Mound City officials hoping to curb vandalism with cameras

This image on Facebook of a damaged fixture at the Mound City splash park sparked more than 400 comments on the site. City officials believe that it was caused by vandalism and have purchased cameras to try to deter further incidents. (City of Mound City Kansas Facebook)

By Roger Sims, Journal staff

linncountyjournal.com

MOUND CITY – Mound City officials are going on the defensive after an apparent act of vandalism shut down the city’s splash park until repairs can be made.

At the Mound City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 2, Mayor Wade Doering told council members he was using his spending authority to purchase four surveillance cameras for use around the city.

Noting that since a photo of the damage was posted on Facebook there had been more than 400 comments in response.

“I’m done dealing with that,” Doering said.

Both Doering  and city consultant Josh Baldwin said the flange that broke was made of heavy PVC and that it would take more than a push to break it.

Wade said the cameras cost about $175 each.

Council member Lawrence Forbach said he thought the city’s residents would not be overly concerned about the cameras. “Everybody thinks we have cameras everywhere,” he said.

City Clerk Shelby Murray suggested that the city install a “Do Not Climb” plaque at the splash park.

Doering said that the fixtures were not made for children to climb on, jump on, and hang on.

Although not much has been discussed in the council meeting about plans to purchase the shop and lot currently belonging to JRK Portable Welding, the city’s bond advisor, at the May 5 meeting, told the council it could make that purchase and suggested ways to finance it, including adding it to a current bond or entering into a lease-purchase agreement.

At that meeting, city attorney Lindsey Kolisch said she would look into the city’s options. One sticking point for council member Shayna Lamb has been state statutes that prevent the city from making a purchase with funds not in the current year’s budget.

Doering made the comment at the June 2 meeting that the council will come back to that in a future meeting.

Former council member and Dirt Road Rescue director Megan Purvis spoke to the council during the public comment section of the agenda. Organization vice president Samantha Ekwuru was also at the meeting. The volunteer organization works to find foster or permanent homes for abandoned pets.

Purvis asked the council about setting up a vet clinic similar to ones held in La Cygne, Linn Valley, Pleasanton and Parker where dogs can get vaccinations by an area veterinarian, usually for a reduced price, and at the same time can purchase a license.

Baldwin said the city at one time offered that service. Dog licenses are still required in the city.

Purvis said that in addition to offering vaccinations Dirt Road has identification microchips that can be offered without charge. Last year the organization offered free microchipping with 100 microchips available but only about 30 were used during that Saturday event.

Doering suggested that the clinic could be conducted during the first hour of Jayhawk Blast on Sept. 12.

Purvis also commented about the city’s cat population, saying there were several feral cats living in the city. She said that many of the felines were positive for feline infectious enteritis (FIE), a disease caused by feline parvovirus, and that it could get out of control.

She also said the organization wants to work with the city, even with helping clean kennels and walk the dogs that are temporarily in city custody.

“We want to partner with whatever you guys want us to do,” she said.

The city’s code enforcement officer, Jacob Bush, resigned that portion of his duties following the May city council meeting. Melanie Grote, the part-time city treasurer who works four days a week, was approved to replace Bush and was given a raise of $1.75 per hour.

To pay for the added duty, the council voted to reduce Bush’s wage by that same amount, which was the raise he received to become codes officer. Bush remains on the public works crew.

The council also approved of doing away with the $125 water meter deposit the city already has collected from new customers and instead will collect a non-refundable $125 connection fee. The city is sending out deposit fee refunds to customers who paid a deposit under the former system. Those who have an outstanding balance on their water bill will have that amount deducted from their refund.

The council also:

• Voted to establish a policy that prevents the city’s police officer from driving the patrol car home after his shift.

• Approved renewal of a cereal malt beverage license for Casey’s.

• Discussed whether it would be a good idea to close off a portion of Nickell Road near the splash park during Sept. and hold the Jayhawk Blast car show on the street near the splash park instead of in the ball field parking lot as the past two years. No decision was made, but Doering suggested it would be closer to the activities.