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City council briefs

By Caroline Trowbridge - | Oct 25, 2000

Bonds to be sold for city projects

About $610,000 worth of general obligation bonds X to pay for the Fourth Street renovation project as well as surface work on West Washington Street X will be sold Nov. 13.

Greg Vahrenberg, vice president at Piper Jaffray, explained to Tonganoxie City Council members Monday night how the bond-selling process will work.

Later this week, the sale will be advertised. At 11 a.m. on Nov. 13, the sealed bids will be opened, and Piper Jaffray will recommend the bids that carry the lowest interest rate. Vahrenberg estimated the rate would fall between 5.2 and 5.25 percent. If the city accepts the bids, the sale will close on Nov. 29 with a wire transfer to the citys bank account. Three days later, the citys temporary notes will be paid.

Vahrenberg said the city does not have to accept the sale.

Assessments to repay the bonds will appear on the 2001 tax bills, which will be paid in 2002, Vahrenberg said.

City OKs request to rezone 17.5 acres

After considering planning issues, the council approved a rezoning request for 17.5 acres on the east side of Smiley Road, between U.S. Highway 24-40 and Hatchell Road. The lands zoning was changed from rural to single-family residential. Hartsel Haskins, who submitted the request, said hes unsure of his plans.

Council members also approved a stormwater mitigation plan for the Assembly of God Church, which wants to rebuild at Sixth and Church streets. The church building was heavily damaged in the May 11 tornado. Church members hope to begin work on the structure soon.

Mayor to appoint liaisons to boards

At the councils next meeting, on Nov. 13, Mayor John Franiuk plans to ask council members to volunteer to attend meetings of various boards and commissions.

Council member Janet Angell asked that council members begin attending meetings of city and county groups, including the library board, the recreation commission, the city planning commission, the site review board and the countys planning and zoning commission.

That doesnt mean we should be voting, she said. I just feel if we had some representative to these boards they would know we are interested in what theyre doing and vice versa.

Greg Ward, city planning commission chairman, said the commission and council could benefit.

City help finance drainage study

Following an executive session, the council authorized city representatives attending todays meeting of the Leavenworth County Port Authority to offer to help finance a drainage study in Urban Hess business park.

To avoid liability X but at the same time help finance the drainage study X the city actually is offering to pay for up to $3,946 in inspection fees. The port authority, which is developing the business park, had asked the city to help pay for the drainage study.

In a related matter, the council agreed to meet with planning commission members at 6 p.m. today in an attempt to hammer out new parking requirements in industrial areas of the city. Council members said Monday that they want new requirements so that work on a new building in Urban Hess is not stalled. Its also possible that the port authority would install parking for the building that doesnt comply with the citys current regulations, said Mayor John Franiuk.

Council members agreed parking requirements are too stringent, saying that developers should be allowed to use part of the setback area.

An Olathe firm, S & S Steel Alloy, plans to occupy the new building by February.

Application deadline nears for commission

Council members were reminded that next Monday is the deadline for applications for a vacancy on the Tonganoxie Planning Commission. Interviews will be Nov. 13.