newfaces areinthe news in2007 - concordia · 2019. 5. 20. · newfaces areinthe news in2007 cloud...

New faces are in the news in 2007Cloud County Health Center

hired a new CEO, the city of Concordia and the Brown Grand Theatre

both hired new managers, the CloudCounty Historical Society Museumhired a new curator and one new

member was elected to the

Concordia city commission. Work onthe Cloud County Historical SocietyWhole Wall project began, a recallpetition was filed for a Cloud County Community College trustee wholater resigned, a new heating and airconditioning system was installed atConcordia Junior Senior HighSchool. Residents celebrated the

100th birthday of the Brown GrandTheatre and the grand opening ofthe Orphan Train Museum and Morgan Dowell Research Center. Thesewere some of the many highlights of2007 in the Concordia area. Follow

ing is a month by month review ofnewsworthy events reported in TheBlade-Empire throughout the year.

JANUARY

Jim Wahlmeier took over as the

CEO of the Cloud County HealthCenter, moving here from SmithCounty. . . . Cloud County board ofcommissioners approved a 2 percentcost of living wage increase for county employees, with the exception ofcounty commissioners. . . . BryantJohnson was the Concordia HighSchool Student of the Month. . . .

Cheryl Lanoue became the first person to file for one of two open seatson the Concordia City Commission. .. . The Cloud County Commissionreorganized and Bill Garrison was

elected chairman of the board. . . .

USD 333 board of education

approved the hiring of Kay Thompson as a first grade teacher toreplace Jodi Walters who hadresigned. . . . Joe Strecker and JoeJindra who were serving on the Concordia City Commission, announcedthat they were seeking reelection. . .. Bob Steimel, Charles Lowers and

Connie Morrison had filed for openseats on the Cloud County Community College Board of Trustees. . . .Barbara Shunn received the Leon

Gennette Lifetime Achievement

award for community service at the80th annual Concordia Area Cham

ber of Commerce Dinner. Marsha

Doyenne, owner of Essentials andCountry Cousins, was honored asthe 2006 Business Person of the

Year. . . . Cloud County board ofcommissioners approved theemployment agreement for AndyAsch, highway administrator whichstated that he would be compensated $37,514.56 for services as highway administrator and $13,300 forservices as weed director. . . . Gas

prices in Concordia fell to $1.99 inConcordia. ... At a Concordia citycommission meeting, Mayor JoeStrecker invited commissioner

Charles Johnson to place his taperecorder where everyone could seeit. . . . Pat Murk, Wanda Backstrom

and Kevin Pounds filed for election

to the USD 333 school board. . . .

Charles W. Leckberg, Troy Willough-by and Eldon Wisdom filed for a seaton the Concordia city commission. .

Ethanol in the newsEthanol was in the news in 2007 with Everton Energy's plans to build a planteast of Concordia. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

. . Cloud County Community Collegewomen's basketball coach Brett

Erkenbrack received the game ballautographed by his players afterpicking up his 400th career victorywhen the Thunderbirds defeated

Garden City. . . . Eric Mork, directorof Domestic Business Developmentfor ICM. talked about the ethanol

industry during the annual Cloud-Corp Dinner. . . . Jack AlexanderSkocny, son of Molly and Josh Skocny, born Jan. 29. was the first baby

born at the Cloud County HealthCenter in 2007.

FEBRUARY

Claire deRochefort-Reynolds wasthe Concordia High School Studentof the Month. . . . Lisa Fleming was

Concordia's new city clerk and RubyMaline was the new financial direc

tor. . . . Alex Fall and ShelbyBrownell were crowned the Concor

dia High School Winter Sports Festival king and queen.

(see News on page 4)

tews» . . FtfbfUAOV

... The Unified School District( board of education accepted

resignation of Concordialior-Sentor High school princi-,Cheryl Hochhalter.... A peti-I seeking the recall of Cloudrnty Community Collegeird of Trustees member,ephine "Sandi" Kinser, hadn filed with the Cloud Countyrk. ... Concordia High Schoollor DusUn Dooley completed afeet 44-0 season and won his

t state title at the Class 4A

suing Championships in Sali-... In the city primary election,:ryl Lanoue was the top vote-:er in the city commissioner: with 742 votes. Eldon Wis-

n came in second, 186 votes

ind. Joe Jindra received 553.

he race for open seats on theX board of trustees, incum-t Dan Gerber led the way withII votes, followed by Marsharenne with 980 and Charlie

'ers with 767 and Bob Steimel

1646 Cloud County Com-nlty College board of trustees;pted a bid of $248,000 frompka Construction for thelodeling of campus apartmentIding No. 7.

MARCH

Kyle Stacken was the Concordia High School Student of theMonth. . . . Work on the WholeWall brick mural for the CloudCounty Historical Society Museum Annex had begun with sculptor Catharine Magel and JaneSaunders of St. Louis doing thecarving. . . . Cloud County boardof commissioners approved creating the position of Solid Wastesupervisor for the Solid WasteDepartment Susan Cantine-Maxson was welcomed as the newmanager ofthe Brown Grand Theatre. . . The petition seeking therecall of Cloud County Community College Board ofTrustee member Josephine "Sandi" Kinser hadbeen found sufficient by CloudCounty Clerk Linda Bogart. . . .Three Concordia banks were providing$1 millionin bonds to helpfinance the Concordia Juiiior-"Senior High School heating^ venti- -lation, air conditioning andelectrical project—CitizensNational, Peoples Exchange andUnited Bank & Trust Kansas

Department of .Revenue agentsand Cloud County Sheriffs officers executed tax warrants and

seized the business assets ofGator LLC, Rick Breault Jr., commonly known as The Rock, fornonpayment of state sales andwithholding taxes. . . . The Concordia city commission approveda request from Larry and TammyHamel for $60,000 from therevolving loan fund for the Hamelsto purchase Coppoc Sports fromJim and Joyce Coppoc.. .. CloudCounty Community College boardof trustees approved $22,484 inadditional repairs to the campusapartment building being renovated by Stupka Construction.

JUNE

Alan Maish raised securityissues at Concordia ElementarySchool with the USD 333 board. .: . A" 12-yqar-;Old Moit£irlvLeah,nTorripSinsrwas killed in a two-vehicle accident three miles southof Concordia on Highway 81. . . .Barbara Henry and Susie Haverinformed the Concordia CityCommission that the location forthe Kansas Sampler Festival inConcordia would be the BlosserMunicipalAirport . . . Representatives of Horizon Wind Energy,LLCof Houston announced that ithad signed a 20-year purchasepower agreement with EmpireDistrict Electric Company ofJoplin. Mo. ... A late freeze inApril followed by heavy moisturecontributing to disease development had an impact on CloudCounty's 2007 wheat crop. . . .Concordia city commissionersapproved offering a contract toTom Armour for the interim citymanager position. ... Anegotiated agreement with USD 333faculty wasapproved bytheboard ofeducation which called for asalaryincrease ofsix percent forthe 2007-08 school year.

APRIL

Cloud County board of commissioners approved hiringJustin Murdock as Solid Wastesupervisor.... Cheryl Lanoue andJoe Jindra capturedseats on theConcordia City Commission inthe general election. Lanoue ranaway with the race, receiving 977votes. ... The USD 333 board ofeducation accepted the low bid of$1,649,150 from Pestinger'sHeating and Air Conditioning,Inc.,ofSalinato installah air conditioning and heating system inthe junior-senior high schoolbuilding. . . . Cloud County Community College trustee SandiKinser, who was facing a recall

election, submitted a letter of res

ignation to the CCCC board of.trustees. ... In its annual reor

ganization, the Concordia CityCommission chose Charles John

son as the new mayor.. .. Representatives of Everton Energy laidout their plan to the ConcordiaCity Commission for the proposedethanol plant. . . . Patrick Siebenwas hired as the new instrumen

tal music director at Cloud Coun

ty Community College. . . .Concordia city commissionapproved a development agreement for infrastructure construc

tion for Tallgrass VeterinaryHospital, 5-0.

MAY

Michelle Johnson was the Student of the Month at ConcordiaHigh School. ... RepresentativesfromEvertonEnergymet with theConcordia City Commission andspent nearly two hours answeringquestions concerning the proposed ethanol plant. . . . Valedictorians at Concordia High Schoolwere Leah Lowell, Corinna Hood,Ben Swenson and StuartWarkentin. CHS had 85 seniorsgraduating The 26,000 poundvault door from the former Central National Bank at the corner ofSixth and Washington wasremoved by workers from KansasConcrete Cutting and MondaySecurity Corporation.... Concordia High School hurdlers AlisonWiden, Alex Muff and WitneySorellcelebrated a 1-2-3 sweep atthe Class 4A State Track andField Championships in Wichita.Muffwon the race, Sorell was second and Widen third. . . . FaithNyswongerwas appointed by a 4-1 vote of the Cloud County Community College board of trusteesto fill the position of Sandi Kinser,who had resigned. . . CloudCounty board of commissionersagreed to draft a letter of supportfor the proposed ethanol plant.

JULY

DloudCounty Community Col-: board of trustees waived its

ding policy to bid anything over),000 and approved a contracth Budreau Construction in the

ount of$43,015.03 plus a per-mance bond, of $4,389 for the[ovation of a water-damaged•m. '. . . The Concordia Citymmission filled the position ofr manager on an interim basisoffering a contract to Tom

now, Hutchinson.... A movie,

le Silo," was being filmed in

ud County. ... Dr. Stevenant was elected president ofUSD 333 board of education..Cloud County board of com-jsioners approved havingdrman Bill Garrison sign theid Energy Lease Agreement1Grant of Easements and themorandum of Wind Energyise and Agreement

AUGUST

Sears opened a new store inConcordia. . . . Cloud Countyboard of commissioners approveda proposedbudget of$8,104,587.... Miranda Right (Danny Parker)was crowned Miss CASA 2007

during the "Menin Tights," Underthe Lights" at the Brown GrandTheatre. . . . Bryan Sprung, theformer pastor of the MiltonvaleWesleyan Church, was foundguilty of molesting a 10-year-oldMiltonvalegirl in 2006 CloudCounty Community Collegeboardof trustees accepted a bid of$54,500 from, PLACES Architectsand Bartlett & West for the development of a facilities master planfor the campus. . . . Constructionwas completed on a new helipadfor Cloud County Health Center.

Concordia city commissionheard that a Cloud County resident, Joe Reedy had applied forand obtained 700 acre feet ofwater rights from the Dakota Formation and had applied for a permit to construct a 50- milliongallon ethanol plant to be constructed in the Huscher area. . . .

Cloud County Co-op had its second best financial year with earnings from localoperations totaling$1,218,558... .A"Hand In Hand"celebration marked the 100thbirthday ofthe Brown Grand Theatre and the grand opening of theOrphan Train Museum and Morgan Dowell Research Center inthe historic Union Pacific Depoton Washington Street . . . Concordia city commission approveda settlement agreement with theBlosser family to finally put anend to the litigation over airport

,usage,......CloudCountyCornrnurinity College's proposal for mergingwith SalinaAreaTechnical Schoolwas rejected FallFest was celebrated with a large parade, entertainment and activities for all

OCTOBER

Bryan Sprung was sentencedto 20 years to prison for molestinga young Miltonvale giii . . . DirkLowell was the Concordia HighSchool Student of the Month. . ..

Carl Bernstein, who won aPulitzer Prize for his investigativereporting on Watergate, presenteda lecture at the Brown Grand The

atre as part of the Charles andMarion Cook Lecture Series. His

topic was "The Media State: TheRise and Triumph of the Idiot Culture in America." . . . Mark Sidles

of Eureka was hired as the new

Concordia city manager. .. . Wes-tar Energy, Inc., announced thatit reached an agreement withHorizon Wind Energy to purchase96 megawatts of clean, renewableenergy from the second phase ofthe 201 megawatt Meridian WayWind Farm in Cloud County. . . .Sculptors of the bricks for theWhole Wall project east of theCloud County Historical SocietyMuseum Annex had finished one-

third of the project. . . . CloudCounty commissioners voted toraise sheriffs deputy wages. . . .Concordia city commissionapproved a 10-yeartaxabatementon the 100 million gallon ethanolplant. . . . Concordia city commission granted approval for CityPark as the location for the 2008

and 2009 location for the Kansas

Sampler Festival, as the previoussite selection. Municipal Airport,had been rejected by the FederalAviation Assoc. ... Manna House

of Prayer with chili prepared byBettySuther took first place to theannual Chili for Charity contest.. . Two hundred forty studentsfrom 10 area communities met atthe Cloud County CommunityCollege Little Theatre to hearFriends of Rachel speaker DusttaGalyon speak. . . . Cloud CountyCommunity College board oftrustees authorized the adminis

tration to seek bids on convertingthe old kitchen area into a testingarea and a conference room.

NOVEMBER

Eileen Remley was the Concordia High School Student of theMonth. . . . Cloud County HealthCenter board of trustees, medical

staff and administration had conducted a feasibility study to evaluate the existing hospital facility.... More than 60 people attended aConcordia city commission meeting to express their displeasureover alleged ordinance violationsthe Downtown Smoke Shop wasfacing. . .. Cloud County board ofcommissioners accepted the onlybid received for the sale ofthe LostCreek Medical Building. The bidwas from Casselrock Inc., in theamount of$1,218 The newestaddition to Concordia's Christmas

decorations was aluminum stars

in the downtown planters whichwere made by Henry Enterprises.. . . Representatives from CloudCounty Health Center told Concordia City Commissioners ofplans to construct a new $20 million hospital as well as $5 millionin new equipment.

DECEMBER

LeviWhitleywas the ConcordiaHigh School Student of theMonth. . . . Concordia City Commission approved a zoningchange and conditional use permit for Everton Energy's ethanolplant to operate. The zoningchange, from agricultural land toheavyindustrial.pertaihec*to 111of the 500 acres of Everton's land.The remaining land would continue as agricultural Theoriginalcharge of second degree murderagainst Shannon Lewellyn,Belleville, in the September deathof Douglas Lee Schmidt Jr., wasamended to involuntarymanslaughter with Lewellynbeing bound overforarraignmenton Jan. 7. ... A winter ice stormbrought down trees and powerlines in the "Concordia area andforced a number of closings andcancelations. Prairie Land sentcrews from Oberlin and Bird Cityto help restore power. Residentswere piling up branches for thecitycrews to pickup. . . . CloudCounty board of commissionersapproved a funding agreement forCloudCorp in the amount of$45,000. . . . The Cloud CountyCommunity College board oftrustees purchased the formerhome of Robert LaBarge at 2134Republican, which it planned toconvert to college housing. . . .Concordia city commissionapproved a $45,000 appropriation for CloudCorp Lisa Flemingretired as Concordia cityclerk.Winners in the Concordia Christmas Lighting Contest wereJoshand Jamie Meyer , 806 W. 13thSt, first; Donald Jones. 216 W.17th St., second; and Ray andMonty Harper, 702 W. 6th St.,third.

Thieves walked off with littlemoney, but did extensivedamageduring a break-in at Rod's FoodStore.

Battling the elements TA?/o£Gary Strait an emplovee of the city of Concordia Water Department has to contend with the iceand snow in his effort to read a water meter Wednesday morning. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

Taking his bestshot t/3>/D8Concordia City Manager Mark Skiles shoots a free throwduring halftime of'the Cl<County Community College women's basketball game Wednesday night in Bryant G;nasium. Skiles took part in the contest on Concordia Night at the college. (Blade photcJay Lowell)

City votes down nuisance ordinanceBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

The Concordia City Commissionshot down an amended nuisance

ordinance, 3-2, at a special callmeeting Thursday night.

The amended ordinance came

before the Commission as a

response to alleged nuisance violations by the Downtown SmokeShop. Several months ago, a nuisance complaint was filed by MonteWentz against the Downtown SmokeShop, alleging he could smell smokein his office, which is next door. The

original ordinance stated that a nuisance could be any "foul substanceor substances which emit or cause

any foul, nausesous. unhealthy, ordisagreeable odors."

The amended ordinance, which

was voted down by CommissionersCheryl Lanoue, Darrel Hosie andCharles Johnson, classified the fail

ure to confine such foul odors,

including tobacco smoke, a publicnuisance.

City Attorney Larry Uri said theCommissioners had asked him to

craft a "beefed up version" of theoriginal ordiance, which would classify smoke as a nuisance.

The ordinance would also have

given the city the option to abatesuch a nuisance by seeking aninjunction to prohibit the activity.

The current ordinance, Uri said,

gave the city two options to put astop to nuisances-abating or fining.Had the new ordinance been

passed, the city would have had theoption to take the issue to court.

The third portion of the amendedordinance, Uri said, stated the con

tinuing presence of odors, smoke,fumes, or emissions of the type normally associated with the smokingof tobacco, in any premises adjacentto where smoking is permitted,would be evidence that the smoke

was not contained within the build

ing where it was produced.In other words, Uri said, if smok

ing was taking place in "building A,"and the owner of "building B" couldsmell it, the owner of the latter did

n't have to prove the smell wasn'tcoming from somewhere else. The

owner of "building A" would have toprove the smell didn't originate inhis or her building.

That final portion gave Lanouecause for concern. She said she was

worried that people might read toomuch into that, and wondered if thenew ordinance could pertain tosmoke from fireplaces.

Uri said the key to the proposedordinance was the word "continu

ing," not something that happendevery once in a while.

Commissioner Hosie said he had

problems with approving the newordinance.

"I think it will create far more

nuisances than this solves," he

said. "I question whether we need tochange what we already have."

Commissioner Phil Gilliland. who

along with Joe Jindra, voted in favorof the ordinance, said it was all

essentially a property rights issue."I do think that a business owner

has the right to conduct business inthe way they feel is best to servetheir customers." Gilliland said. "At

the same time, I think your proper

Ordinance(continued from page 1)Uri said the change made a

definition of a restaurant consistent with the city's zoningordinances. He also said thechange seemed to be consistantwith other smoking ordinancesthroughout the state.

In the only other item ofbusiness, the Commissionreappointed Charlie Lowers to athree-year term on the Board ofZoning Appeals.

During public comments.Kirk Lowell, said his boardwould be discussing the contract between CloudCorp andthe city, at Lanoue's requestfrom the last meeting. Earlier inthe meeting, Lanoue asked thatthe minutes from the Dec. 19meeting be amended to reflectthat she asked Lowell to formulate a new policy outlining what

CloudCorp provides the city,and what the city expects inreturn. During that meeting,Lanoue said she wanted to seewhat CloudCorp was spendingcity dollars on, "so we can beaccountable to the citizens."

Lowell clarified that he saidat the last meeting he wasinterested in sitting down withthe contract to change some ofthe language, not formulatingabrand new policy. He said theissue was on the agenda for thenext CloudCorp meeting, and itshould be up for discussion atthe next Commission meeting.

"There are people in thiscommunity around you whoare credible," Lowell said toLanoue. "You have crediblepeople who are trying to do thebest we can. and when you askfor something, that happens."

ty rights end at your wall. The business owner has an obligation tomake sure it doesn't infiltrate their

neighbor's business."The negative votes outweighed

Gilliland and Jindra, and the

amended nuisance ordinance was

defeated, 3-2.

In a related matter, the Commis

sion voted 5-0 to amend the smok

ing in restaurants ordinance,redefining what a restaurant is.

The ordinance also centered

around the Downtown Smoke Shop,

who had been labeled a restaurant,

because it served drinks and

snacks. Because of the city ordinance prohibiting smoking inrestaurants, smoking was bannedat the Smoke Shop on Nov. 1.

The new ordinance, which will

allow smoking at the Smoke Shopagain, now defines a restaurant as a"public eating establishment,except drive-ins, in which the primary function is the preparationand serving of food on the premises."

(see Ordinance on page 8)

Legals(Published in the Concordia Blade-Empire on

Tuesday, January 8,2008)

ORDINANCE NO. 2008-2948

AN ORDINANCE amending Article IX of the' Concordia Code, pertaining to smoking in res-: taurants; repealing Concordia Code section 11•

432; and amending the Concordia Code, byadding a new section 11-432.

BE IT ORDAINED by the governing body-of 1he City of Concordia, Kansas:

SECTION 1. Section 11-432 of the Code

of Ordinances of the City of Concordia ishereby repealed as of the effective date setforth below.

SECTION 2. The Code of Ordinances of

, the Cityof Concordia is hereby amended, by* adding a new section 11-432, which shall read

as follows:

Sec 11-432. Definitions.

For the purpose of this article, the following, words and terms as used herein are defined to..jnean the following:\ # Bingo hall means any room, hall, building,—closure or outdoor area used for the manage-

tent operation or conduct of a game of bingo<t any nonprofit organization holding a license

frflianage, operate or conduct games of bingorsuant to Kansas law and in which food serv

itor consumptionon the premises is inciden-$tothe primary activity ofthe establishment.

Bowling center/alley means a place of' ,$usiness open to the publicwhichoffers the use

of not less than twelve (12} full scale bowlinglanes that are each equipped with operableautomatic pin setting apparatus and in whichfood service for consumption on the premises is

..incidental to the primary activity of theestablishment.

Class A club means a premises soprosedby the State of Kansas which is ownedipjMeaied bya corporation, partnership, busi-f$$S* trust orassociation andwhich isoperatedSfjfipfWby as a bona fidenonprofit social,fraternal

Qf^war veterans' club, as determined by thedirector for the exclusive use of the corporatestockholders, partners, trust beneficiaries or

$a«ociates (referred to as members) and theirtanfiiries and guests accompanying them.

a a Class B club means a premises so| licensed by the State of Kansas operated for

Qrofit by a corporation, partnership or individual,to which members of such club may resort forthe consumption of food or alcoholic beveragesand for entertainment

Drinking establishment means premisesso licensed by the State of Kansas which may

: be open to the general public, where alcoholic' liquor by the individual drink is sold.

• - Licensed club means a class A or class B

club with a valid license issued by the State ofKansas.

Otherperson in charge means the agentof the proprietor authorized to perform adminis

trative direction lo, and general supervision of,the activities within a restaurant at any giventime.1"-."-'

Physically separated means separatedfrom the smoke-free restaurant area by continuous floor-to-ceiling walls which are interruptedonly by doors which are continuously closedother than when a person is actively entering orexiting the smoke-free area.

Proprietormeans the party, regardless ofwhether or not the party is owner or lessee ofthe restaurant, who ultimately controls, governs,or directs the activities within the restaurant.

The term does not mean the owner of the prop

erty, unless the owner ultimately controls, governs, or directs the activities within the restaurant. The term proprietor may apply to a corporation, partnership or limited liability companyas well as to an individual.

Restaurant means a public eating establishment, except drive-ins, in which the primaryfunction is the preparation and serving of foodon the premises.

Separate designated smoking area meansan indoor area where smoking is allowed,physically separated from the required smoke-free restaurant areas, and which includes physical separation and appropriate ventilation sothat smoke from those areas does not drift, per

meate, or re-circulate into any smoke-free restaurant areas.

Smoking means the:(1) Carrying or placing of a lighted cigarette,lighted cigar, or lighted pipe or any other lightedsmoking equipment in one's mouth for the purpose of inhaling and exhaling smoke;(2) Placing of a lighted cigarette, lighted cigar,or lighted pipe or any other lighted smokingequipment in an ashtray or other receptacle andallowing smoke to diffuse in the air; or(3) Carrying or placing of a lighted cigarette,lighted cigar, or lighted pipe or any other lightedsmoking equipment in one's hands or anyappendage or devices and allowing smoke todiffuse in the air.

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in

tull force and effect from and after its passage

and publication in the official city newspaper.The provisions hereof are severable, and in theevent of invalidity, for any reason, of any portionof this ordinance, the remaining provisions ofthe ordinance shall remain in full force and

effect, with the invalid provisions deemedexcised.

PASSED by the governing body and

signed by the mayor this 3rd day of January,2008.

Charles B. Johnson, Mayor

ATTEST: ]Cher Knudsen i

interim City Clerk

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Lawrence R. Uri, Jr.

City Attorney

1 year ago^Jan-JJ. 2007—Johnita

Crawford of Clyde was sworn inas Cloud County commissionerby Magistrate Judge GuySteier. . . . Joe Jindra and Joe

Strecker filed for reelection to

the Concordia Ciiy Commission.

' •• * 'v4 .,% •: *, « oMETER SERVICE WORKER

Public Utilities Division

The City of Concordia Department of Public Utilities is seeking to fill the position of MeterService Worker. Interested persons must meet the followingminimum requirements.

Responsible for reading of utility meters, including recordingand reporting readings andconnects/disconnects of service and will assist water crewon occasions. Equivalent of ahigh school diploma; possess,or be able to obtain a valid

Class C Kansas Driver's License; Possess or be able toobtain a valid Commercial Driver's License within one (1)year; and an established personal driving history that is acceptable for coverage by theCity's insurance carrier. Physical examination and drugscreening tests will follow allconditional offers of employment.

Deadline: City of Concordiawill accept applications until5:00pm on Jan. 17, 2008. A resume' may be included withcompleted city applicationform.

Apply at: The City of Concordia City Clerk's Office, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901,785-243-2670. Reasonable accommodations are available for

persons needing assistance.Requests for accommodationsshould be made at the time of

applications.

An Equal Opportunity Employ-

i/ii/oe

POSITION OPENINGS

POOL MANAGER: The City ofSoncordia is accepting applications for the position of PoolManager. Experience in pooloperations and maintenancealong with supervisory experience preferred.

PLAYGROUND DIRECTOR:The City of Concordia is accepting applications for the position of Summer PlaygroundDirector. Experience in supervising children ages 5 to 12,arts &crafts and organizationalskills preferred.

Applications should be submitted to City Hall,City Clerk,P.O. Box 603, Concordia, KS66901. Applications will be accepted until 5pm, January 24;2008. EOE. \/\[/o0

NOTICE i/"/&«The cityofConcordia is accepting applications forcurband gutter replacement. The program enables persons to replace brokencurbandgutter along their property with the city providingthe labor, equipment and totalcost of removal ofexisting curb

and gutter sections. The landownershall pay the cost of materials for the curb and gutter;per-foot charge forsaw cuts, and theout-of-pocket administrative costs.Applicable engineering plansand specifications shallbe provided bythe city and shallbe paid

for one-half by the cityand one-half by the landowner.

Anyone interested in this type of constructionshould contact the City Clerk's office, 701

Washington, Concordia, KS 66901, or call 243-2670.!• Deadline: February 15,2008. .:

Taking down the tower \/Hp/0"A crane is used to take down a large tovrer at Blossa.- Municipal Airport Tuesday as part~< the renovation project. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

City declines airport improvements offerBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

After a 20-minute executive ses

sion Wednesday night, the Concordia City Commission declined anoffer from Beldon Blosser to contin

ue with improvements at the airport.Phase three of the project, which

began in December, would haveincluded furnishing the airportlobby, a teaching room, office, and atraining room. City Manager MarkSkiles said the projected total costwas $50,000, half of which would

have come from the Blosser Founda

tion.

In December, the Commission

began the project, which included aremodel of the airport lobby, officeand classroom areas, and a hangar.The cost of the project was$158,362. The Blosser Foundation

committed $54,100 to the project,and the city contributed the rest,finding several sources of income inthe 2007 budget.

Commissioner Phil Gilliland

asked Skiles if there had been anyinvestigation into private donationsor grants that could fund the city'shalf of the project. Skiles said hehadn't.

The airport looks great, but weneed to wait to do more until we geta fixed base operator." Gilliland said."We've already spent unbudgetedfunds, so I think we need to decline

at this time."

Commissioner Darrel Hosie

agreed. He expressed his concernthat the money for the project wasnot budgeted this year, which hasjust begun.

"We don't know what might becoming ^up through the year thatwould need funding, and we couldreally be putting ourselves in abind." Hosie said.

If the proposition came at the endof the year, when the Commissionknew there was money left in thebudget, he said he could support it.

Commissioner Cheryl Lanoueexpressed her appreciation to Bloss

er for his contributions in the previous renovation phases, but alsodeclined accepting his offer.

While the Commission vetoed

spending money at the airport, it didagree to give another $2,000 to theConcordia Senior Center.

Gary Dvorak, food service operations manager, said the Center wasasking for a continuation of the proposal representatives had made inAugust 2007. At that time, theyasked for $2,000 to finish out 2007,

and $4,000 for 2008 to supplementemployee salaries.

The city gave the Center $4,000for this year - half for salaries, andhalf to help purchase a new van.Dvorak said the Center had onlyreceived $2,000 in 2008 for thesalaries, when they had asked for$4,000.

"It's very generous, but we're asking you to fully fund the $4,000 werequested," Dvorak said.

One of the main services offered

by the Center is its daily, low-cost.

meals. Dvorak said the Center provides a "great meal" for seniors andthose on a fixed income. The suggested donation, for those 60 andolder, is $2.75. Hosie asked Dvorakif that price could be raised.

"If we were for-profit, I wouldthink we could, but we are a center

providing a need for people on afixed income," Dvorak said.

When asked if he could find

$2,000 in the budget. City ManagerMark Skiles said he could.

"Do you want me to tell the seniorcitizens of this community that Ican't find the money?" he asked,with a laugh. "I can. if it's the pleasure of the Commission."

Commissioner Joe Jindra said

tire Center is an important part ofthe community, and needs theassistance.

In other business, the Commis

sion approved a plan to replacevalves and a diving board at theswimming pool.

(see City on page 8)

FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS/

RECORDS SUPERVISOR

Police Department

The Concordia Police Departmentis seeking to fill the position of full-time Communications/Records Supervisor. This position providestwo-way radio communication forpublic safety departments; 911emergency and administrative telephone sen/ice for citizens in theCity of Concordia and maintainsagency records. Interested persons must meet the following minimum requirements.

Be at least 18 years of age and aU.S. Citizen. Equivalent of a highschool diploma; no felony convictions; good typing and communication skills; pass a written examination. Computer experience a plus.Physical examination and drugscreening tests willfollow all conditional offers of employment. Minimum five(5) years experienceworking in public safety communication or related field.

Complete job description is available at City Hall.

Deadline: The City of Concordiawill accept applications until filled.Resume' may be included withcompleted city application form.

Apply at: The City of ConcordiaCity Clerk's Office, 701 Washington, P.O. Box 603, Concordia, KS66901, 785-243-2670. Reasonableaccommodations are available for

persons needing assistance. Requests for accommodations shouldbe made at the time of application.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

SO years agoFeb.,.14. 1958-Concordia

city crewsfiad torn down thedilapidated old shed at theFairgrounds, which had beenused in the past as a dogpound. City Manager ChuckMoss said a betteranimal shelter would be built to housestrays whowere impounded. .. Jiffycake mixeswere 10 centsfor a 9-ounce package atBoogaarts.

Patchwork 3/\\ld%City ofConcordia employee David Gilkeson uses asphalt topatch potholes Monday morning. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

City moving forward with dam projectBy Jessica LeDucBlade Saff Writer

A number of years have passedsince discussions first began, butthe Concordia City Commission isstill moving forward with its floodcontrol project. Wednesday night,the Commission heard a report fromFrank Mercurio, engineer with KLAEnvironmental Services on phasesone and two of the 21st Street dam

project.Phase one, which has been com

pleted for some time, was a topographical survey of both dam sites -21st Street and Plum Road.

Phase two, a geotechnical investigation, has also been completed.The soil and rock where the dams

are to be constructed were studied,

and KLA found both to be conducive

to construction.

There were no soil or geologicalconditions found that would stopthe project from moving forward,"Mercurio said.

There is some soil, where the

reservoir at 21st Street would be,

Mercurio said, that has a higherseepage rate. But, he explained, thatwould have no bearing on the actualconstruction of the dam. The pool ofwater would be approximately sixacres, or similar to the pond of waterthat is currently there.

The soil at Plum Road is similar,

Mercurio said, and there is one

small area of clay soil in the vicinity,but it would not cause any problems

with construction.

There are no adverse situations

at either location that would cause

us to change any design," Mercuriosaid.

Mayor Charles Johnson askedMercurio if having a reservoir thatclose to the airport would be allowedby the Federal Aviation Administration.

Mercurio said the design didn'tcall for an actual pool of water, itwould be more of a sediment pool,which is just a part of the flood control scheme.

Commissioner Phil Gilliland

asked if all the studies done so far

could be used by the Army Corps ofEngineers. City Manager MarkSkiles said the information could be

shared, but it was still highly unlikely the Corps would build the dam.Concordia's flood control projectwas approved by the Corps, but nomoney has ever been forthcoming.

The next part of the process, Mercurio said, is the design phase of thedams. Before moving forward, hesaid, the Commission must make

decisions on whether there will be a

sediment pool at 21st Street, if landin the area is to be preserved fordevelopment, and a specific locationfor the dam at Plum Road.

The dam at Plum Road could

either be built on the actual road, or

upstream. Either location would nothave a bearing on the engineering orcosts, Mercurio said. If the dam is

built on the road, the Commission

would have to work with the CountyCommission to get that done.

In response to a question aboutcosts, Mercurio said that, in 2005,

the estimate of the project was$895,000. Since then, he said, construction costs have risen 20-30

percent because of higher fuelprices. That would put the estimated price tag at $1.2 million today.

The ending total could rise evenmore, considering the dam is still atleast three years from being completed. Mercurio said it will take ayear for the design, another year toobtain all the permits, and about ayear for actual construction.

"I. for one, would like to see this

project move along as quickly aspossible," Commissioner DarrelHosie said. "We've been very fortunate in the last four or five yearswhile we've drug this thing out."

Hosie said Concordia has been

lucky to not receive some of theheavy rains that have plagued thearea in the past few years, whichcould have compromised thestrength of the current dam at 20thStreet.

He said he is in favor of making adecision on the location of the Plum

Road dam right away, so designwork can begin.

But, the Commission decided to

hold off, and will meet with the

County Commissioners to get theirinput on that portion of the project.

In the only other item of business,the Commission set April 2 as apublic hearing for fire debrisremoval at 718 East 5th. The house,

owned by Bernita Swenson, caughtfire last month, and has been classi

fied as an unsafe structure.

City Attorney Larry Uri said thecity had received a share of theinsurance proceeds of the fire, andwill hold it until the property iseither repaired or torn down.

Building Inspector BrunoRehbein said he has talked with

Swenson a couple of weeks ago, andshe was unsure if she would tear the

house down or repair it.During the City Manager report.

Skiles said representatives with theFederal Emergency ManagementAgency will be back in town inMarch, to evaluate damage fromDecember's ice storm.

Anyone who has limbs in theiryard is asked to bring them to thecurb, so city crews can pick themup.

By law, Skiles said, city workerscannot go on private property toretrieve limbs. To deal with that, a

volunteer group has offered to helpget limbs to the curbs for city crews.

If someone is physically unable toclean up the tree branches, Skilessaid, they can call City Hall with aname, address, and phone number.He will relay that information on tothe volunteers, and they will cleanup the branches.

Everton moving forward with plantBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

Despite recent rumors circulatingaround town. Everton Energy is stillmoving forward with its proposed110 million gallon ethanol plant.

Construction has come to a haltat the plant site, east of Concordia,which is a combination of the weather and financing, according to bothBert Farrish, president and CEO ofEverton, and Blake Hendrix, vicepresident and director of processingoperations.

Hendrix said construction hadbeen suspended during December,because of the cold weather conditions, which made it difficult to pourconcrete.

Since then, the country has experienced a sub-prime mortgage collapse, which has taken its toll onEverton's financing.

The sub-prime mortgage collapse has affecteda variety of funding mechanisms, including the bondreinsurance industry," Hendrixsaid. "The credit markets haveseverely tightened in the past fewmonths, and have gone more con

servative."

The mortgage collapse is a relatively new development, but delayshave put Everton is this position,Hendrix said.

Approval of the air quality permit,he said, was delayed three monthsbecause of a letter written by Concordia Mayor Charles Johnson,which led to a public hearing. Thatpublic hearing, that lasted less than15 minutes and where only one person spoke, led to a three-monthdelay in Everton's receiving its permit. Hendrix said they could notfinalize financing until they had thepermit.

These delays have put us to apoint where the credit marketsoured for us," Hendrix said. "We areactively seeking investors, and aregoing to move forward with the project.

"Wehave a significant amount ofmoney already invested in the site,and we're not going to walk awayfrom it."

Farrish said last week that heexpects construction to recommencein March. Hendrix said once thefinancing is locked up, people willsee a lot of construction activity.

Before all the delays, construction was scheduled to begin inAugust 2007, with a completiondate set at December 2008. Theplant was to be operational in January 2009. Now, Hendrix said, thefirst grind of grain will probably bein April or May 2009.

"People are still working on theproject, whether you see them ornot," Hendrix said. The originalfounders are still actively involved,and ICM is still committed to theproject."

Another hot topic around townhas been Everton's inability toobtain water rights. Hendrix saidreceiving rights is an ongoingprocess, and the permit requests arestill tied up at the state level.

"We expect to see some preliminary issuances within the next 30days," he said.

Another delay that has facedEverton in its quest to obtain waterrights is the fact that there are competing water claims, Hendrixexplained. Those competing claimshave led Hendrix to find water else-where-from new water rights, seniorwater rights, and effluent water from

THE CITY OF CONCORDIA

Is now accepting applications forsummer employment for the PublicWorks Department, SwimmingPool and Summer Playground. Application will be accepted for thefollowing positions, (applicantsmust be 16 years old or older unless otherwise noted)

-Maintenance workers (PublicWorks, 18 years and older)- Head Lifeguard- Lifeguards (15 years and older)- Cashiers/Auxiliary (14 years andolder)- Playground Leaders- Tennis Assistant

- Umpires

Lifeguards require CPR, First Aidand Lifeguard Certification withWSI certification preferred.

Deadline: City of Concordia temporary/seasonal application formmust be completed and received inthe City Hall no later than 5:00p.m.on March 7, 2008.

Apply at: City Hall, City of Concordia, 701 Washington, Con-cordia.KS.EOE.^^g

Concordia's Waste Water Treatment

Plant.

Hendrix said Dennis Reedy hasapplied for an irrigation permit, andJoe Reedy has asked for water rightsspecifically for an ethanol plant-tobe built in the area of Cloud Ceram

ics.

They've locked up the water untilDecember 2008," Hendrix said,unless the state steps in and asksthem to prove they are moving forward with the construction of anethanol plant.

Everton began trying to obtainwater rights in January 2007. andHendrix said it's not unusual for theprocess to take 12 to 18 months.

"We do have enough water now,"Hendrix said, "but I would like tohave it in a different form, so wewouldn't have to construct such acomplex system."

Once all the complications areironed out, Hendrix said, Evertonwill continue with its plans to construct a $240 million ethanol plant.

There are good businesses here(in the area) now, and we hope toadd to that," Hendrix said. "We lookforward to doing that."

s+

A* .*

Attention, Concordia Residents!Please place your tree limbsat or near the curb in front

of your propertyFEMA representatives will be in Concordia in

March, to complete the damage assessment fromthe December ice storm.

Spring cleanup will take place during theweek April 7.The lastdaycitycrewswillpickuplimbs is April 11.

(i Ifyou arc unable to move your limbs, call )A city hall at 2-13-2670, and a volunteer /, organization will do the work for you. >

SSB£ gVS»*=VB

THE CITY OF CONCORDIAIs now accepting applications forsummer employment for the PublicWorks Department, SwimmingPool andSummer Playground. Application will be accepted for thefollowing positions. ; (applicantsmust be 16 years old or older unless otherwise noted)

-Maintenance workers (PublicWorks, 18 years and older)- Head Lifeguard-Lifeguards (15 years andolder)- Cashiers/Auxiliary (14 years andolder)- Playground Leaders- Tennis Assistant-Umpires p/^gLifeguards require CPR, First Aidand Lifeguard Certification withWSIcertification preferred.

Deadline: City of Concordia temporary/seasonal application formmust be completed and received inthe City Hall no laterthan 5:00p.m.on March 7, 2008.

Apply at: City Hall, City of Concordia, 701 Washington, Concordia, KS. EOE.

Two file for^ (l<city commission

Cloud County Clerk Linda Bogart announcedThursday that two persons have filed for electionfor positions on the Concordia City Commission.Incumbents Darrel Hosie and Phil Gilliland areboth seeking the two three-year terms that areopen.

Filing for positions on the Miltonvale City Council were Ed Mottin and Dwaine Randel. Three seatsare open for this board.

Filing deadline is noon, Tuesday, Jan. 22. If nomore than four file for the Concordia City Commission and no more than six file for the Miltonvale

City Council, there will be no need for a primaryprior to the April 1 general election.

THE CITYOF CONCORDIAWill accept sealed bids for ariding mower, two ton truckchassis and a one ton truckwith dump box for the PublicWorks Department. Specifications are available at City Hall.Sealed bids will be acceptedat the City Clerk's Office, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, KS until 2:30p.m., January 28, 2008. TheCity has the right to reject anyand all bids.

• • :T

i JnOIV removal . . tsafter awinter sto rm dumped about five inch-

SignupWnngg^ .Thoseboys and girlswantingto playGirls

Softball, Peewee Baseball or K-18 Baseballthis summer,whoare not alreadyon a team,must register at City Hall by April 4.

THE CITY OF CONCORDIAis soliciting for a Concessionaire for the Concordia SportsComplex for the 2008 season.Acomplete copy of the concessionaireagreement may be obtained from City Hall.

The City of Concordia reservesthe right to reject any and allproposals for any reason. Noproposals will be accepted after 10:00 a.m. March 24, 2008.Proposals should be submittedin a sealed envelope, marked(Concession). Envelopes received thereafter will be returned to the sender, unopened. No fax proposals submissions will be accepted orconsidered. Proposals will beopened at 10:00 a.m. March24, 2008. All proposals mustbe submitted in writing to theCity Clerk, City Hall, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901.

DOG TAXflfch «2Section 4, City Code:All dogs five months ofage and oldermustbelicensed. All dogs must have a certificateof Rabies Vaccination andmust be vaccinated every three years. License fees are fivedollars($5.00) for each male dog and spayed female dog, and eight dollars ($8.00) for each unspayed female dog, each dog over four (4)ina family, tendollars ($10.00). All persons, firms orcorporations

; owning orharboring a dogordogswithin thecity limits mustprovide a license for their dog before the 1stday of April or afifty per-

1^' cent (50%) fee will be added to regular tags herein specified.

Legals

f^birVlo-lgeg

| ATTEST:f ChdrKnudsen

Intenm City Clerk <^3>'APPROVED AS TO FORM:

Lawrence R. Uri. Jr.

CityAttorney

(Published intheConcordia Blade-Empire 6nMarch 7,andMarch 14,2008)

RESOLUTION NO. 2008-1803

BEITRESOLVED bythe governing bodyof IheCityof Concordia, Kansas:

WHEREAS, the enforcingofficerpursuantto K.S.A. 12-1750 et seq,, as provided bySection 2-351 of the Code of Ordinances of the

City of Concordia, Kansas, has informed thegoverningbodythat in his opinionthe followingstructure is unsafe and dangerous:

.iTOePp^rhlses tdtaWii^ W.'2nd'Strtiet;*'Concordia, Kansas, and more completelydescribed as:

The East One Hundred Thirty-five (135) feet ofthe West Half (W/2) of the East Half (E/2) ofGovernment Lot Three (3) in the NortheastQuarter (NE/4) of Section Thirty-two (32),TownshipFive (5) South, Range Three (3) Westof the 6th Principal Meridian in the City of

•Concordia, Cloud County, Kansas, subject toeasements of record.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF

CONCORDIA, KANSAS:

SECTION 1. It is hereby ordered that onApril 16, 2008 at 5:30 p.m., at City Hall, 701Washington, Concordia, Kansas, the owner ,

• agent, lienhokJer or occupant may appear andshow cause why the structure should not be

| condemned and ordered repaired ordemolished.

SECTION 2. This resolution shall be published once each week tor two consecutive

weeks on the same day of each week. At least30 days shall elapse between the last publication and the date set for hearing,

SECTION 3. This order shall be served

'• within three days after its first publication oneach owner, agent, lienholder and occupant attha last known place of residence by certifiedmail, return receipt requested, marked "deliverto addressee only.'

SECTION 4. if, at the time and place,ofhearing, after hearing all evidence submitted bythe enforcing officer and any other interestedparty, the governing body determines that thestructure under consideration is unsafe or dan

gerous, it shall state in writing the findings of| fad in support of such determination and shall: cause the resolution to be published once in the: officialcity newspaper and a copy mailed to the

owners, agents, lienhoiders and occupants inthe same manner provided tor the notice ofhearing. The resolution shall fix a reasonabletime within which the repair or removal of suchstructure shall be commenced and a statement

that if the owner of such structure fails to com

mence the repair or removal of such structurewithin the time stated or fails to diligently prosecute the same until the work is completed, the

f governing body willcause the structure to be\ repairedor removed.

PASSED by the governing body and1signed by the Mayor this 5th day of March,

2008I ,

* Charles B. Johnson, Mayor

Concordians attend

city clerks meeting(Yldroh IH, zoos

Three Concordia women

attended a luncheon and meet

ing of City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers, March12-14, in Wichita.

Verna Ferguson, formerConcordia city clerk, CherKnudsen, interim city clerk,and Stacie Crum, deputy clerk,were in Wichita for the three-

day event. Ferguson wasamong the past presidents ofthe organization being recognized at the luncheon.,

Ferguson served the organi

zation in 1993 and, during thistime, had the honor of representing Kansas at the International Institute of MunicipalClerks Convention in Orlando,Fla.

"This organization has networking to help new clerksjourney through the maze ofmunicipal laws," said Ferguson, adding that she had spoken with one of the presenterswho was giving a workshop onthe Federal Labor Standards

Act.

THE CITY OF CONCORDIAis soliciting for a Concessionaire for the Concordia SportsComplex for the 2008 season.A complete copy of the concessionaire agreement may be obtained from City Hall.

The City of Concordia reservesthe right to reject any and allproposals for any reason. Noproposals will be accepted after 10:00 a.m. March 24, 2008.Proposals should be submittedin a sealed envelope, marked(Concession). Envelopes received thereafter will be returned to the sender, unopened. No fax proposals submissions will be accepted orconsidered. Proposals will beopened at 10:00 a.m. March24, 2008. All proposals mustbe submitted In writing to theCity Clerk, City Hall, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901.

fTktuh II, 2M%

[SIIMMfiCONCORDIA SPORTS COMPLEX NEWS'

MXDNE wanting to use the fields at the Concordiasports Complex, for any reason, is advised to go

through Concordia Recreation atCity Hall.This mcludes college and high school teams, tournament

teams, traveling teams, tryouts etcr.Fi need t0 be worked and/or set up. This

Iu u ,Lbe done on amoment's notice. We need toknow wh,ch field, the date, and time the field is requested.Beginning in April, Concordia Recreation teams will have Itheir practice schedules assigned. All other non-rec teams

| will need to reserve afield for practice by contacting TomGennette at City Hall. Contacting our grounds crew willmi get you scheduled. You must go through City HallIhose teams who have reserved afield will have prece

dence over anyone on that field. Reservations MUST bemade for ALL tournaments. Use ofconcession stand canbe arranged. Keeping arunning schedule of the Sports i

Complex activities from April through August will help usI avoid any conflicts. Please, DQI4QZ use fields that are

chalked for games, or ifthe infields are muddyYour team's cooperation will be appreciated.

\Mareh J4, Zoo hi Thank you1 ^ Tom Gennette

Recreation Director]CityofConcordial

- field Reservations mbgma&tonal\veekly basis

(you may;gp longeT.ifrtfontis,betiinZyou)- Teamtnmib&MtfdmffiStif&esper week

| following week.

March 18, 1983—Mr. and

Mrs. Daniel Jensen, Concor

dia, announced the biith of

their daughter, Joy Arlene,born March 12. . . . The Con

cordia Fire Department wassponsoring a country and western show featuring LeRoy VanDyke at the Brown Grand Theatre. Van Dyke, formerly withthe Grand Ole Opry, wasknown for his song, The Auctioneer's Song."

Three vie for two commission seatsThreecandidatesare up for elec

tion to the Concordia CityCommission tomorrow, April 1st.Incumbents Darrel Hosie and PhilGilliland are being challenged byformer Commissioner Greg Hattanfor the two open seats on the Commission.

Each candidate was asked fivequestions, and the following aretheir responses:

1. Why do you want to serve onthe Commission?

Phil Gilliland: I want to helpshape thedirection ofthe City andfeel we need a positive, progressiveCity Commission. Concordia hasmade tremendous progress in the15+ years I have lived here, and Ithink it has the potential to be much

I Siore. We need to have an open,I welcoming attitude for new busi

nesses, residents, and ideas. Ourchallenge is to balance laws andregulations that protectexisting citizens and businesses, with a supportive and cooperative altitude thatwelcomes new opportunities. Thattakes common sense and a sometimes creative attitude to find thatbalance.

I also think my financial background provides an important assetto the Commission. I do not believein micromanaging individualdepartments ortheday today operations. Our job should be to set ourfinancial priorities. We must balance theneeds we have for replacingand upgrading our aginginfrastructure, with adequate public safety,andthepotential growth andexpansion that new industry and business bring.

Greg Hattan: I previously haveserved 18 years on the City Commission, including six terms asmayor of Concordia. During thattime, I enjoyed working withmyfellow Commissioners, city staff, community volunteers, and local, stateand federal agencies to help establish many beneficial programs andcomplete several successful projects. I believe that my experienceand knowledge of city operationswould behelpful inaddressing present and future opportunities for ourcommunity.

Darrel Hosie: After working both

Phil Gilliland

for and with the public throughoutmy adult life (30 years as CountyExtension Agent and six years onthe Concordia City Commission), itjust seems natural to continue to beinvolved in my community and tomake a positivecontribution back toit. Hopefullymy experience of working with the public has helped meunderstand and appreciate theproblems and concerns of individuals so that I can represent all Con-cordians with common sense andfiscal responsibility.

2. What are your immediateand long-term goals for Concordia?

Hattan: In terms of localgovernment, immediate goals wouldinclude the following:

1. Create a more accurate andunderstandable report of the city'sfinances by enhancing our auditprocedures:

2. Monitor the progress of theEverton Energy ethanol plant;

3. Review the south flood controlproject and determine if all availablefinancial and technical assistancehas been identified:

4. Create a more positive publicattitude by ensuring that "everyonehas a seat at the table," whenimportant decisions are made.

Long-term goals would includethe following:

1. Review the capital improvement plan to determine that ourinfrastructure needs - water, sewerand streets - are accurately prioritized and funded;

Oarrel Hosie

2. Aggressively seek outsidefunding and grants to assist thefunding of large projects, and theestablishment of programs beneficial to our community:

3. We need to find creative waysto assist the nonbusiness entities -i.e. Brown Grand. Frank CarlsonLibrary, Senior CitizensCenter,andYouth Center that enrich our lives,and help establish Concordia as aregional center;

4. Weneed to continue viable economic development programs thatassist local businesses and recruitnew businesses toourcommunity.

Hosie: My immediate and long-term goals for Concordia remain thesame as when I first filed for CityCommission six years ago. Theyinclude a user-friendly city government; financial accountability; aninviting climate for new andexistingbusinesses: cooperation with otherlocal units of government (CloudCounty, CCCC, U.S.D. #333 andneighboring communities); and,making Concordia an inviting placein which to live.

Gilliland: With the tremendousopportunities the new wind farmand ethanol plants bring to Concordia, I believethe future of Concordiais very positive. Agriculture hasbeen, and will continue to be, thebackbone of our local economy.Right now. we are seeing recordhigh grain prices,which give us thestrong base economy that underpins everything else. If we want toremain a regional trade center for

Greg Hattan

North Central Kansas, and SouthCentral Nebraska, we must continue to work to find economic diversity. Cloud Ceramics. Alstom. F&A.and CCCC are allimportant partsofthe economic diversity that manyrural communities lack. With theaddition of the wind farm andethanol, we have theopportunity tosee real growth in population andimprovement in the average age ofour community. In the next 2-5years, we have a chance to see ourpopulation stabilize and possiblybegin to rise.

As a community, we have limitedresources and we must worktogether to prioritize major capital expenditures,notjust at theCity, but alsoat the College. USD, County, andHospital. We will need to .worktogether as a community to utilizenew and existing revenues toaddress the needs of each of thoseentitles. If we work together, I feelthe next 10-20years will allow us toaddress some significantcommunity capital assets that would servethe community for the next 50years.

Because of where we are now,and where I see our potential, Iwould not support moving back to avolunteer fire department. Thepotential cost increase in insurancerates, the lower level of protection avolunteer department would provide, and the new industry that wehave coming make this a poor timeto change.

(see Commission on page 4)

SPRING CLEANUP 2008[Let's Clean Up theCity of Concordia!

The city of Concordia is planning aSpring Cleanupfor the week of April 7th - April 11th for residential areas. We ask for your support &assistance inmaking Concordia a cleaner place to live. Pleaseplace your items near your front curb on Sunday

March 26th (alleys will not be picked up). Items tobe picked up will be in the following categories:

• Furniture (wood &cloth covered)• Tree branches

• Metal materials• Car batteries

• Appliances (Refrigerators, Freezers &AirConditioners)

• Car TiresThese items will have to be paid for at City Hall prior to pick up-

•Tractor &Equipment Tires -per unit charge of$20•Vehicles (Bring titles to City Hall ifyou have them, and advise of

location)

Please separate items into the listed categories for pick up by citycrews. Items will not be picked up ifstacked together

Ihe following items are NOT included in spring clean up:• Asbestos

• Plumbing & Electrical Items• iConstruction Materials such asConcrete/Brick/Gravel-

Lath/Plaster; Sheetrock; Shingles (all types); and Vinyl Siding• Hazardous Waste Items

• Household Trash• Leaves or Grass Clippings

City crews will start picking up on First Street going eastand west working to the south, then the north and south

streets, Cloud to 3rd Ave.City staffasks that you assist aneighbor orfriend. Ifyou need assistance please call City Hall to have your name added to the list A

little help can make abig difference in whether the old piece offurniture or the brush pile gets to the curb. IL)r IU -J

Thank youfor your assistance in maMng " *|Concordia a cleaner place to live!

Questions? Call the City Offices at243-2670.

Sign up for T-Ball Apn' | \%, b%Boys and girls who have turned 5-years-

old before Aug. 1 and did not turn 7 beforeAug. 1 are eligible to participate in Concordia Recreation T-Ball.

Those wanting toplay cansign upat CityHall by May 2. There is a $10 fee.

oO ;LAND FOR SALE§ Lotsl -6S13-18ofBlkrs] ; 18Concordia Original

- !Town-SW of 18thand*^Q ..Spruce. SealedBids,

RTR. accepted thru 4:00• ~ p.m. 4/25/08 at Concordia

*City Hall,701 Washington

785-243-2670.

FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS/RECORDS SPECIALIST I

Police Department

The Concordia Police Departmentis seeking to fill the positionof full-time Communications/RecordsSpecialist I. This position providestwo-way radio communication forpublic safety departments; 911emergency and administrative telephone service for citizens in theCity of Concordia and maintainsagency records. Interested persons must meet the following minimum requirements.

Be at least 18 years of age and aU.S. Citizen. Equivalent of a highschool diploma; no felony convictions; good typing and communication skills; pass a written examination. Computerexperience a plus.Physical examination and drugscreening tests will follow all conditional offers of employment. Experience preferred, but not necessary-


Deadline: The City of Concordiawill accept applications until position is filled. Resume' may be included withcompleted city application form.



An Equal Opportunity Employer I

25 year*ajo ftpP. zo t^jRApril 29, 1983—Mr.1 ancf

Mrs. David Retter were elected

co-presidents of the Washington School Home and School

Association for the 1983-84

school year. . . . The ConcordiaFire Department was presenting Grand Old Opry star, LeRoyVan Dyke in concert at theBrown Grand Theatre. Tickets

were $7.50 In advance.

Part-Time

Animal Control Officer

Police DepartmentThe Concordia Police Department is seeking to fill the position of Part-time Animal ControlOfficer. Interested personsmust meet the following minimum requirements.

Applicants must be at least 18years of age, possess a highschool diploma or equivalent,possess or be able to obtain avalid Class C Kansas Driver'sLicense, and an establishedpersonal driving history that isacceptable for coverage by theCity's insurance carrier. Haveno felony convictions. Physicalexamination and drug screening will follow all conditional offers of employment.

Deadline: City of Concordiawill accept applications until filled. A resume' may be included with completed city application form.

Apply at: The City of Concordia City Clerk's Office, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901.785-243-2670. Reasonable ac

commodations are available for

persons needing assistance.Requests for accommodationsshould be made at the time of

application.


April 17, 2007-ConcordiaJ7«Tr fCaU Ba<*strom fired af» toplace second individuallyin the Abilene Invitational golf^U/?a^ennt Conc°rdia shot566 to finish tied with Chapman for fifth.,.. Concordia citycommission elected CharlesJohnson asthe new mayor andDarrel Hos.e asmayor pro tem

2% , 200%

Seriving timeA group of inmates are serving time in the "Big House" set up in the Concordia Town & Countryparking lot as part of a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Doing their time, from left, are: JohnStates, Danny Parker, Vicki Kopsa, Brian Marks and Dr. Maria Jindra. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

6 Blade-Empire Friday, April 4, 2008T

Legals(Published in the Concordia Blade-Empire on

Friday, April4, 2008)


AN ORDINANCE amending the policies andfees of the City of Concordia with respect toconnection to the city water system and amending the procedures for disconnection and recon-nection of water service; repealing sections 20-1, 20-2 and 20-34 of the Concordia Code, and

amending the Concordia Code, by adding newsections 20-1,20-2 and 20-34.

I BE ITORDAINED by the governing bodyof the City of Concordia, Kansas:

a SECTION 1. Sections 20-1, 20-2, and 20-34 of the Concordia Code are hereby repealed.

SECTION 2. The Concordia Code is

hereby amended by the addition of newSections 20-1, 20-2, and 20-34, as follows:

Sec. 20-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, whenused in this chapter, shall have the meaningsascribed to them in this section, except wherethe context clearly indicates a differentmeaning:

Consumer, customer, or person each mean anyperson or entity whose premises is connectedto the system, and any person or entity who isapplying to have a premises connected orreconnected to the system.

Delinquency means failure to pay for water andsewer service by the due date.Premises means any separately leased orseparately owned part of a structure.

System means the water and sewer system ofthe city.

system at a different premises, no deposit willbe required. '

(d) Responsibility for payment. All charges for1water service shall be the responsibility of thecustomer.

(e) Temporary disconnection and reconnection.A consumer may have water service temporarilydisconnected and reconnected once in anytwelve-month period without charge. Minimumwater and sewer fees will continue to be payable during any such temporary disconnection.

Sec. 20-34. Discontinuance of water serv

ice for failure to pay.(a) If a water bill, sewer service charge or alandfillutilization charge is not paid on or beforethe due date, water service to the premisesshall be discontinued by order of the director ofutilities.

(b) When water service has been discontinuedas authorized in this section, the water service

shall not be resumed until the total amount of all

delinquent water bills, sewer service chargesand landfill utilization charges shall have beenpaid, together with the delinquent penalty provided for in this section and the reconnection

fee provided for in section 20-71.

(c) Prior to discontinuing water service asauthorized in this section, written notice of the

proposed discontinuance shall be given theaffected party advising that water service will be

discontinued unless the total amount of all

delinquent water bills, sewer service chargesand landfill utilization charges plus a penaltyequal to ten percent of all delinquent water bills,sewer service charges and landfill utilizationcharges is received on or before the fifth calen

dar day from and including the date of suchnotice. The notice shall also advise the affected

party that opportunity for a hearing on the delinquent account and proposed discontinuanceexists. Request for hearing must be made tothe director of utilities on or before the fifth cal

endar day from and including the date of thenotice If requested, the hearing willbe held onor before the fifth calendar day from and including the date of the notice prior to the proposed

discontinuance of water service on the sixth cal

endar day from and including the date of thenotice.

Sec. 20-2. Water and sewer connection fee.

(a) Connection fee. Any consumer who appliesfor'and is allowed to connect a premises to thesystem shall pay to the city clerk a fee of$20.00. Any consumer who discontinues service at a premises and applies for and is allowedto connect to the system at a different premisesshall pay to the city clerk a fee of $20.00.

( b) Reconnection fee. Should any consumerhave water or sewer service discontinued tor

failure to pay for sewer or water service, as provided by Section 20-34, to any premises, there

shall be a reconnection fee of $30.00 for recon

nection during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday excluding legalholidays, or a reconnection fee of $60.00 forreconnection at any other time,(c) Prior to the connection of water service toany premises, the consumer requesting theservice shall pay a deposit in the amount of$80.00. The deposit shall be held andaccounted for as required by K.S.A. 12-822 andany amendments thereto. At such time as theconsumer has completed twelve consecutivemonths of payment for water and sewer servicewithout delinquency, the deposit and anyaccrued interest shall be refunded to the cus

tomer. If a consumer who has had a depositrefunded discontinues service at a 'rprefnisWJand applies forand isaMpwedJpjoenpftct t<Mbfel

SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in

full force and effect from and after its passageand publication in the official city newspaper.The provisions hereof are severable, and in theevent of invalidity, for any reason, of any portionof this ordinance, the remaining provisions ofthe ordinance shall remain in full force and

effect, with the invalid provisions deemedexcised.

PASSED by the governing body andsigned by the mayor this 2nd day of April,2008.

Charles B. Johnson, Mayor

ATTEST: "3^j^Cher Knudsen y""*7JInterim City Clerk ^25^



City Attorney

-esT jhfiM bru? nobioO v*1

,,,{•tf

Published in the Concordia Blade-Empire onMay 12,2008)


BE IT RESOLVED by the Governing Body ofthe City of Concordia, Kansas:

WHEREAS, the City offered for sale by sealedbid the following real estate:

Lots One (1), Two (2), Three (3), Four (4), Five(5), Six (6), Thirteen (13), Fourteen (14), Fifteen(15), Sixteen (16), Seventeen (17) andEighteen (18) in Block Eighteen (18) in the Cityof Concordia, Cloud County, Kansas, accordingto the recorded Plat thereof.

AND WHEREAS, the highest bid was submittedby Dale Simpson and Linda Simpson, husbandand wife, in the amount of $2,525.25;

AND WHEREAS, the Governing Body deems ftin the best interests of the City to accept the bidand convey the real estate accordingly;•

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY

THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF

CONCORDIA. KANSAS: i

I ieniorproject mJ^WMlI ogan Copple (left), Jesse Copple (middle) and Ron Copple puttogether a bench at the tennis court that-- ogan made forhis senior project. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

The mayorand the cityclerkare authorized toexecute the attached deed for the purpose ofconveying the above-described real estate onbehalf of the city to Dale Simpson and LindaSimpson, husband and wife.in considerationforthe paymentof the amountbid,andthe citymanager is authorized and directed to takesuch actions as are deemed by htm to be necessaryoradvisable tocomplete thetransaction.

PASSED by the Governing Bodyandsignedbythe Mayor this7th day of May, 2008.

GregoryL. Hattan, Mayor

ATTEST:

Ch6r Knudsen

InterimCity Clerk



City Attorney

City to testf"}*'2"'8flush hydrants

Monday through Friday. 'n,,Ihe T"31 Pr°Sram se"es 'wo purposes, toflush and conduct a maintenance check on allex2y ntS "V^ community. and to force anexcessive flow ofwater through the mains, whichenables the Water Department to get rid of mineral deposits in the mains

Minerals are naturally present in drinkingwater. Low water usage in winter months contributes to the deposit buildup

Throughout the week, residents may experiencewaterdiscoloration. P

The discoloration is not a public health prob-^ lem, butmay bean inconvenience

Prior to doing laundry, residents are urged toinspect the color of the tap water. If discolorationispresent, do not use the washing machine Thewater should clearup in a dayor so

Flushing will begin at6a.m., on Monday andTuesday and at 7 a.m., the rest of the weekflulhf T ap°1°Sizes for a"X inconvenience theflushing may cause and thanks residents fortheir cooperation.

Anyone with questions can call City HallTheflushing schedule is as follows-Monday - Strain Street through Fifth StreetTuesday• -Sixth Street through Seventh Street.

StrTet y " Eighth StreCt thrOUSh 10thea,?nMday ," 'I"* StreCt threu«h 16th Streeteast of Lincoln Street and 11th Street through13th Street west ofLincoln Street

Friday - 16th Street through the Airport east ofLincoln Street and 14th Street through the aouttcity limits west ofLincoln Street.

Tour Fire Department lY\M{ HiTXglTtaer Cubs from Cub Scout Pack 38 recently toured the fire andTmbulan^ facilities. Those in the group were (l-r): Cory Anderson^Cami Anderson, firefighter Jim Wilson, Jesse Copple, and CadeAnderson.

Part-Time

Animal Control Officer

Police DepartmentThe Concordia Police Department is seeking to fill the position of Part-time Animal ControlOfficer. Interested personsmust meet the following minimum requirements.

Applicants must be at least 18years of age, possess a highschool diploma or equivalent,possess or be able to obtain avalid Class C Kansas Driver's

License, and an establishedpersonal driving history that isacceptable for coverage by theCity's insurance carrier. Haveno felony convictions. Physical

examination and drug screening will follow all conditionaloffers of employment. i'

Deadline: City of Concordia'will accept applications until filled. A resume' may be included with completed city application form.

Apply at: The City of Concordia City Clerk's Office, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901.785-243-2670. Reasonable accommodations are available for

persons needing assistanceRequests for accommodationsshould be made at the time of

application.

!t\xu <3. 2oOc!An Equal Opportunity Employer

25 years agoMay 21, 1983—Mary Ann

Palmquist received a letter ofappreciation from the City ofConcordia for her eight years ofservice on the Frank CarlsonLibrary board of trustees. . . .Darren Lee Dreiling and KaraJane Kocher were married at

the Our Lady of Perpetual HelpCatholic Church In Concordia.

Flushing it outCity of Concordia employee flushes a fire hydrant Tuesdaymorning. The cityis flushing and testing thehydrants throughoutthe week. (Blade photo byJay Lowell)

r^M Four10 to 13-year-old girls

for A-Team Concordia Recreation SoftballCall Tom@City Hall for more information

785-243-2670Moy g.),2floP|

Dear Editor, Ûni L?, 2.00%I wrote a letter to the editor last week; and, for some reason,

they didn't print it.I want the public to know what a great bunch they have on the

ambulance crew. We had to call 911. They were here as soon aspossible. They did everything they could do and showed my family so much caring. I will never forget how hard they tried to savemy husband. •''

Neva Demanett

Concordia

5 years ago June. £,, ZOOgJune 6, 2003—Concordia

city commission approved aconditional use permit forChado's Body Shop to movefrom 901 Lincoln to 924 E. 6th.. . . Joel Timme, Concordia,was awarded second place inthe state for Division 1 in theCloud County Farm BureauSafety Poster Contest.

10 yean ago Olurt^/? 10$June 9, 1998—The Concor

dia city commission took underconsideration a developmentagreement which would lead toa $1 million expansion projectby F&A Food Sales and the creation of 22 new Jobs In thecommunity. . . . Troy AllenWilloughby and JewellElizabeth Trueblood

announced their May 23 wedding, which took place at theSt. Joseph Catholic Church.

Patchwork 0>un£ 23 «Zo0Ôity ofConcordia employeeJim Metro worksto patch a roughspot in the street Monday morning. (BladeDhoto by Jay Lowell)

Legals ûne ZOvlDC^(Published intheBlade-Empire on Friday, June

20, 2008.)


AN ORDINANCE changing the zoningclassification of certain specifically describedproperty in the City of Concordia, Kansas,ordering the official CityZoning DistrictMap tobe changed to reflect such amendments; andamending Section 3-201 of Article 3 of theZoning Ordinance for the City of Concordia,Kansas.

WHEREAS, specific amendment to theZoning Ordinance for the City of Concordia,Kansas, has been proposed by the PlanningCommission of the City of Concordia, Kansas;

and

WHEREAS, the said PlanningCommission duly published a notice of publichearing in the Concordia Blade-Empire, onMay6,2008, fixing the hearing date as May 27,2008, at 7:00 p.m., and settingout the place ofsaid meeting, the amendment proposed, andthe affected legat description; and

WHEREAS,written notice of the proposedamendment was mailed to all owners of landlocated within 200 feet in the city limits of thearea proposed to be altered, and to all ownersoiland located withtfThpOQ teflm^JjaJhtnlor-lporated Cloud CountyoYthe' area 'propoVed tobe altered; and

WHEREAS, on May 27, 2008, at the timeand place designated, the PlanningCommission, witha quorum present met, heldthe public hearing and voted unanimously torecommend the adoption of said proposedamendment,

WHEREAS, more than 14 days haveexpired since the date of conclusion of saidpublic hearing and no protest againstsaidproposedamendment has been filed inthe office ofthe City Clerk:

NOW, THEREFORE, Be it Ordained bythe Governing Body of the Cityof Concordia,Kansas:

SECTION 1. That having received arecommendation from the PlanningCommission, the zoning classification or districts of the lands legally described hereby arechanged as follows:

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:

A tract of land in the Northwest Quarter (NW1/4) of Section Nine (9). Township Six (6)South, Range Three (3) West of the 61hPrincipal Meridian in the City of Concordia,Cloud County, Kansas,morefully described as;Commencing at the Southwest corner of theNorthwestQuarter (NW 1/4) of said Section 9-6-3; thence North 00 Degrees 23 Minutes 59Seconds East along the west line of said NW1/4 for distance of 528.55 feet to the Point ofBeginning; thence South 89 Degrees 19Minutes 56 Seconds East for a distance of1029.56 feet; thence North 18 Degrees 40Minutes 52 Seconds East for a distance of2166.66 feet, to the south rightof way line ofCollege Drive, a street in the Blosser SkylineAddition — Phase 1 Plat; thence North 70Degrees 26 Minutes 00 Seconds West, alongthe south right ofwaylineof College Drive foradistance of 80.01 feet; thence continuing along

said south right of way line with a curve turningto the right wiih an arc length of 223.41 feet,wilh a radius of 390.00', with a chord bearing ofNorth 52 Degrees 51 Minutes 19 SecondsWest, with a chord length of 220:37 feet; thencecontinuing on said right of way line, North 36Degrees 26 Minutes39 Seconds West for a distance of 19.47 feet to the east boundary of theCollege HillAddition, thence South 18 Degrees40 Minutes 52 Seconds West along the eastline of said College HillAdditionfor a distanceof 830.12 feet, to the southeast corner of saidCollege Hill Addition; thence North89 Degrees08 Minutes 28 Seconds West along the southboundary of the CollegeHill Addition for a distance of 1185.00 feet to the west line of the NW1/4 of Section 9-6-3; thence South 00 Degrees

23 Minutes 59 Seconds West along said westline for a distance of 1447.44 feet; to the Pointof Beginning, having an area of 2051615.13square feet, or 47.10acres, which includes0.83acres of Public Road Right of Way.

Be and is hereby changed and re-zoned from"R-1" Low Density Residential District, to"P" Public Use District.

SECTION 2. That the boundaries of the"P" district are hereby amended to include theproperty described in Section 1 of this ordinance; and the boundaries of the "R-1" districtareir^$&q(te*iPPd as being ^mefiiiexclude theproperty described inSectfOrMthis ordinance.

SECTION 3. The official City ZoningDistrict Map shall be updated to retlect theamendments described in Section 1 of this ordinance, and to alter and amend the boundariesof the affected zoning districts as described inSection 2 of this ordinance.

SECTION 4. Thai Section 3-201 of Article2 of the Zoning Ordinance is herebyamendedto include the above zoning district amend

ments and the officialCity Zoning DistrictMap,as amended, are hereby reincorporated in thesaid Zoning Ordinance for the City ofConcordia, Kansas.

SECTION 5. That all ordinances or sec

tions of ordinances in conflict herewith are

repealed.

SECTION 6. That this ordinance shalltake effect and be in force from and after itspassage and publication as provided bylaw.

PASSED bythe Commission, this18thday ofJune 2008.

Gregory L. Hattan, Mayor

ATTEST;

Cher Knudsen

Interim City Clerk



City Attorney

1 COUNTRY H(

Commission votes to table resolutionBy Jessica LeDucBlade staff writer

In a relatively short meeting, theConcordia CityCommission voted4-1to table the only resolution on theagenda.

The resolution, to establish creditcard accounts, was tabled until theJune 18 meeting, with CommissionerDarrel Hosie casting the dissentingvote.

City Manager Mark Skiles said hedidnot like the debitcard system thecity had implemented, and felt thatcredit cards would be safer.

"With creditcards, youget a statement monthly and all the chargesarelisted," he said. "Debit cards aremaybe less secure because they hityour account immediately."

Skiles said having credit cardaccounts would provide an additionalsystem of checks and balances onexpenditures.

CommissionerCheryl Lanoue saidshe wasn't opposed to using creditcards. But, she said, she wanted tosee a policy in place before authorizing their use. She said employeesshould berequired toturninreceiptson purchases, and personal use

should be prohibited."If theydon'tturn in receipts, then

the employee should be heldpersonally liable for it," she said.

Skiles said most cities with creditcards have those guidelines.

Hosie said from what research hehad done, he found credit cards weresafer than debit cards. He said thecity should start using the cards,"under good faith," andapprove a policy at the next meeting.

Mayor Greg Hattan said he wouldlike to see a policy in place beforegoing ahead with credit card use.

"Givenour track record, I think it'sa good idea to spell out their use witha policy," Hattan said.

He agreed with Lanoue that thosewhouse the cards be required to turnin their receipts.

Commissioner Charles Johnsonalso agreed with the receipt clause,and asked that the policy also spellout the maximum number of cardsthe city would have.

Skiles said he and city staff candraft a policy, and that making theswitch to cj-edit cards didn't have tobe done immediately.

Hosie sa|d it seemed the Commis-

sioners was creating a "lot of busywork." and that if credit cards weresafer, they should switch to themimmediately.

The Commission will revisit theissue at the June 18 meeting.

The Commission also voted toapprove moving forward with a performance audit.

During Skiles' report, he said hehad contacted four firms to performthe audit, but was waiting to hearback from them on timeframe andcost.

Rather than waiting on a cost estimate. Hosie moved that city staffmake arrangements for a performance audit to cover the accountingand financial departments for the lastfive years.

Hattan said he is in favor of anaudit, but clarified that the Commission's approval of the motion did notauthorize entering into any contract.Once an auditor is chosen, the Commission will have to approve a contract.

Also during Skiles' manager report,he toldthe Commission that golf cartshave never been legal on city thoroughfares. His comment stemmed

from last month's ordinance, whichpermitted the use of work site vehicles, but reiterated that golf cartsareillegal on city streets.

"Golfcarts have never been legal inConcordia," Skiles said. "We put thatin there to remind peopleof that."

Johnsor showed a state statuteallowing for low speed vehicles, andsaid that applied to golf carts, too.Skiles and City Attorney Larry Urisaid that didn't apply to golfcarts.When Johnson asked if Concordiacould implement a charter ordinanceto allowgolfcarts, Uri said it couldn'tHe cited an attorney general opinion,which stated the city of Ellinwoodcouldn't charter out of the ordinance.

"Acity can't charter out from undera traffic ordinance because they areuniform across the state." Uri said.

Hattan asked Skiles if he hadreceived any complaints about thedust blowing at the Everton Energyethanol plant site.

Larry Remmenga, utilities director,said Kansas Department of Healthand Environment had met with Everton officials on Tuesday.The issue Isbeing dealt with by KDHE.

(see Resolutionon page 8)

(continued from page 1)Johnson asked if anything

/ hadbeen done aboutthespeedlimit around Hood Park.

Police Chief Danny Parkersaid officers had done a two-week survey of the area, anddidn't find high incidence ofspeeding. He said If they wereto change the speed limit in theblock surrounding the park,that is viewed as a speed trap,which isn't legal.

Skiles said the problem ispeople who park along thecurbs by the park, and children darting out into the street.

During staff comments, RonCopple. public works director,reported that milland overlayswill begin soon. The first project, 11th Street, from Willow tothe west city limits, Elmhurstfrom 10th to 11th, is scheduledto start today.

The mill and overlay of 6thStreet, he said, will be done atnight, so as to not disruptdowntown business operations.

During public comments,Armand Balthazor was back to

continue talking about dilapidated houses In town. Heshowed pictures ofstructures -on 6th Street, near the CloudCounty Museum Annex - thatneed to be addressed. He saidonce the Whole Wall project iscompleted, those houses willdetract from It.

He also asked that something be done with three houses on Valley, between 5th and6th streets. He suggested thecityworkout a dealwith property owners to get them to remedy the problem:"

"Let's do something," hesaid. "Let's enforce the laws orraise their taxes. Haveyou everraised taxes on a shack? Thatmight motivate them to dosomething."

Hattan suggested Balthazorgive Bruno Rehbein. buildinginspector, his list of houses, so •he couldadd them to the city's"hit list."

The Commission adjournedto a study session, discussinga demolition program, nuisance abatements and goal setting.

Commission approves zoning change!By Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

In the only item of businessWednesday, the Concordia CityCommission approved a zoningchange for Cloud County Community College.

The change, from R-1 (residentiallow density) to public use, involvesland to the south and east of the col

lege.Bruno Rehbein, planning com

mission secretary, told Commissioners the original plan for the land wasfor a wind turbine. But, because of

Federal Aviation Association regulations, the turbine can't be erected so

close to the airport.Rehbein said the college went

through with the change anyway,which will allow for other education

ally based activities. The zoningchange, he said, makes the propertycompatible to school uses.

Laura Robertson, with the Salina

Airport Authority, gave a presentation to the Commission on Great

Lakes Airlines.

The airline, which began servicefrom Salina in March, serves onlyrural communities.

"Great Lakes is built to serve

rural communities," she said. "It is

the leading airline that serves onlyrural communities."

With flights to both Denver andKansas City, Robertson said the airline had 350 passengers last month.The airline also has ticket and baggage agreements with most airlines,she said.

One of the benefits of Great Lakes'

local service, Robertson explained,is that it saves both time and gas. Byflying, passengers .can skip a longcar drive to Kansas City, as well assave on high-priced gasoline andparking.

"We can get you there cheaperthan a speeding ticket," Robertsonsaid, quoting the CEO of GreatLakes.

If a passenger books a flight 30days in advance, a one-way ticket toKansas City is $69, and $109 toDenver.

Kirk Lowell, executive director of

CloudCorp, said having a local airservice is nothing but a benefit toeconomic development.

"It can be a very positive thing forus in recruiting businesses to our

community," he said.During Commissioner Com

ments, Charles Johnson asked if it

is true that three shotguns havebeen stolen from Concordia Police

Department cars.That is true, said Police Chief

Danny Parker, but it was not publicly reported because he preferredthe "bad guys didn't know about it,so they wouldn't try it again."

"We are investigating the issue,"Parker said. "I saw no benefit bypublicizing that case. In fact, wedon't publicize all cases. A lot of thetime, that's at the request of the victim because they don't want theirname in the paper."

Both Parker and City ManagerMark Skiles said they weren't tryingto hide anything.

Johnson also requested to see aninventory of what was at the department. Skiles said it was his opinionthat he didn't want everyone knowing what sort of fire power thedepartment has.

"Well, it's a little difficult to sit uphere and manage things when youdon't know what you have, or what'sgoing on," Johnson said.

Parker said the situation was

remedied by providing each patrqlcar with its own key to unlock theshotguns.

During staff comments, JamesBuller, with the Concordia Fire

Department, reported on severalfirefighters' time spent assisting inChapman.

Last week, after the tornado hit, a

number of departments from acrossthe state were called in to assist.Buller, Jim Menard, Nick Girard,and Derek Champlin all traveled toChapman with an ambulance and arescue truck.

"By the time we got there, therewere so many ambulances alreadythere, it was amazing to see theresponse," Buller said.

The four firefighters did a complete search of a three block by threeblock area, which was the hardest

hit of the town. They went house tohouse, checking homes and vehicles, searching for anyone who hadbeen Injured.

"Honestly, with a lot of them(houses), there wasn't much left of

them to search," Buller said,

(see Zoning on page 8)

all\1 o cu

%%3 •

•si b a -si -s3 3 S

6 8 a £•*

s £3° c 2

•c SI'S°* O>, cu o CO

•O O O 4h

+J "S cucd B J3c 3 S -1

•a B 10

.2 m o" to

c-22„

in-; m uo x "S u<a o & i_

ag-C ? x>3 X! G8 a «o fj 00

•2 - c3 to u

m- n ti

5 E n > «<« c a 1-0 « £. . u

*J U " 1. he j3 -3 « ficu ccj cti

" ^ " . »,

£•§££ =S - •& «

ii 'C 'o

2 B S§ •a iJ S -

« S .*> -g 5 'o c

73 go 2ffl j;

Z P

a••••4

c©

is<u si

G w

•§ coD3

CO

So „i) •£

g, b ^3Bo50 "O

•O O o

a u

|BC

o C 3

2 B

a a•a T3

+J <*•* •£

c?8

1-8

c ^•a 23 <o

||n ^ coB *3s s s

« cd 3

_ BO l«"5 2 o

cflCU CO

S.B

Is §an e

1-S 0P°

O v c

.3 ss. * B3 M CQ C o

B<5

•C'S'O « cj ° tu 3 -fi ^ J2 ^5 ^

o -o o "^

U b J3 o •%

xi 2

Spfi|J5a a g •XI rd P •

'o 8S

« odea SM ^3; O X!

3"cJ

q13

c o 5 uu c r c

•a

3 ii «5X! cu i*« .,

S 8 fjgia a % b o

•or u*3

"8 5- to

IIIli o

jf*4111» B v

p.» « S*• js a

£°-Z,s °• g!^ o cn 8 rta. 3 cu

a. S3

1 =a;

C cu « js a £o xi .2 > cu £Sou C X! r

s.a

•y CO C<3 o 'to I •

to 3O O

rt c8°

B|SIC r_)

a VS x! e

•2 S ..

c eo

CO

3 T3

_ X!

CO

'S'a B « -CO

o rt p

fj n ^.xi wi >^ j

"8 3"2S" !A! O u 3

CO XI rj Ocfl rt +3 o

u u a

B.5.S

a-3 i:

"3 T.£ 3>3

. . U 1-1

UflS

-a -^ o

S cd

n "I

•on uC tu

3 ccfl rt

' J3

B 21 o .2 •

l_ tu 4J v, CO +j

rt c gO B. .5-53

&.

u .S w £

C T3 cu •« C fj

3X. §

3 cu -a0 x; a :

U co 3cu _ Xi

5 =**j 3 Oca o o

t »°"* cu2

> oO cu

§1

(0 C III

.t w u8-so3 TS i.

8» >•ID-a|1 u «

OJ •

2^cu 2,0° J) CO

Cfl CO ^3 ^ OXI ed.b..p_3 CO •S

cu t4

1 a

Legals

-^^^.M£V*4*

(Published intheBlade-Empim onFriday,July 11,2008)


BEIT RESOLVED bytlMgqvemihg body oltheCity ol Concordia, Kansas:

WHEREAS, on May7, 2008,at a regularmeeting duly called and held, the governingbody adopted Resolution No. 2008-1807,whereby it was ordered that it owner ot thefollowing-described trad:

The premises located at 833 E. 6th Street.Concordia. Kansas, and more completelydescribed as:

LotEighteen (18) in Block Three(3)in Drake'sAddition totheCity olConcordia, Cloud County,Kansas, according totherecorded plat thereof.

failed to commence the repair or, removal, ordemolition of the dangerousstructurethereononorbefore June7, 2008, orfailed todiligentlyprosecute the same until the work was completed, the governing body would cause thestructureto be repaired or removed;

AND WHEREAS, Resolution No 2008-1807was published inthe official citypaperonMay 9, 2008,and was served on each owner,agent, lienholder or occupant at the last knownaddress by certified mail, return receiptrequested, marked "deliver to addresseeonly;"

AND WHEREAS, the owner has tailed to:ommence the repair or removal of the saidstructure;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,BYTHEGOVERNING BODYOFTHECITYOFCONCORDIA. KANSAS:

SECTION 1. Thecity manager is herebyauthorized and directed to forthwith cause thesaid structureto be razed and removed.

SECTION 2. Thisresolution shall be published onceinthe official citypaper.

PASSED by the governing body andsigned bytheMayor this2nddayofJuly, 2008.

Gregory L Hattan, Mayor

ATTEST:

CheY Knudsen

InterimCity Clerk

Trying to keep up X,l\J 2^i 2O0£With recent rains making it adifficult task, city of Concordia employee Josh Brown attempts to keep upon the mowing at Pleasant Hill Cemetery Tuesday morning. (Blade photo by Jay Lowell)

APPROVED AS TO FORM:Lawrence R. Uri, Jr.CityAttorney

w Fun in the Sunwith your Little One!

Ages: Infant - Preschool(Adultparticipation required)

Noon • Mondays & Wednesdays

Starts July 21stt)iAu 22 Concordia Municipal Swimming Pool" "^Qt $1.00 Admission

11 a.m.

V&GET INVOLVEDIN TOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Itisthe intent ofthe Concordia City Commission to involve qualified citizensin thegoverning process. Tothatend,theCommission announces that

vacancies doexiston thefollowing board.Interested applicants must beresidents ofCloud ("minty.

AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD

Ifyou are interested in serving the community by becoming amember ofthisboard, please come by City Hall and obtain an Expression ofInterest Form..To be considered for the above appointment, you must return acompleted

Expression of Interest Form to the City Clerk's office nn later than 4:00 pmon Tuesday. July 29. 7008

Allmembers of boards, commissions andcommittees serve withoutcompensation.

Forms and more information are available inthe City Clerk's Office, P.O.Box603,701 Washington Street, Concordia, Kansas 66901.

Ifyou have questions, please call the City Clerk's Office at 243-2670.

CotiootdiasFireworks DisplayThursday, July 3rd

Concordia Qports Complex- DONATIONS ARE NEEDED -

Please contact or e-mail the Chamber ofCommerceBve-RifONB rnvrrsvl

Concordia Rotary Club will be serving_

Pie & Ice Cream.8:00-9:30 p.m.

;oncordia Sports Complex &ALCO parking lotPie, $1.50 •Ice Cream, 75<f •Combination, $2.00

' Loofefot tU red. born &tke troveW| gotf carts!All donations helpfund nex, year's fimwrks display &JowyYo*h program.

Blade-Empire Thursday, July 31, 2008 7

(Published in the Blade-Empire on Thursday, July 31, 2008 )

FUNDS

„;,.. Concordia Recreation

Back. To* SoRo^

SwiwiPorty

'r

100 General Fund

203 Industrial Development

205 Special Highway206 D.A.R.E. Grant

207 Civil Asset Forfeiture

208 Cyber Crimes209 Employee Health Cant

210 Employee Benefit212 EmergencyTelephoneSystem214 Animal Shelter217 Special Parkand Recreation219 Capital Improvement220 Downtown devitalization Grant221 Computer Equipment/Replacement222 Vehicle Equipment Reserve Acct.

223 BA.T. Reserve Fund224 City HallCommunity Room230 Judges TrainingFund240 Kansas E911 Grant243 911 Wireless

250 Fire DepL Grant*260 Animal Trust Fund270 Cemetery Endowment290 Recreation Grants S Donations301 Bond and Interest

303 Tax Increment Bond Fund444 TIF Projects450 Capital Improvement Projects501 Street Projects505 Demo & Misc. City Projects506 Storm Water Drainage507 Curb t Gutter Projects608 OrphanTrain DepotRestoration550 Central Garage Fund601 WWerfSewer General606 Designated WaterConnectFees607 Water/Sewer Projects611 CityofConcordia Memorial Fund630 Airport Fund701 Inventory Revolving702 Tree Planting Program703 Escrow Fund

710 Port Fire Debris Removal

725 COC Cafeteria Plan735 UbraryFund736 LibraryEmployeeBenefit750 Continuing Econ.Development Grant780 Cloud County Landnl802 Water Protection Fund

TOTALS

LIABILITIES:

General ObligationBonds

Lease

TIF GO Bond

TOTAL

f„ Escrow Account Btoseer Airport United Bank

2<f,0?

MwfcHe Sc/ioo/, Junior High &Senior High Students ONLY

Tuesday, August 5th7:30 -9:30 p.m.

Goncordia Municipal Swimming PoolSnack Bar will be open

.1/ yj/ 4- >i< >L<^±tLiiL?Lt;l'-^k~^k~»~!k--»r%cAffirftr%cftr%r%r%* ,7-'"-'.- 'T- '7-'.- '^

F>Tv

I.RubyL.Maine,do herebycertifythattheabove statement is correct

CITY OF CONCORDIA, KANSASTREASURER'S QUARTERLY REPORT

FORTHEPERIOO FROM April1,2001THROUGH June 30.20M

1st Quarter

Ending Pott ClosingAdjustments

BEGINNING

BALANCES

AS ADJUSTED

$8,227.53

$0.00

$0.00

$50.00

$0.00

$0.00

-SI 55.65$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$2,577.65$0.00

$0.00

$746.BS

$0.00

$000

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00$0.00

$0.00$0.00

$304.91

$0.00

$0.00

-$37.61$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$2,249.10$0.00

$0.00

$1,280.208 82$7,056.35

$151,467.99

$1,319.44

$4,140.21

$769.81

$139,647.18

$7,405.77

$100,273.15$5,024.98

$35,544.18

$792,759.49$6,345.66

$18,166 03

$563,951.32

$3,659.70

$25.00

$3,027.49$199.72

$51,492.56S2.660.27

$33,396.26

$37,231.99

$7,349.74

$127,778.64$187.70153

$34,908.61

-$21,600.00$24,131.64

$17,038.48

$0.00

$1,092.09

-$282.47

-S20.995.17$641,035.39

136,563.64$28,051.97

$5,355.77$2,943.29S6.200.41

$721.36

$10,000.00$5,125.61

$15,209.87$5,522.43$1,692.81

$255,692.09$3,623.57$4,976.69_

$4.64 Jt

SI.271,981.29$7,056.35

S151.4S7.99$1,269.44

$4,140-21$769.81

SI 39.802.83$7,405.77

$100,273.15$5,024.98

$35,544.18$792,759.49

$6,345.66

$18,168.03$583,951.32

$3,859.70$25.00

$3,027.49

$199.72

$46,914.93

$2,680.27$33,396.26

S36.465.14

$7,349.74

$127,776.64

$167.70153$34,906.61

-$21,600.00

$24,131.64

$17,036.48

$0.00

$1,092.09

-$282.47•$20,995.17$640,730.48

S36.563.64S26.051.97

$5,393.38

$2,943,29$6,200.41

$721.36

S10.000.00

$5,125.81

$15,209.67

S5.522.43$1,692.81

$253,442.99$3,623.57$4.876.69

U.m.MQ.30 H3.tt2.78

EXPENDITURES

ENDMG

BALANCES

$1,539,474.89$22,080.58

$163,347.87$1,919.44$3,091.86

$171.81$123,297.59 .

$0.00

$103,129.97

$5,044.96$37,627.28

$792,759.49$6,345.66

$10,872.86$541,822.98

$3,659.70

$0.00

$2,428.99

$199.72

S56.364.35$943.86

$39,756.36$37,231.99

$7,349.74$189,002.92$520,076.66

$34,908.61

$20,462.20$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

-$15,551.71$690,951.63

$43,082.41$26,051.97

$6,181.37-$3,629.81

-$252.43

$15.00

$10,000.00$27.85

$3,803.63$0.00

$0.00

$264,339.14S4.329.76$5,644.31

$2,858,729.17

15,022.2342.969.96

700.00

0.00

50.00

132.674.58

0.00

3.515.40

120.00

2.083.10

0.00

0.00

648.00

5.737.88

0.00

0.00

1.657.50

0.00

5.159.470.00

6,760.10

0.00

0.00

61.226.28378.514.B1

0.00

42.262.200.00

0.00

0.00

0,00

1,000.00

72.926.33338.975.20

4.542.390.00

825.60

29,805.560.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

1,450.6838.205.3010.04552

8,647.0554,966.22

$2,599,463.100 00

31.11008

100 00

1,048.35

648 00

149,024.17

7.405.77

5,658.56

100.00

0.00

000

0.00

7.943.17

48,066.20

0.00

25.00

2.256.00

0.00

287.70

1.936.39

400.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

46.139.36

0.00

0.00

24.131.64

17,038.46

0.00

1.092.09

717.53

67,482.87

280.056.78

43.62

0.00

0.X

36.378.66

6,452.64

706.36

0.00

5,097.96

12,856.92

43.727.7311,738.03

0.00

54,280.031.360.66

4 1M.m.4» 3.4t4.776.07 5.M7J66.79

CASH AVAILABLE:0 Citizens &Peoples Exchange 3.241,322.73

2.066.042.97

4.S26JO«.00 TOTAL

RubyL\Maim*, CityTreasurer VMU*

City audit approved, rejected then tabledBy Jessica LeDuc

Blade Sttaff Writer

First it was approved, then it wasrejected, and finally, the ConcordiaCity Commission voted to table the2007 audit, which was presentedWednesday night.

At first. Mayor Greg Hattan votedwith Commissioners Darrel Hosieand Joe Jindra to accept the audit.But, the mayor didn't call the vote,because he said he realized he wasn'tvoting on accepting the auditor'swork. Then the Commission votedagain, and this time. Hattan votedwith Commissioners Cheryl Lanoueand Charles Johnson to reject theaudit, on a 3-2 vote.

Hattan, Lanoue and Johnson thencast the only three votes to put offapproving the audit until mistakesthey'd pointed out were corrected.Hosie and Jindra abstained from voting on that motion.

While Doug Glenn, with Mayer,Hoffman, McCann. P.C., told Commissioners the city's financial statements were fairly presented andmaterially correct, he did point out asignificant deficiency in internal con

Audit(continued from page 1)Bruno Rehbein, city build

ing inspector, said the school

3fS TIBq/SnoA "pu-tPs5isuSioj~M sajEdpijjed pue qjno^[o uoueidossv sesuejj aqjo jsquraui e 'raqoBy jo spuaujo juapisajd st aqg -^ooeJ! juapisajd aoiA A[ joijisiq;b paAjas aqs UDHJAv Eouauiy jo^apea-i ssauisng ajnmj jo jsq-uiaui b si aqg ^002 ui urejdBo-oo puE 9oos ui urejdBO urea}3BA\ puE SuipEarjaaqa sAofua

eoud ojpuDxeiv

trols.

That deficiency centered aroundone individual-the director offinance, a position held by RubyMaline- having too much financialresponsibilities. Since November2007, Maline has prepared themonthly bank reconciliations, inaddition to having full access to thegeneral ledger,accounts payable andcash functions, and is a designatedcheck signer.

To properly segregate the duties,Glenn said, there needs to be anindependent review of the bank reconciliations, monthly bank statements, and general ledger entries.

City Manager Mark Skiles saidMaline would no longer be a designated check signer, and he willreview the montlily bank statements.Maline will continue to conduct thebank reconciliations.

But, it wasn't the significant deficiency that raised red flags for Hattan, Lanoue and Johnson, it waserrors in numbers that led to thethree rejecting the audit.

For almost 45 minutes, Hattanand Lanoue questioned variances in

by department heads.Tom Tuggle and Tim Parker

gave an update on a portion oftK^ OU^J.. I „],„ 1—. .. ,

.i^TJ I OO A\0H„ SutS 01 SUE[daqs Uaquinu :)uarei jaq JOj'aOVS jo Jaquiam b si osre aqg•3pB.ii puE FreqisijsBq 'IIBqA"ar-]0A ui sajBdpiyed puE dnojguainqQ AdWIT '-noqa jiaouoo'aojoj JISVX A"runoo pno[3 aqjjo -iaquiaui b si aqg gurqoEaiin J33JE0 e ansjnd puB agar-I°0 A^runurtuoo Ajunoo pno[opuajjE oi suEid aqg rooqogq§!H Eipjoouoo spuajjB•35TEH ApUiO PUB poy 3JB SJU3-.reddjqsupt asoqM 'vpjjjng

JAq auejAJBrAEjj puE snqprAi T aiuEqdajg'30IJJ qB3T BjpuBxary '^saqoSPEW BDissop 'pooH uAqoyail-rsM 'puEITinO 3I00JN Ajo|[eiai•J}33(jna auuA^ nne a.re Aaqxsazud diqsjBioqas puE arjj}

aqi joi gunadtuoo aq rriA\ ubsa"[ooqos guiuioo aqj JOi sromas[ooqos qgiq ire 'spig uaAag

'BipjOOUOQ

ui a_i}Eaqx PUBJQ UA\ojg aq}JB 'gg Xinp 'AEpjivjEs "ui'd LIEguiJJBJS '900Z 33UIS UlBjgojJdmsjBiouaQ ssiiai jomnr isj

the numbers, and why transfersfrom one fund to another didn'tmatch.

Glenn said he stood behind theaudit.

"Wefeel it was fairly presented," hesaid. "If you want those numbers,you'll have to get them from staff.We're comfortable with what we did."

In weeks past, the Commissionhas decided to move forward with amore detailed audit of the city. Hattan asked Glenn If that was something his firm could provide. Glennexplained that he provides a detailedfinancial statement, and it's not hisscope to audit city operations.

Skiles said the purpose of thisaudit was to make the city's internalchecks and balances better.

"The purpose of it isn't to show methat each penny is in the right spot,it's that all our pennies are there,"Skilessaid. This will make our operations better. I appreciate Doug(Glenn) pointing out our problems,and we're going to fix them."

Following the presentation andvoting fiasco, Maline read herresponse to the audit. In the past.

she said, it was the standard for oneperson to write and sign the checks,make the deposits, reconcile bankstatements, and doadjustingjournalentries.

"The City Manager and I have discussed this issue and feel that having someone from anotherdepartment who does not report tomyself or the cityclerktakemyplaceas a check signer will strengthencontrols in that area," Maline said.

Maline listeda number ofchangesshe has implemented, as well assome coming in the future. She hasclosed funds, and is working onaccurate tracking and reporting ofcity assets.

In other business, the Commission gave its approval to a zoningchange for Concordia Jr./Sr. HighSchoolfromresidential to public use.

The change in zoning originallycame about because of USD 333'sdesire to erect a wind turbine onschool property. The location of theturbine was then moved to the football field, which didn't need to berezoned.

(see Audit on page 8)

NOTICE ^\^mYy^"•The City of Goncordia-is planningwstart-seah'rig'streets'July 31, 2008.The contractorwill notify the propertyown

ers at the time they are in that area. The streets will beopened two to four hoursafter being sealed, depending uponthe weather. The City is asking the adjacentproperty owners

to not park on the sealed streets for 24 hours.

For more information, contact Don Dean at 243-1755,or Ron Copple at 243-2670.

13th, Lincoln to Olive Street, 12th, Lincoln to Olive Street,Archer, 6th to 17th Street, Cedar 7th to 18th Street, 7th, Matthewto east end of Complex, 8th, State to Matthew Street, 9th, Lincoln

to Matthew, 5th, Kansas to ValleyStreet, 5th, Davies Dr. to 3rdAve., Broadway, 7th to 13th Street, Washington, 7th to 13thStreet, Willow, 5th to 11th Street, Olive, 5th to 17th Street,

Republican 5th to 11th Street, State, 7th to 11thStreet, State, 11thto Campus Drive and Republican Street, Matthew, 5th to 10thStreet, Spruce, 11th to 15th Street, Kansas, 6th to 9th Street,

Hillside Drive, Valley,4th to 11th Street, Elmhurst, 8th to 9thStreet, Church, 7th to 11th Street, 6th, Cedar to 3rd Avenue, 1st

Avenue, 5th to 9th Street, 2nd Avenue, 6th to 9th Street, 10th andWillow to Lincoln Street.

CITY OF CONCORDIA

Customer Relations

This full time position involvesa wide variety of tasks and administrative support work in theCity Clerk/Finance Office. Theprimary responsibility of thisposition is to respond to citizeninquiries, take messages, refercalls, nuisance abatements,accounts receivable billing, assisting with accounts payableand entering receipts into thecomputer. This position in-ivolves clerical tasks and a variety of duties which follow wellestablished methods- and procedures. This position requiresteamwork with co-workers in

the administrative and finance

offices.

This applicant must be at least18 years of age, have theequivalent of a high school diploma, no felony convictions,and prior work experience inbusiness procedures. Physicalexamination and drug screening test will follow all conditional offers of employment.

Deadline: City of Concordiawill accept applications untilposition is filled. Resume' maybe included with completed cityapplication form.

Apply at: The City of Concordia City Clerk's Office, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901,785-243-2670. Reasonable ac

commodations are available for

persons needing assistance.Request for accommodationsshould be made at the time of

application.


JriffitSl- W,200&

i

mr\UAU,%fr WlV*l

A lookat those who risktheir lives toprotect ours ...

I OtfUCK NO NDQTRFChuck Nondorf has been a part of the

Concordia Fire Department for 15 years,having started as a volunteer in 1993.In October 1996, he became a full time

employee and he was promoted to captainlast month. Nondorf is EMTI and

Firefighter 2 certified. He works in 24-hour shifts and, when not on calls, doesbuilding inspection and pre-plans, doesminor maintenance and helps to educateyouth about fire safety and prevention.

As a volunteer, Nondorf received in-

house training through former Concordiafire chief, Bob Burns. In 1995, he receivedhis firefighter I certificate through theUniversity of Kansas Fire and RescueTraining Institute. In 1994, he receivedhis EMT certification from former firefighter, Willie Higgins.

In 2004, he received his EMTI certificate

at Belleville from Michael Guy of Ft. Riley.Having this certification allows him tostart IVs on patients when necessary.

Further training at the University ofKansas Fire and Rescue Training Instituteresulted in his becoming firefighter 2 anddriver/operator certified.Always looking for ways to learn and better himself, Nondorf now is enrolled in a Fire Inspector I class, which will start in February, inHays.

Nondorf grew up in Courtland and graduated from Pike ValleyHigh School. He went to autobody school in Manhattan and has worked as an auto body tech, construction laborer and readymix truck driver, but did not find any of these jobs as satisfying as his work with the firedepartment.

"I like meeting and helping people," Nondorf said.One vivid memory Nondorf has as a firefighter was in June 1997 when the Perfect Touch (now

Essentials) at 118 West 6th, burned. He was working as a backup for nozzleman Larry Eubankson the second floorof the building.The fire was between the downstairs ceilingand the upstairsflooring. WhenEubanks' lowair alarm went off, they exitedthe building. Fiveminutes later, theroof of the building collapsed and went down to the second floor.

His oldest son, Tyler, nominated him for "America's Most Wanted All Stars" for his work on thisfire, and he was interviewed by phone.

Nondorfis married to the former Samantha Goff, and they celebrated their one year anniversaryin June. Besides Tyler, now 15, he has another son, Christian, who is 8.

When Nondorf isn't working, he enjoys hunting, fishing and camping with his family.

T^T .. Sponsored bu:Nutter

Mortuary116 East 6th

243-2525

City approves demolition programBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

After several months of hearingcomplaints on dilapidated houses,the Concordia City Commissionvoted Wednesday night to do something about them.

A policy to implement a newdemolition cost-sharing programwith property owners wasapproved, though on a 3-2 vote.

The cost-share comes by way ofthe city's reimbursing propertyowners up to 50 percent of the costof site demolition and refurbishment. The maximum amount of

reimbursement would be $4,000.In addition, water and sewer

connections to the property wouldbe disconnected by the city at nocharge.

While the Commission had no

qualms about those stipulations, itwas how properties were selectedthat resulted in the split vote.

The original policy read that thecity manager would have sole discretion to determine which properties be eligible for demolition.

Rather than giving that power tothe city manager,

Commissioner Cheryl Lanoueasked that it be the duty of the CityCommission, in consultation with

the city manager and staff, todecide.

Before the vote, CommissionerDarrel Hosie said he was con

cerned with making that change.

"It will slow the process downand change the whole approach tothe demolition program," he said.

By putting the authority withthe Commission, he said, it wouldresult in too much discussion anddebate.

"We're not out there investigating the properties, staff is," Hosiesaid. "That's what we hired staff todo."

Hosie said he also feared that bybringing proposed demolition projects before the Commission would

discourage participation, "becausepeople don't want to get into a public debate."

Commissioner Joe Jindra agreedwith Hosie. "Something thatshouldn't become political could,"he said.

Mayor Greg Hattan disagreedwith Jindra, saying the Commission has a say in how the city'smoney is spent, and should alsohave a say in this program.

Jindra responded by saying theCommission had recently streamlined the nuisance abatement programby putting that in the handsof the city manager-to save time,and should be doing the same withthe demolition program.

Hosie and Jindra cast the dis

senting votes, with Hattan, Lanoueand Charles Johnson voting in theaffirmative.

Rather than approving a newpolicy for credit and debit cards.

In other business, the Com

mission approved a bid fromAT&T 911 Inc., In the amount of$117,576. for the purchase of anew 911 platform for the PoliceDepartment.

Despite being a higherbid-the other was from NineOne One, Inc. for$105,808-Rick Voelker saidpurchasing the AT&T systemwould provide a seamless transition. In addition, AT&T maintenance personnel are local, andthe CAD system is currently tiedin with AT&T.

The AT&T system also features instant playback recording and a five-year warranty.

The Commission alsoapproved a resolution to demolish a fire-damaged house at 833East 6th. On March 19, theCommission passed a resolutionfinding the structure to be dangerous. A public hearing wasconducted on May ,7, but the

the Commission authorized CityManager Mark Skiles to procure avendor to make a presentation onpurchasing cards.

The cards, often referred to as P-cards, have been popular withmany city governments across the

Midwest, which have implementedthem as a way to streamline purchases.

Cards would be given to cityemployees, which typically havespending limits and can be usedonly for specified purchases.

Commissioner Johnson said he

would like the policy to lay outexactly how many cards would beissued.

Skiles said he wouldn't give acard to everyone.

"You're going to have to loosenup some of these controls tobecome more efficient," Skiles said."I don't want credit cards, they aretoo loose ended. I can put morecontrols on P-cards."

Hattan said he didn't think the

Commission had had the opportunity to review the P-card agreement. He said he would be in favor

of approving the policy change atthe same time as the Commission

signed an agreement with a bank.Despite Hosie saying he didn't

want to continue using the less-secure debit cards, the Commis

sion approved waiting anothermonth to make the decision.

After discussing it briefly last

The owner has not com

menced repair or demolition ofthe property, said BrunoRehbein, city building inspector.There was no insurance on thehouse, he said, so the demolition costs will be assessed to the

property's tax rolls. The cost todemolish the house could bebetween $2,000 and $5,000, hesaid.

The hope is that this willpressure him to do what he sayshe's been going to do," Rehbeinsaid.

During public comments,Armand Balthazor thanked theCommission for helping erect aflagpole at the Sports Complex.He also invited everyone to adedication of the flag, tonight at8:30 p.m.

"I'd like to see everyone at theflag dedication," he said. "You'llget a feeling I get, and everyAmerican should get, when theyraise that flag."

month, the Commissionapproved-on a 4-1 vote-a $500contribution to the city of Chapman, which was devastated by atornado June 11. Last year, thecity donated the same amount tothe city of Greensburg.

Skiles recommended the Com

mission donate $1,000 to assist inthat city's recovery efforts.

Johnson asked how much - in

the way of staff time - had alreadybeen given to Chapman. Severalstaff members have helped inChapman's city hall, and four firefighters worked there the night ofthe tornado.

"Really, it's inconsequential tome, because next time, it could beus," Skiles said.

Lanoue, who cast the dissentingvote, said she'd talked to a numberof people who disagreed with making a donation. She said they hadrelayed the sentiment that if anindividual wanted to give money,he or she could, but local tax dol

lars should be spent here. She saidthey didn't agree with Skiles sending city staff to Chapman, either.

In response. Skiles said he questioned anyone's integrity and willingness to help people, if theydisagreed with helping those inneed.

"I think you need to do something for people who are in need."he said.

(see Demolition on page 7)

Uri to serve as interim city managerBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

After two executive sessionsWednesday night, the Concordia CityCommission agreed to offer the interim city manager position to city attorney Larry Uri.

Uri will step in until a permanentcity manager is found, after theunexpected resignation of MarkSkiles on August 6. Uri's first day willbe Sept. 16, when Skiles will takevacation days to finish out his tenurein Concordia. A contract with Uri will

be approved at a future meeting.Skiles, who replaced Larry Paine,

has been city manager for less thannine months.

Mayor Greg Hattan said he is confident Uri, who has been an interim

city manager in the past, will do thejob well.

The Commission also approvedentering into a contract with theLeague of Kansas Municipalities toassist in the search for a new citymanager.

In other business, three propertieswere approved for demolition as partof the city's newly implemented demolition program.

The cost-share program, approvedin July, allows the city to reimburseproperty owners up to 50 percent of

f' '

the cost of site demolition and refur

bishment. The maximum amount of

reimbursement would be $4,000. Inaddition, water and sewer connec

tions to the property will be disconnected by the city at no charge.

Building Inspector Bruno Rehbeinsaid the three properties have allbeen declared unsafe and dangerousstructures. They, along with theirestimated costs of demolition, are:834 East 5th. $2,000; 221 West 3rd,$4,482; and 833 East 6th, $2,900.

Rehbein reiterated that the costs

were approximate, and said theycould be higher, or lower, dependingon whether property owners receiveda waiver from Cloud County.

The County is offering a waiver ofthe county tonnage fee of $20/ton forconstruction and demolition debris

on six houses per year. Those wishing to obtain the waiver must fill outan application, and have it approvedby the Board of County Commissioners.

"I think it's a good idea, and I'mglad we're getting started on it," Hattan said, after he received confirma

tion that all three houses are on the

city's "hit list."The Commission rejected an offer

for a contract for financial services

with Springsted. For $8,000 Spring-

>• in r*•O TJ

gS

3 £CO

38.

S co *_, -*»4-» CUO SOC co *.!

&•%•3 Cu*, COcu -*.

to co

c0 cu

_ is

lao^*

O o ""

u aâ0 cti o o

cu 5 -n TO

-= J»

sted would identify options for thecity to pay for infrastructureimprovements for the proposed newhospital.

Uri said city staff, representativesfrom the Cloud County Health Center, the city's bond council, andSpringsted met to discuss some possible major public improvements.

"It appears that building the hospital in the area they are proposing isgoing to put pressure on some citywater and sewer infrastructure," Urisaid.

If that became the case, the citycould be looking at a high price tagfor upgrading the infrastructure,which is where Springsted wouldcome in. Uri said the company helpsto identify cheaper ways to pay forhigh dollar projects.

Hattan said, for him. the cost of

the study is too high. He said heprefers to table the issue until thehospital project is a "little furtherdown the line."

He said the city has done its bestto provide a ballpark figure for infrastructure construction, which is all it

can do at this point. Discussingfinancing options would come later inthe process, mainly after the hospitalmeasure is voted on in November.

"I don't think $8,000 is best spent

«J i, oSf S o

^«C-a >»

3

o rt

3 8**2541.•a

OOMi3 C c> > 8O TO C

•5-S »a "

right now, but maybe down the line,it will be," Hattan said.

Commissioner Darrel Hosie

agreed with Hattan. saying that liewondered what the city would be getting for $8,000.

Uri said the city would receiveoptions for financing, as well as guidance on who-the city or the hospital-would pay for what.

"Is it worth it? I can't tell you it willbe. but we're talking about spendingmillions here, so it might be," Urisaid.

Hattan said he thought it would bemore appropriate to initiate the studyonce the project begins to moveahead.

The other Commissioners agreedwith Hattan and Hosie, and rejectedthe contract offer.

Eric Johnson, representing theCloud County Historical SocietyMuseum, asked for an easement

from the city to accommodate theWhole Wall mural project.

Johnson said they had discoveredthat the property line of the MuseumAnnex Building, at 6th and Lincoln,is on the face of the wall. Conse

quently, if bricks are added to thewall, the mural will go over the property line.

(see City Manager on page 8)

^5

t.52 ° i•o "

13 10 T3

•a» ~

•3 c9- o+J CQ

1-310 3r^ o

5îi. 00-" CO

'Sxi-g§-§'323 u cu o3 3 K ^

• cu c to

E 2 sSi K V

?| E^•- S co5P a co3

XI CO X! 00t ffl +J o3 3 3 o^ cu o r33««"

C 3.2 o

cu cuxi xi

3 XIO C

♦J £<XI T3v a a uB ° « t3 "•

i>s-.o 8

o s —

o v 5 a° s 2

- S-8 s. .aSSsnis a I 0)10 n S'ms •K a a<»o 3 -g cr*j" -> ? cu co

o a E

Q ft-

[ co Q,

3 afjft. O. ii

o e uO 5 jo

CO

s *2 «ico °cu cu

1 •** ft!

•= 2«•a

^ o oO ° = W f 2-S S—• ^ to ±i

TO TO ' •3 »-o

5 ™ 4JOur"o*a

h 3 cas

131"o

— . - m(fl u 1)to > ptfl * Uj

1- C d= ^ §« cfl to

fi 5 E -S -r-*s|5i

c « en BBo ^

1 3•o e tv a sto o, to

*3 ^ 3 3

3 :>, cfl 0

stcsu 3 at. .=U CO t, ° t)f- co ^3 cu xl

o rt 2 33 5 co XIO cu

u

OX)cda

2

•a acu j:cu +3

3f c!2

Iff.

S-o aS u n£ x .S « 1r!B *&O cu "~O 3" u

to v

•S B3 o

sit—"CO

3 !3 2a

J3 X) «o e 3

286

- £ -C

^3^33 &=;jo a 13

ij3

u o

S .5 a co

3 to O —1

- (0 +j 0)

isV O.co «

3 P'5 g

: O 3 to a

00 c

£ so

aj rt xi

" § ••u" ° 8*5 S*• o

2 Mrt o ^«" c

.S Si I•C XI "

b: 3 xio 3S a

3 S S CO xl

B "-n Si

5f 6

•« 2 K H c 5 '

xi a (u v

o o a 3

03 o JJ c** K *J

=^?5cu cfl ,2

lis>, . •" TO

c 1 1 "E o to £

2 B¥ o

•S5

*; o_ - cu

2:5

allo 5

t; 3a cuCO <J

as 85 g<«< « C b g°x%q iSi — a; o

>,mtd $

cu cu

5i'

•C 3

ICO

2 rt 6g § B« XJ

C

cu

B°»x.TO CU COX! =j

§1 ^3 S00 •"3 co

§ Oto To03 «

So4J 1)

55.

si.

CO cu.3 "J— »J

cu '3* 2•" XI

3 5r? W) TO COH. C %• ~

^3;35'

co O

5"

i

3 .cj3 S

c s

> 3 Ij3 0Ô XI g

^ 65 1-. vCO ->> •*-'

rt r (U

X) 0

3

303

XIc

•s V 3

;y CO

<n 3c) ajCJ cu

to jj Xi

Us-C cu

°- S a.0 •3 a

3 s«XI 3 cu3 0 Xi

°-^ »13 S I3 3 b.3 T> *-"« a ° cj

cu 5 X! *•>t. •< 53 co

iJ co xi cu 00CU TO -S XI

O XI ±3 cuS 3 cu 'co>^ C5 h-CU CU O *~

fj £ 5

eu -m i3

•y +3 -ffl CO '

-3 X

cu

2 6XI 3

3 SJ3 »

X) 3

•3 eu cd

^ cuXI

cu O cu3 3 '-o TO -h-. xi xlra 3 SS>m

x1°2B a

H -ycd

3 iuo S

C ocu

§ J! «3 X! gcu "^ XJSCOa o "j

Q l-i _ -n -t3

S 5 x! xi

3 cu

co a co

J) 3XI cu

- u

^ o S

o5l

« o~cu -^

13 mS en

3 <©ii -3

—. . CJXI cu cu

at"iu cu >

•|§ao a3 CO

Si P

2? sCO fU £

CO COa —

cu 3 cocu O -,

b °5 3

a

ft D

s-°ft" =3

Skiles resigns as city managerBy Jessica LeDuc

Blade Staff Writer

The Concordia City Commissionmeeting was rocked, Wednesdaynight, with the unexpected resignation of City Manager Mark Skiles.

Skiles gave 60 days notice, withhis last day scheduled for Oct. 6.

At the conclusion of last night'smeeting, Skiles addressed the Commission during his regular appointment. After commending those whooffered assistance when his daughter broke her leg, he got to the heartof the issue.

A month after he came to Concor

dia. Skiles said, he was approachedby two people who thanked him forcoming to town. Then, he said, theyapologized for the community.

"It's an insult of the greatestdegree to a community that theywould say that." Skiles told theCommission. "Concordia has a reputation it needs to work on overcom

ing, and it exists outside ourcommunity."

At Skiles' first meeting in Concordia, he told Commissioners theywould enjoy working together.

'That was my intention." he said.""• oor ,11v job to make everybodyhapyy. .iiLi .. , Vie a terrible job.

ii*hat, but I've giw.i ... ^onest

effort."

Skiles commended city staff, calling them all quality people whoknow best how to do their jobs, andwho deserve respect. What really sethim offwas how that level of respecttoward city staff wasn't given by theCommission.

"I do find it immature, unprofessional, unacceptable, and unconscionable that Commissioners

continue to make inferences as to

staffs incompetence and honesty,"Skiles said. 'That's something youcan't do."

In other cities, Skiles said, everyone actually works together to betterthe community. That's not the casein Concordia.

"There is a cancerous tumor inthis city, that is holding you backfrom what you can become," he said."You almost exist in spite of yourself,which is a sad tiling to say."

Skiles told Commissioners that

he'd had a number of peopleapproach him recently, asking himto stick out the "tough times" andstay on as city manager.

But, with the political divisive-ness in the community, and recentactions of the Commission, he saidhe is not the man for the job

"Consider this my 60 day notice

Skiles said. "I appreciate the opportunity, but I don't think I'm the manfor the job based on the actions thatI have seen coming from behindyour table."

After having been in several othercommunities, Skiles said he finds

Concordia to be the most politicallydivided, which he partially attributes to a generational gap.

In closing, he said that the citymust do something to work throughthis, if it expects to grow andadvance.

"I don't know how to do it. I knowI can't," he said. "Alot of things haveto come together to make this happen, and I don't think I'm the manfor the job."

Skiles, who replaced Larry Paine,has been city manager for Concordiafor less than nine months.

After his comments, the Commission went into two 15-minute execu

tive sessions, inviting Skiles intoone. No action was taken, but theCommission approved contactingthe League of Kansas Municipalitiesfor assistance in finding a new citymanager.

Mayor Greg Hattan, who said hewas shellshocked at the news, saidhe is sorry to see Skiles go. He saidCommissioners had not *"

pleased with Skiles' work, nor didthey ask him to leave.

"I'm sorry the community didn'toffer you what you were looking for.and we'll try to do a better job nexttime." Hattan said.

In action items, the Commissionapproved a contract with BG Consultants, not to exceed $22,300. forwork on a wastewater treatmentplant project.

Utilities Director Larry Remmen-ga introduced Bruce Boettcher. anassociate with BG Consultants.

Boettcher said his firm will work onthe city's behalf with contractorsand suppliers to deliver a qualityproject. BG will act as a project facilitator and provide technical supportthrough the project.

Remmenga said he expects theproject, which includes rebuildingthe clarifier and installing a new barscreening system, will probablybegin in the spring of 2009.

The Commission also approvedtext amendments to the zoning regulations. The amendments, according to Building Inspector BrunoRehbein, allow for more flexibility inwaiving certain requirements ofboth subdivision and zoning •tions

tace Skiles on page

CONCORDIA, KANSAS 66901 ursdav, September 4, 2008

City commission approves budgetBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

Even with a 4.451 increase in the

mill levy, no one- other than themayor-made any comment duringthe city's budget heiuing Wednesdaynight.

The proposed budget for 2009 callsfor a mill levy of 49.491. withassessed valuation at S24.199,460.

The levy in 2008 was 45.040. whileassessed valuation was slightly lowerat S24,017.236.

A mill raises a $1 for every Si.000of assessed valuation, which is the

value of property in the city. One nullin the city of Concordia. wiUi valuation at $24 million, raises approximately $24,000.

According to Mayor Greg Hattan,the answer to the mill levy increase

was simple."We don't have any money," he

said.

Over the past three years, he said,

tl

4>W)

CQ

01 fjS - * o .2

§ "S •£ .25 •=ll^^TO

to to C rt

CO <uto J33

•5•n

fund. But. Hattan said, the main rea

son the mill levy had to be raised wasthe ethanol plant.

Last year, he said, the bond andinterest levy was lowered. The reason,he said, was because the anticipatedfranchise fees from die ethanol plantwould offset that decrease in 2009.

But, with no ethanol plant as of yet,there are no additional franchise fees.

On die bright side, Hattan said, themill levy is six mills lower Uian it wasnine years ago. and nine mills lowerthan the city's all-time high in 2001-2002.

Despite the belt-tightening, the cityis still planning to spend money onspecial projects in 2009. The floodretention structure at 21st Street is

ongoing.Hattan said City Manager Mark

Skiles had reinitiated talks with the

Army Corps of Engineers for fundingof the dam. He was able to get theCoips to commit to $104,000 to help

I 8 t33 8^ cux| « 8J-SW v .2 D

Sen. Sam Brownback's office, and

was able to obtain a soft earmark in

the 2009 budget for additional funding.

That is no guarantee of money,"Hattan said. "That just means we're aplayer in the game."

In 2009. Hattan said, the Commis

sion is changing its focus on taxincrement financing.

"We're moving back to the originalgoal (of TIF) to improve infrastructure," he said. To that end, a project isscheduled to improve the sewer lineat the north end of Broadway.

More money is to be transferred tothe health insurance fund next year.The city, which recently made theswitch to self insurance, will work to

build a cushion in that fund to main

tain it.

Other projects scheduled for 2009include the demolition program, sealing streets, improvements at thewaste water treatment plant, and a

cuScOcuSxl o-sSocOii IS, 3 StE S W

Commission has worked toward

improving the integrity of the city'soperations, mainly its purchasingpolicy.

At the conclusion of the publichearing, Commissioner Joe Jindravoted against approving the budget.But. when it came time to adopt thebudget, he voted for it. He gave noreason for his nay vote.

In other business, Bob Maxson,

vice president for administrative services at Cloud County Community College, spoke about concerns thecollege has with water pressure.

Speaking on behalf of the collegeboard and President Rick Under-

bakke, Maxson said the college has aproblem providing adequate pressureto showers in the dorms. He said, in

general, die city provides .the collegewith the required 20 pounds persquare inch.

"But, as you go up in buildings.you reduce the pressure." Maxson

S. Tl CO CU CO g *

o '

... _ TO » f 2" * S *^5,-frgn.a.sixj•Saxio 2xicuc35 S 5

CITY MANAGERConcordia, Kansas (pop.5,389) located in North-Central Kansas; the community isa great place to live, work andraise a family. $8.9 millionbudget, 55 FT employees,master's degree in public administration or closely relatedfield required, but public sectorwork experience may serve asa substitute. Ideal candidatewill have at least 3-5 years ofmunicipal management experience. For additional communityinformation visit www.concor-diakansaschamber.com/.Strong management, communication, budgetary & personnel skills required. Salary$70K-$80K. Send resume'and 3 professional references to LEAPS- Concordia,300 SW 8th, Topeka, KS66603. EOE. Open until filled.Resume' review begins October 23, 2008.

Concordia Recreation Women'sVolleyball Team RegistrationMondays A Tuesdays • Beginning Oct. 20

$80 per teamEntry deadline: Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Register at Concordia City Hall,intact Tom Gennette, recreation director, qfaa,

785-243-2670, for more [r^°,n^t}°^a flip

jj

ii

IIi

Patching it upCity of Concordia employees RyanMcDaniei, left, Jim Mettjo, middle; apd Bill Dairylay rebarso concretecan be poured to fix a hole attrie intersection of Fifth arui Washington. (Blade photo by Jessica LeDuc)

Fin PrmntioA W**k

October 6th- 11thOctober q,2bo&

b»hmfer«tt»uttNrl*al

Biscuits &Gravy BreakfastSaturday, October 11

7:00-10:30 a.m.

at the Concordia Fire DepartmentFreewill donations will beaccepted

(Published intheConcordia Blade-Empire onFriday, October 3,2008)


AN ORDINANCE pursuant to K.S.A. 12-504and 12-505, as amended, vacating a portion 1foot by44feetofthealley adjoining lots 3 and4inblock 136inthecityofConcordia, Kansas.

Atractof land in the alleybetween6thand 7thstreets adjoining lots 3 & 4 in Block 136Concordia Original Town, more fully described

BEGINNING at the Southeast corner of Lot3,Block 136 in the Original Town of Concordia,Kansas; thence south Hoot into the adjacentalley;thence West parallelwiththe south lineofLots 3 and 4 in Block136 for a distance of 44feet; thence North1foot to the Southwest corner of lot4; thence Eastalongthe SouthlineofLots3 and 4 for a distance of 44 feet to thePOINT OF BEGINNING, Containing 44 squarefeet, more or less,

WHEREAS, on September2, 2008 notice waspublished in.the official City newspaper, pursuantto K:S.A.'12-5C-i, as amended, oftheintentof the City of Concordia Planning Commissionto hold a publichearing to consider a vacationrequest ofthe abovedescribed portion ofalley;and

WHEREAS, on September 23, 2008, at7:00p.m. at Cityhallin Concordia, Kansas,thetime and place stated in the above describednotice, at a meeting of the Concordia PlanningCommission dulycalled and held, all interestedparties were afforded an opportunity to appearand be heard with respect to the proposedvacation ofthe property described above;and,

WHEREAS, after hearing such testimony aswas produced before it, and such testimonywas required in order to fully understand thetruenature of the petition and the propriety ofgranting the same, the Planning Commissiondetermined, from theproofs andevidence presented,that no private rights will be injured or •endangered by such vacation, and the publicwill suffer nolossor inconvenience thereby, andthatinjustice thevacation oughtto be granted,ailinaccordance with K.S.A. 12-505; and,

WHEREAS, the planning commission thereupon voted5-0 to recommend approval of thevacation ofthe saidportion ofthe street:and,

WHEREAS, no written objection was filed withthe City Clerk, on or before the date of saidhearing, by any owner or adjoining owner whowould be party to a petition for vacation of saidproperty,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by theGoverning Body of the City of Concordia,Kansas:

Section 1. Pursuant to K.S.A. 12-504 and

12-505, as amended, a tract of land in the alleybetween 6th and 7th streets adjoining lots 3 & 4in Block 136 Concordia Original Town, morefullydescribed as:

BEGINNING at the Southeast corner of Lot 3,Block 136 in the Original Town of Concordia,Kansas', thence south 1foot into the adjacentalley; thence West parallel with the south line ofLots 3 and 4 in Block 136 for a distance of 44

feet; thence North 1foot to the Southwest cor

ner of lot 4; thence East along the South line ofLots 3 and 4 for a distance of 44 feet to the

POINT OF BEGINNING. Containing 44 squarefeet, more or less, is hereby vacated.

Section 2. Upon passage of this ordinance and publication in the official City newspaper, the City Clerk of said city is directed tofile a certified copy of this ordinance in theOffice of the Cloud County Register of Deeds.

-Section 3. Effective Date. This ordi

nance shall become effective on October 3,

2008 following its publication in the official citynewspaper.

ADOPTED by the City Commission on this 1stday of October, 2008.

Gregory L. Hattan, Mayor

ATTEST:

Stacey CrumCity Clerk



City Attorney

Commission

receives updateon self-insurance

By Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

After being self-insured for nearly a year, the Concordia City Commission received an update, Wednesdaynight, on how the program is working.

Joe Walter, with Benefit Administrative Systems,made a presentation to the Commission and those inattendance on how the program works.

In December 2007, facing a 25-percent increase inhealth Insurance costs, the city made the decision tomove to self-insurance. Mark Skiles, who was city manager at the time, recommended the Commission enterinto self-insurance in an effort to keep employees adequately covered, while controlling costs.

Walter said BAS is the insurance broker for the city,which means the company writes checks for claims cityemployees make.

There are four components to any insurance plan,Walter said: Prescriptions, network, administrator, andclaims. His company's job, he said, is to save the citymoney.

"Our job is to help you find out how much insuranceyou don't need, not stuff as much insurance down yourthroats as we can get away with," Walter said.

Before making the switch to self-insurance, Waltersaid, $512,000 of city money was sent to the insurancecarrier.

The suggestion of BAS, he said, was to take $42,000per month, which was paying for the insurance administrator and prescriptions, and make that a budgeteditem. Prescriptions are now purchased from a wholesaler.

As far as claims, Walter said, those are largely unpredictable. With the city's insurance program, there is a$35,000 stop/loss. Any claim under $35,000 is paid bythe city-at wholesale. Anything more than that is pickedup by the reinsurance carrier.

In the last eight months, the city's cumulativeclaims-under $35,000 -were $190,204. Two employeeshave gone past the stop/loss point - to the tune of$54,000 and $148,091.

The total fixed monthly costs to the city, Walter said,for administrative and network fees, has been fairly consistent at $16,000.

"Your numbers look very good," he said. "If thingskeep up like they have so far, you're going to come inwith a healthy dose of black at the end of the year."

At the end of August, he said, the city is $23,000ahead.

"Katner uian spenu me money up front (as in thepast), and maybe use it or not, you've spent prudently,only when you need it," Walter said.

In other business, the Commission approved twoproperties for demolition as part of the city's newlyimplemented demolition program. The properties andcost estimates, are: 220 East 1st, requested by StanVanMeter, $3,200;and 534 East 6th, requestedby LouisThrash, $4,250.

The cost-share program, approved in July, allowsthecity to reimburse property owners up to 50 percent ofthe cost of site demolition and refurbishment. The maximum amount of reimbursement would be $4,000.

The Commission also approved vacating one foot ofthe alley behind the Cloud County Historical SocietyMuseum Annex.

The vacation will allow for a concrete foundation toaccommodate the Whole Wall Mural.

The minutes of the last meeting again became anissue last night, as Commissioner Charles Johnsonasked that they be more inclusive. He pointed out twoinstances where the minutes didn't, as he said, accurately reflect the questions that were asked or the discussion that ensued.

Mayor Greg Hattan said he would like the issue to beon a study session, so the Commission could come to aconsensus as to what is included in the minutes.

Commissioner Darrel Hosie said the minutes onlyneed to be a record of the business transacted at themeeting, not a verbatim account.

Johnson said it was the job ofthe cityclerk to keep athorough record of the meeting, and "if she's overworked, maybe we should hire another person."

(see Commission on page 10)

Commission(continued from page 1)Interim City Manager Larry

Uri said it would be hard for theclerk to decide what to includein the minutes and what toleave out. But, he said, staffwould try to be more expansivein the minutes for the nextmeeting.

During public comments,Ted Collins suggested that theminutes be put on a web site soeveryone could have access tothem.

Concordia Police ChiefDanny Parker reported to theCommission on an Amber Alerttraining session at City Hall onTuesday.

Fire Chief Larry Eubanks,who has been working on a LowTo Moderate Income survey fora number of months, said thecity does qualify for a Commu

nity Development Block Grant.To receive the grant funds,

more than 51 percent of citizens surveyed must fall intothe low to moderate incomebracket. Of those surveyed,67.02 percent fall into that category.

During the manager'sreport, Uri reported that thestate had approved the the citydeeding nine feet of land fromthe parking lot at 6th and Lincoln streets. The land will beused so the Whole Wall Muralcan be erected.

The Commissionersadjourned to a study session,where they discussed adoptinga commercial vehicle safety act,a CDBG for a fire truck, anambulance vehicle, and thebidding process for the animalcontrol vehicle.

CITY OF CONCORDIA. KANSASyastevX.1.1. -vh.i.->ihws

#%^**ii amTi>l\(1rb October 15, 3E£>%>

OUR COW*^A Z00A: at those who risk their lives toprotectours ...

SGT. MC V06U

—1

Sgt. Rlc Voelker, third in command for the Concordia Police

Department, has been serving onthe Concordia force since 2000.

Voelker said his brother, a lawenforcement major and psycholo-

| gist atthe Larned State Hospital,ill was a biginfluence in his pursu

ing a career in law enfrocement.He saw it as a good career opportunity for him.

Voelker received eight weeks oftraining at the Kansas LawEnforcement Training Center in

J Hutchinson and worked as a

I patrolman in Kinsley for a yearbefore moving to Concordia.

In Concordia, he first worked as

a patrolman before being promoted |to sergeant in 2005. He is nowsupervisor over the patrolmen's main duties. He also oversees the animalcontrol division of the Concordia department. One of his most importantduties is serving as tactical team leader and on-scene commander forspecial tactics team persons on site whenever a high risk incident isreported.

Voelker said he likes his job because it is never the same. "You neverhave the same duties two days in a row," he said.

In his spare time, Voelker serves as youth pastor for the WesleyanChurch in Belleville and assists with outreach events for the youth. Healso enjoys playing the guitar and singing and spending time with hisfamily. He is married and has four children.

While he doesn't have any particular dislikes about his job, he said hemisses the personal contact found in patrol work.

SPONSORSD Blf

Nutter

Mortuary116 East 6th

243-2525

'<^^'^&'^^'^^'^^'=^^^!*a*.*=*!WF<^*&

!

Commission hears hospital updateBy Jessica LeDucBlade staff writer

With the General Election lessthan a month away. Kirk Lowellgavethe Concordia City Commission anupdate on the hospital building project, Wednesday night.

Lowell, chairman of the AirportAdvisory Board, told Commissionersthat James Wahlmeier spoke to theAirport Advisory Board on Oct. 8about airport usage and how itrelates to the proposed hospital.

Currently, the new hospital wouldbe built at the northeast corner ofthe intersection of Highway 81 andPlum Road. The land, 56 acres purchased from Lynn and PatriciaMosher, is located at the southwestend of the airport.

In April, the Cloud County HealthCenter had Lowell present information to the Airport Board concerninga different hospital location betweenF&A Food Sales and the NationalGuard Armory.

At that time, the Board discouraged the proposed site because itwas a non-aviation use of the air

port.

The next month, during an executive session, the City Commissiontold CCHC the same thing. The

Commission encouraged CCHC toobtain other land adjacent to the airport.

In September 2007, the City Commission approved a policy discouraging non-aviation uses of airportland. Any such usage would have tobe approved by the Airport Board.

Lowell said the hospital boardbelieves a site adjacent to the airportmust be accomplished. The key tothe proposed hospital is having ataxiway from the airport to the backdoor of the hospital.

The hospital board believes, Lowell said, this would put the hospitalin a position to facilitate fixed-winglife flight services, and recruit newdoctors.

But, a number of citizens havevoiced concerns over the new hospital being located on Highway 81. Thehospital board still is comfortablepromoting the Mosher site, with possible safety enhancements.

"CCHC believes a due diligenceshould be conducted by again considering the acquisition of theF&A/Armory site, because of thestoplight intersection access at thissite," Lowell said.

The hospital board furtherbelieves, he said, that it is within the

Airport Board's authority to grant awaiver for the new hospital as non-aviation use.

The Airport Advisory Board discussed the request at length, Lowellsaid. The main issue that came upwas the impact on the grass run-way-between the Armory and F&AFood Sales.

The Board's divided on that," hesaid.

Lowell said the Board authorizedan engineer to study any impact onthe grass runway, FAA issues, andother grass runway options.

"On the surface, it'd be pretty coolto have a business out there (at theairport) 24/7," Lowell said.

Mayor Greg Hattan asked UtilitiesDirector Larry Remmenga howmuch money would be saved in utility extension if the hospital waslocated closer to the city. Remmengasaid it would probably save the cityS2.5 million.

Lowell said $1.6 million wasincluded in the hospital's bond issueto help pay for utility extensions.

In other Airport matters, theCommission approved new bylawsfor the Airport Advisory Board. Onechange now allows anyone in thecounty to be a member of the Board.

Previously, members were requiredto be citizens of Concordia, or whoresided within three miles of the citylimits.

Another change, which Lowellsaid the Board feels is important, isallowing it to make determinationsconcerning any future non-aviationuses of the airport land and facilities.

The Commission also approvedterms for the nine Airport Boardmembers. Members and their termexpirations are: 2009, Ray Palmerand Lowell; 2010. Mike Holmes andBrian Donovan; 2011. Dane Hansonand Susan Retter; 2012, SteveRichard and Lawrence Schleuder;and 2013, Everett Ford.

During new business, Susan Sutton, president of the NationalOrphan Train Complex, asked theCommission for assistance in erecting directional signs in the city.

Two signs on Highway 81, bothnorth and south of 6th Street, areproposed, which will list both theBrown Grand and the Orphan Train.A sign at the intersection of 6th andWashington streets will point visitors toward the Orphan Train museum.

(See City, page 81

•3 "5^

o xa o -d u

S C s •"

a v 0 «

HU- 2 V. %X *• o **cfl — fe,co onj u on cu

m u <n is

5 o

CU <o 10c ficfl g.5 ~V. <o 5o X °

u co si

a "9 r;

>> fi TJc co cG % O"I . °QtO

as o<- Si "

£ i- -nu J2 g v•g °SS> > .-«

gSLSl b2 g s §«° 5 -su, cu -a ^ co

H a co T5c . T> u° -d -o " J3ij 1) L (I COa >n c3o ° « 5 oE o. * S B•o « > O x>

CU o*-> c*-o

S c a u,, S o o cw CO CO 10 u

aoS

t! ° e2 UScu CU COe 3 .co

I 8"Bc S |CO i> o

o *j cu

c

•3'

3s d c"0 ,„• «Si! S£

1 a E -« 3 o ^

o q

a • o

o

E -s a. 3£J cu > W J3

»3ofi?

c

" c ° • £

s as.§ o. -a 5j » ^ "3

O O ~° S J, <Bin c « x .. x.•*' < = S r-D.<n ai oO

a =

|iv.

(0

SI Cg «>

COOB3 3

ocS

o aSi (0J3 cfl3 Ag £

a -m o .a ^

uti e ss e

So ju2 ft -fi, ft «

to

u u Sx a JJu cfl •«

. -o

.5 u .G-a > -*-•eg.

J= " 3 ,,^ H ° '3

. C c coCO ,ccj "3 -

.2 en Wl en

S.EB oc x 2

0 cd *± r>.

_« h v baj •*- C J

ft+3 U£

It o »u

1 & £

•X §•«i £ S °15 5 5

« u m

O * jj « XS

.11•»« «

2 SeSo

CU Q, 

as £O co

5 -S u

^i CO

C 3

.2 ?

o

u

IS•5

cu cu cSufi

s 2 >••a "''S a _co 73 3CO «j *

^ CU cuSue

tij 0-3.3-t-' >«•—

S o h

3 o >,o

3 "S "ffl £

h cu -a CT o

"" &-2 to

-*-1 o (H rt oij is u

inoo

"> o "•t B 3</> o c

cu l-eo ^

sico aC Ea co

— ft IB

CU «

c «acd m O

S -3 o

*• ^ -2-u E S aCO O r* 3 CJ» =j E u o* S S 3 .»T3 - cu CO s- —-a - -g

.£ jj 3 b.CU +J •"

CU CO S «i^ CO _, C

•s S gS.- > CO- - c

„i5 'rt ', —

«3 t o5 co

"3 u ,c OS cu <o ij3 h 2 s

S^

> *B CO

130B cfl^ CU COCO O.XI

^ o oC s,U*- flj +-1«1> Cfl

2.2

s cul5 J3 rt

; -a u

OJ 4J r-

13 e£

CO

Cto

CQ 5ao

c° « S RT3 2 5 °

c2-Sw5

cu 'S o c

CO •" ftU>

C •§ O to

Sewer project financing discussedBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

Getting started on the Broadwaysewer replacement project led to alengthy discussion as to how itwould be financed, during the Concordia city commission meeting,Wednesday night.

The proposed project involvesreplacing the sewer line on Broadway from Third Street north tobetween 7th and 8th streets, as well

as the drainage ditch behind the oldWal-Mart. Commissioners dis

cussed the engineering contract,which was on the agenda forapproval, last night. Proposed funding for the project is to come fromtax increment financing.

Utilities Director Larry Remmenga said the sewer line is one of theoldest in the city and, at times, runs"hot," or nearly full. It providessewer service to a large part of town,and he said the further north the

43 Si

•a x>cu "3co S

•a "••

S 9

line goes, the more waste it collects.While four of the Commissioners

had few questions, Darrel Hosie saidhe thought more public discussionneeded to go into the decision.

"This is almost a $1 million project, and the only time we've discussed this was in a budgetsession," Hosie said. "I don't think

we had any public discussion."Remmenga said replacing the

sewer line has been on the table for10 years. He also said this could bea good time to do the projectbecause of falling fuel prices, whichhave led to cheaper plastic pipe.

Mayor Greg Hattan said thatwhen TIF was originally approved,replacing the Broadway sewer linewas to be the second project completed, after the Wal-Mart Super-Center.

"It's been pushed aside for smaller, inconsequential projects, in myopinion," Hattan said. "Progress

«3 c «f b

a *"~ o

co co

*• 3

•a *>

£J f/J CO

"S 3

cu co

Ji:i u ^

O <L>

•ao .

e SS CD3

43

cu co

needs to go forward. I don't see anyadvantage of waiting longer. Tenyears is long enough, in my book."

Ruby Maline, the city's financedirector, said the Commission need

ed to look at the life of TIF, and

whether its revenues could supportthe project.

"We have to consider how much

time is left on the TIF bond, to deter

mine how many years we're going tohave to pay that bond off, andwhether there will be enough moneyfrom the TIF revenue to pay offanother bond," Maline said.

Hosie reiterated that he thoughtnot enough public disclosure hadoccurred.

"Decisions were made in a budgetstudy session that are coming forward here and we really haven'tmade the proper decision withoutproper discussion," Hosie said.

Remmenga said that even if theengineering was done, it didn't guar

antee the project being completed."So we're going to spend

$100,000 and maybe decide not todo the project?" Hosie asked.

Hattan pointed out that the totalfor preliminary engineering wouldnot be $100,000, but rather a littleless than $47,000. At this point, thecity would only be paying the engineers, Campbell and Johnson, to dothe preliminary design of the project.

Interim City Manager Larry Urisaid state statutes required the cityto follow a process prior to using TIFfunds for a project. One of the stepsin that process, he said, was a feasibility study on the project.

"We might need the design engineering to get close enough to a costestimate for the feasibility study,"Uri said. "We have to do the designwell enough so we have a pretty goodidea what it will cost."

(see Project on page 8)

• o u

=§^ 5'S * S *8 <0 ° eS o 5 S£3 +J Cfl > 'O l, w t, *

v. cu 3 O- coS-. ft 3 rt u '

S-S43

Q

•&•!?>>0 ri i >-"«•

> co rt 3

43 w * -co

1 00^ .c *; mSen)» «»•o 9, oa "- 13ft-" •Scfl » Q

o

3 6 *o « g

•gsCO S 103 *> r>

43 3 ^E 3 

<o S? 43"

ft^s^° «* Ctl T*

° S-a 3o "° S 1)> 3 43? « 43-Sco a v

43 co a

CO -«

43 CN— ^

S 3

O =3o

4? cu3 -'3

o t> S-° v 5ffl, S1 *

•E ft-S* vS

oo2 43 o

& "cfl 3 *\

1^°l"

O — CU"3 J CO

C"S-C3£§*

3! XI

<£ & 'S43 'S co«D ft

u too CO o cfl

CO COcu 3 "

CO v T3 fi

•5 ftopSu u ° 523 U &^3 43 * '.3 O 1%g,§acs

cfl >,e COK cfl

— cflc3 o

cu

3XCO

a °*T3

co 3cu cfl

cuCN

ft CO

3 B E -p Ujj o 8=0^

3 £%

CO CO 'CO CO 33 « 3o 43 S£ 9. S•O 3 43

s ft:Scu

3 j 43o e .

u S 43m S"+j

•o cr h

3 " 5°> o »'cfl cu "Po2c1*5 > O

O

•n v-i cu

O o 3O cu

•2 E

Ou

1% 6 3 3 U O HCO o5

o i3 u•S o cu

< 3

43 X

a 53

IScu cj p o

S Jo

O g|D (j_ oS3w cu cu

ElOS;

t; co o> fr.2 *"43 43 co <u,0<-> ~3*" 2 "POD 43 W.

V v u v

(0 T2 OJ CO„||cusi:

3 cflS 4=

r58°

u ft „cu g

ft**'u u acu ,o 3

co -o cuJJ 3 43* Si xi

! CO "E3

1 S 3 cu

to £ c- T3 °

y ^ 43 c O

111 a

c c Sft CO oft a -5cfl 43 «3

a CO

10 K

•" U COUS 43

cu si

243 ^

E £

•§£•",—

_ ft "-H S ft

ft nJ jh

ill3 "-a*» i -A

E

ss- - 2 -

•o •£ fiS cu * o

r co o jj

S3

S e 3 >

-t-i i—l +j

o -o

i *+- sI TJ . > rt

cu 3

•Co

O Q.J

2 si3 >•* o

s s

- K43X «j X.

e O 43 > ISJi S S '

O x) Sco 0 1

cu .co

, mI CO CO cflI 43 -CO 1x3

cu cu ;43 43

° 5 2

•" cu <o

S ftfi

o ttnco 3

^^3 ^- !J•O 3

o. eft (0

.43 SS

|E.•a T3

3 cfl - ™ ^

ft.2 *- ' "SP cu cu3 > e r*

V ™ cu cu

3 3JI^- 9 °u u «J .

3 «.2 -S CO 3

8 3 &

013

O =3 .i J.•*-' cu •ao CO

k -S ™ 3O ft CO 43

& S c 2to 43 to

43 S xi

B S^S co «.«Pft S

i XI ^ ,I CO o CO '"

.H cfl 3 43 u

O ^ co i_ 43£ § c£^cfl cfl t 3 ™BBTlI^o oo c CO« « cfl 3

S Eft «j

u 03 'ftOftOcfl CN

3 X3cfl cu

in si 43

C< ftftcfl

NoticeAirport AdvisoryBoard Meeting

Tues., November 257:00 p.m.

City Hall Commissioner'sWovv Meeting Roomlabile Welcome I

Commission will meetConcordia City Commission will meet at 7

p m Nov. 21and 24.intheCommissionersroomat City Hallto interview city managercandidates.^. fi, ZO0%

GET INVOLVEDIN YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The Concordia City Commission intends to involve as man,•**«*citizens as possible in the governing process. To that end the

Cordon announces that vacancies do now ™*«££^on the following citizen boards, commissions and committees.

PLANNING COMMISSIONHOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD OF BUILDING TRADESBOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

If you are interested in serving the community by becoming«^*

All members of boards, commissions and co-J^Kes serve withoutpay - out of aconcern for the public good.

Forms and more information are available in the, Ci.j£le£sOffice,701 Washington Street, P.O. Box 603, Concordia Kansas 66901.

Ifyou have questions, please call theCitv Clerk's Offic "* 2*1-2670%. 1,2fl)Sl

Snowflake repairs Wovtmfcxr 2fe( ZOOgCity of Concordia employee Ryan McDaniei makes repairs to one of thesnowflake Christmas decorations downtown Wednesday mornina (Bladephoto by Jay Lowell) a' v

Cool riders NoMmmbcr 10, lOOSChilly temperatures didn't prevent Legion Riders Larry Eubanks, left, and his wife Janet from riding theirHarleys in the parade Saturday morning that was part of the Veterans Open House, sponsored by the American Legion Post 76. (Blade photo by Jessica LeDuc) surwiuyinBAmer

Concordia Recreation

Adult Pick-Up Basketballwill play M«v- 1tZoo%

Wednesday &. Sunday Evenings,beginning at 6:30 p.m.

at Concordia Middle School

November 5 thru April 29

»

Xi

City receivesupdate oninsurance

By Jessica LeDuc .

Blade StaffWriter NbHWDQC Ulffi>tRenewal time for insurance is fast approaching, and

the Concordia CityCommission found out Wednesdaynight that the city's premiums are on the rise.

Howard Danzig, with Benefit Administrative Systems, updated the Commission on its self-insuranceplan. Though the prices with the current carrier,Fidelity Securities, are on the rise, it doesn't have tomean the city will pay more, Danzig said. Instead, hesaid, BASsought bids from eight other insurance carriers to find the best value for the city.

The reason for the $14,000 premium increase,Danzig said, is because of two large claims filed in thepast year. With the city's insurance plan, any claimunder $35,000 is paid by the city, at wholesale. Anything more than that is picked up by the insurancecarrier. Two employees went past the $35,000stop/loss point, with claims of $54,000 and $148,091.

"We're looking for the best carrier to get you the bestvalue," Danzig said. "Insurance is supposed to insurethe future, not the past. Often, the group's premiumwill go up after large claims."

Danzig said it appeared that another carrier, otherthan Fidelity Systems, could provide the same benefits, at the same price as last year.

The renewal date is January 1, 2009, and the Commission will need to decide which insurance carrier tochoose before then.

Before the Commission went into an executive session with a representative from the League of KansasMunicipalities, Commissioner Darrel Hosie voiced concerns over hiring a new city manager.

Former City Manager Mark Skiles resigned unexpectedly on August 6. He had been city manager forless than nine months, and had replaced Larry Paine.Paine joined the city staff in February 2003, and left fora job In Hillsboro in July 2007.

Now that the application review process for anothernew city manager has begun. Hosie said he had reservations about offering the job to anyone.

In his seventh year on the Commission, Hosie said,he has been through three citymanagers, and gettingready to hire a fourth.

In the past 20 years, Concordia has had eight citymanagers, and nine interim managers.

"It bothers me that we're going to ask someone tocome in here with our history and track record of theirnot staying long," Hosie said. "We need to have a discussion as to why and how this happens

89^1 • 99

SS^H • P9

I-,

19 oqH fit-

ev IV 9* r i tt>| 6f ?.f

• • l _u ot-1 i 66 • •M 1«• i* 9E i t!

Insurance(continued from page 1)But, Hattan and Lanoue

questioned variances in numbers, and why transfers fromvarious funds didn't match.

At this point, the Commission has still not accepted the2007 audit, nor has the auditing firm been paid for its work.

Uri said he is required tosend an audit to the state, andunless the Commission

instructs him otherwise, hewill send it to the state. TheCommission agreed that it besubmitted, but Hattan reiterated that the Commission hadnot approved the audit, norpaid for it.

In business items, the Com

mission accepted the KansasDepartment of Transportationfive-year street plan. Ron Copple, director of public works,said the plan for constructionor reconstruction of streetsincludes five Federal AidUrban routes.

The routes, year and costare: 5th Street, Davies Driveeast to the west side of 5thand Washington, 2010,$600,000; 18th Street. Stateto Lincoln, 2011. $675,000;Cedar Street, 7th to 11th,2012, $725,000; MatthewStreet, 6th to 11th. 2013.$725,000; and State Street,18th to 21st and CampusDrive. State to Republican,2014, $600,000.

Copple said if the streetsare selected by KDOT, theprojects would be 80 percentstate funded, with 20 percentcoming from the city.

"Basically, we're putting in(projects), and hoping forfunds," Copple said.

The Commission voted totable the signing of an agreement with Campbell andJohnson Engineers for 2009slurry seal projects.

Hosie said he is concernedabout the contract's statingany drawings or specificationsare the property of Campbelland Johnson and cannot beused for other nr«i«~t~-. . .j.ani sa-reau Siq.JiamimiMiou*

A request for a resolution toallow a mixed martial artsevent was approved by theCommission.

The event, billed as "WinterMeltdown," is live Mixed Martial Arts Cage Fighting. It isscheduled for December 13 atCloud County CommunityCollege.

Steve Womack Jr. andJimmy Workman, with NCKMMA, told Commissioners theevent will be sanctioned by theKansas Boxing Commission.The College has agreed toallow the event. Workmansaid, and the organization willprovide security.

In other business, the Com

mission accepted a bid of$20,075 for a 2008 Ford F-150 for the community development department. The lowbid came from Womack Sun

shine Ford-Kawasaki.The Commission also

approved a cereal malt beverage license for Wal-MartSuperCenter, and appointedLaDonna Peltier and TheadoraLineberry to three-year termson the Planning Commission.

During staff comments, theCommission gave Fire ChiefLarry Eubanks permission todeviate from the city's purchasing policy.

Eubanks said the opportunity has arisen to "piggyback"with another EMS service to

purchase a new ambulance.Cheyenne County EMS is purchasing a new ambulance,and if Concordia can orderalong with them, both entitieswill receive a discount.

Eubanks said he has themoney in his budget to coverthe new ambulance, and theCommission approved spending $140,900 for a 2008ambulance, to come equippedwith a new power cot.

After an executive session

to discuss non-elected personnel, the Commissionadjourned to a study sessionto discuss the north developsment with Harley Adams.

— * 'umHermrre mn.n

DOG TAXSection 4, City Code: All dogs five months of age and

older must belicensed. All dogs must have acertificate of Rabies Vaccination. License fees are fivedollars ($5.00) for each male dog and spayed female

dog, and eight dollars ($8.00) for each unspayedfemale dog, each dog over four (4) in a family tendollars ($10.00). All persons, firms or corporations

owning ofharboring a dog or dogs within the city limitsmust provide a license for their dog before the 1st day

of April ora fifty percent (50%) fee will beadded tov regulartags herein specified.

GET INVOLVEDIN YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTThe Concordia City Commission intends toinvolve as many qualified citizens aspossible in the governing process. Tothatend, theCommission announces thatvacancies do nowexistor willsoon

existon thefollowing citizenboards, commissions andcommittees:

PLANNING COMMISSION

HOUSING AUTHORITY

BOARD OF BUILDING TRADESBOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Ifyou are interested inserving the community by becoming amember ofone ofthese boards, commissions orcommittees, you

are askedto fillout a short Expression of InterestForm.To beconsidered for the above appointments, return a completed

Expression of Interest Form to theCityClerk'sOffice. You areurged to act at your earliest convenience.

All membersof boards,commissionsand committeesservewithout pay - outofa concern forthepublic good.

Forms and more information are available inthe City Clerk's Office,701 Washington Street, P.O. Box603,Concordia, KS66901.

Ifyou have questions, please call theCity Clerk's Office at243-2670 „ m ..

— t>f. s. 2art

Picking up thepile ~~ ' w "' '^^kLMijm.

Commissioners discuss cityfinancesBy Jessica LeDucBlade Staff Writer

What Mayor Greg Hattancalled a train wreck started out

as a discussion of the city'sfinances, Wednesday night,at the Concordia City Commission meeting.

At the last meeting. Hattanpresented a number of figures,showing the city facing revenueshortfalls for this year. Hepointed out that the city waslooking at a shortfall of$311,000 in water and sewerrevenues, as well as being down'in sales tax collections.

Given the state of the econo

my, he said at the last meeting,the city may have to revisit the2009 budget and evaluate possible cuts.

Last night, CommissionerDarrel Hosie, who asked that a

discussion of the city's finances

be added to the agenda, said hedidn't agree with Hattan's projections.

"I went home and studied,

and can't figure out where yougot your numbers," Hosie said."We're in a much better state,

financial-wise, than you reported."

Hattan said he obtained all

his figures from city revenuereports, which he said are official city documents. He said hiscomments are only projections,as the year isn't over.

"I'm pointing out that weaccount tilings differently thanwe budget, and some thingsdon't always match up," Hattansaid.

Hosie fired back that Hattan

was using a doom and gloomtactic, and said he was onlypointing out the negative fundbalances, not the positive ones.

"I'm not disputing the numbers, I'm just pointing out thatwe account differently than webudget," Hattan said. "Thereare serious problems withwater fees and not getting ourproperty tax dollars."

Commissioner CherylLanoue jumped into the fray,asking Hosie where he was getting his numbers. When Hosiesaid they were from the audit,which he had left in his truck,

Hattan told him, "Go get it. We'llwait."

After a short recess, Hosie

said according to the audit, thecity's cash balance overall -cash in the bank - at the end of

2004 was $3.5 million. At theend of 2007, that balance was

$4 million.

The city's unencumberedending balance in 2004 was$785,715, as compared to

$675,364 at the end of 2007."That's down $83,000. not

$1 million," Hosie said. "Where

did the $1 million come from ifwe overspent it?"

Hosie was referring to comments Hattan made during thebudget healing on Sept. 3. During that meeting, Hattan saidthe mill levy was raised becausethe city had overspent a littlemore than $ 1 million out of the

general fund. At that time, hesaid the city didn't have anymoney.

Last night, Hattan said hewould be happy to provide theappropriate numbers.

"I don't have all of my bookwork with me to be ready foryour sneak attacks, but I'll beglad to get you the informationat the next meeting," Hattansaid.

(see Finances on page 8)

FULL-TIME COMMUNICATIONS/

I RECORDS SPECIALIST IPolice Department

oraia Police D(The Concordia Police Departmentis seeking to fill the position of full-time Communications/Records

Specialist I. This position providestwo-way radio communication forpublic safety departments; 911emergency and administrative telephone service for citizens in theCity of Concordia and maintainsagency records. Interested persons must meet the following minimum requirements.

Be at least 18 years of age and aU.S. Citizen. Equivalent of a highschool diploma; no felony convictions; good typing and communication skills; pass a written examination. Computer experience a plus.Physical examination and drugscreening tests willfollow all conditional offers of employment. Experience preferred, but not necessa

ry-


Deadline: The City of Concordiawill accept applications until position is filled. Resume' may be included with completed city application form.




TO///yy///////A^^^^^^^^"^^

3/t^sCITY OF CONCORDIA

Will accept proposals for resurfacing of three (3) tenniscourts. Specifications are available at City Hall. Sealed envelope, marked "Tennis CourtResurfacing" will be accepted at the City Clerk's Office,701 Washington, P.O. Box603, Concordia, KS until 1:00p.m., April 8th, 2008. The Cityhas the right to reject any andall bids.

THE CITY OF CONCORDIAis soliciting for a Concessionaire for the Concordia SportsComplex for the 2008 season.A complete copy of the concessionaire agreement may be obtained from City Hall.

The City of Concordia reservesthe right to reject any and allproposals for any reason. Noproposals will be accepted after 10:00 a.m. March 24, 2008.Proposals should be submittedin a sealed envelope, marked(Concession). Envelopes received thereafter will be returned to the sender, unopened. No fax proposals submissions will be accepted orconsidered. Proposals will beopened at 10:00 a.m. March24, 2008. All proposals mustbe submitted in writing to theCity Clerk, City Hall, 701Washington, P.O. Box 603,Concordia, Kansas 66901.

(Pvbtished in the Concordia Blade-Empire onFriday.March21,2008)


AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 20-7,TEMPORARY USES, OF ARTICLE 20,

SUPPLEMENTAL DISTRICT REGULATIONS,Of THE ZONING REGULATIONS OF THE

CITY OF CONCORDIA.

Section 1. Section 20-7, TemporaryUses, ol Article 20, Supplemental DistrictRegulations, is hereby amended as follows:

SECTION 20-7 TEMPORARY USES

d. Spacing and setbacks. No recreationalvehicleshallbe located within either10 feetofa lot lineor less than 10 feet from another recreational vehicle, manufactured home, buHolng.or structure.

e. Temporary permit. The ZoningAdministrator may issue a permit fora termofup to six (6) months upon submissionol a complete and satisfactory application. Uponrequest the permit may, at the discretion of theZoningAdministrator, be extended for a maximum of an additional six (6)monthperiod.

b. Persons seeking approval for a temporaryuse authorized by items 1,2,4,7 and 8 in subsection 20-701.a. above shall make applicationto the Zoning Administrator at least ten (10)daysinadvance ol thetimedesired for usage.Suchapplication shall include a siteplan showing existing andproposed usage. TheZoningAdministrator mayissueacertificate of temporary use uponthe payment of the temporaryuse permit fee imposed by the fee ordinance,setting the period of time the temporary usemaybe allowed, anduponfinding:

1. The temporaryuse willnot impairthenormal, safe andeffectiveoperation of any permanent use on the same oradjoining site.

2. The temporary use will not adverselyimpactthe publichealth,safety, or welfareandwill notcreatetraffic hazardsorcongestion.

3. That adequate off-street parking is available tor the temporaryuse and any permanentuse on the site.

c. The lollowing conditions fora temporaryuse shall apply:

1. Suchuse whenconducted upona parkinglotof another businessshall notoccupymorethan twenty (20) percent oftherequired parkingspaces of such uses.

2. No temporary use shall be located withinthe required setback of the site.

3. Any signused inconjunction withthe temporaryuse shall comply withall require-<mentsof the sign regulations for temporary signs,including the obtaining of a signpermit.

Section 2. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force from andafter its publication in the official citynewspaper.

a. The following temporary uses may bepermitted.

1. Carnivals and circuses, located in a com

mercial or industrialzone or on public property.

2. Contractor's office and equipment shedson the site of a construction project only duringthe construction period.

3. Model homes or development salesoffices located within the subdivision or

develop-<ment area to which they apply.

4. Outdoor temporary sales on private property and not incorporated or in partnership withthe existing business located on that property ina commercial or industrial zone.

5. Seasonal sales of farm or garden produce,

bulbs, plantings or cut flowers, on an individual's place of residence and raised by the sameindividual, provided no structure is constructedfor such use.

6. One mobile home to be used as a temporary office tor any allowable use in an industrialzoning district

7. Any other temporary use which in the discretionof the ZoningAdministrator is comparable in characterand impact to any of the temporary uses specifically identified in 1 6 above.

8. Recreational vehicles, used for residentialpurposes, when located within the

Manufactured Home Subdivision district andused in accordance with the followingrequirements:

a. Electric. Must have electrical service pro- -.„„„vided by aCity franchised utility, with connec „ PASSED AND APPROVED by theBon and usage in compliance with all applicable °overn,n9 B°d» <* ,h» CHy of Concordia.City laws and regulate™. Kansas. th,s19day of March. 2008.

b. Other utilities. Connection to City water,sewer or other public utility is not required.However any connection and usage of anysuch service shall be in compliance with allapplicable City laws and regulations.

c. Minimum area. No recreational vehicle

shall be placed on a parcel of less than 1,500sq.ft.

CharlesB. Johnson, Mayor

ATTEST: "CherKnudsen ftInterim City Clerk >

APPROVED AS TO FORM:Lawrence R. Uri, Jr.City Attorney

City modifies fees for water systemByJessica LeDuc Thr- nrrfin.„™ t.^ , *^By Jessica LeDuc

Blade Staff WriterAfter tabling it last month, the

Concordia City Commissionapproved an ordinance Wednesday,modifying fees for the city's watersystem.

The newly approved ordinanceinstitutes an $80 deposit for newwater customers. When a customercompletes 12 consecutive months ofpayment for water and sewer, without delinquency, the deposit will berefunded.

In addition to a deposit, watercustomers are now subjected to aconnect fee of $20. If, for some reason, a customer is disconnected,they will now pay more to be reconnected - $30 - which is up from$10. For reconnection of servicesafter-hours, or on the weekend, thefee is $60.

At last month's meeting. UtilitiesDirector Larry Remmenga said diefee adjustments were to deal withwater customers who don't paytheir bills.

"Whenever we have bills we can'tcollect, it's die peoplewhopay theirbills regularly who end up pickingup the slack." Remmenga said lastmonth. "The only recourse we have,if we don't do something (with diefees), is to raise the rates."

The ordinance had been tabledlast month because of a questionraised about "snowbirds" - thosewho leave town for the winter. Atthat time, Commissioners PhilGilliland and Cheryl Lanoue bothsaid they didn't want to chargethesepeople, because they are onlygone a few months, and thenreturn.

To be "considerate" to those customers, Remmenga said, a sectionwas added to the ordinance to dealwith snowbirds. Now. the ordinanceallows for a customer to be temporarily disconnected and reconnected once every 12 months,without charge. Minimum waterand sewer lees will continue to bepayable during any temporary disconnection.

Also, if a customer is delinquentin payment, prior to discontinuingservice, written notice will be given,and the opportunity for a hearingon the delinquent account exists.The request for hearing must bemade to the director of utilities, whowill then make a decision.

The ordinance passed last nighton a 4-1 vote, with Lanoue castingthelone vole against. Before voting,she said she disagreed with the $80deposit, as well as the delinquencyhearing falling under the jurisdic

tion of the utilities director.In other business, the Commis

sion authorized Mayor CharlesJohnson to sign a letter of agreementwith Cloud County, regardingthe Plum Road dam.

As per the agreement, which theCloud County Commissioners havealready signed, the City will construct, maintain and own the damand all related facilities, and theCounty will own the road.

The County will have no financialobligation in the design or construction of the dam, and will only beresponsible for the maintenance ofthe road and guardrails.

The City, according to City Manager Mark Skiles, will be required tomaintain the dam and all relatedfacilities, as well as being responsible for any future damage to theroad caused by the dam. The Citywill also be required to control thebrush and erosion on the dam.

The Commission also dealt with achange order in regard to the eastwater tower.

Remmenga said that in theprocess of rehabbing the inside ofthe tower, it was found that a valvewas inoperable and needed to bereplaced. In addition to that, Remmenga said, the climbingsystem-used to access the top of the

tower -is unsafe and also needs tobe replaced. At present, he said,someone climbing the ladder has toactually unhook from the ladder toget to the top, which is extremelydangerous. In addition, the currentaccess system is not OTHSAapproved, and if someone fell off,the city wouldbe negligent.

The total change order, for thenew valve and a cable safety climbing system, was $8,410.

In other action items, the Commission approved a cereal malt beverage license for Thunder Strikez.from C. Dwight Housh and SandyHoush. The license will be for thebowling alley, which has recentlybeen purchased by the Houshes.

At the request of the Frank Carlson Library Board, the Commissionappointed David Strommen to afour-year term on the LibraryBoard. He will replace Max Reeves,who will complete his second termon the board at the end of themonth.

During staff comments, Concordia Fire Chief Larry Eubanks toldCommissioners he is working toform a committee to look into thehealthand fitness ofthe firefightersand EMS personnel. Eubanks saidthe committee plans to develop ahealth and wellness policy.

Anyone wanting to use the fields at the ConcordiaSports Complex, for any reason, is advised to go

through Concordia Recreation at City Hall.This includes college and high school teams, tournament

teams, traveling teams, tryouts, etc.Fields may need to be worked and/or set up. This

CANNOT be done on a moment's notice. We need to

know which field, the date, and time the field is requested.

Beginning in April, Concordia Recreation teams will havetheir practice schedules assigned. All other non-rec teamswill need to reserve a field for practice by contacting TomGennette at City Hall. Contacting our grounds crew willNOT get you scheduled. You must go through City Hall.Those teams who have reserved a field will have precedence over anyone on that field. Reservations MUST bemade for ALL tournaments. Use of concession stand can

be arranged. Keeping a running schedule of the SportsComplex activities from April through August will help us

avoid any conflicts. Please, DO NOT use fields that arechalked for games, or if the infields are muddy.

Your team's cooperation will be appreciated.

Thank You,Tom Gennette

•Field Resirmtions yVM'beimaae..ona-weekly basis -, -j.''V •'TiSS.'J'i. i",'i,<-/**3V3iii*s.S#r.t ,'•.,' - -»"

(youweek

•week.

Hattan, Hosiesecure seats on

city commissionLess than 30-percent of reg

istered voters turned out forTuesday's general election,electing Greg Hattan and Darrel Hosie to the Concordia CityCommission.

Hattan, a former Commissioner and Mayor, was the topvotegetter, receiving 714 votes.

Hosie, one of the incumbents, came in second, garnering 663 votes. In a close thirdwas the other incumbent, PhilGilliland, who finished only 68votes behind with 595.

Both Hattan and Hosie willserve three-year terms on theCity Commission.

The results from the pollingplaces are as follows:

First Christian Church (1stWard, 1st Precinct of 2nd Ward,and 2nd Precinct of 2nd Ward)Gilliland, 348; Hattan, 331

Hosie, 372.

Lutheran Church (3rd•£?"?»4th Wards): Gilliland, 200; Haltan, 306; Hosie, 234.

Advance ballots: Gilliland,47; Hattan, 77; Hosie, 57.

Of the 3,395 total registeredvoters, 1,042 cast ballots Tuesday. That total does not includethose who cast advance ballots.

In Miltonvale, Dwaine Ran-del and Ed Mottin were electedto the City Council. Randel hadthe most votes, with 46, andMottin received 42. JosephineHuyghebaert and Gregory M.Copple each received 41 votes,making it a tie for the remaining open seat on the Council.According to the Cloud CountyClerk's office, that race will bedecided when the County Commission canvasses the votes,on Monday.

.2j~ob

I Spread itaround (Wcja ZD< ZOCfk'• my.°f C°nc°rdla emP'oyee Forrest Daniels spreads new mulch in the playground area of the city park; Blade photobyJessica LeDuc)

Digging in thedirt '2>/0-^-UflRCity of Concordia employee Jim Metro uses a loader tomorning. (Blade photo by JayLowell) do some dirt work at the Airport Park Monday

newfaces areinthe news in2007 - concordia · 2019. 5. 20. · newfaces areinthe news in2007 cloud...

Documents