Commissioners receive update from Solomon Valley Manor Administrator
At the regular meeting of the Stockton City Commission held on Tuesday, April 19th, Solomon Valley Manor Administrator Amanda Atkisson met with the commissioners to ask about submitting for the Paycheck Protection Program during the COVID-19 pandemic. If the facility qualifies, it could receive funds to help with payroll for the next two months. Commissioner Reesa Brown asked how they would apply for non-profit, noting she feels it would be taking money away from those businesses that need it. Commissioner Don McLaughlin stated if the facility does qualify and then doesn’t need the money, it can be given back. Commissioner Nathan Glendening, who is a nursing home administrator, noted that his facility applied for and got a loan. He explained the guidelines for the funds, noting that the bulk of it has to be used for payroll. Commissioner Bob Becker felt Atkisson should go ahead and apply to see if the Manor would qualify for a loan. The commissioners then voted for Atkisson to apply for the funds with a vote of 4 yes (Rogers, McLaughlin, Becker and Glendening and 1 no (Brown.)
Atkisson then brought up increases for room rates at the facility. This is the time of year when the facility usually looks at increases so they can be in place by July 1st. It was the consensus of the commissioners to wait for awhile before any decision is made on an increase in room rates.
Next, the TV and cable rates for the residents were discussed. Since Nex-Tech increased the rates in February, to be in line with the increase the cost would be $20.00 per line for the residents that want it. The commissioners voted to raise the rates from $18.44 to $20.00 per line with the residents to be given a 30- day notice of the increase.
Atkisson said she is also applying for other grants with the money to be used to purchase supplies. Becker asked how the staff and residents are doing during the pandemic with Atkisson giving the commissioners an update on the precautions they are taking and how the residents are doing.
Next, the commissioners approved the following building permits: for Mark Lowry for a wooden and chain link fence at 704 North Second; for Jed States for a wooden picket fence at 513 South First; Brian Berkley for an enclosure over a poured cement area; and for Bill Schmitz for a deck with a roof and a small garden shed. City manager Courtney
City manager Courtney Flower then gave her report by notifying the commissioners that there is a water leak around Main and Ash Street. The city department has submitted permits to KDOT so they can open the area to find the leak.
There have been several calls about the pool opening. At this time the City will wait and discuss a plan at the next meeting. Flower is gathering information from other towns to see what they are talking about doing.
The city-wide clean-up that was scheduled for the first week of May has been postponed.
Flower said at the Rooks County Economic Development meeting, they had discussed the 2021 budget. The City’s share will be reduced by half a mil for the coming budget.
Flower gave the commissioners the letter from the Rooks County Appraiser dealing with infor mation she has received from the State concerning the shortfall of funds for the coming year.
Flower said the City is still in the process of working on grants for the City Park.
The City was asked if the Stockton High School senior picture banners could be put up on Main Street. Since the material the banners are made out of is not for outdoor use, the banners may be put in business windows.
The commissioners were given two designs to consider for the Main Street benches. Flower would like their preferences so the benches can be ordered soon.
The compliance officer position has been put on hold at this time. The commissioners informed Flower of a few properties that need to be looked at.
Becker asked how the work rotation schedule was going. Flower said the office and departments have had to make a few adjustments, but it is working pretty well.
At the start of the meeting, the commissioners had approved the Consent Agenda, which included the Solomon Valley Manor gross payroll in the amount of $49,502.96, the Solomon Valley Manor warrants in the amount of $53,990.19, the City of Stockton warrants in the amount of $178,401.35 and the April 7th regular meeting minutes.
Present for the meeting were commissioners Sandi Rogers, Reesa Brown, Nathan Glendening, Bob Becker and Don McLaughlin as well as city manager/clerk Courtney Flower, assistant city clerk Kayla Hilbrink, and Solomon Valley Manor Administrator Amanda Atkisson.
