Girard City Council holds meeting on Zoom, discuss unsafe conditions
By: Aaron Pyle
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Girard City Council held their bi-weekly meeting discussing a number of topics from unsafe conditions to rental registrations.
The meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, Oct. 12 but postponed due to council members being required to quarantine. Instead of holding the meeting at the Girard City Hall, the meeting was held over Zoom.
All members of the council were present except Lucas Stansbury as Mayor Mickey Pyle called the meeting to order. Council member Sheldon DeLange gave the invocation as the pledge of allegiance followed DeLange’s opening words.
Following the acceptance of the agenda, council members accepted the consent agenda. The council approved the consent agenda which consisted of items ‘a’ through ‘d.’
Item ‘a’ on the consent agenda consisted of the approval of appropriations ordinance 2020-20. Item ‘b’ approved Anixter Inc. (underground primary wire), BCBS of KS, KMEA/GRDA (wholesale electric-contractual), KMEA/EMP3 (wholesale electric-market), PWWSD #11 (wholesale water purchase) and Turfwerks (Rain Bird golf software).
For items ‘c’ and ‘d’ of the consent agenda, the council corrected and approved minutes from their meeting on Sept. 14 as well as Sept. 28.
Moving onto regular business, the council first discussed the consideration of allowing the City Electric Department to assist the City of Bronson and KMEA. KMEA and the City of Bronson needed the assistance of lineman for a small project for which they would be compensated for. Following a brief discussion, the council approved the Electric Department to provide assistance.
Following approval, the council considered Resolution 20-11, 20-12, 20-13 and 20-14 which concerned unsafe conditions.
For Resolution 20-11, the resolution asked for condemnation of property on 411 W. Forest St. The council approved Resolution 20-11.
Resolution 20-12 concerned unsafe conditions at 409 W. Forest on an unoccupied mobile home. The council approved Resolution 20-12.
On the next resolution, 20-13, the item concerning unsafe conditions for a property on 406 W. Buffalo in which some of the properties roofs have caved in. The council quickly approved the resolution.
The council then discussed Resolution 20-14 concerning unsafe conditions on 317 S. Carbon. The house has been unoccupied there have been reports of kids going into the home. The council approved Resolution 20-14.
Council members then went over Resolution 20-15 for the closing of streets on the square for ‘Trunk or Treat.’ City Attorney Steve Angermeyer spoke with the council saying he spoke with Dr. Timothy Stebbins of the Crawford County Health Department. Angermeyer let the council know a commissioner meeting on Friday, Oct. 16 will decide future events and KDHE recommends against it. Angermeyer also asked those planning the event to submit a mitigation plan to the Crawford County Health Department. Council member Bill Huston made the motion to cancel the event for this year. The council amended Huston’s motion to approve the event upon the stipulation that it goes with the County Commissioners’ future rules and the Health Department’s approval.
For the next item, the council considered Resolution 20-16 for the conveyance of property in the Industrial Park. Following a brief discussion regarding amending the contract, the council approved of the Mayor’s signature on the contract/deed.
To close regular business, the council considered sending a new rental registration letter and flyer for inspections. The council approved to table the issue on sending the flyer and the letter following a discussion with the Girard Landlord Association’s attorney during the Nov. 9 council meeting.
Mayor Pyle adjourned the meeting as the next Girard City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. Meeting date is subject to change.