Peabody fills 1 of 3 council openings
Staff writer
Peabody restored a legal quorum Monday by appointing Rodney Hague to the city council after weeks of governmental upheaval that included the resignations of Mayor Kevin Burke and council member Julia Ensminger.
Two council seats remain vacant, however, continuing to limit how members can discuss city business outside meetings without risking violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.
Hague was unanimously confirmed by the two remaining council members after Mayor Bailey Penner said guidance from the League of Kansas Municipalities indicated at least one vacancy needed filled for the council to lawfully conduct official business.
“It’s time to roll up the sleeves and just get the work done,” Hague said afterward. “Instead of being part of the problem, maybe I can help be part of the solution.”
Hague said he hoped to focus on community appearance issues, including overgrown lawns, neglected properties, and inoperable vehicles.
“Once a city cleans itself up in that manner, it tends to have more pride in the whole community,” he said.
Fire chief Colton Glenn’s scheduled tornado siren discussion was removed from the agenda because he could not attend the meeting.
The council’s agenda packet included several tornado siren proposals ranging from about $2,430 in maintenance work to more than $70,000 for replacement of warning sirens and automated weather activation systems.
Instead, court clerk Pandea Smith asked council members for guidance on hiring a Spanish-language interpreter for upcoming municipal court sessions.
Smith explained an interpreter likely would be needed in June and possibly July. She presented two options: Wichita-based Mid-American Language Services at $85 an hour with a two-hour minimum and another Wichita-based interpreter charging $65 an hour plus mileage and drive time.
Council members discussed whether interpreters’ certifications needed to be verified and whether Zoom interpretation could reduce costs before tabling the matter until a future meeting.
Council members also approved two infrastructure-related pay estimates tied to ongoing grant-funded utility projects.
One authorized $278,213.84 for the Walnut Phase 2024 water improvement project. Another approved $280,427.03 tied to a city electrical project.
Council member Linda Martinez said the city soon would need to discuss fireworks regulations ahead of Independence Day.
Council members authorized officer Charles Walker to help enforce existing nuisance and tall-grass ordinances after Penner said some weed complaints were not being addressed quickly enough.