By: Ryan Duey
Items discussed during the Clay Center City Council’s regular meeting on September 17th included: the 2025 Budget, Re-zoning, the Multi-Generational Life Center, building permits, and more.
Mayor Thatcher opened the meeting with a public hearing on the Revenue Neutral Rate for the 2025 Budget year. After no public comments, the hearing was closed, and a motion was made to approve exceeding the Revenue Neutral Rate, passing unanimously. The Council also motioned and adopted the 2025 Budget for the city after no public comments, passing unanimously.
City Attorney Dusty Mullin informed the Council that the Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals held Public Hearings on the re-zoning from Crawfords Investments and variance requests from Lovendahl and Leiszler Oil Company. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation to the City Council to approve the rezoning of property located at 501 W. Crawford from R-3 zoning to C-2 zoning. The Board of Zoning Appeals approved both ordinances and will present the recommendations to the City Council at the next meeting.
Councilor Phil Kasper reported that bids were solicited for a concrete project for the Dexter Park Bandshell. One bid was received from Bloom Construction. The Council made a motion to accept the bid from Bloom Construction, passing unanimously.
Councilor Kasper also informed the Board that proposals were made on the survey and design of the Multi-Generational Life Center. The Council motioned to approve the proposal from Kaw Valley Engineering, Inc. for the site survey and design. Proposals were also made for the Life Centers Geotech with these services being paid out of grant funds. A motion was made to approve the Geotech proposal from UES, passing unanimously.
The Council unanimously approved the issuance of Health Care Facilities Revenue Bonds for the purpose of financing or re-financing the construction, improvement, and equipping of Senior Life and Health Care type facilities. Authorizing execution of documents for Presbyterian Manors, Inc.
Councilor Mike Schultze reported by phone that the Public Safety Committee met to discuss the use of UTVs/Golf Carts on residential roads. City Clerk Amelia Blackwood is researching the topic, and the committee will reconvene in approximately a month.
Councilor Daton Hess reported that an ad has been placed for a job opening in the Wastewater Department for a new Operator/Supervisor as the current Supervisor is planning to retire in the next couple of years.
Councilor Kasper reported that the Airport Fuel System has failed and will need to be replaced. The cemetery had a computer fail they are awaiting quotes for data retrieval services off that computer. Kasper informed the Board that pool manager Rayleen Dreher was happy with the pool season and the changes made this year.
Mayor Thatcher reported that Parks and Recreation Supervisor, Patrick Hayes, informed him that the water will stay in the City pool until the leak is fully repaired so they can test the repair. The pool will then be drained after it’s chemical free.
