Buhler News

We recently corrected a number of downtown street to sidewalk entrances with ramps versus curbs.  This is a good step for easier accessibility of the disabled and elderly but I would like to seek your input on further efforts to increase the ease of access to our visitors and customers.

As you probably are very aware of, our downtown curbs are fairly high.  In addition to this, there are a few old driveways mixed in with the sidewalks making the street to sidewalk access easier but then creates an obstacle in the sidewalk path similar to a small curb.  There have been at least a few injuries that I know of regarding the navigation of our downtown curbs.

My question to the business owners in downtown is if you would be willing to pay for an enhancement project to both make our curb access more accommodating and perhaps enhance our curb appeal through some sort of economical redesign of the downtown streetscape. One option to pay for this enhancement is through a special downtown property tax assessment if we can all agree on the project.  There are likely other ways to fund the project including a more privatized development fund.

Thanks for your input,

Daniel P. Friesen

Mayor

City of Buhler

620-543-5003

www.BuhlerKS.org

Jessie Sullivan of BG Consultants was present for questions and answers regarding the South Street and 3^rd Avenue Court CDBG project.  Concerns were aired regarding compaction of the base on 3^rd Avenue Court and the final grade of the ditch on the south side of South Street, especially where the Sunshine Home drainage crossed under the street.  There was also discussion on the delays of the project completion.

An Update was given by Carla Goertzen on the progress at the Buhler Municipal Library.  The Library Board has completed meetings with their architect and is working on stepped increments for making necessary changes with the building.  She was very pleased with the assistance received from the Kiwanis Club that did some painting before the summer activities took place.  She reported that there were about 57 children taking part in the activities which would have been quite a challenge if the building was not accessible.  They have been in contact with David Franz regarding their progress.

Mayor Friesen presented two budgets to the council for consideration.  One was a conservative budget which would maintain a relatively flat mill levy outcome.  The other budget resulted in an approximate 9.9 mill levy increase.  Auditor, Gary George, reviewed numerous proposals with the Council involving needs and priorities.  After a lengthy discussion a proposed budget immerged that struck middle ground.  Major factors included in the revised budget was a shift of the $25,000 City contribution to the Buhler EMS from the General Fund which comes from various sources such as sales tax, etc. into the Public Safety fund which is a property tax based fund.  This allows additional funding to be set aside for street repair and improvement in the General Fund.  The Street Maintenance and Improvement Fund (funded from property taxes) would also receive a sizeable increase.

Dana Daniels and Chris Miller of Miller and Associates updated the Council on progress on the Water Tower.  The tower has been drained and is being sandblasted on the inside.  They should be able to finish blasting in 4-5 days.  By the middle of the first week of August they plan to start on the outside.  On July 28 at 8:30 am they will be determining the size and placement of the stripes for above and below the Buhler Logo that will be permanently affixed to the tower and invited all interested individuals to come view the placement.  Two bids were received for the sewer extension.  The bids were divided into two separate projects.  (1) Beginning at the north end of the existing Prairie Park lane in the Prairie Park Subdivision ending at 82^nd Street where it connects to a 2” forced main to the Water Treatment Plant which is included in the project and (2) extending from that sewer main going east to the west edge of the property at 10717 E 82nd Ave.  The lowest bid of $69,380.00 was received from Mies Construction, Inc. of Wichita, KS of which $59,647.50 will apply to the project and $9,732.50 will apply to the extension to 10717 E 82^nd Ave.  There has already been interest in additional forced main connections to the main similar to the one that will be used by the Water Treatment Plant to empty its castoff.  Chris stated this would not be a problem.  He also stated that he was trying to have the bids for the construction of the Water Treatment Plant ready for opening and awarding by the Council on September 16 at 5:30 pm.

Mayor Friesen proposed an appointment of Cameron Kaufman to the Economic Development Board for the term ending June 2012.  He also proposed appointments of Bill Ebeling Outside of City Position, David Zook and Jerald Stucky to the City Planning Commission expiring May, 2013.  The council approved all appointments.

Superintendant James Perry reported that the aerator has been installed in the pond in Wheatland Park and seems to be working well.  People have commented that the offensive odor is no longer present and that the aesthetics are pleasing and compliment the park.  He noted that the crew is busy mowing and hopefully with the hot weather, mowing will slow down.  He asked about the purchase of a grappling bucket for loading limbs etc.  It will be of great help with cleanup in the right of way at the south end of Old Mill Lane and the water catch basin in the Prairie Park addition.  The council instructed him to proceed with the acquisition.  He reported that Kansas Gas Service is installing an “anti-corrosion farm” near the soccer field in the Wheatland Park.  They are connecting it to their main line at Main Street and 5^th Street.  They are also replacing numerous services in town and will be replacing the pressure station at 4^th and Buhler Road.  So far water pressure has been holding relatively stable by switching several pumps on and off while the Tower is being repainted. 

Police Chief Tracy reported that one vehicle’s stats were not available, but 136 gallons of fuel had been used and 1,464 miles had been logged on the other two vehicles.  Various calls were responded to including speeding, animal cruelty, suspicious activities, hit & run, numerous assists, etc.

Merrill Peterson, CMC reported that he has been kept busy working with all the projects going on in Buhler.  He also noted that the termite inspection contract was being continued at the library since it had been an ongoing concern.

Don Ratzloff, Deputy City Clerk reported that Pam Neufeld, Pool Manager, had questioned him about the closing date for the Buhler Swimming Pool this summer.  When the Council addressed it last spring, the consensus was to close on August 15 since school begins on August 17.  Her concern was that it was a week earlier than last year and the weather would still be pretty warm.  After a short discussion, it was decided to allow her to use her own judgment when to close determining if staff will be available and weather permitting.  It was suggested that she close during the week after August 16 but open on the weekends and slate the final swimming date as Labor Day, September 6.

Mayor Friesen aired his concern for personnel to operate the Buhler EMS.  They are in dire need of drivers, however in discussion, it was noted that a person probably needs extensive training in emergency medical services in order to fill this position as well as a commitment of time after the training is complete.  He also brought up the question of reviving the “welcome wagon” program that was discontinued some time ago due to privacy laws.  He indicated that when a person applied for utility service from the City, they could be asked if they would allow someone to call on them.  At this point, he does not have an individual in mind to carry out the program.  He also wanted to acknowledge and thank the City of Inman for their assistance in spraying for mosquitoes in Buhler earlier this month.  Several people have commented that it helped.  Another item he brought up was a letter City Attorney Juhnke wrote to an individual who was claiming damages to his vehicle when driving through the Wheatland Park.  It seems the individual’s muffler was damaged.  Attorney Juhnke responded that the City was denying the claim.

The Recreation Commission recommended to Mayor Friesen who in turn recommended Bryson Strausburg for the term ending 2013 vacated by Jon McLean on the Recreation Commission.

A short discussion was initiated by Philip Neufeldt regarding the name of the county road at the north side of Buhler.  It has historically been known as Dutch Avenue and was renamed 82^nd Street when the county identified all roads in the county for 911 services.  He felt a piece of history had been lost.  It was noted that the City of Buhler does not have the authority to change the name of a county road.

Teri Goertzen announced the achievement of some of our summer recreation baseball teams.  The Boys Baseball team went to Osawatomie KS staying with host families and the 14 and under girls softball team traveled to a Region VI tournament in Sikeston, MO.

Reported by Don Ratzloff, Deputy City Clerk and Daniel Friesen, Mayor