The Osage County Herald-Chronicle | Community Thursday, December 13, 2018Page 2

when cookies and hot choc-olate was eaten or drank, even after Santa left the building, the day was not yet over. Following a short break in the action, festivi-ties moved downtown for “Festival of Lights” parade.

The parade was fitting of a small town community as wagons pulled by trucks and tractors were filled with handcrafted floats and waving costumed charac-ters. Santa, with several days yet until Christmas, found the time to bid farewell to the children watching the parade from his perch atop a bright red local fire truck as it passed by on the town’s main thor-oughfare. Volunteers from Santa Fe Trail High School’s band took time to provide a backdrop of Christmas music for the parade in the downtown area.

With the lights from the parade and music from the band, the cold air of the evening was forgotten. It was replaced by the prom-ise of the holiday season, a perfect ending to the day’s events.

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bridges they can get things across.”

The discussion shifted to old business from the Dec. 3 meeting about the lagoons at Sailaway Estates. Kuykendall was absent at that meeting where a citizen, Dale Devin, told Diver and Anderson a person who was given permission by Kuyken-dall to dump in the lagoons has been dumping there. Kuykendall said he has not given permission to anyone to dump at the lagoon. Ty-son told the commissioners the person has been cut off from dumping.

In response to Devin claiming the county is not maintaining the road at the lagoons, is not staying within the easement and threatening to block the county’s access, Tyson gave an update update, telling commissioners the rock has been laid on the road in the easement at the lagoons. Kuykendall said the county has an easement and stays within that easement. “We paid $4,500 back in the 60s for the easement,” Anderson added.

In response to Devin’s opinion the lagoons are leak-ing, Kuykendall answered, “We’ve had two tests done on the water and all it is is water, not sewage leaking.”

Kuykendall told Tyson he was asked if the noxious weed department accepted credit cards since some de-partments in the county now do. Following a brief dis-cussion, it was decided the department would be set up to accept credit cards. The county does not absorb the three percent fee charged for credit card usage, so a large sign would need to be displayed to inform the public about the fee.

HVAC systemTwo representatives from

Trinity Team met with commissioners to answer questions about a quote to upgrade and replace the control system for the courthouse HVAC system, which is becoming obsolete. The representatives said the upgrade and replacement would include a computer control system, software, licensing for software, 17 sensors, replacement of bad wiring, installation by Trane and training on the new con-trol system. They estimated installation would take two to three days.

After some discussion, it was decided to begin the installation process in January, and the board approved the upgrade and replacement in the amount of $16,944.

Fiber opticsMitch Miller, president,

and Amy Scritchfield, Car-rier Services Department supervisor, both of Dy-namic Computer Solutions of Topeka, Inc., met with commissioners to provide information the board had requested at the Sept. 20 meeting.

Miller provided a map of county buildings in which Internet and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is required. After examination of the map, it was agreed all

buildings were included.Kuykendall asked Miller

to explain Dynamic Com-puter Solutions’ relation with CenturyLink and why the county must go through them instead of going directly to CenturyLink. Miller explained they are a resale company for Centu-ryLink services and have been assisting the district court office with their needs for about five years, which is how they found out the county is interested in switching to fiber optic Internet service and having VoIP.

Kuykendall asked if the county then has to pay for their service. Miller said their service does not cost the county, as they are paid a commission from Cen-turyLink for providing the service.

Kuykendall pressed Dy-namic Computer Solutions as to who the county should call when problems arise, after the fiber optic Internet is installed. Miller said either Dynamic Computer Solu-tions or CenturyLink would help.

“We are the local guys,” Miller said. Service for this branch of Internet service from CenturyLink would be out of Kansas City.

Miller and Scritchfield continued answering the board’s questions, learning that the fiber optics would be true fiber optics and not synthetic fiber optics, and the county would only be responsible for the monthly service fee, with one month free when they sign a three-year contract, as the company would waive the installation fee.

They also learned both In-ternet service and VoIP ser-vice could not be installed at the same time. Installa-tion and set up of Internet service would need to be completed prior to the new phone system. It will take six to 12 weeks to install the Internet service and VoIP service typically takes 30 to 90 days. The county could expect a completion date of late spring, if the contract were to be signed soon.

“The key is to make sure the equipment for the Inter-net will allow for VoIP and future growth,” Scritchfield said. “That is one thing we will help with.”

Scritchfield recommend-ed the county seek quotes from three or four VoIP ser-vice providers and pointed out as a government entity, they qualify for advantage pricing with significant discounts.

Commissioners decided the next step is for a com-mittee with representatives from each county to decide what level of Internet speed is needed for each indi-vidual building. Scritchfield offered to assist the com-mittee.

In other business, commissioners:

o held a 15-minute ex-ecutive session to discuss non-elected personnel with Pat Walsh, county legal con-sultant, and Osage County Sheriff Laurie Dunn.

o approved the promotion of Lori Dishmar to personal property deputy, including a pay raise from $13.32 to $14.16 per hour, and Chris-

tine Love be promoted to real estate deputy, including a pay raise from $13.02 to $14.16 per hour in the ap-praiser’s office.

o set 10 a.m. Dec. 26 as the date for a public hear-ing on the lake region solid waste management plan five year reveiw.

o met Allison Dickinson, director of Community Corrections, which pro-vides community based assessment, supervision and prevention services for the Fourth Judicial District court, including Osage County. The services they provide are for adults and juveniles who are moderate to high risk.

o approved a computer purchase from Dell in the amount of $3,321 for Becky Bartley, land development office, with funds coming from the IT Fund. The com-puter is capable of GIS and includes software.

o approved the purchase of seven bulletproof vests and plate fitters for the Osage County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $5,839.25.

o approved emergency vehicle permits for Russell Mitchell and Mark Sinclair.

all dogs should be physically restrained regardless of any ordinance.

Nech mentioned some positive effects of the tech-nology. For example, more freedom of range and more access to shade, food and water for the animal is more beneficial than being tied up. Electronic fences are also less expensive to install than physical fences.

Councilmember Dale Sch-weiger agreed and added he has trained a dog using one of the devices successfully, however more discussion is in order before an ordinance is changed.

Nech recommends signage in yards where an electronic fence is installed and regis-tration with the city as well as further discussion. Limit-ing the fence to backyards may also be a possibility. He will research the issue and would like to find another city using electronic fences to see results.

Eric Johnson, P.E., Kirk-man-Michael, Lincoln, Neb., gave an update on the airport project. He briefly sum-marized upcoming Airport Capital Improvement Pro-gram requirement FAA has. This is an annual require-ment for Osage City Munici-pal Airport, which is targeted to construct a new runway. Johnson also gave a brief overview of events leading up to construction.

Waldo Margheim, P.E., Burns and McDonnell, Kansas City, Mo., presented updates and beginning of phase two of the sewer project. He reported lagoons are working

better after phase one and the bypass at the northeast pump station is used less frequently than before. He said phase two will be like phase one in the investiga-tion of the condition of pipes in manholes. The field investigations will start in December and construction will begin the second half of 2019. Margheim told the council the operating per-mit will expire in September and a new permit will be acquired. The next steps depend upon regulations of permit. The council approved task order for phase two not to exceed $350,000.

In other business, the council:

o approved an annual Arbor Day proclamation for the tree board.

o approved Jarred, Gilm-ore, Phillips, PA, to perform audit services for an amount not to exceed $8,900.

o held a discussion about second scheduled meeting in December since it falls on Christmas. No decision was made.

Councilmembers present at the meeting were Schwieger, David Azwell, Karey Heiser-man, Gail Lohmeyer, Bruce Schoepflin and Jeanette Swarts. Mayor Quintin Robert was also present. Council-members Becky Brewer and Denise Lauber were absent.

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Colter Robinson | Reporter

BURLINGAME — Burlin-game Police Chief Mathew Baker suggested a review of all terrain vehicle ordinances to include a better descrip-tion of utility task vehicles during the Dec. 3 Burlingame City Council meeting. All five council members were in attendance to discuss the matter.

According to Baker, the city has been issuing licenses for UTVs, but the specifica-tions used to identify them are not thoroughly identi-fied in city ordinances. The issue arose when Baker ap-proached someone for driv-ing a UTV on city streets.

“The language is not good on UTVs,” Baker said. “The newest models have engines as low as 200cc; there are go-carts that have those specs.”

“Theoretically, we didn’t have anything that would define this in our current or-dinance,” City Attorney Rick Godderz said. “If you don’t want them on the roads, you would have to amend our current ordinance.”

“My concern with go-carts is that they’re so low to the ground,” Councilmember Leslie Holman responded.

“We probably need to update our ordinances,” God-derz said.

Councilmember Kenna Burns made a motion to have Baker and Godderz amend the ATV ordinance with all in favor.

“I want to make sure it says UTV in there,” Burns said.

Country ChristmasThe Chamber of Commerce

asked the City of Burlingame for assistance in the city’s annual Country Christmas

event. The Chamber was seeking to create donation gift baskets to be auctioned that Saturday at Burlingame Hideout. The baskets would have to have been completed by Friday, Dec. 7, giving participants only five days to give donations, with pro-ceeds going to the Chamber.

“How come we’re so late for this,” Councilmember Sheila Curtis asked.

“I will need everyone’s help,” City Clerk Patty Atchison said. “The thing is, it’s going to take all of us to basically to bring stuff in for the baskets Friday.”

Burns motioned to approve the consideration for the Country Christmas. It was seconded by Councilmember Michelle Mullinix and ap-proved with all in favor.

In other business, the council:

o had a heated discussion on the Black Swan Still House proposal from resident Larry Robinson, which included several concerned Burlin-game citizens. The council denied the proposal.

o heard that Burlingame City Library has a leak and boxes of books had been destroyed despite recent repairs.

o approved electrical and plumbing service for S&S Service, Theel Plumbing and Blue Dot Services.

o accepted a bid from Tony Keeler in the amount of $5,300 for city property up for sale.

o accepted a travel request from City Superintendent Wesley Colson for a meeting in McPherson. The trip will take about 7.5 hours and be about 240 miles. The total expected cost is $60.

Burlingame City Council

City’s UTV policy to be amended