DeAun Michael | Reporter

BURLINGAME—As a result of a partnership between the city of Burlingame and Burlingame High School technology students, the city’s Web site will soon be sporting a new and improved look.

The Burlingame City Council learned at the Nov. 3 regular meeting that city clerk Patti Gilbert had been contacted recently by Burlingame High School technology instructor Don Montgomery about a previous offer that had been made to the high school to assist with improving the look of the city’s Web site. Gilbert requested the council grant permission for the high school students to design a new Web site.

Montgomery told Gilbert the students are excited at the prospect of working on the Web site. However, the school requested a city employee visit the school to learn how to update the site after the initial improvements have been made. Gilbert and Burlingame Police Chief Jon Shaffer agreed to work with the high school students in order to learn how to update the site.

A motion was unanimously passed to allow the high school students to update the Web site and allow city employees to work with students to learn the needed update capabilities.

In other discussion, the council learned of progress on the second phase of an ongoing water project. Gilbert reported all water tests to date have come back approved by Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Burlingame City Councilman Dustin Swander questioned if the contractors will meet the deadline for the work.

Utility foreman Gerry Grandstaff answered, “I think they are going to be cutting it pretty close…depending on what the rock situation ends up being. Up till last week they were moving along at a pretty good clip.”

After the update, approval was given for the mayor to sign the Phase 2 pay requests in addition to permission to sign a request for payment from community development block grant funds.

During the citizen comments portion of the meeting, Keith Mott addressed the council to make them aware of a recent incident between his daughter, her fiancé, an Osage County Sherriff’s deputy and a Burlingame police officer. Mott said his daughter and her fiancé were at Casey’s General Store in Burlingame when a confrontation occurred between them and the county deputy. After Burlingame police were called to assist, Mott said his daughter’s fiance was Tased several times, which caused injuries significant enough for him to be taken to the hospital for care.

Mott said the family is not threatening legal action against the city, however they are pursuing legal action against Osage County regarding the incident, which Mott considered excessive and unnecessary.

Council later adjourned to executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel issues within the police department. Following the executive session, no action was taken regarding personnel.

In other business, the council:

•  approved a water drought emergency ordinance for the municipal water conservation plan.

• approved appropriate swimming pool plugs to be installed at a cost not to exceed $2,000 in order to properly winterize the pool.

• requested city employees obtain a Christmas tree for the Burlingame Country Christmas celebration and upcoming holiday season.

• heard a report from Shaffer regarding the upcoming holiday toy drive the police department will be participating in. It is estimated the needs will be even larger this year than in previous years. The drive is sponsored by the ECKAN organization in Osage County.

• reviewed September bank reconciliation and approved authorization for the mayor’s sign off.

• approved claims ordinances.