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Clay Center City Council Talk Construction, Budgets, More in Regular Meeting

By Quinn O’Hara

Photo by Quinn O’Hara

The Clay Center City Council met on the evening of July 16 for their regularly scheduled meeting. According to the Unofficial Minutes report:

Mayor Jimmy Thatcher said the recent street projects are looking very good. He also gave his compliments to the Clay Center Aquatic Park staff.

City Attorney Dusty Mullin reported he was continuing to work with McCown Gordon Construction on the contract for the Multi-Generational Life Center. A motion was made by Councilor Phil Kasper to authorize the Mayor to sign the final contract with McCown Gordon Construction upon approval by the City Attorney. Councilor Karla Sweet second the motion and it carried 8-0.

Mullin also reported that an Ordinance changing the name of Prospect Street to Otto Unruh between 9th and 12th Streets will be voted on in a future meeting. The USD 379 Board of Education previously voted to send a letter to the City of Clay Center requesting the change be made to honor the late Otto Unruh. At the time of the vote, the Board of Education cited the reasoning behind the request as a desire to have something in Clay Center with his name following the demolition of the Otto Unruh Stadium.

Councilors Kasper, Glenn Hoover, Sweet, Elton Hess, Daton Hess, Mike Peerson, and Theresa Charbonneau voted in favor of approving Ordinance No. 2467 Healthcare Facility Zoning Amendments. Councilor Mike Schultze voted against the measure.

The Councilors unanimously voted to approve the 2025 Budget and Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing Publication. The Councilors also unanimously voted to approve the Clay Center Elk’s Special Event License for their upcoming Bikes, Blues, and BBQ fundraising event.

Councilor Sweet reported that the Administrative Committee met recently with Department Heads to discuss the 2025 budgets. Councilor Elton Hess reported on several building permits that were recently issued. Councilor Daton Hess reported that several concrete ADA handicap ramps that were recently constructed will have to be re-done. The City will not be responsible for the bill. Councilor Kasper reported that the well at the Clay County Fairgrounds has been dug for the upcoming sprinkler project.