Issues that have been raised during recent Lyons City Council meetings were a major topic of discussion during Monday’s meeting.
Council member Sheila Speilman said over the past couple of meetings there have been comments made by Council members that have either been misleading or incorrect. Spielman said they should make sure they know what they are taking out.
“It does not help our citizens in any way, shape or form, for us to be making misleading or incorrect statements,” Speilman said in asking her fellow Council members to make sure they are sharing accurate information.
At the May 26th meeting questions had been raised by a Council member regarding a purchase that is budgeted for this year. Speilman said when they approved the budget, they also approved the spending plans for the coming year. She said it’s not fair to approve a budget and then tell a department head they can’t spend money on what they have planned for..
Spielman then addressed other controversies that have surfaced in recent weeks, involving comments regarding Mayor Alicia Hommon and Interim City Administrator Bailey Saylor. When she was working as Lyons City Clerk, she made a remark about the then mayor, at which time then City Administrator John Sweet told her in no uncertain terms that the mayor as an elected position is worthy of the respect that entails as a person elected by the citizens of Lyons.
She brought up a situation that occurred 5-6 years ago that is quite similar to what is going on now, a case of people acting acting like “a bunch of little kids arguing about toys”. In a general view of things, Spielman said she doesn’t like some of the things that have happened in society over the past 5-10 years, but we have to keep up with things.
She added for younger people there needs to be respect for history, and for the reason some rules are written as they are. With that, she encouraged the Council to take the time to think, to study, and pay attention to what’s going on.
A letter was also read to the Council from Sonja Tipp expressing support for Mayor Hommon, who she said has consistently worked towards the betterment of Lyons trough community involvement, advocacy, grant opportunities, beautification efforts, and support of those who also seek to improve the city.
Tipp said the mayor has demonstrated leadership far beyond what residents have seen from other leaders in the past, and most importantly making Lyons feel like a place people want to call home.
She was less complimentary of Council member Cecil Burdette, calling remarks he made at the last meeting being unnecessarily condescending, dismissive and unprofessional, and misrepresenting or questioning the the authority, position and responsibilities of the mayor, particularly in a matter that appeared more personal than professional.
Tipp also raised the concerns Saylor mentioned about a probationary period that has been proposed in a contract to be the permanent administrator. Tipp said this is not uncommon in many professional settings during the initial period of employment. She added from the perspective of many citizens who watched last week’s meeting, the obvious resistance, body language, and commentary presented raised concerns about possible ulterior motives or coordinating opposition.
Whether it was intentional or not, Tipp said what went on that that meeting left residents felling politics and personal feelings were taking preference over actions on needs of the communities, and past Councils have not adequately dealt with deteriorating infrastructure issues in the city.
Another citizen, Gary Dobbins, said he was in agreement with that Spielman said. He felt the council was micromanaging affairs and doing the same thing over and over again, adding he didn’t think Hommon was moving fast enough to address issues within the Police Department
Dobbins added he also has issues with Sayler related to the way she does business, and actions the Council took regarding a contract with her. He added “going with the flow” is not the answer, and the Council needs to be consistent and show common sense.
Related to the city administrator, the Council voted 6-2 to request City Attorney Remington Dalke to draft a revised charger ordinance that would give the mayor the power to appoint the City Administrator as it has with certain other positions within the city. This action came as the council reviewed a proposed amendment to the city code specifying appointment of the administrator shall be by a majority vote of the full council and that the city administrator serves at the pleasure of the governing body.
This discussion came about due to an earlier charter ordinance dealing with this position. Dalke said there may have been an oversight in drafting of that ordinance as it relates to it. Under state law, a charter ordinance would require a 60-day protest period before it would become final.
Regarding the vacant Chief of Police position, Hommon told the Council interviews have been completed with potential candidates, which included meetings with outside law enforcement professionals and with community members. She said “It may be a while” before a new chief will be recommended as background checks are being done on each of the candidates interviewed.
The Council approved the appointment of Donetta Birzer and John Wall to the Library Board. Mayor Hommon said while she likes to personally visit with those she recommends for appointment, she had enough positive comments about both and with that went ahead and brought the nominations to the Council.
Three resolutions were adopted connected with a commercial rehabilitation Community Development Block Grant connected with a a proposal to rehabilitate the former Lyons News building at 210 W. Commercial. The resolutions address designation of the property as blighted, setting out the city’s legal authority to apply, and operations and maintenance matters.
Unlike other CDBG grants, if this grant is awarded it would not count against the city’s apply for other grants under this program. Only cities and counties can apply for this grant, but the city would not have any financial responsibility connected with it.
The present owners of the building have stated their intent is to renovate it to accommodate a number of businesses.
Assistant City Administrator Elizabeth Fuller reviewed the housing sections of a proposed comprehensive plan for the city. The housing section includes two broad goals, increasing the variety of housing types and ensuring quality and affordable housing.
Mayor Hommon raised some recent discussions on social media about having a splash pad in Lyons. Noting that the city is having to deal with many significant infrastructure issues right now, she encouraged residents to look at the potential of private citizens raising funds for the project, and encouraged staff to look into possible grants
In her report Sayler reported there had been vandalism to the bathrooms at Frisbee Park over the weekend, along with flooding of the Little League field bathrooms and an electricity failure at the pool which they were able to get it back up and running, though it caused some small issues. She also reported a roll-off has been sent to a property KDHE has been involved with cleanup on.
