Lincolnville city council changes sewer fee collection system
At its regular meeting July 1, Lincolnville City Council approved purchase of a $400 drop box to be installed at the community building and used by city residents for sewer fee payments.
The city has been paying $25 per month to Pilsen State Bank to accept and record payments.
Beginning in September, residents will receive an envelope with a detachable bill. The payment can be placed in the envelope and deposited in the box at the community building OR it can be stamped and mailed at the post office.
Currently, accounts are by name only, but on the new bills, each account will be assigned a number.
Clerk Jane Pigorsch said the new system will make it easier for her to keep track of individual accounts.
Information about the change will be posted at the post office. Pigorsch will send a formal letter to bank officials informing them that the bank no longer will make collections after Sept. 1.
Bids were opened on a re-shingling project which was required due to hail damage. The job was awarded to Ship-shape Roofing of Marion, at a cost of $1,534 for labor and materials. David Shiplet will tear off old shingles and re-shingle the shelter house and rest rooms in the park and the concession stand at the ball diamond.
Other bids received were from Hett Roofing, Marion, $1,800; Jerry Pankratz, Lincolnville, $1,950; and Ralph Brown, Hope, $1,921.
Treasurer Don Buethe reported that the budget meeting with county officials will take place at 9 a.m. July 18.
Total receipts for the month of June were $4,215.09 including an $1,800 hail insurance award. Expenses totaled $4,033.35 including a payment of $2,227.17 for sewer maintenance. The ending cash balance was $42,132.88.
Joe Vinduska, city employee, asked for a guideline on spending authority in emergencies. The council passed a motion to allow him to spend up to $50 per month for emergency maintenance and repair of equipment. If more money is required, he is to get approval from a council member.
Vinduska reported enough discharge from the sewer to send in a sample to KDHE.
He was instructed to remove a bench that is in the storage building at the ball diamond. He will set it outside the building.
Mayor Victor Burns announced that Kenny Steiner has resigned as part-time city employee to take a full-time job. An ad will be placed in area newspapers for a replacement.
Burns said KOSS Construction will be asked to do more blade patching on Lincolnville streets.
"We lost a house this past week," he said, referring to Steve and Anita Svoboda's removal of their home to the country. The basement has been filled in.
The voting booths used during local elections will receive new red, white, and blue curtains, Pigorsch reported. She said she was told the curtains should be stored in plastic tubs. She suggested that, because the booths are county property, the county should purchase the tubs.
Pigorsch said that Lincolnville will be the testing site for a voting booth designed for handicapped, elderly, and disabled people, to be installed by the Aug. 6 primary.
Plans are underway for the Oct. 5 Lincolnville Octoberfest celebration. The Octoberfest fund balance is $1,320. Committee chairman Karen Hurt requested and the council approved a contribution of $500 from the city to the fund. Hurt said more volunteers are needed.
The council discussed a request by Frankie Biehler to place a trailer house on his city property for storage. Most members were negative about it but the council took no action.
Councilwoman Gail Burns received a suggestion to wait until the summer ball season is completed to set up a day when community volunteers can join together to build up the ball field and paint the bleachers and concession stand/storage building.
Burns suggested that the Lincolnville Ball Association hire a recreation director who would be responsible to hire referees, take care of the ball diamond, and prepare the field for games.
"I'm spending too much time on this stuff without getting paid for it," she said.
Councilwoman JoAnn Olsen reported that Rosemary Saunders, grant writer, has agreed to come to the August meeting to explain her services.
The next meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Tammy's Place.
