Civic Center Building Committee:
The Civic Center Building Committee has been in a hurry up and wait mode now for almost one month. Waiting on various people to complete whatever so that the project could move forward. Today, hooray, the contract for Rural Development has been reviewed by our attorney Kevin Mitchelson and will be personally delivered tomorrow to Don Madison in Iola. From thence, the contract has to be approved by Don Madison's superiors. When that task is finished, the architect will busy himself on the preliminary drawings for our consideration. The Building Committee approved an Engineering survey of our Civic Center Site for a drainage plan, a grade plan and details of our parking spaces. The Building Committee is excited about seeing the preliminary drawings soon. As soon as they are complete, others interested will be notified for viewing and studying the drawings for any design suggestions. Joe Cukjati, Civic Center Building Committee Chairperson

Water District Update:
The water district is in the process of evaluating and planning of the reconnection of the waterlines in the Tornado effected areas. These areas have to be tied back into the system. FEMA will cover the cost of this project since it was damage from the tornado. The work has to be completed by Nov. 2004. The district is also finalizing the plans for infrastructure improvements. They will be done with the $350.000 CDBG grant that was awarded last year. The improvements include a 133' tall 14' diameter standpipe. There are two kinds of standpipes, welded and glass lined. Welded has an approximate cost of $135.000 and a glass lined has an approximate cost of $212.000. The glass lined is considered maintenance free and the welded requires paint every 10 years. The cost of painting a welded standpipe is around $35.000. The district will more than likely go with the glass lined as it will be more cost effective in the long term. You can get more information on the glass lined standpipe at (www.aquastore.com). The water district meets every 2nd Sunday of the month at 7:00 PM. Ashbacher Const. building. If you are interested in what is going on please attend the meetings or call Craig Stokes at 620-347-8519.

Crawford County Sewer District # 3 Update:
Funds to construct a sanitary sewer system of $1.658.897.00 were awarded April 22, 2004. The Rural Development of Kansas presented the award of funds on Earth day. Hopefully the digging will start before or by spring of 2005. Kramer Engineering is in the process of drawing final plans up for Rural Development approval. When approved bids will go out on the project. If you have any questions on the sewer project please contact Craig Stokes at 620-347-8519.

Post Office Update: We are making progress on the post office project. The next issue that has to be addressed is the location of the post office. We have to propose a building site that the postal service will approve for the building. The will perform an onsite inspection to be sure that the site will fulfill the needs of all that will be using the facility. We still do not have a firm commitment from the postal service on re-establishment of the post office. We do seem to be moving in that direction. The Community Council will continue to pursue the issue to its final conclusion.

Storm Siren Update: The Community Council is in the process of completing an application for a storm siren grant through Rural Development to purchase it. It is a fairly lengthy process, but will be worth it in the long term as it will be a grant and be paid for. It will also provide other incorporated communities an opportunity to gain knowledge on the issue if they would want to apply for a grant. We would be able to help with the application process for them if we desire. We are also working with the county to establish some kind of a program that will allow the county and unincorporated communities to work together in the support of operation and maintence of storm warning systems. Preliminary issues are being addressed at this time to determine if a program is or could be feasible. Hopefully we will have a storm siren in place next spring

Advisory Committee:  

Updates from each committee chairperson are as follows:

Fund Raising/Media Coverage/Publicity:  Frankie Stone reported that another group of letters would be sent out as a fund raising effort.   Several other ideas were discussed for future ways to raise funds for projects.

Budget:  No report was given on the budget due to the absence of Ray Hamblin.  A new budget was given to each member present which was updated to May 15, 2004

Special Events:  Dianna Morrison reported on the clean up week.  Notice was also received today that the boys from boot camp would be coming back tomorrow so Dianna was feverishly making arrangements for food for tomorrow for the boys.   Dianna also discussed making a float to have in the various parades coming up.  

Legislative:  Veda reported there was no activity this past month.

Website/History:  Phyllis reported that the website has been very active and there have been many photos and stories added.  Many more are in the process of being composed.  Several items of historical significance have been donated for future use in the Heritage Room of the new community hall.   Items can be donated to Phyllis and she will archivally store them and maintain them until there is a room in Franklin for their display.

Highway Welcome Sign:  Dianna Morrision and Margaret Kennedy reported that a huge boulder could be donated and placed at the intersection of the bypass and Highway 47.  Nothing can be done until the property is deeded to the council but they are checking into getting it set.  It was also discussed about lighting the sign.  It was decided to wait until the sign is set since there has been talk of the state lighting the intersection and it may not require any special lighting.  Ted Wynn offered to mow the area and to do some landscaping work.  

Franklin Park:  Don Kranker said this issue is tabled until other projects move along.  Dianna Morrison has been in contact with the Eagle Scouts to do some landscape work at the park and perhaps place some benches.  This would be at the site of the old community hall.  No final decision has been made on the location of a park for the children although there was discussion about placing the children’s park at the new hall site and using the old hall site for a walking park for seniors and families.   

Franklin Cleanup:  Jerry Wayman reported that a large area had been covered in the initial cleanup.   He received a last minute call today saying the boot camp boys would be coming to Franklin tomorrow.    Jerry had everything well organized and planned for tomorrow.

Phyllis Bitner gave notice that she would be resigning as Chairperson of the Advisory Committee.  Dianna Morrison will be taking the position.