CITY OF
MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 22,
2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Ira Allen, Bob Sisson, Rich Hamit, Bruce Smith, Mayor Jack Young. Larry Coursen
absent.
OTHERS PRESENT: Ann Moore, Jason Hielscher,
Courtnee & Scott Hanson, Kris Stangis,
Vic Robbins, Mike
Dickerson, Ed Harmison,
Jim Koger, Everette Dannar,
Cheryl Brown.
The regular council meeting was called to order by Mayor
Young at 7:00 PM. There was a quorum
present.
MINUTES / WARRANTS: Ira Allen moved to approve the minutes of the
February 8, 2006 meeting as written.
Bruce Smith seconded; motion carried 4-0.
Ira Allen moved to pay all warrants presented; Bruce Smith
seconded. Motion carried 4-0.
OVERBROOK ATHLETIC
ASSOCIATION: Jason Hielscher, Ann Moore, and Scott & Courtnee
Hanson came before the council representing the Overbrook Athletic Assn. Hielscher said
that they are here to discuss the maintenance of the ball fields and the
concession stand. Hielscher
asked if the council wants to appropriate money and have them take care of it,
or the council hire someone to take care of the maintenance. Mayor Young asked how it’s been done in the
past. Hielscher
said that last year the council appropriated money and the association hired
someone. The money covered the person to
work it, and a new chalker, but there wasn’t enough
money to cover the cost of the chalk. Hielscher said that it would probably take around $3,000 to
cover everything that they think is needed.
The money made from the concession stand covers it’s expenses and the
umpires. Hielscher
is concerned that they’ll have to pay umpires more this year. He also brought up access to the lights. The council said that access to the lights
was only an issue after ball season was over as they hadn’t been told that
there were soccer games being played on a regular basis. Hielscher said that
the concession stand needs to be painted, and a new urinal is needed in the
men’s restroom. He also mentioned having
the locks changed so that you don’t need 5 different keys. He said that the weeds have been creeping
into the infield areas, and would like to do something about that. The pitcher’s mound on the north diamond
needs to be rebuilt. Hamit
and Sisson both said that the high school should take care of that. Hielscher also
asked if some of the stuff around the city shop could be moved, both to look
better and to give more parking space.
Two of the used refrigerators have quit working, and they need more than
one. Hielscher
also asked about getting a combination announcer’s stand/storage shed. Hielscher also
said that Carbondale had been required to install new sinks last year by the
state health department, and wanted the council to know of the possibility of
that happening to us, too.
The mayor asked when the ball season will be over. Hielscher said it
should be over by August 1st.
Mayor Young said that he’s been involved with the Jones’ Fund building
new diamonds at Lyndon, and suggested putting together a plan to apply for
Jones’s Fund money to build new diamonds in Overbrook. He’s not sure if that would include a storage
building/announcer’s stand. There was
discussion about improvements that could be made to the dugouts.
Bruce Smith asked what is meant by field maintenance. He was told that this includes chalking,
raking and routine game prep. City
maintenance has been spraying for weeds and the regular mowing. Hielscher said that
they take bids for the maintenance , so they won’t know the total cost until
sometime this next month.
Hielscher said he would like
enough money this year to paint the concession stand, replace the plexiglass screens, install some kind of air fresheners for
each bathroom, and get a new urinal for the men’s bathroom.
The council said that the city would either paint the
concession stand, or furnish the paint if someone volunteers to do the
painting. Mayor Young said that the
council had already approved changing the locks on the doors to have them keyed
the same, but it hasn’t been done yet.
There was discussion about how many keys would be needed. Hielscher said he
would like each coach to have keys to the shed, lights and the bathrooms. He wanted the concession stand key to be
different from the other keys. The mayor
asked that the keys be returned at the end of the season. Hielscher said
that they had paid an electrician to work on the scoreboard last year. The council said that the city would hire an
electrician, providing they are told when there are problems. Bob Sisson said he would check with Walt
Martin about the availability of a good used refrigerator. Mike Dickerson, reporter for the Osage County
Herald, said he has a refrigerator he’d donate if someone wants to come get it. Ann Moore said she has a pickup, and they’d
come get it. Dickerson was thanked for
his generosity.
Mayor Young said that he’d like to wait until research has
been done about the Jones’ Fund before the council makes a decision on an
announcer’s stand/ storage shed. Any
decision about what’s needed for maintenance was tabled until the association
gets some bids. The council agreed that
Bob Call would spray the weeds. Hielscher asked if Call could also put a layer of ag lime down. There
was discussion about how this would be applied.
Bob Sisson said that
Mayor Young said that he would contact someone from the
athletic association to help with applying for Jones’ Fund money. Sisson said that they should consider
hosting tournaments. Courtnee Hanson said that they don’t have enough help to
put on tournaments. They have had lots
of trouble finding volunteers the past few years. There was discussion about the fees being
charged for kids to play ball. Hielscher said they were $45/child, but the parent could
get $10 back if they helped in the concession stand. The mayor suggested that they charge
$100/child and refund $55 IF the parent helps with concessions and
tournaments. He said that hopefully the
parents would “get off the couch and get involved with their kids.” Rich Hamit said
that they’d either do that, or just not sign their kids up for ball. Hielscher said
that people don’t seem to volunteer like they used to. He’s planning on contacting
Forming a recreation
commission was again discussed. The
mayor said he would be contacting Hielscher soon
about a meeting.
Hopefully, they will know
more about the maintenance bid by the March 8th meeting.
PROCLAMATION: Ira Allen made a motion, seconded
by Bob Sisson, to designate April, 2006 as FAIR HOUSING MONTH in the City of
RUN-OFF/DRAINAGE: Kris Stangis,
104 Ash was present to ask if any decisions have been made about solutions to
drainage issues affecting her property.
Bob Sisson said that he has visited with the Birtell’s
who live at the corner of Ash and E.
DAMAGE CLAIM/JOHNSON: Mayor Young presented some estimates
that Rae Johnson has received to replace and/or clean household items damaged
by the recent sewer back up in her basement.
Ira Allen said that the city’s insurance has denied her claim since it
was the result of vandalism. Rich Hamit asked if Johnson’s insurance would pay for the
damages, even if it is vandalism. Allen
said they probably would if she turns it in.
Johnson told Allen that the total expenses would be about $1,000.00. Bruce
Smith asked why the city was even considering this matter if the vandalism was
done on her property within a fenced backyard.
Smith then said that he had been informed by Bob Call that the sewer had
backed up as a result of good sized sticks being put in the manhole located in
Johnson’s back yard, which is fenced.
Smith then moved to deny any claims from Johnson. Bob Sisson seconded the motion. Ira Allen said that he could see both sides
of the situation. Bob Sisson wondered
why the city’s insurance company denied the claim since the manhole as part of
the sewer system belongs to the city although it’s located on private
property. Mayor Young called for a vote
on the motion as stated. Motion carried
4-0 to deny the claim. Ira Allen was
asked to follow up with Employers Mutual regarding the matter.
WATER/SEWER PROJECT: Vic
Robbins reported that he hasn’t heard anything new about when the street
repairs would be done where the new waterline was installed. Robbins also asked if Bob Call has checked
with Donnie Bryant and Rick Calderwood about their
sump pump hook-up’s. Call was not
present to answer, so this was tabled.
Robbins has completed the plans and specs for the sewer
rehabilitation project, in addition to the contract documents, except for some
final dates. KDHE requires a contract of
that magnitude to be on bid notice for at least 30 days. Then the bids have to be reviewed, and the
contractor will need at least 15 days to get his paperwork completed. Then they will need some time to get the
materials ordered and delivered.
Robbins is hoping to take bids sometime in March. Mayor Young said that there will be a town
hall meeting on March 15th at the school to get temporary
construction easements signed. Robbins
said that there’s a possibility of letting bids before all the easements are
obtained. Donna Crawford is planning on
going to individuals homes to try and get the easements before the town
meeting. Michael Coffman has been
sending her the actual documents requiring property owners signatures.
The mayor said he would check with Bob Call regarding the
sump pumps and street repairs.
Robbins was then asked his opinion of installing a culvert
across the road to divert water away from Kris Stangis
property as well as neighboring property.
Robbins said he thought that would be a good idea as it would allow the Birtell’s to keep their driveway. There was discussion about Robbins checking
elevations, etc to get the project started.
Robbins also said that the new construction on Trail Drive needs to be
inspected for drainage. The mayor said
that everything seems to be in order. Stangis said she is still concerned that new construction
will add to the amount of run off.
Robbins said that there’s nothing that requires a developer to include a
surface drainage plan in their building application. Mayor Young said that’s one thing that will
be addressed in future subdivision regulations. Stangis asked if
all the planned things will be done before spring rains. She was told that once the town meeting is
over on March 15th, everyone will have more time to get the new
culvert installed.
FLOOD INSURANCE: Ira Allen reported that the city has a
year from February 6, 2006 to participate in the National Flood Insurance
program. Allen has asked Rhonda
Montgomery to come to the March 8th meeting to discuss what the city
would have to do to participate. He also
said that being in the program will help the town with future grants. An individual can buy flood insurance if the
city is in the program.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS: Bruce Smith said that Dean Beckman has
expressed interest in acting as the city’s building inspector. He will ask Beckman to come to the March 8th
meeting to discuss his availability and the job requirements.
Ira Allen suggested that the city get a “project board” to
list all the business before the council in order to keep better track of
what’s being done or not done. He
mentioned projects such as the sewer rehab project new grant applications,
comprehensive plan, recreation commission, more involvement with the Planning
Commission. Allen said that the council
should be more involved and supportive, and one way to do this is to provide
them with a key to City Hall. There was
discussion about the size and location of project board would be needed. Cheryl Brown said she would check in her supply
catalogues to see what’s available. Jim
Koger offered to email reminders to the council. Ira Allen suggested a board with lines and
putting it where it’s very visible.
Rich Hamit asked why Collette Cersovsky was on the agenda since she didn’t come to the
meeting. Brown explained that she was
upset about not being able to get animal tags during city hall hours, and
wanted to talk about that. Brown did
tell her that this can be done by mail if necessary.
Hamit also reminded the council
that they had authorized the pool staff to paint the bathhouse floors last
fall, and they are planning to do the painting this spring before the pool
opens.
MAYOR’S REPORT: The mayor said that they, as the governing
body, need to remember to get the things done they’ve discussed at the
meetings. He then said that Santa Fe
Trail is hosting a meeting by the school board and they would like some
governing body members to come. The
meeting is described as a fact-finding and discussion type meeting. Smith, Allen and the mayor plan to attend.
MISCELLANEOUS: Chief Harmison
told the council that Mark Tomlinson’s father-in-law, Franklin Downs, has died
and wondered about the city sending flowers.
Brown suggested donating to a memorial as the flower shop would most
likely be closed for several days. The
council agreed by concensus to donate $25 to a
memorial chosen by the family.
There being no further business before the council, Bruce
Smith moved to adjourn. Rich Hamit seconded; motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Cheryl
L. Brown
City
Clerk
APPROVED:_March 8, 2006_____________