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Kensett City Council approves demolition of house at 212 Walnut, funds hydrant upkeep and clerk raise
Summary
The Kensett City Council voted unanimously April 13 to pay $9,000 to demolish the house at 212 Walnut Street, approve purchase of paint and supplies for repainting 26 fire hydrants (with sandblasting as needed), and give City Clerk Wendy Varner a $1,000 salary increase effective April 15, 2026.
The Kensett City Council voted unanimously April 13 to pay $9,000 to demolish the house at 212 Walnut Street and haul the debris away, approve materials for citywide fire-hydrant repainting, and award a $1,000 pay increase to City Clerk Wendy Varner.
The council approved the demolition after reviewing two contractor options: one bid to remove the structure and haul materials away for $9,000, and an alternative to push demolition materials into a hole for $1,600 less. Council Member Eil Gile moved to approve payment of $9,000 to have the house torn down and hauled away; Council Member LaRue Douglas seconded the motion, which carried unanimously.
On public-works maintenance, council members heard that Kensett has 26 hydrants needing repainting; roughly half do not require sandblasting. A sandblasting quote had not been received at the time of the meeting, but the council approved purchasing paint and painting supplies and authorized sandblasting work as needed. Council Member Kris Woltzen moved the measure, Council Member Eil Gile seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.
In personnel business, the council approved a $1,000 salary increase for City Clerk Wendy Varner effective April 15, 2026, following an employee review. Council Member Eil Gile moved the pay increase; Council Member Ryder Lestrud seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
The council also set a final budget hearing for April 27 at 6 p.m., noted that quotes had been received for street maintenance (but made no award), and said it will consider yard-waste and tree-limb cleanup options at the next monthly meeting. The city received two applications for a part-time maintenance position and scheduled interviews for April 27.
Treasurer reported January revenues by fund: General $10,249.40; Utilities $7,309.59; Special $2,978.00; total revenues $20,536.99. The council approved the bills as read; the minutes list payables including Alliant Energy $4,062.00, payroll-related federal and Social Security payments, IPERS contributions, and other routine vendors. Total disbursements for the period were recorded as $11,450.45.
The meeting, presided over by Mayor Richard Olson, was adjourned on a unanimous motion by Council Member Eil Gile and second by Council Member Ryder Lestrud.
