LARNED — Larned’s city council took a few minutes at the beginning of Monday night’s meeting to recognize the accomplishments of five EMS staffers. In 2019, they underwent advanced training outside their normal duties in order to provide care to the community at an advanced level, noted Larned City Manager Brad Eilts. This includes pain management, cardiac care, airway management and antibiotics from hospital to hospital.
Mayor William Nusser asked each of the individuals to step forward and introduce themselves and tell the council what level of certification they had achieved. Jason Zink, now a paramedic, started serving as a volunteer EMT in 2013. He took a year off to work as a semi-truck driver, and returned as an Advanced EMT with the city for about four years before completing his training as a paramedic at Barton Community College. Brian Lawrence, Ted Blake, Bill Jones and Katie Knieling achieved their Advanced EMT ratings.
Larned EMS has been operating as a full-time department since January 1, 2015, after more than 40 years of service from the volunteer department.
Eilts, on behalf of the city, thanked each and congratulated them on their achievement.
Reorganization of council
With November’s election now but a memory, Mayor Nusser and four re-elected city council members were sworn into their new terms of office Monday night by Larned City Attorney Ron Smith. They included councilmen Bennett (Ward One), Clark (Ward Two), Wilson (Ward Three), and Barnes (Ward Four).
In addition, at the start of the new year, the council is required to re-organize by selecting a president. Councilman Wilson served as council president for 2019. Councilman Kim Barnes was nominated and elected to serve as president for 2020. The council president presides over meetings in the absence of the mayor.
Planning and Zoning
On Dec. 16, Frieda Smith, the city’s zoning administrator, submitted her nominations for the joint City/County Planning Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Each year, the City of Larned and Pawnee County Commission appoint members to these boards, each serving a three-year term.
The Larned City Council Monday night approved the following during the consent portion of the agenda: Cindy Perez, Carl Dilley and Robert Sallee, reappointed. Debra Ryan and Damien Solis are the city’s new appointments to the City/County Planning Commission.
On the county’s side, Ron Van Cleve and Jim Haynes were reappointed to the commission. Haynes is also a designated floater for the Board of Zoning Appeals.
Joan Wilson was the city’s only reappointment to the Zoning Appeals Board. She joins county appointees Jim Froetschner, Tim George, and Phillip Reese. Reese is the only new appointee this year.
Finally, council members approved the designation of city depositories: American State Bank and Trust Co., Bank of the West, Farmers Bank and Trust, N.A., and First State Bank and Trust Co. The council also approved the GAAP waiver resolution, which is required annually.
