Ark Valley News - Staffing changes in store for Kechi police

Staffing changes in store for Kechi police
By David Dinell
Last Updated: September 17, 2015

A search is underway for a new Kechi police officer. Officer Seth Louks has submitted his resignation and his last day will be Sept. 19, chief John Blevins informed the Kechi City Council at its Sept. 10 meeting.

"It was a tough decision on his part," Blevins said. "I discussed it with him several times."

Louks, who had been with the department for 3 1/2 years, told the chief his decision was about family and wanting to go back to his home state of Minnesota.

Blevins said the departure is "going to leave a hole in the department that needs to be filled."

With only four full-time officers, including Blevins, Kechi has among the smallest departments in the area. It supplements that force with four part-time officers who fill in slots on an as-needed basis, such as covering other officers' vacations or training sessions.

In a related matter, one of the part-time positions had lapsed and Blevins wants to fill that again in order to handle staffing until he gets another full-time officer.

The funds for the officers are already in the budget, so no fiscal approval was needed by the council, however, Blevins and City Administrator Bob Conger said they wanted to keep members informed.

The council voted 5-0 to endorse Blevins' search for the new officers.

Since the city conducted an officer search earlier this year, it still has fairly fresh applicants on file and Blevins said he has a couple of potential candidates.

"Maybe we can expedite the hiring process rather than reopen it," he said.

Even with names on file, the process will take four to six weeks, he said.

Council member Kevin Opat said with all the police shootings of late and the anti-police attitude in some areas, he didn't know if people still wanted to do the work.

"I'm surprised you can still find people who want to do it," he said.

Blevins said it can be a challenge to find the qualified candidates the city wants, but Kechi is competitive with its wages and benefits, so he's confident a new officer will be on staff soon.

Officers do make more money in larger cities, such as Wichita, he said, but some prefer small-town policing.

Louks served the city and its residents well, Blevins said.

"It was strictly a personal decision," he said, "and I wish him and his family well."

In another action, the council:

•Received a report from Conger on the city's economic development progress. Conger and other officials met with a developer interested in locating a commercial, organic greenhouse in Kechi along with another developer who is considering placing an events center in the city. In another matter, Conger met with officials at a property won to resolve off-site drainage for The Broadwalk property on Kechi Road.

•Accepted a document indicating that the city had received $29,770 from Brad Young to compensate Sedgwick County Rural Water District No. 1 for the service of two properties owned by Young. The payments were split into two; one of $14,885 received April 28, 2014 and the other for the same amount received Aug. 28, 2015.

•Approved a Kansas Municipal Investment Pool resolution allowing newly hired Kechi finance director and treasurer Mitch Kolf designated access to pertinent documents.

•Discussed different ways to handle the city treasurer's report, which is now printed and handled out to all council members along with staff and the media. A single report can run dozens of one-side pages and council member Deb Jacobs said it was a waste of paper. She suggested putting it on electronic tablets. "With the way the cost is dropping on those, it would be cheaper," she said. Conger agreed and said he's looking into making the transition. Members said while accountability is important, most simply quickly scan through the report and put the paper into the recycle bin.

•Approved buying a Gold Level sponsorship with the Valley Center High School yearbook staff for $250. The city will receive a variety of social media posts and announcements at athletic events during the school for the expense, along with an ad in the 2015-16 yearbook. Members said it would be a good way for the city to show support for the residents who are in that school district and help lower the yearbook cost for students.

•Accepted an update from Chris Morland, zoning, subdivision and floodplain administrator. Among his tasks, he is working on a list of the most common zoning violations and ways for staff, including the police chief, administrator and code enforcement officer to work on them. Also, two zoning changes were handled by the Planning Commission and are set to go before the council at its next meeting, he reported.

There was one 30-minute executive session for attorney client matters. No binding action was taken.

All five members and the mayor were present. The next meeting is 7 p.m. Sept. 24 at City Hall.