March Council Recap
March 2, City Council met for a regular meeting at the library. Baldwin Golf Association member Paul Vander Tuig gave a 2020 report on the Golf Course and activities of the association.
Mayor Simoneau presented a proclamation to the Baldwin High School Girls’ Wrestling Team and Coach Harris in honor of their State Championship win.
Ordinance 1429 on animal control was updated to correct an error. Resolution 2021-08, regarding BYOB events at the Golf Course, was passed in the same manner as it has been the last few years.
The Community Development Committee brought an updated branding guideline document to the Council, which was sent back to the Committee after some discussion regarding wording.
It was announced that Laura Hartman, City Clerk, would be retiring and that March 2nd was her last council meeting. Council Meeting ended with an Attorney-Client Privilege Executive Session.
March 16th, City Council met again at the library.
Ben Hart of Baker Tilly, the City’s financial advisor, gave a 2020 Year End Budget Overview. The presentation is below.
Council appointed Amara Packard as Interim City Clerk, while the City Clerk job is posted and candidates reviewed.
Kansas State Bank’s submission for Equipment Lease/Purchase Bid was accepted. Essentially, this is a funding mechanism to streamline purchases of equipment already approved in the 2021 Budget.
A bucket truck bid was approved for the Electric Distribution Crew to purchase a new bucket truck, in the amount of $216,586, which was less than the projected amount. It will take around a year for the truck to be built and delivered. Once the city takes possession of the new vehicle, the 2005 bucket truck will be sold.
There was discussion about the sale of some under used city-owned properties, including a couple of vacant lots in residential areas and the red barn located at 7th and Indiana. The City is in the process of surveying and appraising the properties with intent to auction them off.
Highlights from committee reports included discussion about how to fund a crossing guard for the 8th & Ames St. crossing, potential legalization of UTVs, and updates and cleaning at the pool to get it ready for the season.
As always, you can find agendas and minutes for council meetings here, and the videos are available on YouTube.
Volunteer to Make Baldwin City Beautiful
The Garden Connection is looking for more volunteers to maintain the flower pots and beds downtown. No gardening experience necessary. You can give as much or as little time as you wish.
If you would like to learn more about the Garden Connection or downtown beautification, please email Baldwin.City.Garden.Connection@gmail.com or call 594-6968, or stop and talk when you see one of the volunteers downtown.
Tree Giveaway May 8th
Get a tree for your front or back yard, free from the Baldwin City Tree Board. 14 or 15 varieties will be available on May 8th, from 8am-11am at Sullivan Square.
Citywide Yard Sale a Go on June 5th
The citywide yard sale on June 5th is a green light, with some recommendations from LDC Health. Sign up by May 28th if you'd like your yard sale to be added to a map coordinated and distributed by the Friends of the Baldwin City Library and the City. Note that the registry will be free this year, but the Friends would still gladly accept a donation. More information and recommendations from the Health Department available here.
New Mural Downtown
The Lumberyard Arts Center, Baldwin City Library, and Baker University, with the Baldwin City Community Mural Committee, were approved for a $2,014 Baldwin City Mural Grant to implement the creation of a mural featuring the history, traditions and icons of Baker University. The mural, titled Baker Family Tree, was designed by Baker senior Elaena Steffen. It will be located on the Baker maintenance building at 702 7th Street. This mural is number four of a series of downtown murals created to showcase Baldwin City’s history. The implementation of the mural will be directed by local artist Lisa Slavin, along with Elaena and Baldwin High School art apprentices with a target completion timeframe of May 2021. Dates for community painting to be announced.
Warm Up in Sullivan Square
April 16th is the third Warm Up in Sullivan Square event, and it’s shaping up to be a fun event. Get out and socialize safely, with live music, family fun, and great food.
Vaccine Appointments Available
COVID Vaccine appointments are available Tuesday-Thursday at Douglas County Fairgrounds for anyone 16 and older. Enter the code for the date you select here.
There are plenty of 1st dose appointments available.
Calendar
April 16, Warm Up in Sullivan Square
April 20, Council Meeting
April 30, Arbor Day
May 4, Council Meeting
May 8, Tree Giveaway in Sullivan Square