LARNED — The Larned City Council met Monday night for an abbreviated meeting that included approval of the consent agenda, two CMB license requests, and passage of a resolution to submit a grant for CDBG-CV dollars to reimburse the Larned food bank and senior meals program for their efforts during this COVID-19 crisis time.
The consent agenda included the staff recommendations for the city budget for fiscal year 2021. Council members will begin meeting for budget workshops beginning Monday, July 13, and begin work on a final budget which will be presented to the public later this month.
“Once again, they are dealing with declining assessed value. This year, it was a 1.25 % decrease,” Larned City Manager Brad Eilts said. “It doesn’t seem like much, but the city doesn’t receive much per mill now, so every time that happens it makes it more challenging for us.”
Last minute additions to the agenda included requests for CMB Special Events licenses for beer gardens at the Pawnee County Fair and a Larned Chamber sponsored rodeo. Both were approved.
According to Eilts, council members expressed concerns about how to limit liability to the city when events, such as the fair and the rodeo, are held on city property. Currently, Larned’s City Attorney Ron Smith is working on drafting a release of liability form for the council to consider.
“It’s really uncertain what are the proper ways to protect us healthwise and legalwise during this time,” Eilts said.
EMT recognition
The council also recognized the achievements of members of the Larned EMS this past year, introduced by Larned EMS Director Kara Lawrence.
Antonio “T. J.” Hern was promoted from Advanced EMT to Paramedic. He was last recognized by the Larned City Council in 2019 when he was promoted to Sergeant in the Larned Police Department. In addition to policing, he also serves on the Larned Fire Department and Larned EMS.
“Hern is a great guy, and a hard worker,” Eilts said.
Three others, Savannah Racette, Joe Clarke, and Deavin Warner, were recognized for earning their EMT certifications. All three are new technicians.
