The Wamego City Commission is moving forward with activities for 2015. At Tuesday’s meeting, the Kansas Sampler Festival committee, consisting of Michele Crisler, Betsy Riblett and Bunny McCloud went over the Festival plan update.
According to Crisler, the City Park and 4th Street ball fields will be closed to the public from April 26th through May 5th, , for the installation of the big tent. The perimeter fencing will be installed during the week prior, but access to the park will be allowed.
Crisler said are currently 182 exhibitors registered for booth space, with more expected. Last year’s Festival had almost 300 exhibitors. Again, she said there are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Betsy Riblett at 785-456-9520 or Bunny McCloud at 785-456-8515. The date of the 2015 Kansas Sampler Festival is May 2nd and 3rd, in the Wamego City Park.
In other business, the Commission approved supporting the Youth Summer Theatre Academy by contributing $1,500. City Manager Merl Page said the City has partnered with the Recreation Commission and the Columbian Theatre for a number of years (nobody could remember exactly how many).
City Manager Merl Page introduced the resolution for approval to opt out of the GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) requirement for the City’s financials. He said the City operates on a cash basis rather than accrual, which exempts government entities from the GAAP requirements. He said this resolution requires annual approval.
In other business, Page reviewed an issue from the last meeting, stating letters had been sent to local insurance agents asking if there was an interest in being listed as Agent of Record for the City’s property and casualty insurance. He said only one agent returned the request, Copeland Insurance, who represents different insurance companies for more competitive rates.
Page also reminded the Commission of the Sidewalk Master Plan that was completed last summer through the City and Planning Commission. He said the plan was reviewed and accepted and asked the Commission for the next step. The Commissioner’s agreed the City should move forward with the plan and to schedule a Public Forum for late February or the first part of March.
At Tuesday’s meeting, City Manager Merl Page reported the City Power Plant is about 2 months from completion.
Page enclosed a copy of the 2014 Annual Code Enforcement Report from Code Enforcement Officer Dale Culbertson. According to the report, a total of 465 violations were addressed, which include Inoperative Auto, Weed and Grass Violations and Nuisance. The largest area of complaints involved Inoperative Auto’s.
Page also reported the 2014 Sales Tax showed the City’s numbers 1.2% higher than a year ago, while the County’s numbers are 4.9% higher.
He reminded the Commissioner’s of two important dates, the Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Saturday, January 24th at the Columbian Theatre, and the annual Ag Appreciation Event on February 14th at KanEquip.
