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.
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
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!
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.
Monday Solid Waste route will be delayed until Wednesday due to equipment malfunction. Thank you for your patience.
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.
City offices will be closed Tuesday December 31st and Wednesday January 1st for New Years.
Tuesday December 31st and Wednesday January 1st Solid Waste routes will be picked up on Thursday January 2nd. Thursday January 2nd and Friday Janaury 3rd Solid Waste routes will be picked up on Friday January 3rd.
For utility emergencies during these times and after hours please call 620-783-1991.
The City offices will be closed Tuesday December 24th and Wednesday December 25th for Christmas.
Tuesday December 24th and Wednesday December 25th Solid Waste routes will be picked up on Thursday December 26th. Thursday December 26th and Friday December 27th Solid Waste routes will be picked up on Friday December 27th.
For utility emergencies during these times and after hours please call 620-783-1991.
The Galena Police Department hosted their annual boot block on Friday December 6th and raised a little over $2500. These funds are spent each year bringing each student at Spring Grove a gift from Santa and his elves.
Any added funds that we receive the Police Department and Clerks office team up and adopt Galena families each year and shower them with gifts from Santa and his elves. We appreciate all the support from area businesses and residents. Without you we would not be able to bring smiles to all of the families.
If you were unable to stop at the boot block, donations of new unwrapped toys or monetary can also be brought to the Galena City Clerks office located at 211 W 7th St. or monetary donations can be made online at https://galenaks.frontdeskgworks.com/plugin/payments/guest-payments-session.html Select Toys for Kids Donation and make any size donation. Credit Card fees do apply.
Donations can be made in house until 12/13/2024 at 4:00 pm and online until 12/15/2024.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
The city offices will be closed Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, 2024 for Thanksgiving.
Thursday Solid Waste Route will be picked up on Monday, December 2, 2024. Friday Solid Waste Route will be picked up on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
For utility emergencies please call 620-783-1991.