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Galena News

City Offices Closed on Tuesday due to inclement weather

All City Offices will be closed Tuesday, February 18, 2025 due to inclement weather.

Solid Waste routes for Monday and Tuesday will run as long as the weather permits.

For all utility emergencies, please call 620-783-1991 ext 9.

City Council meeting is cancelled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 6:00pm.

Preparation for Winter Weather

In preparation for winter weather this week, we wanted to make citizens aware of some schedule modifications if the predictions really occur:

  1. All city offices are already scheduled to be closed tomorrow, February 17th, for President’s Day. 
  2. The regular council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 18th, will be postponed to a later date (and will be published when a new date has been set). 
  3. Mondays trash is scheduled to be picked up on Tuesday due to being closed for President’s Day. We may be delayed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays routes due to snow and below freezing temps. Worst case scenario, we will be caught up on all regular trash days next week. We will not be charging anyone for trash overages for next week or the following week.

All updates and modifications will be posted on the City website and Facebook page. Dispatch will run 24/7 regardless of weather. Again, this is solely in anticipation for severe winter weather. If we do not get what is predicted then it will be business as usual. 

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we (hopefully) close out the winter season. Check in on your friends, family and neighbors during this cold stretch. And keep our first responders and city lot crew in your prayers as they brave these cold days. 

Take care,

Ashley Qualls Groves 

GALENA DAYS VENDOR SIGN UP 2025

Galena Days Sign Up Form
JUNE 5TH, 6TH, & 7TH
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Contact Name
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VENDOR TYPE/PRICE
ELECTRICITY (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

Payments

WE CAN ONLY ACCEPT CASH OR CHECK PAYMENTS CAN BE MAILED TO JESSICA WALKER AT 211 W 7TH STREET GALENA, KS 66739 OR DROPPED OFF IN PERSON AT THE SAME ADDRESS (CITY HALL) PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: GALENA FIRE DEPARTMENT

EVENT GUIDELINES

***PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AND ACKNOWLEDGE WITH YOUR SIGNATURE*** REFUND POLICY: Cancellations must be made by May 1st. No refunds will be given after that time. If you are not accepted, you will be refunded 100% of monies paid. Vendors are accepted on a first come first served basis. EVENT IS HELD RAIN OR SHINE. EXCLUSIVES ON BOOTHS: There are no exclusives on booths (i.e., one kettle corn, one BBQ, etc.). However, we do try to limit the number of vendors who sell items and spread them out accordingly. It is important for vendors to inform us during the application process about the items you are selling. FOOD VENDORS: Must abide by all Kansas Heath Regulation and Food Safety. You must keep a fresh bucket of water and wash rag for cleanliness. Please submit a menu but note that there can be like vendors in your menu category. You are welcome to share your menu on the Facebook Page. FAMILY FRIENDLY: This is a family friendly event. There will be no items sold that are not “G” rated. No food vendors are allowed to sell alcoholic beverages. FESTIVAL HOURS: Vendors can set up on Wednesday from 4-8pm or Thursday all day, ready to be open by 5:30PM. Once set up you must remain up until end of festival Saturday at 10pm. This will be strictly enforced. The safety of everyone comes first as well as consideration for other vendors still selling. Please check in at the CITY HALL department upon arrival for set up. VENDOR MAP: Vendor map will be released the day before the event available on Facebook I have read and reviewed the above policies for the Galena Days Festival and agree to abide by them. I understand that my failure to abide by all regulations could result in my exclusion from future participation in the festival.
Hold Harmless Agreement
I assume all risk of bodily injury, property damage, and personal damage that may occur by participating in Galena Days and, for myself/ourselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators, do hereby forever waive and release any and all claims against and agree to hold harmless the City of Galena, Galena Fire Department, its committee, sponsors and volunteers, and successors or assigns any kind from any and all claims which may be made for any cause whatsoever arising as a result of participation. Further, I hereby consent to allow my picture(s) or likeness to appear in any official document, news release, sponsor advertisement, and/or television and radio coverage of the events within or as part of Galena Days and grant permission to use and/or publish photographic portraits or pictures, video tape, or film of me in which I may be included in whole, part, composite, or reproductions thereof in black and white and/or color or otherwise made through any media now known for art, advertising, trade, or any other similar lawful purposes whatsoever, including the publicity and promotion of this event itself, excluding commercial use of or by marketing professionals.
Electronic Signature
I certify by signing this electronically, that all the information submitted by me on this application is true and complete, and I understand that if any false or misleading information, omissions, or misrepresentations are discovered, my application may be rejected, and if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at any time. In consideration of my employment, I agree to conform to the office’s rules and regulations, and I understand that these rules and or the employee handbook do not form a contract of employment either expressed or implied, and I agree that my employment and compensation can be terminated, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at either my or the department’s option. I also understand and agree that the terms and conditions of my employment may be changed, with or without cause and with or without notice, at any time by the office. I understand that no city representative, other than the Mayor, and then only when in writing and signed by the Mayor, has any authority to enter into an agreement for employment for any specific period of time, or to make any agreement contrary to the foregoing.

Utility Billing Update – Postal Delay

Galena Utility Bills were sent to the post office on January 31, 2025. According to our tracking system a delay at the sorting station has occured with a large sum of the utility bills. We have not received an update to as when these bills will be delivered to our customers. Once again this month we will not be accessing late fees. Please accept our apology as we work through the inconvenient delays.

Update from the Mayor

January 30, 2025

Good Afternoon!

I wanted to give an update on the odor in Galena that has been occurring for the past months. To provide a short summary of events to this point, back in the fall we started noticing a terrible odor that coming from the north side of town. To be describe the smell, it was like an awful rotten egg odor. You could not smell it all over town, but definitely could if you were within certain regions of that area. One of the things we also noticed was that it got worse with the colder temperatures and would obviously change course depending on the wind direction. The City, fairly immediately, began communicating with Jordan Disposal (the landfill operators) to try to locate the issue and rectify the problem. Since that time, the City and Jordan Disposal have had several meetings with KDHE (Kansas Department of Health and Environment) to gain some guidance and resolution as to what the next steps should be. I personally had a call with an EPA representative last week to get them up to date and seek some further guidance. As of now, KDHE will remain the lead agency on this effort, but EPA will support when there is need. A team from KDHE came to town yesterday to do some further examination and monitoring. Although no determination was made and no set date of results were discussed, we hope to receive some guidance from them in a reasonable amount of time. Once we can pinpoint the exact issue and location of the odor and what it is, EPA and KDHE said there are some options that should minimize the anaerobic metabolism by bacteria, reducing production of hydrogen sulfide and allowing that gas smell to dissipate. But the source must first be fully identified before a plan can be set and put in place. As City leaders, we are taking this issue seriously and daily working on how to solve the problem. We thank Jordan Disposal, as well as KDHE, for being valuable partners and working alongside us to figure this out. At this point, we are not certain where the smell is exactly coming from, but we are making all efforts to correct the issue.

I personally apologize for the utter frustration and inconvenience it has placed on our residents (especially close by), businesses and all of those that drive through town. We are hopeful that working with these professionals we will find a solution. Thank you for being understanding during this time and feel free to reach out to myself or any council member regarding your concerns.

Thank you for your time,

Ashley Qualls Groves, Mayor

City Welcomes New Police Chief

The City of Galena is please to announce Chad Allison as the Interim Galena Police Chief. Mr. Allison comes to Galena with over 29 years of law enforcement experience under his belt that ranges from patrol officer to IAB to supervisory roles. He currently serves as the commander of ODET- a multi-jurisdictional drug task force. Chief Allison will step in for a six-month period while the city continues the search for a new police chief, recently vacated by Chief Noble Dobkins. Chief Allison will work with GPD employees, as well as city employees, to maintain the function of the department and provide a smooth transition for when Chief Dobkins term ends in just a few weeks. Chief Allison, although not from Galena, has many ties to our town. His wife of almost thirty years, Jana Price Allison, is a Galena native and long-time Galena supporter. We feel blessed to have Chief Allison on our team for the time we do and look forward to a great partnership and the benefits we will receive from his expertise. Please help us welcome Chief Chad Allison to Galena!

Accepting Letters of Interest for Vacancy on Galena Housing Authority Board

The City of Galena is always looking for dedicated residents who care about their community’s future.

Letters of interest can be mailed or delivered to City of Galena 211 W 7th St. Galena, Kansas 66739, faxed to 620-783-5111, or you may fill out the form below. All letters must be turned in by February 18, 2025 at 12:00 pm.

LETTER OF INTEREST FOR GALENA HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD
DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 18, 2025 12:00 PM
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Chief of Police – Galena Police Department

The Galena Kansas Police Department is seeking a highly motivated individual with a desire to serve our community as the next Chief of Police. Galena is in Cherokee County in the southeast corner of Kansas bordering Missouri. The City of Galena offers a strong benefit package that includes 100% coverage for individual health and dental care. Retirement is currently through KPERS.

The Chief of Police position is a salary position based on qualifications. All uniforms and equipment, including take home vehicle are provided, with a mild call volume of 1,000 per year. Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years experience as a sworn police officer is preferred. Candidates must satisfy all state requirements as set forth in K.S.A. 74-5605 or certification by reciprocity. Applicants must have a valid drivers license.

Further information or to pick up an applications please visit City Hall located at 211 W 7th Street, Galena, Ks 66739. Applications can also be filled out online (see below). Questions may be directed to Chief Dobkins at 620-783-1900.

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City of Galena Employee Application

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Verification

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I certify by signing this electronically, that all the information submitted by me on this application is true and complete, and I understand that if any false or misleading information, omissions, or misrepresentations are discovered, my application may be rejected, and if I am employed, my employment may be terminated at any time. In consideration of my employment, I agree to conform to the office’s rules and regulations, and I understand that these rules and or the employee handbook do not form a contract of employment either expressed or implied, and I agree that my employment and compensation can be terminated, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, at either my or the department’s option. I also understand and agree that the terms and conditions of my employment may be changed, with or without cause and with or without notice, at any time by the office. I understand that no city representative, other than the Mayor, and then only when in writing and signed by the Mayor, has any authority to enter into an agreement for employment for any specific period of time, or to make any agreement contrary to the foregoing.