Other items of discussion and actions taken:
• Approved appropriation ordinance #11 in the amount of $718,421.35
• Approved the purchase of a 2018 Ford Utility police Interceptor from Janssen Motors for $32,320.96, to be paid for out of the Police Department budget for 2018.
• Approved the Annual Lease to Purchase Agreement with American State Bank for a new John Deere front end loader from Murphy Tractor and Equipment, Great Bend, for $138,048. The agreement is for a five-year term at 2.90 percent with an annual payment of $29,210.
• Allen Taylor provided a Street Department update.
LARNED — The question of whether or not Larned will allow Sunday liquor sales was raised, and the answer from city council members came back yes, with only one member, Carroll Bennett, dissenting. No reason was provided. The owner of Guy’s liquor store contacted Mayor William Nusser to request a change to the city code, allowing the sale of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Larned Chief of Police Charles Orth provided no legal issues or concerns specific to Sunday sales when asked. The communities of Great Bend, Ellsworth, St. John, Ellinwood and Hoisington all currently allow Sunday sales. City Manager Bradley Eilts submitted an authorizing ordinance which would, in accordance with the state, allow for Sunday sales except on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day.
The ordinance will be published in the Larned Tiller and Toiler once a week for two weeks, and will then take effect in 61 days, unless a sufficient petition for a referendum is filed. If that happens, the question will go to voters.
Council members were generous and granted a request by the Pawnee County Ministerial Alliance in partnership with Helping Hands Ministry for $4,000 to be used for utilities by qualified individuals. The organization vets applicants who once a year can apply for up to $150 that must be used to pay for utilities provided by the city. This includes electricity and water. Helping Hands operates Larned’s Food Pantry located at 501 Main St.
A request was also made by Prairie Vista Duplex Apartments Assistant Housing Administrator Charles Spina for fencing for a dog park. The community is owned by the City of Larned. The bid was for approximately three-foot high vinyl fencing. Council members felt this would not hold up well for the intended purpose and requested bids for different materials be submitted at the December meeting.
Executive session
An executive session was requested for the purpose of a six-month review of City Manager Bradley Eilts under the Open Meetings Act exception for non-elected personnel. Upon returning to regular session, no action was taken.
The meeting was then adjourned.
