City of Cherryvale Blog

Grants, Grants, and More Grants

2009-05-14T10:40:00.003-05:00

In the last year, the City of Cherryvale has been awarded over $950,000 in grants for a variety of uses.

Last Friday, the City of Cherryvale was awarded a $400,000 Brownfields Assessment Grant by the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a community-wide environmental assessment of Cherryvale.

The grant will help to assess, clean up and redevelop abandoned and contaminated properties known as Brownfields. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. Grant recipients are selected through a national competition. The Brownfields program encourages development of America's estimated 450,000 abandoned and contaminated waste sites.

The City of Cherryvale has also been awarded a $160,000 grant for new waterlines and meters as part of a $812,000 water infrastructure project.

Through a partnership with USD 447, the City of Cherryvale was awarded a $72,000 grant for a security camera upgrade for the USD 447 campuses.

In late 2008, the City of Cherryvale also recieved a $320,000 grant from the Kansas Housing Resource Corperation to rehabiltate houses within the City of Cherryvale.

The City of Cherryvale will continue to seek out and recieve additional grant funds. The City currently has an additional $600,000 in grant applications still outstanding.

Election Results

2009-04-08T11:33:00.005-05:00

The general election for two council positions was held yesterday and the preliminary results are as follows:

Ward 1, Position 1
Chad Wickham 296
Write-In 11

Ward 2, Position 1
Lew Forman, Jr 240
Kenneth Corle 78
Jimmy Holt 36

I want to congratulate the presumptive winners and extend my thanks to everyone who ran. The next City of Cherryvale Governing Body election is in the Spring of 2011, and it will be for the Mayor and two council members. Also, I appreciate everyone who voted and performed your duty as citizens of this great city.

Spring Storm Season Reminders

2009-02-11T10:19:00.002-06:00

The City of Cherryvale included funds in its 2009 budget to upgrade our tornado sirens. Look for additional information soon.

The City operates a tornado siren and only utilizes the siren if Cherryvale is under a tornado warning. Otherwise, the siren is not sounded.

The City tests the siren once a week, Saturday at noon, weather permitting--The Siren will not be tested in bad weather.

Cherryvale weather procedure:

1. When Cherryvale is under a tornado watch area shelters are notified, along with emergency personnel. No further action is taken at this time. The most up-to-date information can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/, on a weather radio, or a local broadcast television. Weather radios are available at Newton's Hardware.

2. When Cherryvale is under a potential threat of a tornado, the City deploys fire and police units as spotters.

3. If the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning that includes Cherryvale and Cherryvale is in the path of the storm then the tornado siren is sounded. The siren is also sounded if spotters on the ground feel that Cherryvale is in the path of a tornado. Remember that a tornado siren is designed as an outdoor warning device and may not be audible indoors. If a threat of severe weather exists, please tune your TV to a local broadcast channel out of Joplin/Pittsburg or Tulsa. Also, 102.9 will interrupt its broadcast with weather bulletins.

4. Tornado Shelters--There are three tornado shelters in Cherryvale. The United Methodist Church, 305 W. 3rd Street, the First Baptist Church, 100 N. Montgomery, and the Cherryvale Public Library, 329 E. Main Street. Please contact the individual shelters for more information. Don't wait until the storm is upon us to go to the shelter. As soon as a warning is issued proceed to shelter, unless severe weather is already present. If the weather is already severe and it is unsafe to proceed to a shelter, take shelter in an interior room with no widows, preferably in the center of the house or building (i.e., closets and hallways).

5. The City does not issue an all clear. Please utilize a storm radio to find out the duration of a storm warning, and listen for the expiration, cancellation, or extension of the warning.

Remember its very important to have a battery powered portable radio with you for storm information.

The World Around Us

2009-02-10T13:20:00.002-06:00

The last six months have been hard on America. Almost every major corporation has performed significant layoffs, including large employers in our area. The State of Kansas' financial situation has quickly turned from bad to worse, forcing our legislators into a no-win situation in which they must cut essential programs or raise taxes.

In order to make up for a projected $300 million shortfall in fiscal year 2009 and a 1.2 billion dollar short fall in FY 2010, the Governor has proposed drastic cuts to the funding that trickles down to local governments.

The proposed cuts would negatively impact the Cherryvale Library, as the Governor's proposed budget cuts over 4% of the Cherryvale Library's revenue from its budget. The Mayor, city council members and city staff are closely tracking legislation and have spent several days in Topeka telling our story to our legislators.

Although 2008 city revenues were above projections and this year's revenues are up about 5% over last year, governing body members and staff are concerned about our nation's economic condition and are taking steps to tighten our belt.

Hopefully, the recession will end as suddenly as it began and good times will quickly return. But regardless of economic conditions, the City will continue to pay careful attention to the world around us to protect your precious tax dollars.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T21:11:00.002-06:00

Wishing you and your family the very best on this most joyous of holidays.

Trey Cocking
City Administrator

2009 Budget

2008-08-06T14:33:00.002-05:00

The City of Cherryvale has proposed $3,706,464 budget for all budgeted funds for 2009. The budget represents an overall increase of 6.4%. The budget also contains a 1.37 mill levy increase to fund the Cherryvale Public Library elevator ADA accessibility project.

The 1.37 mill increase represents an additional $7.88 of property taxes per year on a $50,000 house.

I would urge you to review the budget, ask questions, and make suggestions.

Thanks as always for your help.

Trey Cocking
City Administrator

ATVs

2008-07-24T12:05:00.002-05:00

On July 8, 2008, the City of Cherryvale passed an ordinance that allowed ATVs on the streets of Cherryvale if they meet certain guidelines. Since passage of that ordinance, the City has received a number of requests to amend the ordinance. The city is currently debating the following questions:

1. Should ATVs have to register with the City? And what should the registration fee be?
2. What hours during the day should ATVs be allowed on the roads?
3. Are there other restrictions that you would like to see?
4. Should ATVs be allowed on the streets?

This is the ordinance that was proposed at Monday's meeting:

OPERATION OF MICRO UTILITY TRUCKS AND
ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES ON THE STREETS

ORDINANCE NO. 08-4564

An Ordinance Requiring Registration of Micro Utility Trucks and All- Terrain Vehicles on the Streets Within the Corporate Limits of the City of Cherryvale and setting out additional regulations pertaining to the use of ATVs; Providing for Related Matters Including Penalties for Violation Thereof.

Be it Ordained by the Governing Body of the City of Cherryvale, Kansas:

Section 1. REGISTRATION OF MICRO UTILITY TRUCKS AND ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES.
The City of Cherryvale shall issue Micro Utility Trucks and All Terrain Vehicle Registrations. The Registration shall be due on August 1 of each year. The registration fee shall be set by the City Administrator. The City shall issue a registration sticker that shall be attached and displayed clearly on the rear of all Micro Utility Trucks and All Terrain Vehicles driven upon City streets. The City of Cherryvale shall only issue registration stickers to owners who present current proof of liability insurance for the vehicle.

Section 2. It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(1) Operate, or for the owner thereof knowingly to permit the operation, upon any city street of any Micro Utility Truck or All Terrain Vehicle which is not registered with the City of Cherryvale, or which does not have displayed a current and valid registration sticker issued by the City of Cherryvale. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $500.
(2) Display or cause or permit to be displayed, or to have in possession, any registration receipt or registration sticker knowing the same to be factitious or to have been canceled, revoked, suspended, or altered. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.
(3) Lend or to knowingly permit the use by one not entitled thereto any registration receipt or registration sticker issued to the person so lending or permitting the use thereof. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.
(4) Remove, conceal, alter, mark, or deface the registration sticker or other mark or identification upon any Micro Utility Truck or All Terrain Vehicles. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.
(5) Carry or display a registration sticker upon any vehicle not lawfully issued for such vehicle. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.

Section 3. HOURS OF OPERATION. Drivers of All Terrain Vehicles shall not operate the vehicles between Dusk and Dawn, unless the Vehicle is owned or operated by the Federal Government, the State of Kansas, or a political subdivision of the State of Kansas. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.

Section 4. PROHIBITED USE. No All Terrain Vehicles shall be operated inside of Fairview Cemetery or any city park, unless the Vehicle is owned or operated by the Federal Government, the State of Kansas, or a political subdivision of the State of Kansas. Violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100.

Severe Weather

2008-06-12T14:10:00.007-05:00

The City has recently received a few questions concerning severe weather and tornadoes. The City operates a tornado siren and only utilizes the siren if Cherryvale is under a tornado warning. Otherwise, the siren is not sounded. The City tests the siren once a week, Saturday at noon, weather permitting.

Cherryvale weather procedure:

1. When Cherryvale is under a tornado watch area shelters are notified, along with emergency personnel. No further action is taken at this time. The most up-to-date information can be found at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/, on a weather radio, or a local broadcast television. Weather radios are available at Newton's Hardware.

2. When Cherryvale is under a potential threat of a tornado, the City deploys fire and police units as spotters.

3. If the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning that includes Cherryvale and Cherryvale is in the path of the storm then the tornado siren is sounded. The siren is also sounded if spotters on the ground feel that Cherryvale is in the path of a tornado. Remember that a tornado siren is designed as an outdoor warning device and may not be audible indoors. If a threat of severe weather exists, please tune your TV to a local broadcast channel out of Joplin/Pittsburg or Tulsa. Also, 102.9 will interrupt its broadcast with weather bulletins.

4. Tornado Shelters--There are three tornado shelters in Cherryvale. The United Methodist Church, 305 W. 3rd Street, the First Baptist Church, 100 N. Montgomery, and the Cherryvale Public Library, 329 E. Main Street. Please contact the individual shelters for more information. Don't wait until the storm is upon us to go to the shelter. As soon as a warning is issued proceed to shelter, unless severe weather is already present. If the weather is already severe and it is unsafe to proceed to a shelter, take shelter in an interior room with no widows, preferably in the center of the house or building (i.e., closets and hallways).

5. The City does not issue an all clear. Please utilize a storm radio to find out the duration of a storm warning, and listen for the expiration, cancellation, or extension of the warning. Remember its very important to have a battery powered portable radio with you for storm information.

2008-05-22T16:31:00.000-05:00

CITY OF CHERRYVALE
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE RULES AND REGULATIONSOF UTILITY SERVICE ACCOUNTS

ORDINANCE NO. 08-4561

4-225. NON-PAYMENT OF WATER BILLS; NOTICE.

(a) An account delinquency and service discontinuance notice shall be issued in writing on the 11th day of the month, or the next business day following the 11th, with respect to any delinquent and unpaid water service bill. Notice shall be sent by U.S. Mail, first class, to the customer (and a copy shall also be sent by U.S. Mail, first class, to the occupant of the premises serviced if the occupant is not the customer) at the last known address of the customer as shown on the records of the City. Written notice may also be provided by personal service upon the customer by an employee of the City Public Works Department or by any City Law Enforcement Officer, or by such City Employee posting the written notice upon a door of a building of the property serviced.

(b) The notice of account delinquency and service discontinuance shall provide the following information:
(1) Name of customer and address where service is being provided;
(2) Account number;
(3) Amount past due, including delinquency charges;
(4) Notice that water service shall be terminated upon failure to pay the delinquent billing plus delinquency charges by the 21st of the month or the 1st business day following the 21st.
(5) Notice that the customer has the right to appear and be heard at a hearing on the hearing date set by the City.

(c) Deleted.

(d) Any utility customer receiving a notice of account delinquency and service discontinuance shall have the right to a hearing prior to disconnection. The hearing shall be conducted by the City Administrator or such other hearing officer as may be appointed by the City Administrator. In the event the hearing officer finds water service should not be discontinued, the hearing officer shall so order and advise the City thereof. In the event the hearing officer finds water service should be discontinued, the hearing officer shall so order and advise the City thereof. Unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer, water service shall be discontinued on the date that the order of discontinuance is issued by the hearing officer. Extensions of the date of discontinuance may be granted to enable the customer to make arrangements for reasonable installment payments or for other good cause shown. In making a determination of whether discontinuance should be ordered, the hearing officer shall consider, but not be limited to, the following factors:
(1) whether discontinuance is dangerous to the health of the customer;
(2) the customer's family or any other residents of the premises affected;
(3) the weather;
(4) unforeseen financial hardship of the customer; and
(5) the medical conditions, ages or disabilities of the customer, the customer's family or other residents of the premises.

4-227. LIEN UPON CUSTOMER'S PROPERTY.

In the event any person shall neglect, fail or refuse to pay by the 21st of the month, or the following business day, the water and sewer billings and delinquency charges due the City, such billings and charges shall constitute a lien upon the real property served by the connection to the water meter, and shall be certified by the City Clerk to the County Clerk of Montgomery County, Kansas, to be placed on the tax roll for collection, subject to the same penalties and collected in like manner as other taxes are by law collectible or sent to the State of Kansas Set-Off Program.

4-229. DELINQUENCY ACCOUNT CHARGE.

All water and sewer service account balances are due and payable no later than the 10th day of each month following the delivery of such services. All water and sewer service account balances which remain unpaid as of the 10th day of the month shall be subject to a late payment charge at the rate of 10% of the unpaid balance for such water and sewer service charges. All checks for payment to the City for such services which are rejected or returned due to insufficient funds in customer's checking account shall be subject to a thirty ($30.00) dollar Insufficient Fund Check Fee and said fee shall be paid to the City Clerk. If said fee is not paid as provided, the customer's water service shall be discontinued as provided in Section 4-203.

REPEAL. All other ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.

EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force upon its publication in the official city newspaper.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Governing Body of the City of Cherryvale, Kansas, this 19th day of May, 2008.

City Council Action Report May 19, 2008

2008-05-22T16:08:00.003-05:00

1. Annual Appointments
a) Reappointed Matt Dennis--Police Chief
b) Reappointed Ron Davis--Fire Chief
c) Reappointed Rebecca Anderson--City Clerk
d) Reappointed Pauline Burnor--City Treasurer
e) Reappointed John Bullard--City Attorney
f) Reappointed Richard Medley--Municipal Judge
2. Appointed Artie Hopkins to the Library Board.
3. Appointed Wade Webber as the Public Agency Director to Public Wholesale Water Supply District #4, and Jerry Wallace as the alternate.
4. Approved five revised condemnation resolutions.
5. Revised an ordinance dealing with Governing Body Laptops to allow a one-time payment.
6. Passed Ordinance 08-4561 concerning Utility Account Delinquencies.
7. Approved a bid from Dean's Home Repair for $22,277.36 for the second phase of the City Hall remodel. This remodel will expand the police department, while adding safety and security to the building.
8. Directed City Staff to begin the grant process for a housing rehab grant.
9. Approved a bid from Fink transportation to replace the transmission in the 1987 Top Kick Dump truck for $3,456.
10. Passed Ordinance 08-4560 rezoning property on Olive Street from R1 to A1.
11. Authorized City Administrator Trey Cocking to sign a contract selling city property to Vision Woodworks for future expansion.

City Council Report April 21, 2008

2008-04-22T17:24:00.002-05:00

The Governing Body of the City of Cherryvale met and took the following actions:

1. Approved an agreement with Heckman and Associates of Independence to undertake the Architectural and Engineering work for the ADA enhancements at the Cherryvale Public Library.
2. Approved the City's membership in the Main Street task force.
3. Approved a Donation of $600 to the Cherryvale Beautification Committee for their 2008 projects.
4. Approved five resolutions dealing with unsafe and dangerous structures.
-612 E. 2nd
-212 S. Wilson
-726 E. 3rd
-322 W. 2nd
-300 E. Main
5. Approved a change in the structure of volunteer EMS stipends.
6. Approved up to $5,000 for repairs to the new street sweeper.
7. Approved vendors to stay overnight at Logan Park during Cherry Blossom Festival.
8. Approved a new rural water line leak policy.
9. Approved the purchase of three new bullet proof vests for the police department.
10. Approved a bid of $5,495 from Newton's of Cherryvale to install a new A/C and ducts.
11. Approved the consent agenda as printed.
12. Approved Resolution 08-11 dealing with pay of non-elected officials as amended.
13. Canceled the May 5, 2008 City Council Meeting.

Taxes, Part I

2008-04-17T11:17:00.006-05:00

In Kansas, three major forms of taxation are used to support governmental functions.

Income Taxes - These are the sole domain of the State of Kansas and the Federal Government. The City of Cherryvale does not recieve any of this money directly.

Sales Taxes - The State of Kansas recieves the majority of your sales tax dollars. The total sales tax rate in Cherryvale is 8.05% and the State of Kansas receives 5.3% of this. The City of Cherryvale currently has four different sales taxes in place. The first is a 1.0% tax to fund general operations and it does not have a sunset provision. The second is a .75% which is set to expire in 2011. It pays the debt associatied with the City's 2001 and 2007 sewer projects. The third sales tax is a .5% for property tax relief and it is set to expire in 2011. The fourth sales tax of .5% finances street and storm water drainage improvements and other capital improvement projects. This sales tax is also set to expire in 2011.

Property Taxes - the total propety tax rate for Cherryvale is 167.344. This total is divided among Montgomery County, USD 447, Independence Community College, the State of Kansas, the Cherryvale Recreation Commission, and the City of Cherryvale. The City of Cherryvale recieves only 23% of your property tax dollars.

State of Kansas 1.5 mills or 1% of your total property tax bill.
Montgomery County 49.415 mills or 30% of your total property tax bill.
City of Cherryale 39.021 mills or 23% of your total property tax bill.
Independence Community College 33.211 mills or 20% of your total property tax bill.
Cherryvale Rec. Commission 1.877 mills or 1% of your total tax bill.

Statewide USD Tax 20.00
USD 447 Local Tax 22.320
Total School Mill Levy 42.320 Mills or 25% of your total tax bill

Total Mill Levy 167.344 100%

Street Lights

2008-04-11T10:53:00.002-05:00

A blog poster recently said that the City should look at adding additional street lights. Where would you want to see the new street lights?

Thanks,

Trey Cocking
City Administrator

April 7, 2008 City Council Meeting

2008-04-08T10:23:00.002-05:00

The Governing Body of the City of Cherryvale met on April 7, 2008, and the following actions were taken:

1. Approved a bid from Bellco Materials for $130,270 to pave 12 blocks within the City of Cherryvale.
2. Tabled a presentation on library accessibility until 4/21/2008.
3. Tabled a presentation on the Main Street Improvement Task Force until 4/21/2008.
4. Approved the purchase of a 1997 Johnston Street Sweeper from Key Equipment of Kansas City for $9,975.
5. Agreed to let Public Works Director Wade Webber bid out the replacement of four blocks of sewer line.
6. Amended the Purchasing Policy to require the City to seek competitive bids every three years for insurance products, such as property and casuality, employee group health, and worker's compensation.
7. Approved the renewal of the City's property and causality insurance with EMC for $22,354.
8. Approved the adoption of the personnel policy manual as amended.
9. Approved the City's MCAC membership dues of $2,240.
10. Approved the Consent Agenda as written.

Water Rates

2008-04-02T16:54:00.002-05:00

As most Cherryvale residents will note, they have recently received their April water bill. The water bill does reflect the new rates that were passed by the City Council earlier this year. The purpose of the rate increase was three-fold: 1) To lessen the burden on low end customers, 2) help the city offset increased costs related to inflation, and 3) prepare for needed waterline replacement.

Waterline replacement is necessary to ensure safe quality drinking water and to offset future costs.

The water rate increase was structured to lower the water bills of low end users and to only have a slight impact on residential customers. The average customer should see a minimum increase or a slight decrease in their total water bill.

48% of water users should see an overall decrease in their bill.
24% of water users should see an increase between $2.09 and $5.22
16% of water users should see an increase between $8.35 and $11.48
7% of water users should see an increase between $14.61 and $17.74
And only 5% of water users should see an increase above $18.0o

In addition, the water bill now breaks out the base water charge of $8.00, instead of including it in the cost per 1,000 gallons.

Please let the City Clerk's Office know if you received a large increase. It may not be the result of the rate change and could be due to a water leak. The number is 336-2776.

Have a great day!

Trey Cocking
City Administrator

Spring

2008-04-01T14:36:00.003-05:00

Last week, Spring decided to show up. Flowers are blooming, grass is sprouting, trees are budding, and walkers have returned to Main Street. It's one of my favorite times of the year. One of my absolute favorite moments of the year is when you look out and realize that our landscape is now covered in green.

As Spring sprouts, the City of Cherryvale is now embarking on a interactive digital forum of communication. Over the next few weeks, we will post more information on our blog and we invite you to comment on our posts. We want to hear what you have to say!

The days are long over when the only way to give your opinion is at a council meeting, letter to the editor, or the coffee shop.

I will start off by asking, what do you want the city to accomplish in the next year? And more importantly how can you help us achieve that goal?

Thanks,

Trey Cocking
City Administrator