By OLIVIA HASELWOOD

Staff writer

Five properties between Main and First Sts. could grow if the city can determine ownership of an adjacent abandoned railroad line between First and Main Sts.

A quit claim deed would be the best solution, city attorney Susan Robson told city council members Monday, because after extensive research, the city was unable to find any ownership of the abandoned line by the city or former railroad. Quit claim deeds would vacate any ownership of the property by the city.

Because of the rock and elevated railroad bed, it would be pricy for the city to build a road where the line formerly ran, however the city will maintain any easements onto the property.

Mayor Todd Heitschmidt and Robson discussed the possibility of Rails to Trails owning the property, but were unable to find any documentation proving their ownership filed at the courthouse. Rails to Trails, however, does own the same line outside beginning on the adjacent side of Main St. for a trail that runs through the county to McPherson.

What to do with the remainder of the line south of First St. is still up in the air, Heitschmidt said.

Deeds will be approved by council at a future date.

City code

A nearly two-year process came to a close Monday as council approved new city code.

The process included compiling current and regional ordinances into one document to be posted on the city’s website. For those without Internet, a hard copy is available at city hall.

Chief Tyler Mermis said officers will begin enforcing the code immediately but will work to educate residents of the changes before ticketing.

Backhoe

A resolution was approved for the financing of a new $80,000 backhoe from Murphy Equipment that was approved in June with Central National Bank.

The current backhoe was traded in for $10,000, combined with a $20,000 down payment, for monthly payments of $1,061.99 for 60 months.

In other business:

• Ty Zeiner was appointed to the cemetery board.
• A payment of $16,676 to Wilson and Company Levee Certification was approved.
• A payment of $11,666 to EBH Engineering for work on the street project was approved.
• A payment of $2,375 to Government Assistance Service for grant work on the street project was approved.