The Wamego City Commission is moving forward on making City Hall a secure facility. At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page reviewed the proposal from Architect Bruce McMillan after a special meeting to go over the plans of the proposal. Page said McMillan mentioned doing a construction management project rather than a design build, due to the specialized products used in the project. Page said this would deviate from the City’s normal bid process, but could still be in compliance by the pre-qualification of the design specifications, the contractors and sub-contractors. A motion was made authorizing Page to move forward with the process.
In other business, the board approved the renewal of the City’s property and casualty insurance with a 3 point 6 percent increase (the City budgeted for a 10 percent increase). Page said he took issue with the increased value of the waste water plant. He said the bulk of the plant is concrete and is underground. He will be contesting the increased value of that property, but asked for approval to continue with the renewal , stating any premium rebates would be settled later. Approval was given by a vote of 5 to 0.
The Commission approved a rezoning ordinance. Page reviewed the application to rezone a .7 acre tract of land located north of 1800 Farrell Drive, and behind the former Bennington State Bank building, from a C-S to a R-3, Multiple-Family Dwelling District. Page said the Planning Commission met and unanimously approved the rezoning after all the public hearings received no comments. Approval was given by a vote of 5 to 0.
In other business,
The Commission accepted the resignation of Housing Authority resident member William Glenn Linder, Jr., and approved the appointment of Karen Ross to serve another term on the Library Board.
Approved the trade of two-Crown Victoria’s for a used Pickup.
Approved an agreement with Torenko Great Plains Consultants for completion of the GAC (Granulated Activated Charcoal) System contingent on the City Attorney’s review and contract compliance.
Page said the March sales tax numbers bounced back with the City-wide down 1 point 1 (1.1) percent, while the County is up point 5 (.5) percent over the same period last year.
The commissioners heard more annual reports. Page announced the Library Board report will be rescheduled due to a conflict. Page called on Hospital Board President Lanny Bosse, whose board members are Jake Pugh, Dwight Faulkner, John Hupe, Jamie Hubler and Frank Laubhan. He said both Hubler and Laubhan are the newest board members due to the resignation of Errol Carley, who left the area.
According to Bosse, the board monitors the operations of the hospital and the operating margins. He said the hospital is doing well with revenues up 1 point 6 percent, while operating expenses are down 38 percent. He said the hospital has no debt and is able to continue to build cash contingencies. Bosse added there is 1 point 4 million dollars (1,400,000) in total reserves. The Hospital Foundation also operates under the Hospital Board.
The Wamego City Commission is in possession of a proclamation signed by the Governor. 150th Celebration Chair, Sheryl Wohler, presented the Proclamation signed by Governor Brownback to Mayor Cliff Baughman.
Wohler, Baughman and Jahnke were present for the signing of the Proclamation of Wamego’s 150th Celebration by Governor Sam Brownback in Topeka earlier.
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