KANOPOLIS — It’s not enough. This is the simple and direct message the Kanopolis City Council gave to property owner Dan Erdman about his efforts to make improvements at 129 N. Kansas Ave.

An extensive back-and-forth ensued during the Sept. 10 Kanopolis City Council meeting between council members and Erdman.

“As I said last meeting, one of my biggest concerns was all of the tables. It didn’t seem like that’s been addressed,” Mayor Anthony Hopkins said.

Erdman said he intends to put a fence around the back area of the property, shielding the tables from view.

“I’ve talked to Wilson and know how slow you are to get things done,” Hopkins said. “I want things taken care of now. Do you understand?

“I am not going to play with you like Wilson did. You will take care of stuff or we will remove it. You had 30 days from the last meeting.”

“Let’s put Wilson aside,” Erdman said.

“No,” Hopkins replied. “I was told you’re great at placating councils and you don’t do it and it goes another 30 days and you threaten to sue.

“I have read the city minutes from Wilson for the last two years. Are you saying the paper has not said it accurately in the paper?”

“I have never not made a time limit,” Erdman said.

He pointed out he has made progress, including removing trees and limbs, as well as covering damaged windows.

“The tables are a liability,” Council Member Levi Schneider said. “Kids get back there and climb on them.

“I offered to help you get tables inside, and you said there isn’t room.”

“You need to get it taken care of now,” Hopkins said. “You said you would have it taken care of 30 days ago and you haven’t.”

“You’re full of it,” Erdman said. “Those windows are done, and not only are they done, they’re done extremely well.

“The American with Disability Act will put you in your place.”

Erdman said he would like to keep one table outside.

“It’s against city ordinance,” Hopkins said. “You can move it in and out as much as you want to work on it. There’s no flexibility on it. There’s no compromise. You will do what we tell you to do or we will remove them. It should have been done already.”

“I think you’re a pigheaded idiot,” Erdman said. “That Nazi attitude of yours is really starting to get the people in this town irritated.”

Schneider moved to give Erdman 30 days from the council meeting to remove the tables and continue to work his way around the building’s exterior, removing other debris. Newly-sworn-in council member Drew Miley seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Following the discussion about the Erdman property, Hopkins presented council with a copy of the board of health ordinances from Wilson.

“I did speak to the mayor of Wilson about some of the issues we’ve been dealing with,” Hopkins said. “He did send over their ordinance to help streamline the cleanup of properties.”

The ordinance was presented for council to consider, not for action during the September meeting.

“They (the health board) make recommendations on moving forward, abatements,” Hopkins said. “Currently, our procedure mostly goes through (police chief ) Jeff Weigel with doing citations. The process tends to be rather lengthy.”

He suggested fellow council members think about three individuals who might be willing to serve on that board.

“I think this may be a good way to move forward for the city,” Hopkins said. “I’ve been mayor for almost six years. We’ve focused a lot on cleaning up properties. It takes forever and takes lawyer fees. This would limit lawyer fees and time.”

City Clerk Deb Kralik reminded council members any adjustments to the Wilson ordinance should be reviewed by the city attorney.

In other business:

• Miley was sworn in as a new council member.

• Darrell Ploutz asked if his property is in city limits on the east side of town. His family has four dogs, tagged and vaccinated, and he wanted to confirm he is in compliance regarding his animals before adding a water line to the area where the dogs are kept.

“Seems like you would be good to us as long as they’re registered,” Hopkins said. “Whether you’re in or out of city limits, you’re within the ordinance.”

Hopkins brought up another complaint regarding horses in or near city limits.

“Until a complaint is brought, I don’t think it’s worth discussing,” he said.

• Discussed the water project. Kralik said the application was submitted to the Kansas Water Office for $1,196,141.

• Kralik said the city will pay Charles Kootz $1,800 for his no-till acres.

• Council gave consent for Casey Rowland from the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services to utilize city offices during office hours to meet with clients.

“If she has to meet after hours, she goes to sheriff ’s office in Ellsworth,” Kralik said.

• A fall cleanup was discussed.

Council tentatively set the city cleanup for Oct. 25-27, pending coordination with the landfill.

The cleanup is open to Kanopolis residents and will not accept tires.

Council approved the project with the cost of up to $4,000.

• Kralik provided information about the League of Kansas Municipalities Essay Contest for council member Rebekah Tripp to take to Kanopolis Middle School for seventh graders.

• Maintenance Supervisor Mike Bunch said USD 327 Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo’s superintendent requested signs at KMS. Hopkins will follow up about the issue.

• The council asked Kralik to send a certified letter to the owner of 720 S. Iowa Ave. about the junk left in the alley.

• Bunch said the sewer pipe at 420 S. Iowa Ave. in the alley should be removed.

• A letter will be hand-delivered to the owner of 420 S. Iowa Ave. about overgrown grass.

• A letter will be sent to the owner of 109 N. Kansas Ave. regarding the tin coming off of the structure’s roof.

The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 in city hall.