The Sabetha City Commission met at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at Sabetha City Hall. Present for the meeting were Commissioners Norm Schmitt, Nick Aberle, Maridel Wittmer and Julie Burenheide, Assistant City Administrator Bill Shroyer, City Clerk Steve Compo, and Sabetha Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck. Guests present were Jason Enneking, Megan Bunck and Dr. Allan Ross.

Police Report

Chief Wahwasuck gave his written report to the commissioners.

Dogs

There have been four dog calls since Oct. 5.

One call was for a dog at large, and city personnel or an officer responded. No dog could be located in the area reported.

One call was for a dog at large, and city personnel or an officer responded. The dog was impounded.

Two calls were for a dog at large. City personnel or an officer responded, and chased the dog to attempt to catch it, but were unable. 

One call was for a dog at large, and city personnel or an officer responded. The owner was notified and they got their dogs.

Codes

502 N. Ninth: Junk vehicle, health and welfare. Abated by owner.

1322 Roosevelt: Unfit structure, maintenance and repair. Ready for abatement. Some work has begun on the house, part of the problem has been torn down and abated by the owner. The Sabetha Police Department (SPD) will continue to monitor.

523 N. 14th: Unfit structure, ready for abatement. Owners have contracted a company to make the repairs.

319 N. Ninth: Blight premise, health and welfare, maintenance and repair. Resolution for abatement has been passed while new owners continue to make repairs to abate the condition.

820 Florida: Health and welfare, blight premise. Residents continue to pick up around the property and have been maintaining the grass. The SPD will continue to monitor.

Department

The SPD continues with the morning crossing guard duties, as well as performing daily walk-throughs at the school. The students have really warmed up to the SPD’s presence and seeing us has become pretty normal.

Football season wrapped up and basketball begins shortly, the SPD will continue to make an effort to be a presence at those events as well.

The SPD was asked to attend a school board meeting simply as a civil standby, which we will often do, just as a precaution to detour any possible unruly behavior.

Two officers attended class in Hutchison and came back and reported that, as usual, there is always something that can be learned, and they were happy to have attended the training.

Downtown trick or treat came and went without incident. The SPD handed out approximately 525 bags to trick or treaters.

As the SPD approaches the end of the year, officers and dispatchers alike are scrambling to get those final days of 2021 vacation used up, as well as covering those vacation days. This time of year is always tough because the SPD is minimally staffed and everyone wants vacation around the holidays.

The SPD does have one officer who has given their tentative last date of employment with the city – their retirement is slotted for March 2023. At this time, the SPD have not received any applications of candidates of interest to fill their soon-to-be vacant position.

Also at the meeting:

The commissioners approved the minutes from the Nov. 14 meeting.

The commissioners approved Resolution No. 2022-23 for the annual GAAP Waiver.

The commissioners appointed Carlotta Sunderland to the Sabetha Library Board.

The commissioners approved cereal malt beverage licenses for Casey’s, Pizza Hut, All Star Convenience Store, Garrett Country Mart, Dollar General and Dollar Tree/Family Dollar.

The commissioners decided to cancel the Monday, Dec. 26, commission meeting.

The next meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at Sabetha City Hall.