By Lucky Kidd
LYONS, Kan. — It was announced at the Lyons City Council Meeting Monday night that 28 people have applied to be the next Lyons City Administrator. Mayor Dustin Schultz told the Lyons City Council he was informed by Beth Tatarko from Austin Peters Group, which is assisting the city in the search, eight of the candidates were deemed to be highly qualified and four others also met the qualifications set out for the position.
The Council discussed matters released to the review of applications in an executive session at the end of the meeting.
During the public comment period of the meeting, five citizens addressed the Council about what they feel should be important qualities for the new Administrator. Alicia Hommon, who is running for mayor in next month’s election, said communication with citizens should be a top priority. Hommon said lack of that communication is the reason a lot of people feel a disconnect with the city.
Business owner Leon Boyea said he would like to see the new administrator, and city staff, be more proactive in their communication with business owners. Over the past year or so, Boyea said he has only seen one city employee come into his business to ask how things are going, that being Community Development Director and interim Administrator Trevor Faust.
Jason Beaver discussed compensation and longevity bonuses for the new administrator and a need to have clear performance expectations for bonuses, while Karen Hall said the Council needs to select a person who has experience and Lucas Cupps suggested as they review the candidates to seriously consider someone having a “different view,” perhaps coming from a non-typical background for an administrator or a candidate from out of state.
Police Chief Justin Holliday discussed with the Council various equipment needs within the department. Those needs are many, the most expensive of which is an upcoming replacement of department radios capable of meeting an encryption requirement that is being mandated by 2025.
The department’s current radios were purchased by Rice County on behalf of all emergency responders in the county when the FCC mandated a narrowing of bandwidths used for public safety and many other purposes. The radios are not an inexpensive item, with portable radios carrying a cost of over $3,000 each, and patrol car units costing upwards of $6,000.
Holliday said they also have a need to provide shotguns for each of their patrol vehicles – they have two total now for seven vehicles – and purchase stop sticks for each vehicle. Stop Sticks are also not an inexpensive item, as purchase of six sets would cost upwards of $15,000.
In the Police Department’s 2025 budget the only capital expense item included is replacement of a server, which had previously been used at City Hall and was handed down after a new server was purchased there. Chief Holliday said it’s his intent to refurbish the current server so there would be a backup.
The Council approved ordinances directing demolition of structures at 608 W. Main and 526 N. Grand for which show cause hearings were held last month. These actions start the bid solicitation process. Once demolition is complete, the property owners will be billed for that cost and if not paid will be added to property tax bills as a special assessment.
Submission of a request to extend timelines for completion of a Community Development Block Grant for housing rehabilitation was approved. Purpose of this is to allow for one additional home to be rehabilitated and the $300,000 grant fully utilized. Many grants of this kind around Kansas have requested extensions, partly due to material supply chain issues, especially for windows.
The Council approved elimination of four funds within the city budget, three of which had been used for transfer of funds from utility capital improvement funds for projects, which will now be funded directly from the parent fund. The other fund was a DUI fund which had mainly been used for diversion funds but is no longer needed as those cases are now handled through District Court. Remaining money in that fund will go to the general fund.
It also approved a request from the Center for Counseling and Consultation to designate a handicap parking space in front of their office in the 200 block of East Avenue North.
The Council will hold a special meeting Monday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m., and will discuss improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant with Thaniel Monaco from BG Consultants and matters related to financing the project.