Carbondale City Council
Charges recanted for work
at water treatment plant

Herald-Chronicle Staff
At the Sept. 2 Carbondale City Council meeting, members spent time resolving issues about excessive charges for work done on the water treatment secondary basin.

Stacey Lamer, of Bartlett & West, has agreed to remove the charges in the amount of $3,685 for a faulty flow meter, and $11,500 for basin painting. However, councilman Clint Vawter said he thought installation of a new meter should not be charged either. Lamer will consider making that change.

Maintenance supervisor Kevin Richardson reminded council members that ball joints on the 2000 Ford truck need replaced. He presented an estimate for $1,333.32 to replace upper and lower ball joints, and align wheels.

Councilman Lee Curtis asked Richardson if he had sought any other bids. Richardson said he had not, but said the work should be done immediately and not delayed until the next meeting for approval of another bid.

Vawter said the expenditure is within the maintenance department’s spending limit, but Richardson should obtain another bid and go with the lowest. The council approved the expenditure. Richardson reported the clutch in the city’s dump truck has been replaced, and that a leak in the west lagoon water plant has not been found. Problems with the bulk water system have been repaired and bulk water is now available.

A letter presented at the last council meeting requesting modifications to building permit pricing initiated some research. Richard Tatro presented permit fee examples determined by the type of structure. The current cost is $10 for a building permit. Proposed changes included house permits at $15 per 1,000 square feet or any part thereof; commercial structure, $20 per 1,000 square feet; and storage shed, $5 per 100 square feet, up to 300 square feet.

Following discussion, councilman Daryl Makowski said he was not comfortable approving rate changes without the opinion of city attorney Sue DeVoe, who was absent. Councilman Mike Fulton made a motion to tentatively approve the fee modifications subject to review by DeVoe, which was unanimously approved.

It was reported that a certified letter sent to management at Burlington Northern Santa Fe had been returned as undeliverable. The letter addressed the issue of the railroad’s failure to mow along the tracks. The city has mowed part of the area.

Another letter will be sent, stipulating that the city will mow along the tracks for $200 per month. The letter will spell out the area that is required to be mowed.

A contract was submitted to the council from Kramer Engineering, in the amount of $23,000, to install sewer along city property platted for commercial use. The location is where the Dollar General Store will be built. Councilman Curtis asked if there was a deadline to consider other bids. The council tabled the contract until the next meeting.

Police Chief Adam Marion reported 34 citations or tickets issued and 18 complaints of criminal activity within the last half of August. He said the three patrol units are in good running condition, but one unit will need new tires soon.

Marion said he received a letter from the Kansas attorney general’s office inviting all law enforcement officers to attend an Amber Alert training in Kansas, the first offered since 2005. Staff from the attorney general’s office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigations and other Amber Alert Task Force members will conduct meetings throughout Kansas, free of charge.

A class in Topeka will be held Sept. 18. The council requested officer Gregg Wallace to attend the Sept. 15 council meeting and bring a work schedule of officers. A decision will be made at that time as to whether officers will attend the training.

Marion also reported the Carbondale Police Department continues to host and teach self-defense classes for women. These classes are at 6:30 p.m. on the last Wednesday of each month, in the Carbondale Attendance Center commons area. All women over 14 years of age are welcome to attend. Children may be present, but childcare is not provided.