The Severy City Council meets monthly on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. The following report was generated from the approved minutes of the April 6 meeting minutes, which were approved at a recent meeting.
Mayor Donna Wiss called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The pledge of Allegiance was cited and roll call was answered by council members Marc Warren, Lyle Riggs, Ron Robert, Bryan Hampton and Rodger Kraft; Clerk Tessa Riggs, City Attorney William McClendon; Water Superintendent Paul Schmidt and Treasurer Madelyn McClendon. Guests were Ed Cornett, Brandi Mast and Joanna Wilson.
The council approved the March 2026 meeting minutes, bills and the treasurer’s report.
Mast with the Elk County Community Foundation spoke in regard to the fourth annual match month they are doing from May 10-June 10. Details include donating to an existing fund, donate to a project/ organization of your choosing via Elk County Rural Match Fund or start your own fund to support a cause that’s important to you. A project/organization must receive a minimum of $500 in donations in order for them to receive funding. If there is a project/ organization that does not meet this minimum, donors to that project/organization will be contacted so that they can choose an alternate recipient for their donation.
Schmidt gave his monthly superintendent report that noted the generator was delivered to the water plant, a new door is needed for the fire barn, the air compressor in the shop is needing a motor, mowing has started, cemetery directory will be completed prior to Memorial Day, solar light has been ordered for flag pole at cemetery, the fish feeder at the lake needs repaired and the ditches are getting cleaned out for better flow of water during the rain.
Wiss requested that Schmidt start documenting what he does on a weekly basis, if not daily. Wiss stated that everyone is aware that Schmidt will retire at some point in a few years, and it would be greatly appreciated if he could make some sort of book of how to do things for future reference.
Clerk T. Riggs reported that the city had a quote from INA Alert company to install security cameras at the lake due to the lake getting damaged from time to time. Council stated the quote was more than the city could afford. Riggs also mentioned that with the funds that have been raised for Brody’s Park, the city will need to install a sidewalk for handicapped wheelchairs and/or scooters. If the sidewalk happens to go on the north side of the park, the property line to the adjoining landowner is unclear. It would be best for the city to have the property surveyed along with the alley due to conflict with the adjourning neighbor. Clerk T. Riggs stated that the survey company she spoke with mentioned that there are also two other tracts along the abandoned railroad that the city maintains that are not recorded. The council decided to form a committee regarding the Brody’s Park improvements. Hampton, L. Riggs and Mayor Wiss were to meet with Tamara Higbee and Vicki Hinkle on Wednesday, April 15. L. Riggs moved to survey Brody’s Park, city alley behind the park, north and south sides of mud volleyball and horseshoe pits.
Clerk T. Riggs noted that there was an update on the abandoned railroad right of way vacant lots. The council approved to do the paperwork to get title work on the properties.
Clerk T. Riggs discussed the roundabout concrete bid from Ramsey Concrete. She stated that Mayor Wiss did ask a local business for a quote and there was no response. Ramsey Concrete is out of Eureka and is very interested in doing the work. The project cost will be $14,750 and doesn’t include inch and a quarter road rock or similar fill material to tamp and grade base. Council agreed that the city needs something in writing from the county commission approval and asked if the engineer’s cost would be absorbed by the county. Clerk T. Riggs stated Ramsey is hoping to have this project completed prior to the Severy Labor Day festivities. Councilman Warren stated that he would rather the citizens be mad for improving the city versus not doing anything at all. The council approved to proceed with the county to what Ramsey has proposed and the county engineers’ blessing and the county commissioners to approve the plan in writing.
(The county commission approved to have their county engineer review the project at a recent meeting.)
City Attorney W. McClendon is in the process of drafting papers for an ordinance regarding the community revitalization.
Clerk T. Riggs stated that the city had been out of compliance for six years previously according to the KDHE for the sewer lagoon. The city did get a CBDG loan and a low-interest rate loan. The city has been paying a semi-annual payment of $4,894.25 for years. The loan was to be paid off in 2029. T. Riggs applied for a loan assistance grant in 2025. If approved the grant would pay 90% of the loan. Riggs has confirmation in March that the grant was approved for $25,215. She stated the City had a balance of $28,017.05 and a payment of $4,894.25 had just been paid in February. According to the figures, this loan has been paid in full and there is possibly a small overpayment not knowing the city was receiving the grant.
Belinda Nelson with Midwest Assistance Program has been in contact with Clerk T. Riggs regarding projects that can be of assistance to Severy for example, budgeting and financials, water and wastewater utility rates, loans and grants and compliance reporting. Clerk T. Riggs explained that she did inquire about a rate analysis and grant opportunities. Nelson will meet with the clerk on April 8.
The annual 40 yard roll off dumpster will start on May 4–May 11.
The council held a 10-minute executive session to consult with City Attorney W. McClendon, with Clerk T. Riggs. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
The council’s next meeting is slated for Monday, June 1 at 7 p.m.
