As soon as they were sworn in, Steve Morrison and Nick Hansen got to work. Morrison begins his two-year term as mayor, replacing David Fornelli, while Hansen has taken Mike Snow’s position as a councilman for the First Ward for the next four years. First up on the agenda was approving payment of the first $750 annual membership fee in the Southeast Kansas Library System. Library Director Seth Nutt said this is the first step in getting the library operational as it allows him to access software to process and label the 6,000 books the library currently holds. Nutt said there will be a further courier fee after the library opens that facilitates inter-library loans. Councilman Joe Martin asked about progress on blueprints for the library. Nutt said he has been waiting on cost estimates from the architect but is hopeful that blueprints will be forthcoming within a couple of months. The council moved on to public hearings on two condemnations. Courtney Phillips, the owner of 104 N Labette, provided the council with before and after pictures. The property has been occupied by squatters who vandalized the home, even stealing the heating and air-conditioning unit.
Source: Morning Sun
