Kansas Municipal Utilities, a statewide association representing Kansas cities and other public not-for-profit agencies, has a new member.
During its Monday meeting, the Arma City Council voted to add the city to KMU’s list of more than 170 clients.
Formed in 1928, KMU provides assistance and information to members with regard to legislative and regulatory issues, training and education programs, and numerous other services to the advancement of municipal utilities and to achieve maximum benefits for the customer-owners served by our utilities, according to KMU’s Web site.
Arma City Administrator Tim Schook said KMU will provide important input and guidance for the city. For a list of all of the cities represented by KMU, which includes Girard and Fort Scott, visit www.kmunet.org.
Council also held a brief public hearing to discuss the closure of its Community Block Development Grant street paving project. The only public comment was in support of the city’s work to improve the roads throughout Arma.
Council also voted to table a discussion on choosing a Certificate of Deposit in which to invest $100,000. The issue regards the 33 acres of land the city recently purchased on the northwest corner of U.S. 69 and E. 640th Street, land that will be used for residential development.
Schook said the city is searching for a CD with the best interest rate.
“Unfortunately, interest rates are in the toilet right now,” he said.
Schook said the council was not ready to make a decision on the CD until the city decides how it will finance the $150,000 property purchase. The council will revisit the issue at its next meeting on Dec. 15.
Council also learned that the Kansas Department of Transportation’s project to make the U.S. 69 bypass around Arma a complete no-passing zone was recently completed. Double yellow lines now stretch from Kevin’s County Corner at the north end to close to the U.S. 69/Highway 47 intersection at the south.
“That was strictly a safety measure,” Schook said. “There have been quite a few accidents on that highway and this should help improve safety.”
Also on Monday, the council voted to give city employees the day after Christmas off as a holiday bonus. Schook is considering also giving employees half of Christmas Eve off.
“I guess that will depend on how good my presents are,” Schook joked.
Council members each made personal donations to the city’s Christmas Basket program. The council also discussed this year’s Christmas parade, which is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
ARMA —
