The deadline for candidates to apply for the Parsons city manager job is fast approaching and commissioners have a committee that includes local residents ready to help review the applicants and interview candidates.
Parsons city commissioners have been discussing the process in closed session periodically since City Manager Debbie Lamb announced that she would retire in March after 50 years of service to the city.
The city commission hired the Kansas League of Municipalities to assist with the search for a new city manager, City Attorney Ross Albertini said.
“As part of KLM’s services, they are conducting statewide and regional advertising. All applicants apply directly to KLM. KLM will compile all applications and make preliminary recommendations to the search committee set up by the City Commission as well as provide coordination in setting up all interviews,” Albertini told the Sun.
The search committee includes the five commissioners and four citizens: Becky Dantic, Brock Sutherland, Beatrice Fontelroy and Rod Landrum.
As of Monday, Albertini said the KLM had received 10 applicants and had three other serious inquiries. The application deadline is Feb. 18. The ad for the city manager position will be published in Friday’s edition of the Sun.
Albertini said the search committee tentatively plans to meet in closed session at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 3, to begin reviewing applications. He said the interview scheduled likely would be discussed at that time.
The commission received a brief update from Albertini Monday on the search.
In other matters on Monday, commissioners: — Heard a request from Sontana Johnson to have the annual Juneteenth parade in downtown Parsons rather than near Glenwood Park. The route would start at the King Cash parking lot and end at the Parsons Municipal Building.
— Approved an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation for improving the Tolen Creek trail at the park by the U.S. 400 and U.S. 59 junction. J. Graham Construction was the low bidder on the project expected to cost $582,875 including engineering. KDOT will pay $466,300 of that amount and the city will be responsible for $117,000, which must be paid to KDOT by March 13. Commissioner Leland Crooks asked the city staff to see about installing signs in the area to let the public know the park’s location.
See CITY, Page 10.
— Adopted an ordinance to approve a zoning change for property at 2700 Frisco from single family residential to heavy commercial district, as recommended by the Parsons Planning Commission. Renno Padelford wants to build storage units on the property and eventually operate an auto restoration business there as well.
— Heard from Harold Gross during the second public comment session about the closed bridge on South 25th Street. Vegetation has grown on and around the closed portion of the street. Gross said the bridge, which is blocked off by hazard signs, is an eyesore. City Commissioner Kevin Cruse said he had started looking into that some time ago and the issue fell off his radar. He said he would see what could be done about the street.
— Heard that the Union Pacific Railroad would be closing the crossing in the 1500 block of Southern all day on Sunday, Feb. 9. The U.P. will close the crossing on Pratt Road south of Parsons on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7 and 8.
— Heard from Cruse about concerns he heard from people about property at 24000 Road and U.S. 400 east of Parsons. Someone bought the land from KDOT but the new owner hasn’t decided what to do with it. There are two drainage pipes in the ditch at the property now. The city’s community development director said she’s contacted the owner and asked him to call her to make sure the property is zoned appropriately. The land is zoned as agricultural district now.
