The Emporia City Commission approved an application from the Emporia Police Department for federal stimulus money that would fund two currently vacant officer positions and allow for the creation of a third. The action came at the commission’s regular action meeting Wednesday night.
The stimulus money would pay for the positions for three years, with a requirement that the city fund the positions for the fourth year.
Emporia had 49 officer positions until 2005, when three were cut because of budget cuts.
The item was removed from the consent agenda so commissioners could discuss the risks involved with creating positions the city ultimately will have to pay for.
Commissioner Jeff Longbine expressed a concern about filling positions that might have to be eliminated when the stimulus money dries up.
City Manager Matt Zimmerman explained that, under the grant, other positions could be eliminated if necessary if the city were to be facing budget difficulties.
“I just wanted the commission and the department to be aware that if the funding’s not there after year four, those positions may be eliminated,” Longbine said, “and it’s very difficult to add positions and then eliminate positions later, because then you have personalities involved, you have good employees involved.”
The commission approved the application, and if the stimulus money is awarded to the department, creating the positions will come back for the commission’s approval.
Commissioners also presided over the promotion of Sgt. Ed Owens of the police department to the rank of lieutenant. Owens will be in charge of investigations for the police department.
The commission also approved a bid for $187,000 from Martin Tractor Co. of Manhattan to supply a used track loader to replace one that was destroyed by a fire in November. The new tractor will be used for composting, construction/demolition coverage and drainage maintenance. City staff looked at bids for both new and used equipment and recommended the city purchase a new tractor for $277,000, using the $175,000 insurance payment the city received from the destroyed tractor. The commission decided on a 2006 model Caterpillar 963C instead.
Members of the Charles Wayman family presented a check for $7,500 to the city from the Charles Wayman Fund at the Emporia Community Foundation for maintenance work on the bandstand at Fremont Park. In 1993, Emporia State Bank and the Wayman family donated about $30,000 to rebuild the bandstand, but the chat surface around the structure has led to wear and tear on the bandstand’s steps and floor. In addition to accepting the donation, commissioners also authorized a matching donation from the city to help with repairs.
The commission also accepted a donation of $3,862 from the Peter Pan Park Playground committee to help pay for maintenance and repairs at the playground. After donating money to the city to help pay for new lighting at the playground, the committee had the money left over and wanted to specify that it be used to help maintain the playground.
In other business, commissioners:
F Awarded a bid to Musselman & Hall Contractor of Kansas City, Mo., for $168,008 for materials and labor to lay approximately 106,000 square yards of slurry seal and about 8,000 pounds of crack seal on various streets in Emporia.
F Approved the purchase of a new computer server for $29,519 and a new printer for $8,435,
F Authorized Mayor Bob Agler to sign a 40-year agreement to provide the city of Hartford with up to 3 million gallons of water per month.
F Appointed Patti Lipson, Prudence Schmidt, Cruz Jasso and Sandra Kramer to the Human Relations Commission.
F Presented recycling awards from the Natural Resources Advisory Board. Awards for Community Area Recycling Excellence went to Bill Hanlon and the Say family. Master Recycler awards went to Bill Borst, Detroit Diesel, Flint Hills Care Center, Harry Hart, Hugh Jones and the United Methodist Women.
F Signed a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention/Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
F Signed a proclamation naming April 27 to May 1 as National Crime Victims’ Awareness Week.
F Signed a proclamation declaring April 19 to the 25 Earth Week and April 22 as Earth Day in Emporia.
F Signed a proclamation honoring the state champion Emporia High School wrestlers.
After adjournment, Commissioners Julie Johnson, Kevin Nelson and Jim Kessler, who were re-elected in last week’s election, were sworn in by City Clerk Susan Mendoza. After taking the oath of office, commissioners elected Longbine as mayor and Kessler as vice-mayor.