The Holden City Council approved a motion authorizing Mayor Terry Hedglin to enter into an agreement with URS Corporation in cooperation with Miko Engineering and Surveying and Ace Pipe Cleaning to perform a two-year storm sewer study for the City of Holden with the option of a third year study during the council’s regular meeting last Tuesday night.

The cost of the project, not including additional fees for the research of easements or cleaning the storm sewer system, will cost slightly under $54,000, according to the bid received from URS.

According to Holden City Engineer Travis Kiefer, URS was one of two bids the city received for the work. The second bid, from George Butler and Associates, which detailed the costs of a four-year study, exceeded $200,000 and did not break the cost down between years one, two, three and four.

“We specifically went over during the pre-bid meeting that we wanted something usable at the end of each of those four years,” Kiefer explained. “For that reason, I felt that George Butler’s bid did not address what we requested because the recommendation report would not have come until year four.”

Kiefer said not only did the bid information received from URS break the costs down year-by-year, but a recommendation report would be given by the company at the end of each year.

In addition, Kiefer noted although the city had originally requested bids detailing the cost of a four-year study, he would recommend a two-year approach with an option to purchase a third year if needed. The study is expected to be divided into two phases- east and west, with the first phase of the project concentrating on the east side of town. “The reason for that is that the more immediate drainage issues and flooding problems seem to appear on the east side of town,” Kiefer explained. “I’d like to try to get a handle on those first.”

Kiefer continued his explanation by noting URS had provided for the council a breakdown of costs associated with determining what easements are established in the various parcels of town. If the council chooses to purchase the easement research option, the cost of the project will increase by an additional $110 per parcel or an estimated $27,000 to the project.

In addition, Kiefer noted the cost of cleaning the storm sewer system and providing camera visualization of the system could as much as double the cost of the project.

The bids for the storm sewer study were opened during the council’s regular meeting in July. However, the issue had been tabled until Kiefer could meet with the street committee and research appropriate options.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor

A policy which would give the Holden schools authority to randomly drug test students involved in extra-curricular activities was passed during the regular meeting of the Holden R-3 Board of Education held last Thursday at the middle school library.

Kelli Spies, R-3 activities director, hastened to say that this isn’t at this point a completely random selection policy. She stated, “There has to be one of four criteria met before we would be able to administer the test which would be at the expense of the student.”

The policy states that at least one of the following must be met:

l. Student has been deemed under the influence by school staff and/or school administration.

2. Student has tobacco/alcohol/illegal drugs/paraphernalia in their possession.

3. Student has admitted abuse to school staff or administration.

4. Coach has received information from the school resource officer regarding an incident off of school property.

Spies added that the policy states, “Parent phone calls, anonymous letters and other students informing school staff of a possible student/athlete’s involvement of illegal activities do not warrant abuse.

“It’s a privilege for students to participate in extra-curricular activities,” the activities director continued. “And courts have recently set precedents that have held students participating in athletics and other extra-curricular activities to a higher standard. Testing these students has become more and more of a trend across the country.”

In an earlier board meeting, Spies pointed out several school districts including Grain Valley, Warrensburg and Oak Grove have this policy in place. “These cities have experienced a lot of community support and I hope that will be so in Holden.”

“We look at this new policy the board has passed as intervention. We want to use this to deter students from drug usage.”

Those students who are tested, and test positive for drug usage, may be randomly tested throughout their high school career.

If a student does test positive on a first offense, they will recieve a 45-day suspension from all activities including practices, and dismissal from squad, team or activity. If the offense occurs at the end of the season or school year, the 45-day suspension will carry over to the next season.

When the suspension is up and after they undergo 10 hours of drug counseling, they must comlete and pass a drug-screening test prior to reinstatement of activities. Students must also agree to complete and pass random drug testing throughout the remainder of their participation in high school activities at Holden High School. Students must pay for all expenses of these requirements. Failure to comply will result in complete activity suspension for 365 days from the date of the violation.

If there is a second offense, the student will lose eligibility for 365 days as well.

Director Spies continued, “I feel our board should be commended for this action. They have taken this step to set higher standards and to protect our students.”

According to Jeff Miller, R-3 board president, on the policy recommended for passage by Superintendent Scott Slava, “It’s a big step, but it’s the right step.”

In other board business, the tax rate levy for the year was approved at $3.61. Also, reports were received from Donna Fizer, intermediate school principal, on the At-Risk Program; and Robyn Sisk, elementary school principal, on the Early Childhood Program.
Durng the superintendent’s report, Larry Arnone, director of auxiliary services, reported on work that has been accomplished during the summer. He also reported that the asphalt parking lot next to the Holden Intermediate School would be redone to specifications. He said there would be contractor supervisors present and was promised it would be done properly this time.

In other business, three buses were deemed to be surplus property and can now be sold.

In executive session, resignations were accepted from Emily Organowski, Day Plus Program and Karen Zents, TAP aide. The board hired Regina Davis, high school custodian, Norma Rice, bus driver, Julie Kinney, elementary paraprofessional, Tracy Ewens, assistant cheerleader coach and Tim Hockett, high school At-Risk aide.

By Steve Sullins
News Staff

Area fire departments spent approximately 31 hours battling a late afternoon blaze at a hay barn located at Kingsville Livestock Auction last Wednesday.

According to Western Johnson County Fire Chief David Miller, the fire district was made aware of the fire at approximately 4:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Upon arrival, fire personnel were welcomed by a large hay barn on the property that was fully involved.

“The main challenge was keeping the fire from catching a second structure,” Miller said. “There was another building full of hay that sat only about 25 feet from the building that was on fire.”

According to Miller, mutual aid was called to the scene and responded from Eastern Johnson County, Holden, Odessa, Lone Jack, Eastern Cass County, Harrisonville and Pleasant Hill.

Thursday morning, loaders and bulldozers were brought in and were able to move portions of the burning structure away from the second building to ensure a safe distance while the remaining structure and hay finished burning.

Fire personnel were finally able to leave the scene just after 10 p.m. on Thursday. Unfortunately, the scorching temperatures combined with the intense heat the fire produced caused two firefighters to require treatment for heat exhaustion. They were released from the hospital the same day and are reportedly doing well.

The fire apparently started from sparks from a cutting torch being used to cut scrap iron by an individual who was not employed by the business. The incident is under investigation through the fire marshal’s office.

By Christi Stowe
News Editor