4 | January 30, 2020 Conway Springs Star & Argonia ArgosyCommunity

P U B L I C N O T I C EFirst Published in the Conway Springs Star and Argonia Argosy January 30, 2020 (1t)

Retirement never looked so good!

No gifts please.

Janice May Retires

February 15 • 7:00 pmTrevor May’s

1016 W. 120 Ave. N. • Conway Springs

After 10+ years at Augie’s Bar and 30+ years at Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Janice May is retiring!To help her celebrate her many years of dedication,her family will be hosting a retirement party for her.

Please join the family in honoring her!

www.vanbllc.com

Chikaskia ManorArgonia, KS

1 Bedroom Available; Elderly/DisabledSmoke-free, Water, Sewer & Garbage Included

Contact Alexis atVan Binsbergen & Associates, Inc.

785-350-2289

Editor’s note: Following are the unofficial minutes of the Jan. 14 Conway Springs City Council meeting. The minutes will be approved at the next regular meeting, and are sub-ject to change prior to adoption.

6:00 pm Mayor Gerlach called the meeting to order. People present were: Mayor Gerlach, Theresa Lange, Larry Phye, Jan Wiseley, Van Franklin, Daryle Smith, Aubrey Hill, Trinity Haskins, Diane Reed, Kim Taylor, Brian Coon, Chris Huffman, Crystal Hinnen and Gala Mies.

The pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Public Forum – Diana Reed asked for sewer forgiveness on her bill due to a serious leak. Council agrees to let Reed use payment plan. Smith added her to the agenda.

Motion by Daryle Smith to approve December 10th, 2019 meeting minutes, 2nd Theresa Lange, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Larry Phye, 2nd by Jan Wiseley, to approve special meeting minutes from 12.19.19, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Jan Wiseley, 2nd by Theresa Lange to approve min-utes from Jan. 6, 2020 motion passed 5-0

App.#1955 approval, after moving line item to pool fund from BG Consultants, motion by Larry Phye, 2nd by Jan Wiseley, motion passed 5-0.

App.# 1956, after moving BG Consultants (pool project engineer) expenses to new line item, motion by Larry Phye, 2nd by Daryle Smith, motion passed 5-0.

Approve amended agenda motion by Jan Wiseley, 2nd by Daryle Smith, motion passed 5-0.

Pending List – Update on Pfaltzgraff, Pfaltzgraff’s son is doing pro-bono work for the city. Council also discussed streets that will need patching before we get to the streets project.

Motion to nominate Daryle Smith as Council President, by Jan Wiseley, 2nd by Theresa Lange, motion passed 5-0.

Council agrees to keep coun-cilpersons in the positions that they are currently in.

Mayor Gerlach updated council on water project from Lawyer.

Mayor also gave an update on the current audit from our accountants.

Mayor Gerlach gave an

update on EMS Mayor/Smith talked with EMS staff. The staff wants a full-time director, staff is Smith says it seemed like EMS staff was very positive and wants to keep EMS going.

Council also discussed the transfers/funds that will need to be done within the first quarter of 2020.

Motion to advertise for full time paramedic director (preferably a paramedic) by Van Franklin, 2nd Jan Wiseley, passed 5-0. Dawn Cornejo is currently doing interviews for EMS p/t positions. Norwich is to hold an EMS class in January/February.

Fire Department Appointments by Mayor:

Aaron May, Cooper Boyles, Sean Bryant, Bradley Stephan Josiah Martin, Aiden May, and Casey Rieth.

Motion to approve by Van Franklin, 2nd by Daryle Smith motion passed 5-0.

Motion to approve fire flash-lights from Mayfield EM., for $1,085.70, by Larry Phye, 2nd by Jan Wiseley, motion passed 5-0

Motion to approve by LP, 2nd by TL, Tango-Tango for Fire Dept. $5,706.00 for smart phones to use as radio’s, motion passed 5-0. Funds to be taken out of Fire Department Trust.

Chief Hill is waiting for addi-tional site for FCC license.

Maintenance – Trinity Haskins presented council with the bids for the mowers that the City is going to have to replace/rebuild.

Jan Wiseley made a motion to have Terry Benge rebuild engine on mower for $5,967.67, 2nd by Van Franklin, motion passed 5-0.

Haskins reviewed vac bids-council to discuss w/Will-son & Co. at the next council meeting. Haskins gave an up-date on the alarms at the water treatment plant. Cummings will be working on generator for wells.

Motion by Jan Wiseley, 2nd by Theresa Lange, to recess into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel for 5-minute recess, pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) motion passed 5-0. The open meeting will resume in the city council chamber at 7:26pm.

7:26 pm Council returned to chambers stating no binding

action taken.City HallMotion by Jan Wiseley, 2nd

by Daryle Smith approved the 2020 City/Rec. Commission Pool fund donation contract with Mayor and City Clerk to sign.

Motion by Larry Phye to ap-prove 2020 Rec. Comm. Con-tract, 2nd by Theresa Lange, motion passed 5-0

Motion by Larry Phye, 2nd by Daryle Smith to approve storage room bid from Osner Construction, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Daryle Smith to replace keypads with Complete Key & Lock, 2nd by Larry Phye, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Larry Phye, 2nd by Van Franklin to accept Marsha Harrellsons resignation, motion passed 5-0.

Motion, by Daryle Smith, 2nd by Jan Wiseley, to approve relief of sewer usage for leak at 218 S.12th, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Daryle Smith, 2nd by Theresa Lange to approve relief of sewer usage charge at 209 N. 6th Street, motion passed 5-0.

Council agrees to get bids from Triple B Construction for new Scout Hut.

Pool Workshop has been moved to January 30th at 5:00 pm, motion by Theresa Lange, 2nd by Van Franklin, motion passed 5-0.

Motion by Larry Phye to give 3% cola raise for full-time em-ployees, 2nd by Daryle Smith, motion passed 5-0.

Maintenance is to take off the hydraulic closer on door between conference room and council chambers.

Jan Wiseley presented infor-mation on city entrance sign. Council discussed abandon houses. Chief to contact home owners and zoning adminis-trator.

Motion. by Larry Phye, 2nd by Theresa Lange, to recess into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel, for 10 minutes, pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting will resume in the city council chamber at 8:11 pm, motion passed 5-0. 8:01

8:11 pm Council returned to chambers stating no binding action taken.

Motion to adjourn by Daryle Smith, 2nd by Theresa Lange, motion passed 5-0. 8:12 pm

Conway Springs City Council Minutes

The local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program kicks off its 2020 season on Friday, Jan. 31.

It will run 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. and provides free tax preparation services for individuals and families who have low to moderate income. Individuals can determine eligibility and set up an appointment by calling 2-1-1 (United Way’s free information line).

Walk-ins will also be accepted at the kickoff

location, at United Way of the Plains, 245 N. Water St, Wichita.

VITA volunteers trained and certified by the IRS will provide free income tax preparation for indi-viduals who qualify, help-ing them obtain credits for which they are eligible (including the Earned Income Tax Credit).

Free tax preparation will be available at various sites through April 15. The pro-gram is conducted locally by the BE$T* Coalition of South Central Kansas, which was founded and is supported by the City of Wichita, IRS and United Way of the Plains. The co-alition consists of numer-ous organizations.

Free tax help offered in Wichita

United Way of the Plains has set up a laid-off workers fund to assist individuals who have recently been or will be laid off from jobs in Sedgwick County.

“If you have to go through a layoff, you are fortunate that you are in Wichita. We live in the most caring community in our nation where we all step forward to help each other,” said Patrick J. Hanrah-an, president and CEO of United Way of the Plains. “We value our community’s employees and invite everyone to help us help them through a gift. The funds we raise cannot make someone whole, but we can ease the hardship.”

To those who qualify, the fund will pro-vide support for a mortgage (or rent) and utilities. No funds will go directly to indi-viduals; bills will be paid on the person’s

behalf directly to a landlord, mortgage comany or utility company.

The fund will be managed by United Way of the Plains with no administration charge. Individuals wishing to donate to the fund can:

• Give online at www.unitedwayplains.org/laid-off-fund.

• Text the word LAYOFF to 41444.• Make checks payable to “United Way

of the Plains” and note “Laid-Off Workers Fund” in the memo section of the check. Checks can be mailed to: United Way of the Plains, attn: Laid-Off Workers Fund, PO Box 47208, Wichita, KS 67201-7208

United Way of the Plains is a partner with the Air Capital Commitment, a coordinated community response to keep and support people and companies.

United Way sets up workers fund

Kansas Farm Bureau is recognizing “Sesquicen-tennial Farms” in con-junction with its annual “Century Farm” program.

The Century Farm program honors farms with owners or operators related to the original farm owner-operator for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2020. The Sesquicentennial Farm recognition goes beyond that to farms in the same family for 150 years. “Kansas farmers and ranchers have a lot to be proud of,” Rich Felts, Kan-

sas Farm Bureau president, said. “One thing we take pride in is our value in the traditions and strong family ties of rural living. Kansas Farm Bureau is honored to celebrate those through the Century Farm and Sesquicentennial Farms programs.” The deadline for consid-eration to be part of the 2020 programs is May 15. Complete details for qualification and applica-tions for both programs can be obtained at coun-ty Farm Bureau offices

across Kansas or on the KFB website, www.kfb.org/Get-Involved/Centu-ry-Farm-Program.

KFB seeks ‘Sesquicentennial Farms’

Students from across the country with an interest in the livestock industry and related careers can apply now for the Kansas State University Animal Scienc-es Leadership Academy (KASLA).

The academy, now in its 12th year, is an inten-sive four-day educational experience designed to enhance the leadership skills and animal science knowledge of students in grades 9-12.

Hosted by the K-State Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and sponsored by the Live-stock and Meat Industry Council (LMIC), the acad-emy’s goal is to develop young leaders within the livestock industry and pre-

pare them for a successful future in this field.

“The biggest benefit that I received from KAS-LA was identifying my strengths and weaknesses and figuring out how to play to my strengths,” said Gavin Beesley, 2019 participant from Conway Springs. “You get to have learning experiences while also being able to meet people in the agriculture industry. I got to meet so many fun people who were interested in simi-lar things that I was and we got to have fun while learning.”

The academy will take place in Manhattan, June 24-27. Applications are due April 15, and can be found at http://www.

YouthLivestock.KSU.edu.The program’s itinerary

will feature interactive workshops, tours and facul-ty mentor time with animal sciences and industry pro-fessors. Industry leaders will also join the participants frequently to share their knowledge and expertise.

Only 20 students will be accepted for each session so that counselors, profes-sors and industry leaders can provide individualized attention. Participants will stay on campus in univer-sity housing with program staff for the duration of the event.

For more information or questions, contact academy director Sharon Breiner at sbreiner@ksu.edu or 785-532-6533.

K-State plans leadership academy for youth interested in livestock industry

The Conway Springs Community Theatre has announced its 2020 season.

There will be two shows. The first is “Million Dollar Meatballs,” which will be staged July 25-26. Two bumbling jewel thieves on the run from the police wind up in a restaurant so bad, the only repeat cus-tomers are the mice. But

the owner, mistaking the thieves for famous chefs, insists they make their famous “Million Dollar Meatballs” for a notori-ously tough critic. The play is by Todd Wallinger.

On Dec. 5-6, the theater will present “D.K. Molar The Devious Dentist, or There’s Gold in Them Thar Teeth” a melodrama by Billy St. John. The de-

praved dentist, D.K. Molar, and his noxious nurse, Nova Caine, have crafted a dastardly scam. After put-ting their patients to sleep with nitrous oxide, they re-move the gold crowns and replace them with fakes made of fool’s gold. That is until a new receptionist starts chewing over some of the strange happenings in the office.

Theater group announces season