Manning will remain on the job until the end of December

By SUSAN MARSHALL

Staff writer

Peabody City Administrator Mac Manning read a letter of resignation indicating his intention to leave his position at the end of 2012 during Monday night’s council meeting.

Manning will have served the community for 3.5 years when he leaves. He said he has enjoyed working with the council and employees and getting to know the residents of the community.

He said that his age, some minor health issues, and his desire to spend more time with his family have been the factors that drove his decision.

After some discussion, council member Tom Schmidt moved to accept his resignation with regret, and the motion carried.

In other business:

• The council agreed to a request from the Peabody-Burns school district to waive a city ordinance requiring a property owner to replace a city sidewalk rather than remove it and allow grass to cover the area. Superintendent Ron Traxon asked for permission to remove the sidewalk that runs parallel to Sycamore Street at the east end of the football practice field. The sidewalk is in poor condition and needs to be removed or repaired. Since it is no longer used, the city granted a waiver to the district to remove it.
• Peabody Main Street and Economic Development Director Shane Marler gave his report and the community Main Street directors have been negotiating with the Department of Commerce about the “loose ends” the communities were left with when the state program was eliminated. The Department of Commerce has agreed to allow Main Street communities to keep the loan pool funds and use them for loans to local business owners. The department also will honor its agreement with the city of Emporia and pay for the annual Governor’s Awards banquet, although Marler said the name of the event will probably be changed. The training sessions and speakers will remain a part of the event. Marler said there may be additional perks coming from the Department of Commerce.
• Discussion about the condition of the sidewalks downtown came up and the consensus of the council members was the downtown Bradford pears are creating an ever-increasing hazard to pedestrians and to the building facades. No decision was reached, but the topic was placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
• After an executive session to discuss personnel, the council agreed to have Manning train a new employee to handle the city’s payroll and accounts payable between now and the end of the year.
• Pam Lamborn requested two or three council members meet with Peabody Main Street Director Shane Marler to review costs and benefits of the program. After discussion which generated little support for the proposal, Marler said he would be willing to sit down with her one-on-one and give her the information. A motion of support for the Main Street program made by Schmidt passed with Lamborn opposed.
• The council reviewed a copy of a letter to Kenny Rogers from City Attorney Norman Manley offering Rogers $430 to compensate for damage to a wire fence between his property and the city park. The fence was damaged during the July Fourth fireworks show.
• Schmidt reported that four white oak trees will be planted near the entrance of the city park where the 100-year old pines were removed during the summer.

The next council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the city building.