Lansing City Council sets date for public hearing regarding office relocation plans

by B.J. Tomlinson

The Lansing City Council met in regular session Monday night, October 19. Lansing resident John Rethwisch addressed the Council, requesting that flags be flown on Main Street on a more permanent basis. Rethwisch said an anonymous donor has offered to purchase a set of flags designed to withstand extreme weather and will establish a “perpetual flag fund” so that they could be replaced when they deteriorated. The flags would be attached to existing light posts through Seventh Street, would not have to be removed unless they interfered with Christmas decorations and will cost the City nothing. The Council approved the request.
Don Peters addressed the Council regarding the City’s plan to relocate its offices to the old Middle School building. Peters said he feels the money used for rent and utilities could be used to repair the current office or saved to build a new facility later on. John Rethwisch said he had conducted an unofficial survey of 27 residents, 21 of whom were opposed to the plan. After a lengthy discussion, the Council agreed to hold a public meeting November 16 at 6 p.m. at the Community Center to hear citizen concerns and answer questions.
Mayor Mike Brennan said the Iowa Department of Transportation recommended that the City obtain a cost estimate for the repair of the South Road Bridge, and he presented an estimate from WHKS Engineering in the amount of $967,000, which includes engineering services and contingencies. The City will be responsible for 20% of the cost and federal funds will cover the remaining 80%. A committee is being formed that will select the engineering firm to design the bridge and implement the project.
Police Chief Ed Stahl said the department needs to replace two squad cars with a budget of $30,000. One may be purchased from New Albin for approximately $10,000 and the other from the Kansas Highway Patrol for up to $20,000. After discussion, the Council agreed to move forward with the purchases.  Stahl also reported that the newly hired officer, Luke Inglett, will be ready to begin work in about a week, pending results of the MMPI psychological test.
The Council reviewed a report from the Parks Department regarding several topics, including the dugouts at the Sports Complex and thanking the Lions Club for the $1,000 donation to the project. The report indicated that the plan of “digging the dugouts to a two foot depth may compromise the sidewalk in front of the grandstand” and that resolution of that issue is needed before the project can begin.
The Council also addressed the location of the Odean Sandry memorial flag pole and plaque and the wishes of the Sandry family. After discussion it was decided to leave the Sandry flag pole in its current location and mount an additional flag onto the scoreboard where it can be seen from the grandstand.