Waters True Value in Junction City is wanting to put in a propane fueling station at their East 6th Street location, but safety concerns by the City Commissioners have put off the issuance of a special use permit for at least another month.

During Tuesday nights city commission meeting the commissioners expressed concerns about the barricades setup around the tank to keep vehicles or other large objects from running into the tank. Suggestions such as increasing the height of the bollards, and moving them closer together were discussed.

“We just want to beef up the safety a little bit,” said Mayor Mick McCallister. “We know that what they’ve proposed is in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association, but where it’s located and because of the type of traffic, semis, big lumber trucks, we want to beef that up a little bit, so there’s a less likelihood of somebody bumping into it or anything.”

Eric Payne with Propane Central explained that they have no problem with increasing the height of the bollards or moving them closer together,”that wouldn’t stop us if you said that.”

Ultimately the city commission sent the issue back to the Metropolitan Planning Commission in order for them to determine what safety enhancements should be required in the special use permit.

Dave Yearout, Zoning and Planning Administrator confirmed it would be on the MPC’s next meeting agenda, which is scheduled for next Thursday, January 14th, but it would not be back to the city commission again until their first meeting in February.

The Junction City Commission received an update on the Municipal Court project Tuesday night.

Ron Cheney, Owner of Cheney Construction approached the commission during public comment explaining that he feels the city is able to take possession of the building and can’t understand why they haven’t done so.

“I’ve been doing this for over 36 years, the company’s been doing it for 59 years, and I’ve never had a building sit in the state that this one’s in and not be occupied,” said Cheney. “On November 4th I sent a letter to the Architect saying that its ready, and it has been for inspection. It’s done, it’s ready to be occupied.”

Allen Dinkel, City Manager explained that there are still items on a punch list that need to be completed. Dinkel has made it clear in other meetings that it is his belief the city does not take possession of the building until every item on the punch list is complete.

Mayor Mick McCallister is under the same understanding.

“We’re just looking to make sure that it’s done, it’s completed, and it’s completed correctly. That way there’s no question, when we move in, ‘Oh well you took the building, so it’s yours now,'” said McCallister. “We just want to make sure everything is done, it’s done right, and move in there.”

The commissioners expressed a desire to tour the building and have a meeting with all involved in order to get everyone on the same page. That meeting is expected to be scheduled in the very near future.

The project was slated for an opening in April of 2015, but was pushed back originally due to unforeseeable delays in the manufacturing of the building.

The agenda for the two-day Regional Leaders’ Retreat has been set for the January 22-23 event at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.

The event will include

–Discussion and a report on Fort Riley: Today and in the Future, and the Region’s Response

— A Manhattan Regional Airport Air Service Report

–Discussion on Workforce Needs involving Employability through Targeted Skills, Resources and Recruitment,  and the Ability to adapt to a Younger Workforce, Diversity, and Accentuating Life / Soft Skills

–Review of a 2015 Inter-City Visit to Columbia, MO

–And a Briefing of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center and Economic Opportunities for the Region.

Activities are scheduled to begin with a buffet luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on Friday the 22nd, and will including a Networking Reception from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Friday. On Saturday activities will go from 7:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

The retreat is a joint effort of the Chambers of Commerce in Junction City, Manhattan, and Wamego.

The last day to register and / or cancel a registration with a refund is Friday, January 15. Substitute attendees and guests are welcome. Contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce to register. For lodging call the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel at 913-234-2100 to book a room. The room rate is $95. The block has been reserved under the Annual Regional Leaders’ Retreat as well as the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce, Manhattan Chamber, and Wamego Chamber. The room rate is available until Friday, January 8.

Corvias Foundation, a private, charitable foundation and the charitable arm of Corvias Group, has been committed to supporting military families in the pursuit of higher education since 2006. This year, Corvias Foundation and Corvias Military Living, the military housing division of Corvias Group, have partnered with the National Military Family Association to support scholarships in excess of $20,000.

The scholarships are geared for NMFA-registered military spouses seeking professional funds, including licensure and certification. Applications for 2016 scholarships are now available on the NMFA website.

All military spouses residing in the nine states that Corvias Military Living operates in, including Kansas, are eligible for these scholarships. To confirm eligibility and fill out an application, spouses should visit the Certificate + License Moiney page found on the NMDFA website. The application deadline is midnight, January 31, 2016.

USD officials revealed at this week’s Board of Education meeting that the new classroom addition at Westwood Elementary School has been completed.

Teachers moved into their rooms last Friday and this past Monday.

Also, the BOE voted 4-3 not to send an elected official ( board member ) to the Regional Leaders’ Retreat in Overland Park. Superintendent Dr. Corbin Witt will, however attend the two-day retreat January 22-23. The Chambers of Commerce in Junction City, Manhattan, and Wamego sponsor the retreat where regional issues ranging from Fort Riley to NBAF will be discussed.

 

 

USD 475 officials have announced the recipients of Energy Conservation Leader Awards for the first semester in the district.

They include Jefferson Elementary School, Fort Riley Middle School, and Seitz Elementary School. The district has seen an overall reduction in energy consumption of 21.8%. The net savings to USD 475 totaled $174,416.

Geary County Commissioners will be recognizing employees for service milestones attained during 2015 at a ceremony on January 11, beginning at 3 p.m.

The Deputy Geary County Clerk Therese Hoff will be recognized for 35 years of service, County Attorney Steven Opat and Teresa Dixon in the Treasurer’s Office for 30 years.

Twenty-five year recognition goes to Public Works Director Dennis Cox, Ossie McCarter Jr. in the Appraiser’s office, and Ralph Walker Jr. in the County Attorney’s Office.

The Geary USD 475 Board of Education has approved the purchase of 2,000 new laptop computers to serve students at Junction City High School. It is part of the district’s one-to-one initiative.

The computers will be available for students beginning with the 2016-17 school year. The cost is $1.79 million.

The Director of Business Operations for the district, Bill Clark, said some of the money for the project had been earmarked in a specific account. “We’re also going to move some money from the capital outlay account to cover that cost. ”

Additional money was located in a fund created in 2008 when USD 475 was creating facilities for the early childhood program. That amount totaled about $707,000.

The plan is to acquire the computers this school year so teachers can learn how to use them, and then distribute them to students next school year.

 

U.S. Senator Pat Roberts has released the names of Kansans who will receive nomination for appointments to U. S. Service Academies entering the class of 2016.

Joseph Kyser Jr. of Junction City has been nominated for appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.