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Quarterly Newsletter - Issue 35 - August 2015

THE CITY OF LINDSBORG

Lindsborgthe

PRIDE -- n. 1.) the state or feeling of being proud 2.) something that causes a person or persons to be proud 3.) something that causes a person or persons to be proud 4.) the best of a group, class, society, etc 5.) the most flourishing state or period See more at www.dictionary.com

STREETS PROJECT JUNE 2015

It has been a busy summer for the Street Department. Several streets received a facelift and the community has noticed. Garfield Street was in need of repairs and one of the first streets on the list to improve. Garfield Street allows the residents on the north end of the city quick access to Harrison/Cole.More information on the streets project can be found on page 3.

CITY HALL - MAY 2013Get Connected with LindsborgStay informed about: local news, events and services.

Follow us on twitter @CityLindsborgKS

“Like” us on Facebook www.facebook.com/LindsborgCity

Visit our City web page at www.lindsborgcity.org

Councilman David Higbee [email protected]

Councilwoman Becky [email protected]

Councilman Rick [email protected]

Councilwoman Betty [email protected]

Councilman Corey [email protected]

Councilman Emile [email protected]

Mayor Bill [email protected]

Councilwoman Kelley [email protected]

Council Member Contact Information

CITY HALL - AUGUST 2015

Councilman Blaine [email protected]

At the June 1, 2015 City Council meeting, the governing body voted to adopt Ordi-nance No. 4921. This ordinance states that the city council meeting schedule would change from meeting once a month to twice a month. The change would also eliminate committee meetings that were previously held twice a month. The City Council Meetings will now be held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. City staff and council alike feel that this change will bring about greater transpar-ency, enhanced council communication, shortened decision process, and would also promote a better public process. Along with the new schedule there is a new Consent Agenda format that will be followed each meeting. As always, any information regarding the schedule of the meetings can be found on the city website at www.lindsborgcity.org. The meetings will continue to be broadcast live. They are also available for veiwing on the Lindsborg City YouTube Channel.

City Council Adopts Meeting Schedule Change Ordinance

The American flag is the symbol of our freedom, national pride and history. -- Mike Fitzpatrick

Lindsborg...where you want to Be, to Play, to Live, to Stay!

CITY HALL - AUGUST 2015

•8:00 AM to NOON•FOR LINDSBORG RESIDENTS ONLY•1111 EAST SWENSSON (formerly the old Tree Station)•ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED DURING THE CLEAN-UP DAY INCLUDE: •TIRES •AMMUNITION •BATTERIES • LARGE APPLIANCES •ITEMS THAT CONTAIN OR DID CONTAIN FREON •HAZARDOUS WASTE •YARD WASTE (GRASS CLIPPINGS, DIRT, LEAVES, LIMBS, WEEDS, STRAW, ETC.)•PLEASE CALL CITY HALL AT 785-227-3355 FOR MORE INFORMATION IF IT IS NEEDED

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CITYWIDE CLEAN-UP DAY IS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2015

Q with Public Works Director Tim Dunn&A

1.) What are the ways that a City street can be repaired? Mill & Overlay – Asphalt streets are generally milled down anywhere from 2”-6”, depending on the street, and then new asphalt paving is laid back in at the same depth. Asphalt Patching-Pot holes are cleaned out and then asphalt patch material is placed in the hole and compacted. Concrete Paving – Total reconstruction of a street, including subgrade stabilization, compaction and concrete pad, usually 6”-8” in town.

2.) The streets that were recently improved were done with? Chip seal Asphalt paving

3.) What kind of rock was used on Normal Street and a portion of Garfield Street? ½” granite rock was used on all chip seal projects

4.) What are some street projects that will be completed in the near future? No further paving projects are scheduled for this year and we are currently assessing which projects to take on next year.

5.) What does the budget allow for street improvement every year? With the proposed 2016 budget and each year after, we are proposing to spend $240,000/year on maintenance, repair and new construction.

6.) Will the City be adding sidewalks in the north end of town anytime soon along with the street improvements? There is no current plan to require homeowners to install new sidewalks except when required to do so by a building permit.

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU - AUGUST 2015

TRAVEL TO LINDSBORG .... Lindsborg is dedicated to being the best community possible and exciting things continue to happen! We are a finalist for the Voice of the People Award for Excellence in Mobility! It is given to jurisdictions that listen and act to improve their communities. Lindsborgians really cap-ture the spirit of striving to enhance and promote our city. Some new things out and about: The free little lending library, brainchild of Carol Gusenius and built by Harlan Shogren and Bud Benson, is located at 112 N. Main St. in Lindsborg. The concept of “take a book, leave a book” is a fun addition to downtown. Available to locals and guests alike! A new mural has appeared downtown! The Wizard of Oz was painted by Meghan Klaassen and Katie Esh on the Slöjd building at 115 S. Main. The quintessential Kansas story was performed wonderfully by Broadway RFD this summer. The Old Grind is now owned by the youngest business owner downtown, Molli Esping. We are so happy the tradition of serving (awful) good coffee at the Old Grind will continue. A new toy store will open downtown in the early fall. Deborah Briggs, the owner of Trollslända Toy Store, will provide a selection of quality toys including Scandinavian items. Trollslända Toy Store will be located at 112 N. Main and will open for business after building renovations are complete. We should be proud as a community for making Lindsborg a better place to visit, to live and to work. Recognizing our strengths as a community, we continue to be a success! Thank you everyone!

Quality is pride of workmanship. -- W. Edwards Deming


Want to share more about travel options in Lindsborg with your friends? It is now so easy!! Have them download the new Visit Lindsborg travel app for their smart phone! For Android phones go to Google Play or for your iPhone go to the app store and simply type in “Lindsborg” in the search box. You will be able to download the new travel app for Lindsborg that features historical stops, galleries, trails, lodging, eats, shopping and more! Thanks to Cody Whetstone, at Vision_Tek, for working on this project and to the McPherson County Community Foundation’s Lindsborg/DN fund and Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund for providing grant support to make this project possible.

CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU - AUGUST 2015

FIND IT ON THE APP!

Businesses that have complete business information online are twice as likely to be considered reputable by consumers and are expected to grow 40% faster than those that aren’t online. When people can find info about the local dry cleaner, dentist, barbershop and your business, our community becomes even stronger. Find out what your business listing looks like when customers search for your business on Google Search and Maps. Visit gybo.com/business and type in your business name to get recommendations on how to improve your business online. Not listed online? Getting all of your business info online is free and easy. Get started at: www.gybo.com Still not certain where to start? Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau office for assistance at 785-227-8687. Let’s put Lindsborg on the map!

Google LINDSBORG!

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - AUGUST 2015

Writing zoning code is a difficult balance between being precise and being understandable. Language that is simple and easy to understand is often open to interpretation. This creates various loopholes that can be used to avoid compliance, making well-intended laws unenforceable and useless. Lindsborg’s sign regulations, found in Sections 50-749 through 50-779 of the city code, are a good example of precise writing that leaves little to the imagination; however, its eight chapters of numbered topics with indented subheadings can make the search for a quick answer to a simple question both confusing and time-consuming. This article, the first of two parts, attempts to address basic topics about the sign code. It is not meant to replace the ordinance. All signage proposals should be considered with a thorough understanding of the code before funds are committed to the project. This brings up the first topic: Section 50-751. Permits (a.) Required. It shall be unlawful to erect, place, construct, reconstruct or relocate any sign without first obtaining a sign permit. This clear-cut and precise rule is easy to understand, but it is found on the third page of the chapter. It is immediately followed by a lengthy section on exempt signs, which makes it easy to forget that most ordinary business signs require a permit. Obtaining a permit is easy. Call or stop by City Hall, ask for a sign permit, and you will be directed to a staff person (Jerry or Gary) who will process the request and answer any questions. There is no charge to the applicant. If you are installing a large sign requiring footings, you may have to pay for a building permit. You don’t need a permit for preventive maintenance and repainting a sign exactly as it is. Here are some of the types of signs that do not require permits: • Temporary, non-commercial signs that advertise civic events or campaigns • Construction signs • Historic designations • Holiday decorations • Interior signs • Memorial signs • Political signs • Real estate and temporary sale signs (like garage sale signs) Note that there are time restrictions for temporary signs, so check the code or ask City Hall. Section 50-752. Prohibited signs. Here’s a long list. It’s one that’s often overlooked or abused. • Billboards and other off-premises signs • Signs with flashing or flickering lights • Signs with moving parts • Obsolete signs • Portable signs • Roof signs • Searchlights • Signs that cause a direct glare upon streets, adjacent lots or other buildings • Signs in disrepair or that are structurally unsafe • Signs located on trees, rocks, light or utility poles And, the big one: Signs in, on, over or above any land or right-of-way or property belonging to the city. This means it’s not legal to put a sign, even a temporary one, out by the curb or on the corner, because that’s right-of-way. Same goes for downtown sidewalks, light poles, stop signs, the parks and all other city property. There is an exception for “duly constituted public authorities in the performance of their duties” and that’s why there are occasional temporary signs in the parks or other event areas. There’s also an exception for downtown, but we’ll get into that in the next part. Next time, in Part 2, the discussion will focus on sizes, heights and maximum number of signs allowed per business. We’ll also look at the design review process as it relates to approving the look and suitability of signs.

Sign Code in Plain English – Part 1.

Show class, have pride, and display character. If you do, winning takes care of itself. -- Paul Bryant


COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - AUGUST 2015

In June, Livability.com announced that Lindsborg ranked #31 on its new list of “100 Best Small Towns” in the US. Only one other Kansas community, Merriam, made the list. Livability looked at over 12,000 cities with populations between 1,000 and 20,000, examining data in eight

categories: the economy, health care, housing, social and civic capital, education, amenities, demographics, and infrastructure. With a population of 3,461 at the time of the survey, Lindsborg was the 4th smallest city on the list, between Bar Harbor, Maine (2,427, ranked 5th) and Breckenridge, Colorado (4,542, ranked 27th). From their website, Livability described how they focused on four guiding principles to determine what makes a small city great:AccessStart with the basics: A city needs good schools, hospitals, airports and infrastructure, low crime, and a good climate. Then add amenities like parks, golf courses, farmers markets, and arts and culture. Finally, the natural and built environment are factors as well.AffordabilityAffordability is about more than just cost. Income comes into play, too. We layered several variables related to spending on broad categories like housing, transportation, health care and food, as well as data about income to ensure we were finding cities where livability isn’t a luxury but is the norm.ChoiceThe more options a city offers, the more it can be livable for everyone. For example, by looking at the percentage of commuters who don’t drive alone, you can gauge if there are transportation options. We rewarded cities that offer residents the most flexibility in choosing a hospital, school, park, farmers market and commuting mode.UtilizationFinally, having all of these great things is important but so is using them. Esri provided us with lifestyle variables that allowed us to see which residents were making the most of their opportunities in their cities.

Livability – Top 100!A good thing to be PROUD of!

PARKS - AUGUST 2015

Wilson Engineering is nearing the end of their study for a proposed Trail extension. The study is necessary to determine the estimated cost of construction, a required component of grant applications. Serving the Emerald Lake subdivision, First Baptist Church and Bethany Home’s new assisted living facility, the extension will add almost a mile and a half to the current two and a half miles of concrete hike and bike trail. The addition will provide a scenic rural pathway that will be mainly unobstructed by street crossings and stop signs. City staff is researching funding opportunities with a projected construction timeframe within two to three years. The original construction of the Välkommen Trail was completed in 2006 at a total cost of $1,031,235. A matching KDOT grant provided 80% of the funding.

Välkommen Trail Extension Update

In July, National Research Center, Inc. (NRC) announced that Lindsborg is a finalist of the Voice of the People Award for Excellence in Mobility. Only given to jurisdictions that listen and act to improve their communities, this year’s award is most competitive. Based on responses from The National Citizen Survey™ (The NCS™) conducted in 2014, residents of Lindsborg reported the highest levels of satisfaction with mobility compared with all other par-ticipating jurisdictions. The Voice of the People Awards stand alone as the only award given in local government based on community opinion. The perspectives of the residents themselves determine nominees for the very best of community engagement, safety, mobility, foundations of livability, recreation and wellness, education and enrichment, natural environment, built environ-ment and economy. Of the communities that participated in the 2014 National Citizen Survey, finalists for Excellence in these categories received the highest ratings from their residents. Now running eight years, the Voice of the People Awards are presented by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and National Research Center, Inc. They will be given at the 101st annual ICMA conference in Seattle, WA, September 2015.

Lindsborg a Finalist for Mobility Award

With pride, there are many curses. With humility, there come many blessings. --Ezra Taft Benson

Mobility

Accessibility of a community by motorized and non-motorized modes of transportation (e.g., ease of travel, traffic flow, ease of walking, availability of paths and walking trails)

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PUBLIC SAFETY - AUGUST 2015

Find ways to stay cool this summer as we prepare for a combination of high temperatures and high humidity that will make it hotter than normal. This combination is particularly hazardous to seniors, infants, and those with chronic health problems.Stay in-doors if possible. If not, utilize the shade, keep your head covered and wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Stay hydrated with water; avoid alcohol or drinks that have high sugar content as they cause you to lose more body fluid. Very cold drinks can also cause stomach cramps.Never leave a human or an animal in a closed, parked vehicle.

Officers have been making contact with pedestrians on bicycles in the downtown area of Lindsborg to remind them that it is against the law to ride bicycles on the sidewalk in this area. The area includes the 100 blocks of North and South Main and the 100 blocks of East and West Lincoln. The potential for injury to a person coming out of a business in this area and being struck by a bicyclist is high so please walk your bicycles on the sidewalk or ride in the street.

BEATTHE

HEAT

AVOID THE HEAT... OBEY THE LAW!

Photo courtesy of Tim Stewart’s FB page

PUBLIC WORKS - AUGUST 2015

Unfortunately, there are times when the power goes out. Sometimes it’s a citywide outage where the electrical feed from the City’s provider, Westar, has been lost. There is nothing you or the Electric Department can do about that but wait until it’s restored. Sometimes power can be lost on one of the three circuits that run through the City or even on individual service lines. This can be due to storm damage, tree limbs that short across phases, or squirrels shorting across the lugs on a transformer. These are the sort of outages that City crews are ready and able to deal with. If you experience a power outage, the first thing you need to do is check the breakers inside your home. If those are all in the “on” position and you still don’t have any power there is another place to check. On almost every household within the City, there is what is known as an “outside disconnect” mounted near the meter. This can be either on your house if you have overhead service or on a meter stand or service pole at the back edge of your property if you have underground service. If the breakers on your outside disconnect are “off”, the outage will be the result of a wiring problem in the household and a private electrician needs to be called instead of the city crew. If these breakers are still “on”, call City Hall at 227-3355 or Public Works at 227-3428. If it’s after business hours, please call 227-3469 which will be answered by our answering service.

IS YOUR POWER OUT?

Vanity is a mark of humility rather than of pride. --Jonathan Swift

Outside Disconnect Outside

Disconnect


RECREATION / GOLF - AUGUST 2015

FUN TIMES IN

Golf Course Specials MONDAYS: 7 & 7 - Play a round (18 holes) and get a golf cart for $7 & green fees for $7WEDNESDAYS: 50% off Green Fees!

LINDSBORG GOLF COURSE

1541 Svensk Rd • Lindsborg, KS 67456Clubhouse: 785-227-2244 • Superintendent Darrin Dohrman

Tournaments:•Club Championship - 8.23.15•1 Person Scramble - 9.13.15•Women’s Tournament - 9.26.15 (4-person scramble)

LINDSBORG!

Be looking out for: new exercise classes coming soon including beginner yoga, & other group fitness activities!Don’t forget: Youth Basketball registrations due by October 23!

RECREATION DEPARTMENT PRESENTS CAMP DALA DAYS 2015

Camp was 3 full days this year and included trips to Coronado Heights, the Safety Center, Senior Center and Rolling Hills Zoo!

The City of Lindsborg101 S. MainPO Box 70Lindsborg, KS 67456

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGEPAIDLINDSBORG, KSPERMIT #1

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CALENDAR OF EVENTSCity Council Meetings -- Sept. 8 & 21, Oct. 5 & 19, Nov. 2 & 16Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting -- August 18, October 20King Midas at the Bandshell (annual street dance) -- August 22Battle of the Buses -- Sept. 19Discover Your Swedish Roots -- Old Mill -- Sept. 26 & 27Svensk Hyllningsfest -- Oct. 9 & 10Coronado Heights Run 15K & 5K -- Oct. 10Falun Classic 34-mile Bike Ride -- Oct. 11City View Newsletter -- Issue 36 (November)Recycling Center -- (Open 24/7) Be considerate please

EMERGENCY INFORMATIONPolice, Fire and Ambulance: 911

Police, Fire and Ambulance: 785.227.2988 (non-emergency)

Water, Sewer, Electric, Streets: 785.227.3428

Water Sewer, Electric, Streets: 785.227.3469 (after hours, weekends and holidays)

For more scheduled events please view the calendars at www.visitlindsborg.com and www.lindsborgcity.org

August2015

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