Caney council rescinds mayoral resignation, accepts city administrator's retirement, appoints Ward 4 replacement and approves software and purchases

The Caney City Council on Nov. 18 recorded several personnel and administrative actions, unanimously approving each motion.

Mayor Joshua Elliott is recorded as rescinding his resignation during new business. The meeting record also includes an earlier emailed resignation from Elliott; in that message he said he had "spent a lot of time wondering" and planned to step away because of the demands and accusations he described. The council minutes show that, at the Nov. 18 meeting, the mayor rescinded that resignation (the minutes give no further elaboration on the decision).

The council accepted the retirement of City Administrator Kelley Zellner, effective Dec. 31, 2024; Councilperson Lori Patterson moved the acceptance and Councilperson Addie Traxson seconded the motion, which passed 7-0. Council also authorized soliciting applications for the city administrator post, set an application window and agreed to form a five-person interview committee to review candidates.

Councilperson Valerie Hurd moved, and Councilperson Zach Ellison seconded, to fill the vacant Ward 4 seat with Kerry Gorby; the council approved the appointment by a 7-0 vote.

On administrative expenditures, the council approved a $15,000 authorization from the Equipment Fund for a Public Works pickup (any amount over $15,000 requires additional council approval) and approved final payment to Horseshoe Construction for the Maple Avenue water line in the amount of $34,646 pending hook-up of a non-metered water spigot; both motions passed unanimously. The council also selected Incode electric meter software for $4,960 with $750 annual maintenance, rejecting the Banyon alternative listed in the agenda.

The council recessed into an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) for approximately ten minutes (entering at 6:49 p.m.) and returned to open session at 6:59 p.m.; the minutes record the motion to enter and to return but contain no further detail about the session's discussion.

The meeting concluded with consent-agenda approvals for prior minutes and payables and an adjournment at 7:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the minutes record the following formal actions and outcomes approved unanimously by recorded motions and seconds—consent agenda and listed payables (various amounts), contract for limited forensic audit of the Caney Grocery Store (Jan.1–Sept.30,2024), acceptance of Kelley Zellner's retirement (effective Dec.31,2024), formation of an administrator interview committee and solicitation of applications, appointment of Kerry Gorby to Ward 4, Horseshoe Construction final payment ($34,646) pending hook-up, authorization of $15,000 for a Public Works pickup, selection of Incode electric meter software ($4,960 + $750/yr), and an executive-session recess under K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1).