Topics discussed during the Clay Center City Council regular meeting on Tuesday, November 19th included: recognition of years of service, 1st Ward position, HVAC, Comprehensive Plan, Solar Project, UTVs/Golf carts on public streets, and more.
Mayor Thatcher recognized employees for their years of service including: Adam Siemers – 10 years, Ed Hedberg – 10 years, Mat Lips – 10 years, Ron Richardson – 15 years, and Howard VanDyke – 20 years.
Two applicants were interviewed for the open 1st Ward position: Zachary Rohleder and Keith Blake. After the interviews and voting process Keith Blake was named the new 1st Ward Councilor.
City Clerk Amelia Blackwood informed the Council that the heating and cooling unit in the front office of the City Hall needed replacing. Central Mechanical is currently working on prices and options for the replacement.
Attorney Dusty Mullin reported that the Planning Commission will continue working on the Comprehensive Plan, with a hearing being set for January 21st, 2025. Mullin also stated that Public Utilities is continuing to work with Kansas Power Pool on the Solar Project for the Water Treatment Plant. Platted streets were discovered and need to be removed before work can move forward on the Solar Project. The Council will bring this back up in a future meeting.
A motion was made to approve Ordinance No. 2472 pertaining to the Operation of UTVs/Golf carts on City Streets. The motion failed 3 to 4.
Councilor Daton Hess presented two bids for the 2025 CCLIP project. A motion was made to accept the bid from Shilling Construction, passing unanimously.
Councilor Karla Sweet reported to the Council that Natalie Muruato provided an update on the BASE Grant projects and there will be actionable items related to the BASE Grant at the next Council meeting. She also informed the Council that the City’s software provider gave a deadline to transition to a Cloud-Based system by December 2025.
Councilor Phil Kasper reported to the Council that the Airport Fuel System has been installed and is running. He also reported that the committee discussed heater quotes for the Airport. He also stated that the Bandshell project is complete and thanked Parks Supervisor, Patrick Hayes, for the work.
