LARNED — At Monday’s April meeting of the Larned City Council, a member of the Larned Police Department was recognized by the LPD and the council for lifesaving efforts in an incident occurring last year.
Prior to presenting LPD officer Samuel Sullivan with a uniform pin and a plaque designating him a recipient of the department’s Lifesaving award, Larned Police Chief Lance Duft provided a history of the incident that occurred March 15, 2024.
“At 5:49 a.m., Officer Sullivan was dispatched to the 1000 block of Topeka Street in Larned for a report of a male subject experiencing difficulty breathing,” Duft said.
Sullivan was joined by Pawnee County Sheriff’s Deputy Nicholas Delaney, who located an adult male sitting on the front porch who was choking. “Without hesitation, Officer Sullivan and Deputy Delaney took immediate action in administration of the Heimlich Maneuver to clear the obstruction.”
After the obstruction was dislodged, the officers placed the patient in a recovery position and monitored his condition, as he had collapsed from exhaustion. They then made contact with the incoming Emergency Medical Services team, to insure they reached the patient without delay. The individual was then transported to Pawnee Valley Community Hospital for further medical evaluation.
“Officer Sullivan’s swift response, professionalism and dedication to service reflect the highest standards of the Larned Police Department,” Duft noted. “His actions on that morning made the difference between life and death, and for that, we are proud to present him with the Lifesaving Award.”
Larned City Council meeting at a glance
Here is a look at what the Larned City Council did Monday evening:
• In the consent agenda, authorized a request for transfer to Capital Improvement funds and approved Travis Hamrick as an appointment to the Community Corrections Board. City Financial Director Monica Steiner requested that $41,000 be transferred from the Electric Fund to capital improvement, to cover a $21,000 invoice to Falk Architects, Salina for the downtown streetscape project and $20,000 to cover the city’s sidewalk program which had been expended.
• In public comments, rural Larned resident Felix Revello presented the council with additional information regarding the proposed ILS feed yard. Larned resident Tim Diambrosio expressed a concern about how information on city issues reaches residents.
• Larned Police Officer Samuel Sullivan was recognized for lifesaving actions in a March 15, 2024 incident.
• Larned energy consultant Greg Wright presented information regarding the Grand River Dam purchase power contract with the city. The city passed a resolution extending the current contract from May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2051.
• In new business, the council approved the reimbursement grant in the amount of $1,171,579 for airport lighting improvements with a local match of $58,579 to be split evenly with the city and the county.
• Approved the bid of $11,500 by H&H roofing for modification and installation of a new overhead door at the Larned Fire Station, contingent on engineer’s approval.
• Tabled discussion of the purchase of a 75-foot ladder truck from the Great Bend Fire Station in the amount of $65,000. Discussion also included the construction of a storage building at the fire department’s training site south of town to house the truck.
• Heard a presentation from Larned Police Chief Lance Duft regarding the Watchguard camera system in use by the department. Duft noted that the system was no longer supported and parts were no longer available, and recommended the city switch to a Motorola system with an upgrade to car and body cameras.
• Purchased the asphalt planer attachment in current rental use by the city street department from White Star, Wichita. The $8,000 in rent already expended would be applied to the purchase, leaving an amount of $29,099.
• Approved changes to city code as recommended by the Larned Planning Committee regarding fencing regulations and accessory buildings, approving the conditional use pending permit of shipping containers in commercially-zoned areas of the community and as a permitted use in industrial-zoned areas.
• Discussed chicken ordinances in use by the city. Councilmember Kim Barnes noted that ordinances governing the raising of chickens within the city limits have been discussed, approved and are currently in place.
• Following a 20-minute executive session on property acquisition, voted to purchase a vacant lot at 1401 Broadway, at an offered price of $12,000 with a $1,000 down payment.
