDHE approves Arma sewer plan
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma is going ahead with plans to build a third sewer
lagoon that will require only purchasing a half acre of private
property.
Ken Shetlar, consulting engineer with Griffith Shetlar Griffith of
Iola, said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment approved the
plan which the Arma City Council discussed at its last meeting in
December.
"The state just wants to see some dirt moved by the end of the year,"
Shetlar told councilmembers at the council's regular meeting Monday
night.
Shetlar said KDHE officials said they were concerned about possible
seepage from a third lagoon because a creek will have to be diverted
to construct it.
Test holes are expected to be dug soon to see if clay or other material
will have to be shipped in to line the lagoon.
The state has mandated Arma add another sewage lagoon to help
the city meet federal and state wastewater treatment standards. The
construction is part of the city's sewer renovation project.
Shetlar said the general contractor for the in-city part of the
project, Chase Contractors Inc. of Chanute, is expected to have workers
in the city by Jan. 14. The council in October awarded Chase a $645,746
bid for the project.
Arma Police Chief Gary Ivy also told the city that the department would
begin enforcing an ordinance passed several years ago requiring house
numbers to be placed on each residence.
"Especially some of our new officers are having trouble finding the
right address a lot of the time," Ivy said.
The council voted to give residents until the Feb. 4 regular council
meeting to get numbers placed before citations are handed out.
Ivy said the problem was mainly a safety issue, especially for 911
emergency services. Numbers posted only on mailboxes do not meet the
ordinance, he said.
"If you just have them on the mailbox, that doesn't count," he said.
In other business at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* Gave Councilmember Peggy Bain the go-ahead to develop maximum amounts
for hotel and meal reimbursement for overnight, out-of-travel on city
business. She suggested $60 a night for hotel rooms and $27 a
day for meals. Ivy, however, said state statute requires local
governments
to pay for all expenses for state-mandated law enforcement training
schools. Bain said she would present a proposal at the next council
meeting on
Jan. 21.
* Told city superintendent Marlin Lentz to finish tearing down an
interior wall at the new community center building. Employees began
demolishing the wall Monday, but stopped because they did not know if
the council wanted to install a curtain dividing the large interior
room.
* Heard a report from Councilman Larry Setina that he and Lentz would
be seeking new bids on a Bobcat for city work projects.
* Heard Bain report that with the worsening economy, the city
should be especially careful in expenditures this year.
* Voted to purchase caps for city employees to wear as identification
when entering private property for meter-reading or other business.
Back to Top
November 7, 2001
Arma park in line to get playground equipment
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma's City Park may be getting new playground equipment.
Poster-sized drawings for two pieces of equipment were presented to the Arma City Council at Monday night's regular council meeting and will be on display at City Hall.
The council made no decision Monday night on purchasing the equipment, which totals about $12,000.
"There are several areas at your park that need to be addressed for safety issues," Pam Saling, a representative with Constructive Playthings in Olathe, told the council. "Some pieces of equipment have already been taken down for liability purposes."
The first proposal calls for two separate pieces of equipment, one for children ages 2 to 5 and another for children 5 to 12. Another proposal calls for one single piece of equipment for children 2 to 12.
"With one piece of equipment, mom can watch children at one place instead of having some at one place and others at another," Saling said.
Installed, the equipment costs $24,676 for three units. However, if the city does the installation itself, that cost would be cut by more than half.
Among the safety concerns Saling, a certified playground inspector, has for Arma's park are the horseshoe pit, which she said needs to be fenced in; the horse swings, a style which she said the Consumer Product Safety Commission ruled unsafe about 10 years ago; and the circular slide, which she said was about 2 feet too high for safe use.
"Let's get those horses out of there," Commissioner Bill Toschi said.
The council Monday night also heard from Kansas Gas Service representatives, who said they would contact the city in the future before cutting any city streets.
Last month, the council expressed concern about utilities which cut across streets with city's knowledge. Recently, Kansas Gas Service cut a line across North Madison Street while installing a new line to a trailer court.
Toschi and Mayor Rock Anderson said the city would inform utility companies in the future where construction is taking place so companies can mesh their construction schedules with the city's plans.
In other business at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* Voted to send a letter to Potomac Health Care concerning overdue utility bill payments, which totaled $6,192 as of Oct. 22.
* Threw out janitor bids and voted to take new bids including provisions calling for $5,000 bond and liability insurance if applicable.
* Gave the Arma Rural Fire Department permission to place another paging system antenna on the south water tower.
* Voted to spend about $1,000 for a new encoder and cord for the city's storm siren.
* Announced citywide leaf pickup would begin Thursday and continue until mid-December. Leaves to be picked up should be bagged.
* Announced some councilmembers would attend a Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Review Council luncheon Thursday at the chamber office.
* Reappointed Norman Girard and Susie Polhlopek to the Arma Planning Board and David Dubry and J.R. Kumer to the Arma Board of Zoning Appeals.
* Voted for the city to join the Newcomers Program sponsored by the Pittsburg chamber of commerce and The Morning Sun.
* Announced city offices would be closed Monday for Veterans Day. Back to Top
Arma leaders unsure whether they'll build city sewer lagoon
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Despite warnings from a state health department official that another sewer lagoon is needed, Arma city leaders are still unsure whether the city will build the lagoon.
"What assurances do we have that once we build this lagoon federal regulations won't change and we will have to do something else?" Mayor Rock Anderson said at Monday night's Arma City Council meeting. "What assurances do we have that the city will meet federal standards even if we build the lagoon?"
Rance Walker, Kansas Department of Health and Environment engineer, said the state gave Arma until next September to come into compliance with federal effluent discharge standards.
Although he could not assure council members building a third lagoon would put the city in compliance with federal standards, he said the city would not meet the standards with construction of the new sewer system inside the city limits and by simply dredging the two current lagoons.
Because KDHE loan money is going toward the sewer system renovation project, Walker said the money would have to be used as soon as possible.
"We've already given the city one extension (to meet federal standards) and I don't see how the September 2002 deadline can be extended," he said.
Anderson said besides cost, another factor limiting the need for another lagoon is lowered projections of population growth in Arma. At one time, the city was expecting the addition of a 200-residence housing development, but those plans were shelved earlier this year.
Instead, the city now estimates a population growth of 0.5 percent a year over the next 20 years.
"I don't know if we need a third lagoon now," Anderson said. "It's a big expense we don't want to hit the taxpayers with if we don't have to."
Councilmen Bill Toschi and Frank Esposito asked Walker what would be the possible penalties if the city fails to construct a third lagoon and remains out of compliance with federal discharge standards.
"Essentially, it seems you're saying we're playing around with a Model A system when we need a modern system," Toschi said.
Walker said he could not give any possible fines, but said the maximum fine possible was $10,000 a day. However, he said he did not know of a fine that high being levied against any city.
In addition, he said about 300 other cities in Kansas had similar lagoon systems and said any federal changes would affect all of them, and not just Arma.
"When that happens, I want to have another job," he said.
The council made no decision Monday night, but said they would resume discussion at the next meeting on Nov. 19.
Ken Shetlar, project engineer with Shetlar Griffith Shetlar in Iola, said he expects construction on the in-town part of the sewer renovation project to begin near the first of the year. Back to Top
Councilman is asked to leave Arma meeting
By Harold Campbell
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Following two warnings, Councilman Larry Setina was thrown out of Monday night's Arma City Council meeting for what Mayor Rock Anderson called "unacceptable" behavior.
"I'm telling you that you've been out of order twice now," Anderson told Setina near the end of the meeting. "That's unacceptable."
The verbal showdown began at the start of the meeting when the council considered minutes from its previous meeting on Oct. 1.
At that meeting, Councilman Frank Esposito told Setina he thought Setina should have reported to the council about an agreement with Crawford County for county workers to fill a pothole north of Arma Supermarket, 102 S. West.
The county crew was in the city earlier for a chip and seal street project.
Setina said Monday that he did not object to including the discussion in the minutes, but added that he did not think any council member should question what another council member does. In addition, he said the work did not cost more than $100, the limit before council action is required for approval.
"I don't think it was anybody on the council's business," Setina said. "It was between me and Marlin (Lentz, city superintendent). No one else needed to know about it."
Esposito and Anderson disagreed.
"Each member of the council has authority over a specific area, but everyone on the council has a right to ask about what the other members of the council are doing," Esposito said.
Anderson echoed Esposito's statement, to which Setina replied, "You're absolutely right. From now on, I'll bring everything before the council."
After about 10 minutes of discussion and with a lengthy agenda to tackle, Anderson banged his gavel on the council table to restore order.
"Quit banging on the damn table," Setina told the mayor.
Near the close of the 90-minute meeting, Setina tried to bring up another street matter during discussion of a resolution regulating trenching for utility lines placed across city streets.
When Anderson tried to return discussion to the approved agenda items, Setina continued talking. Anderson then warned Setina that he had been out of order twice during the meeting.
"You just be quiet now," Setina told Anderson.
Anderson then lectured Setina to be more serious during meetings.
"We take these meetings very seriously," Anderson said. "We are here doing the business of the city and we consider that to be very serious. In the future, take these meetings seriously or I won't accept it."
Setina then laughed, which caused Anderson to reply that his statements were not meant to be funny.
At that point, Councilman Bill Toschi made a motion to approve the resolution on trenching in the city limits. Setina continued to make comments until Anderson said he wanted him to leave.
"Whatever you say," Setina said. He then gathered his papers and exited the council meeting room.
In a break before two executive sessions later Monday night, Anderson said he would confer with City Attorney Rick Smith about possible disciplinary action against Setina.
Setina was elected to the council in April to fill one of two vacant
council seats. Also elected to the council was incumbent Councilman Don
Zornes. After serving a year on the council, Anderson was elected mayor
in April. Peggy Bain was appointed to fill his council seat. Back to Top
Council discusses guidelines for community center
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- A set of proposed guidelines for renting the city's new community center will likely be passed at the Arma City Council's next meeting on Oct. 15.
The council Monday night received a copy of the proposed regulations from a community center by-laws and guidelines committee which labored over the past several weeks coming up with the rules.
Among the proposals were for a $200 rental fee with $150 damage deposit for wedding parties, large parties and family gatherings. Fees for youth and children's parties were proposed at $20 per hour with $150 damage deposit, while the proposed fee for non-alcoholic baby and wedding showers was $25 flat fee with no damage deposit.
Fees for non-profit and civic organizations planning parties were proposed at $7.50 an hour for groups of up to 30 people, $10 an hour for groups of 31 to 60 and $35 an hour for groups of 61 to 100. Non-profit or civic organizations wishing to use the center for meetings would not have to pay a rental fee or damage deposit but would be responsible for any damage incurred during the meeting.
The proposed rules also call for alcoholic or cereal malt beverages to be allowed for only wedding receptions, family reunions, company parties and anniversary parties. Dispensing of alcoholic or cereal malt beverages is to stop at 11:30 p.m. and the building to close at midnight.
The council decided to wait on final adoption of the regulations until City Attorney Rick Smith can look over liquor licensing requirements and until an inventory of items at the center can be developed to be used in inspections prior to and after events. In addition, several minor wording changes to the document were suggested.
In a related matter, the council Monday night also approved purchasing floor tile needed to completely retile the center from Sauer's Furniture & Carpet in Girard, currently condiucting a going out of business sale. City officials estimated the cost at $1,000.
Under suggestion from Mayor Rock Anderson, Police Chief Gary Ivy and Fire Chief J.D. Sannipoli, the council Monday night also agreed to purchase a mechanical code door lock for the fire department entrance.
Anderson said the city recently received a letter from the Federal Bureau of Investigation warning cities about possible unauthorized use of fire, police, ambulance and other emergency vehicles.
"The way it is now, we want to make sure our emergency vehicles are secure," Anderson said.
Anderson said he could not be specific, but he added that the city does have "something to deter people from messing with the (city's) water tower."
In other action at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* heard from Councilman Larry Setina that Crawford County was to pay
for repairs to the south side of West South Street;
* gave Ivy permission to spend an estimated $614 for renovations to
the police department office;
* told Marlin Lentz, city superintendent, to check into placing a
center stripe down Washington Street;
* approved mechanical testing of the city bucket truck for OSHA and
insurance requirements;
* appointed Lois Wyatt and Scott Cronister as part-time police
officers;
* decided to draw up specifications for bidding custodial work for
city buildings;
* gave Alpha Kappa sorority permission to hand purple ribbons down
Washington Street in commemoration of emergency workers involved in
clean-up efforts in New York and Washington,
D.C.
Back to Top
Arma city council agrees to $15,570 contract for mowing services
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma City Council members Monday night agreed on a $15,570 contract with Eric Vance for next year to cut the grass a number of city-owned properties.
Vance had a $24,000 contract for this year, but the city was looking for ways to cut the cost despite the fact city leaders all agreed Vance has done a very good job.
Marlin Lentz, the city's superintendent, said he had worked out an arrangement with Vance for him to cut most of what he does now, but for the city to take over cutting the sewage lagoons, the area around the U.S. Highway 69 Bypass, Long Stret and the two empty lots at the city industrial park.
The city would also continue taking care of cutting at nuisance properties and property with overgrown grass or weeds.
Pending review by the Arma Community Center Bylaws Committee, the council Monday night also gave Crawford County United Way permission to use the community center for its wrap-up luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, and Arma Girl Scouts permission to use the center on Thursday evenings beginning Sept. 27.
In other action at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* reviewed but took no action on purchase of two pieces of
playground
equipment for Arma City Park, an $11,000 unit for children 2 through 5
years
old and an $8,000 unit for children 5 through 12;
* announced the city would be using water from Bone Creek Reservoir
exclusively for one to two weeks beginning Oct. 1 while the city cleans
out its wells;
* announced 26 city blocks had been overlaid and the chip and seal
project was completed;
* announced the council at the next meeting on Oct. 1 would discuss having the city crew place a striping down the center of Washington Street.
Arma council delays move into new center
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Don't look for any Arma City Council meetings at the new community center before next year.
With discussion of community center-related items dominating discussion at Monday night's council meeting, councilmembers on a split 3-2 vote decided against conducting the next council meeting on Sept. 17 at the center.
Instead, the council thought it would be better to wait until the city can afford to buy a new sound system and put more finishing touches inside the building.
"We don't have any money to finish it this year," Councilmember Peggy Bain said. "I'd rather wait and have it next year. It would be nice if we could have a grand opening along with the meeting, with a ribbon-cutting."
Councilmember Bill Toschi made a motion to have the next regular council meeting on Sept. 17 at the center as a way to show off the building to the public.
Toschi also noted some Arma residents told him they did not attend council meetings because of cramped conditions at the fire department conference room where city meetings take place.
"I'm just trying to give the citizens of this commuity a little more voice," he said.
Councilmember Larry Setina seconded Toschi's motion, but Bain and Councilmember Frank Esposito voted no. With Councilmember Don Zornes absent, Mayor Rock Anderson cast the deciding vote against the idea.
"It might not be a bad idea to wait until we can get the sound system up," Anderson said.
In a related discussion, the council voted to appoint all 12 Arma residents who signed up for the community center by-laws committee to the committee.
The committee is charged with making recommendations to the city council on policies and fees for the center. The council would make final decisions on committee recommendations.
One of the first orders of business for the committee, the council voted Monday night, is to make recommendations for building clean-up and deposit fees.
"Any organization should be responsible for putting the building back the way they found it," Toschi said.
Councilmembers Monday also heard that Ken Shetlar, consulting engineer for the city's sewer project, had submitted a revised construction schedule to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
According to the schedule, plans and specifications are scheduled to be submitted to the state by Oct. 4, with bids to be advertised on Feb. 1. Construction then is scheduled to begin in April and be completed by next September.
At a meeting last month, Shetlar said the project has been delayed by land purchase negotiations for constructing a third wastewater lagoon as part of the sewer renovation program.
In other business at Monday night's meeting, councilmembers:
* Tabled action on a new grass-cutting plan for the city. The
council
hopes to have a written proposal by the next meeting.
* Tabled approval on a revised agreement with the Franklin sewer
district for hooking on to the Arma system. City Attorney Rick Smith is
to meet with Crawford County Counselor Jim Emerson about several
details to the agreement, including several modifications city
officials said they were previously unaware of.
* Tabled a vote on establishing a rate for total-electric
residences.
* Told Police Chief Gary Ivy to hold off on remodeling the police
department until next year. Ivy suggested building a new wall between
the front and rear areas to the office to give more privacy and
security. Bain,
however, said with the city's tight budget, any discretionary spending
would have to wait until 2002. Back to Top
Arma council expected to hear reports on sewer project, annexation study
ARMA -- A variety of leftover items will dot the agenda for the Arma City Council's next meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Among the possible items for discussion at Tuesday's meeting will be reports on the city's sewer project and annexation study; an agreement with Crawford County Sewer District No. 3, Franklin; grass cutting on city property; community center by-laws committee appointments and deposit and clean-up fee; and electric fees for all-electric homes and businesses.
The council is also expected to discuss nuisance properties and hear a report from Police Chief Gary Ivy on general information concerning the department.
The meeting was delayed a day from its normal Monday date due to Labor Day.
State Farm says insurance rates could
change with new calculation process
WICHITA (AP) -- Kansans who have State Farm home insurance could see average reductions of 2 percent if the company is allowed to change the way it calculates rates, State Farm officials said.
However, the company concedes that some policyholders' rates could increase under the proposal.
State Farm, the state's largest home insurer, wants to use ZIP codes instead of protection classes to calculate rates. Officials say it is still too early to tell how the new process, called subzone ratings, would affect specific homeowners.
The proposal to use ZIP codes is "a total departure from what the industry has done forever," says Steve Crandall, who is reviewing the request for the Kansas insurance commissioner's office.
"We want to make real sure before it's set in place," Crandall said. "What is out there right now isn't necessarily broken."
Homeowner insurance throughout the country always has been based on a protection class of one through 10, with one being the best and 10 being the worst.
"A significant portion of the class is measured by how close you live to a fire station," said Jim Newins, supervisor of the Kansas Insurance Department's auto section.
Under the new proposal, rural homeowners' rates could decrease, and urban homeowners' rates could increase.
Crandall used the example of a smaller town with one ZIP code to explain. He said in a small town where the ZIP code goes outside city limits, the class used in setting rates will be determined by wherever the majority of policyholders live in that ZIP code. Back to Top
Arma council sets ground rules for center use
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma residents will have to pay $35 an hour and submit a returnable $150 security deposit to rent the new community center until permanent by-laws for the facility are approved.
The Arma City Council Monday night set the fees after discussing use of the center earlier with Arma residents.
"I'm looking at the city and what we can afford," Councilman Bill Toschi said, favoring a rental rate of $25 an hour. "A lot of people won't be able to afford to use it if we set the rental rate high. I just want to be fair with he residents of the city."
Councilman Frank Esposito, however, suggested an $85 an hour rate with a security deposit equaling rental rate times the number of hours the building would be used. The building suffered an estimated $150 damage during the recent Arma V-J Day 1Homecoming celebration, Councilman Peggy Bain said.
"We also have heat, air, restrooms and the kitchen to consider," Esposito said. "That's worth more than $25 an hour."
As a compromise, Mayor Rock Anderson suggested setting the rental rate at least temporarily to $35 an hour but leaving the security deposit at $150. If the building suffers no damage, renters will receive the deposit back.
"We already have people interested in renting it," he said.
A committee is being formed to develop by-laws and rental policies for the center. Arma residents interested in serving on the committee can sign up at Arma City Hall.
In other business at Monday night's
meeting,
commissioners:
* Passed the previously discussed curfew
ordinance to require youths younger than 16 years old to be off the
streets by 11 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
* Decided to ask Ron Albertini, Arma
surveyor, about helping develop plans for future annexation,
particularly north and south of the city limits, as well as possibly
around Northeast High School to the east;
* Gave Arma teacher Lisa Rhodes permission
to check into grant funding for a new city swimming pool to be modeled
after Frontenac's new pool. She said Frontenac City Councilman Tom
Restivo had offered to help her. Frontenac recently opened a new
$500,000 pool.
* Voted to inform Arma residents they faced
citations for littering if they leave grass clippings on city streets.
City leaders mentioned one recent incidence where they said grass left
on the street after mowing was as "thick as a hay field." "They're
doing it for lack of intelligence," Councilman Larry Setina said.
* Approved on a 3-2 vote purchaseing a dog
run for the city's dog pens. Bain, Toschi and Councilman Don Zornes
voted for the purchase, while Esposito and Setina voted against it.
* Approved the 2001 city audit contract
with
auditor Terry Sercer.
* Gave Piper Richardson permission to
conduct fitness classes at the city pool.
* Announced the street overlay project
should begin Thursday.
* Submitted a contract to the Independent Water Co. west of the city for line repairs. The city charges $5.50 for 1,000 gallons for water, time and a half for labor and $25 an hour for equipments. Rates are to be reviewed yearly. The water company serves 11 customers just west of Arma.
* Submitted a contract for emergency water service with the Franklin water district (Crawford County Rural Water District No. 7).
* Tabled discussion on whethjer the city would continue contracting grass-cutting with a lawn compnay, bid the job for next year or use city employees for grass-cutting.
* Announced city hall would be closed
Monday, Sept. 3, for Labor Day. The council's next meeting was
scheduled for the following day at 7
p.m. Back to Top
Sewer project delayed by land purchase
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- The still-to-be-completed land purchase for a new wastewater lagoon has put Arma's sewer project behind schedule and has drawn the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's ire.
Arma City Council members Monday night voted to negotiate for purchase of property to the south of the current two lagoons after Ken Shetlar, consulting engineer with Shetlar Griffith Shetlar in Iola, said the KDHE had sent the city a letter warning it was behind schedule for the project and non-compliance penalties could be assessed against the city's loan funds to help finance construction if progress isn't made.
"We've fooled around with this thing long enough," Mayor Rock Anderson said. "Let's get the process going."
Shetlar said the purpose of the letter was to "get the city's attention." The letter stipulates that the city must submit a revised schedule for project construction to KDHE by Sept. 15.
Previously, Shetlar estimated bids would be taken in February or March with construction starting in late March or early April. Construction was originally scheduled to be completed by late December.
However, city officials Monday night said negotiations for property where the lagoon is to be built as part of the project had taken longer than expected.
The council voted to allow Shetlar and City Attorney Rick Smith to proceed with negotiations and told Shetlar to begin with the bid process.
Arma leaders Monday night also jumped into the Kansas Highway 57 detour situation, instructing Smith to write a letter to Crawford County commissioners, county legislators and the Kansas Department of Transportation expressing their displeasure with travel conditions on 640th Avenue.
"This was the result of bad planning," Councilman Bill Toschi said. "The state should get involved."
Toschi said he feared most for emergency vehicles that must travel the gravel portions of the road. Councilman Frank Esposito added that persons traveling the road for work or business purposes are also affected.
"It's an everyday thing, not just for emergencies," Esposito said.
The detour situation began when KDOT closed K-57 east of Girard to through traffic while two bridges are being replaced. The official KDOT detour goes from K-126 (West Fourth Street) in Pittsburg to K-7 south of Girard and then north on K-7 to Girard.
However, persons living in Arma, Mulberry, Arcadia and other areas in northeastern Crawford County have found more direct routes to getting to Girard, especially 640th Avenue through 50 Camp.
According to a traffic count County Commissioner Tom Moody released Friday, the number of vehicles traveling on 640th Avenue between Arma and Kansas Highway 7 north of Girard has jumped from a normal 50 to 60 cars a day to 781 during a 24-hour period last week.
Commissioners Friday passed a resolution to put up signs to try to keep heavy trucks off 640th Avenue. In addition, they said the Kansas Department of Transportation has offered to allocate $23,000 for placement of gravel and a magnesium mixture on the road to hold down dust.
However, county officials said the dust-control measure would be temporary. For $11,000 or $12,000 more, they said, a 4.5-mile stretch of the road could be chipped and sealed, which commissioners called a more permanent solution.
Toschi said he thought the road should be chipped and sealed instead of having a temporary dust-control chemical applied. Back to Top
Sewer lagoon tops Arma council agenda
ARMA -- Continued discussion of constructing a third lagoon for the Arma sewer system and an annexation report will highlight the Arma City Council's next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.
The council is also scheduled to resume discussion of a contract with the Franklin water district, an ordinance setting a curfew for youths younger than 16, water lines for the Independent Water Co. west of Arma and leasing and use of the new community center.
In addition, the council will discuss grass cutting contract for city property, a possible fund-raising effort for a new city pool and upgrade of the city's dog pens.
The council also will consider changing its
next regular meeting date to Tuesday, Sept. 4, instead of Monday, Sept.
3, Labor Day. Back to Top
Arma adopts $2.7 million budget
By HAROLD CAMPBELL
Morning Sun Staff Writer
ARMA -- Arma residents will be paying an average of $1 a month more in city property taxes next year after the Arma City Council passed a $2.7 million 2002 budget.
"This budget is on target for a city our size," Councilmember Peggy Bain said at Monday night's regular council meeting. "We're going to have to deal with it."
The largest budget increases will be in the general fund, which will increase from $382,363 to $493,232; sewer utility, which thanks to the city's upcoming sewer project will jump from $62,150 to $240,578; electric, water and sewer depreciation fund, which will increase from $145,000 to $305,934; electric utility, which will surge from $1,013,094 to $1,190,512; and water utility, which will increase from $62,150 to $240,578.
Meanwhile, the city's assessed valuation is expected to decrease by $1,000, from $4,020,199 for 2001 to $4,019,054 for 2002.
The city's mill levy will increase at the same time from nearly $21.65 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2001 to $23.67 per $1,000 of assessed valuation for 2002. Mayor Rock Anderson said that would translate to an average of $1 a month per household.
"We've actually got one of the smaller budgets of any of the cities in this area," Councilmember Don Zornes said.
For this year's budget, Bain urged city employees to watch expenditures.
"Last month we took in $160,000 and spent $200,000," she said. "I see a problem with that. Everyone needs to watch what they're buying."
Youths younger than 16 will now have to be off Arma streets by 11 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult or guardian or going home from work or special event, thanks to a curfew ordinance the council passed Monday night.
"We've been having kids 10 or 11 years old wandering the streets at 1 or 2 a.m.," Arma Police Chief Gary Ivy said.
The council passed another curfew ordinance last year requiring all people regardless of age to leave city parks by 10 p.m. unless attending a city event.
The council Monday night also heard from Ken Shetlar, consulting engineer with Shetlar Griffith Shetlar in Iola, about the possibility of purchasing land to the south or west of a current wastewater lagoon for a new lagoon as part of the city's sewer project.
Shetlar said a survey revealed the property to the west would be better for the lagoon and advised the council to negotiate with property owners for purchase of 13 acres for the lagoon.
He also said he would return for the council's next meeting on Aug. 20 with further lagoon plans.
In other action at Monday night's meeting, the council:
* tabled action on setting rental and deposit fees for the new community center until city officials can obtain more information from residents and other cities with community centers;
* tabled hiring of two part-time police officers;
* voted to look into the possible areas of annexation. "We're not looking to annex Fort Scott or Franklin," Anderson said. "But we'd like to annex some properties that are next to the city limits. Either a city expands or it turns into tumbleweeds;"
* voted to pave Hector Street with an inch and a half overlay for $16,300 and announced the city's overlay project will begin Aug. 20;
* agreed to provide a "Do Not Enter" sign
for Arma Golden Era if the nursing home pays for
it. Back to Top
E-mail: memrylane@yahoo.com