Four ordinances regarding a proposed "Highway Commercial District" on east U.S. 160 were sent back to the Wellington Planning Commission for further discussion. One ordinance establishes the district which will run from Boundary Road to Broadway Road, another limits the types of businesses which can be established in the district, and another addresses landscaping. The fourth ordinance amends the City's sign ordinance.
The topic of debate is how wide the district should encompass. The Planning Commission is proposing a district that stretches from one mile south of U.S. 160 to 1/2 mile north of U.S. 160. Some City Council members have expressed a desire to widen the HCP further.
Businesses such as exotic dancing clubs, pawn shops, check cashing and payday loan businesses, and salvage yards will be prohibited from building in this district.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Council grants extra Christmas holiday
With Christmas falling on Thursday this year, the City Council passed a motion to give City Employees December 26th as a Christmas holiday as well. This will allow employees to enjoy a four day weekend at Christmas.
The City will now fall in line with holidays allowed by the State of Kansas and Sumner County.
Council Member Shimer voted against the extra day.
There was discussion on allowing January 2nd of next year as an extra New Years holiday, however that discussion was tabled until the next Council Meeting.
The City will now fall in line with holidays allowed by the State of Kansas and Sumner County.
Council Member Shimer voted against the extra day.
There was discussion on allowing January 2nd of next year as an extra New Years holiday, however that discussion was tabled until the next Council Meeting.
Motion to abandon "roundabout" fails
A motion to abandon the "roundabout" project at 15th & "A" street failed at the last City Council meeting. The issue arose when a vote was needed to separate the roundabout project and the east U.S. 160 resurfacing project which were tied together last year. Because of funding shortfalls at the State level, the U.S. 160 resurfacing project has been postponed until fiscal year 2011.
Council Member Richard Granger made the motion stating rising costs of materials as the setback. Originally estimated at $800,000, the price has risen 50% and is now estimated to be $1.2 million. The City's share will be 10% with the remainder paid for by a KLINK grant. The final cost will not be known until bids on the project are let next year.
Those voting in favor of abandoning the project were Council Members Valentine, Granger, Antonich, and Tracy. Those voting in favor of continuing the roundabout as planned were Council Members Craig, Shimer, Watson, and Buckman. With a 4-4 tie vote, the Mayor was allowed to cast the deciding vote. Mayor Stallbaumer voted "no" on killing the project. The roundabout will continue as scheduled.
Council Member Richard Granger made the motion stating rising costs of materials as the setback. Originally estimated at $800,000, the price has risen 50% and is now estimated to be $1.2 million. The City's share will be 10% with the remainder paid for by a KLINK grant. The final cost will not be known until bids on the project are let next year.
Those voting in favor of abandoning the project were Council Members Valentine, Granger, Antonich, and Tracy. Those voting in favor of continuing the roundabout as planned were Council Members Craig, Shimer, Watson, and Buckman. With a 4-4 tie vote, the Mayor was allowed to cast the deciding vote. Mayor Stallbaumer voted "no" on killing the project. The roundabout will continue as scheduled.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Salute our veterans!
Many times, Veterans Day celebrations tend to reflect on those Veterans who lost their life fighting for our country. While those veterans definitely deserve our upmost respect, Veterans Day should also be a time to celebrate those who served our nation and are still alive today.
According to the 2000 census, Wellington is blessed to have 887 military veterans walking our streets today. These residents served in the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force, and have endured times we cannot begin to perceive. Many of them were injured while serving, some were prisoners of war. But they all served our country, serving us, and protecting the very freedoms we enjoy. Without these Veterans, life as we know it would not exist.
When you see one of these veterans or meet them on the street, shake their hand and thank them for their dedication and selflessness. They truly deserve our honor and respect.
According to the 2000 census, Wellington is blessed to have 887 military veterans walking our streets today. These residents served in the Army, Marines, Navy, and Air Force, and have endured times we cannot begin to perceive. Many of them were injured while serving, some were prisoners of war. But they all served our country, serving us, and protecting the very freedoms we enjoy. Without these Veterans, life as we know it would not exist.
When you see one of these veterans or meet them on the street, shake their hand and thank them for their dedication and selflessness. They truly deserve our honor and respect.
Fire and EMS services extended
In late August, the City of Belle Plaine fell short on funding and was forced to relinquish its EMS license, ceasing to provide emergency medical services to it's citizens. They called upon Mulvane, Conway Springs, and Wellington to help cover their territory.
While I sympathize with their problems and want to be a good neighbor, I feel we can only offer help when our resources allow. Because of short staffing and Wellington EMS's already large response area, I voted against extending a helping hand to Belle Plaine.
Wellington already has more than it's fair share of terrority to cover. When the funeral homes could no longer provide ambulance services in the late 1960's, Wellington was forced to provide services to it's citizens. It inherited Oxford, Geuda Springs, and approximately 1/3 of rural Sumner County. Even though the Kansas Turnpike Authority pays no taxes and provides no subsidy for EMS services, Wellington is forced to provide service to 26 miles of the Kansas Turnpike. The department also makes numerous patient transfers to Wichita medical centers, many times a new transfer is scheduled before an ambulance already in Wichita can return to Wellington. Because of this large area and call load, all three Wellington ambulances can be out of the City at any given time. When all three ambulances are out of the station, our citizens are left with no EMS protection.
Wellington also has it's share of manpower shortages. The fire department has been staffed by fifteen firefighters since the late 1940's. Six additional personnel were hired when the City took over EMS services from the funeral homes, but budget cuts in the mid 1970's cut the staff back to fifteen. The same manpower that took care of fire protection for decades now had to provide both fire and EMS services. When off-duty personnel are not available for recall as needed, there are times when manpower shortages leave EMS protection slim.
It is vital that our citizens receive public safety services, the number one priority, and our service was formed to serve the citizens of Wellington first. While I sympathize with the City of Belle Plaine, we must take care of our own first.
While I sympathize with their problems and want to be a good neighbor, I feel we can only offer help when our resources allow. Because of short staffing and Wellington EMS's already large response area, I voted against extending a helping hand to Belle Plaine.
Wellington already has more than it's fair share of terrority to cover. When the funeral homes could no longer provide ambulance services in the late 1960's, Wellington was forced to provide services to it's citizens. It inherited Oxford, Geuda Springs, and approximately 1/3 of rural Sumner County. Even though the Kansas Turnpike Authority pays no taxes and provides no subsidy for EMS services, Wellington is forced to provide service to 26 miles of the Kansas Turnpike. The department also makes numerous patient transfers to Wichita medical centers, many times a new transfer is scheduled before an ambulance already in Wichita can return to Wellington. Because of this large area and call load, all three Wellington ambulances can be out of the City at any given time. When all three ambulances are out of the station, our citizens are left with no EMS protection.
Wellington also has it's share of manpower shortages. The fire department has been staffed by fifteen firefighters since the late 1940's. Six additional personnel were hired when the City took over EMS services from the funeral homes, but budget cuts in the mid 1970's cut the staff back to fifteen. The same manpower that took care of fire protection for decades now had to provide both fire and EMS services. When off-duty personnel are not available for recall as needed, there are times when manpower shortages leave EMS protection slim.
It is vital that our citizens receive public safety services, the number one priority, and our service was formed to serve the citizens of Wellington first. While I sympathize with the City of Belle Plaine, we must take care of our own first.
Webpage Changes
My webserver has changed and is offering a new webpage building software. It offers more features and is much easier to maintain and update, so I made the switch. I tried to keep the same format so you should notice much difference.
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