KANOPOLIS — Abatement hearings topped the agenda April 11, before the regular meeting of the Kanopolis City Council began.

Property owner Kathy Sneath wanted to know what the council was complaining about now regarding her property, saying there are worse places in town. Mayor Anthony Hopkins told Sneath the council has been trying to get the property cleaned up for several years.

One of the items on the property is the RV that is untagged and has no insurance. Sneath said she is working on getting it removed. Hopkins said the council is willing to work with her to get the property cleaned up. Council member Tom Wilkinson said he understands it is a huge undertaking, but the council would like to see progress. Hopkins said the council would rather see the homeowner correct the issues instead of abating the property.

Sneath then asked for one year to get things up to par. Hopkins said the council cannot allow one year for progress. He said the council will give Sneath until the June meeting, and if there is significant progress, it will allow more time at that meeting.

The council approved Resolution 2023-R-07 for removal of junked and abandoned vehicles.

During the regular meeting of the council, Hopkins asked that the vacancy on the council be tabled until the May meeting.

In other business:

• BG Consultants resubmitted the water tower plans to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The original plans were received by BG Consultants. Wilkinson will review the plans.

• Bill Weaver of 420 S. Iowa presented a copy of the contract he has from Royal R Construction to install cinder block. He refused to sign for the registered letter from the city. Hopkins asked City Clerk Debbie Kralik to contact Royal R Construction to make sure the contract is valid and to see when work will begin.

• Kralik was contacted by Kansas Gas Service regarding the natural gas lines going into the community center. They will be moving the gas lines from underground to above ground at no expense to the city.

• Kralik said she had to call City Plumbing about an issue at the community center with the heaters. Randy Kempke of City Plumbing got one of the heaters to work, which was enough for that day. City Plumbing sent a quote for two new heaters and air conditioners in the amount of $22,000. City Plumbing wants to take the heaters out of the ceiling and put them in a small closet on the main floor. Hopkins asked Kralik to solicit more bids before the next meeting.

• Kralik said she was contacted by World Pest Control regarding the annual spraying of the city’s buildings. The council approved a $330 bid for the work, which is the same amount charged last year.

• After a 10-minute executive session to discuss one or more employees’ wages and salary, approval was given to a 3 percent raise for all fulltime and part-time employees.

• Council member Rebekah Tripp asked city employee Mike Bunch to try to get rid of the stickers in the park. It was noted a student had to go to the clinic because he fell into a sticker patch.

• Council member Jim Zvolanek asked about pumping the sewer lagoons. Hopkins asked that it be put on the agenda for the May meeting.

• Hopkins asked Kralik to call the company that slurry sealed the streets to see if they have an opening for Kanopolis. He would like to get a persquare- yard bid for slurry seal and asphalt

• Kralik said she contacted Curt Glaser at First Bank Kansas regarding the water construction account. The problem was that rates had risen. She explained the water construction account should be used before the end of the year and Glaser said the bank would leave the account as it is.

The next meeting of the Kanopolis City Council will be at 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, at city hall.