CITY OF
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING AUGUST
9, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Coursen,
Bob Sisson, Rich Hamit, Ira Allen, Bruce Smith, Mayor
Jack Young.
OTHERS PRESENT: Tom Athon, Carol
Baughman, Mark Tomlinson, Joyce Aldrich, Don
Shultz, Bob & Morine
Hix,
Dennis Graves, Vic Robbins, Becky Coltrane, Mike Dickerson,
Jim Koger, Bob Call, Ed Harmison, Cheryl Brown.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Young at 7:00
PM. The mayor explained that the meeting
would be stopped at 7:30 PM to convene the 2007 budget hearing.
MINUTES / WARRANTS: Bruce Smith moved to approve the
minutes of the July 26, 2006 council meeting as written. Ira Allen explained that the note he had left
for the previous meeting would only be included in the easement document if the
Dale’s want something in writing regarding their hybrid rose
bushes. Larry Coursen
seconded; motion carried 5-0.
Bruce Smith made a motion, seconded by Ira Allen, to pay
all warrants presented. Motion carried
5-0.
ANIMAL CONTROL: Mark Tomlinson came before the council
to his being dismissed as the animal control officer. These duties are now included in Jim Koger’s job as maintenance assistant. Tomlinson
stated that he would have liked to have been present at the
last council meeting before the council voted to do away with his job, and that
he had been with the city for three years.
He was also upset that he wasn’t told in person, but was sent a “stupid
letter” that was signed by the City Clerk rather than the mayor that he had
been fired. Mayor Young said that
Tomlinson hadn’t been fired, but the position had been abolished. Tomlinson then questioned the job being done
by part-time maintenance personnel.
Mayor Young said that they were trying to do the job with people who are
available during the daytime. The mayor
said that abolishing Tomlinson’s job was not based on his performance, but a
more efficient use of city funds.
Tomlinson stated that he thought he had done a “well job”. Beverly Hix stated
that she appreciated the job Tomlinson had done and asked who she should call
for animal calls in the future. She was
told to call Jim Koger, or city hall.
WATER/SEWER REPORT: Vic Robbins reported that the water
level sensor is still in Pedrotti’s shop, but it has
to be fixed or repaired before he can send in his final report.
Robbins asked if any progress has been made on the legal
means to access private property to fix the drainage problem on the Stangis property.
Robbins said the the contractor
got off to a rocky start with the sewer rehabilitation project, but things are
going better since they brought in some more equipment. The line going west from the school to the
lift station is installed, but there’s still clean-up work and street
re-surfacing to be done. They’re not
planning to do any re-surfacing until October.
The contractor had to bring in a mini-excavator to do the work around
Jon Brady’s garage, and the city will pay the rental fee. Ira Allen said he thought Joshua Excavating
indicated they had the right equipment for that area. Robbins said that this was discussed about
the Dale’s property, but not the Brady’s.
Robbins asked about progress with the easements from Ken
& Sheila Dale and Donnie Bryant. Ira
Allen said he’s been out of town for 2 weeks.
Mayor Young said Sheila Dale has called him twice. The second time she called and was unhappy
that he hadn’t called her back. Mayor
Young was also out of town at that time.
Young has left a message for her, but hasn’t received a call from
her. Allen said he was willing to
contact the Dale’s again. Jennifer
Bryant has signed the easement, but Donnie has not yet signed, but has been
contacted several times. Mayor Young
said he would go by his house after the meeting.
Robbins said that there is a problem where the sewer line
goes straight south of the grade school.
There are power poles that have to be protected or moved. Westar is not sure where they could be moved
and stay within the easement. The
contractor suggested installing a new manhole which would allow the poles to
stay where they are. However, this would
be about 8’ west of the alley. Robbins
said that the city will need to get additional easements on property owned by
Jon Wilhite and Richard Douglass. There may be a future request for
compensation. If the work is done
towards the east, there is an old barn on city property that would have to be
removed. It would have to be determined
whether or not the barn was built before the city was platted. The council agreed by concensus
for Robbins to check into the removal of the barn before installing a new
manhole and moving the project to the west and give
the mayor the authority to make the decision on the easement issues. Robbins said that this needs to be done as
soon as possible. There will be changes
in the bus loading areas regardless of which option is followed.
2007 BUDGET HEARING: Mayor Young called the 2007 budget hearing to order at
7:30 PM. He then asked for comments from
the public.
Tom Athon had questions about
water rates and also wanted to ask questions about the water quality in his
neighborhood. Athon
said that he didn’t mind paying taxes if he can have good water in return. He said that his water smells terrible and
has ruined clothes doing laundry. The
mayor asked if these problems have been reported. Helen Sloan said she had made several
calls. Cheryl Brown said that Mrs. Sloan
has also brought in water and filters to show the color, and Bob Call has
flushed hydrants in response. Athon said that he only knows of the hydrant being flushed
one time in the last 5 years. The mayor
said that the biggest increase he sees in the budget is loan payments for the
work being done on water and sewer lines.
These loans are also repaid in part by revenue from the sale of water
and sewer services. The clerk explained
that the water/sewer fund itself is not funded by levied taxes, but that the
general, law, bond, library, and street maintenance funds are directly funded
by levied taxes. Athon
asked about the possibility of installing some kind of water treatment
plant. He was told that would be
extremely expensive.
Athon asked why the streets are
no longer being taken care of by the chip and seal method. Mayor Young said that the city has done less
of this for the past few years in order to do more asphalting in certain areas. The clerk explained that money for the
Athon then asked if the city
had surplus funds last year in view of the fact the city has purchased a
$25,000 cd.
The mayor said that is true, and he hopes to have more cd’s by the end of this year. Mayor Young said that this was partly due to
more revenue and partly due to reduced spending. The mayor said that $25,000 is not a lot to
have on hand for emergencies. Athon then asked how much the taxes can be raised without
there being a vote. The clerk said that
an ordinance must be adopted in order to raise the amount of tax revenue levied
from the previous year, and the council will act on this matter after the
budget is adopted. The mill levy will be
more in 2007 due to the increased assessed valuation of Overbrook
property. Athon
asked what the value of a mill will be for 2007. She said a mill will be worth $5,575 in 2007. Athon said that the
people who have new houses in this town will be paying more taxes, especially
if the school bond passes. Don Shultz
pointed out that due to increased assessed valuation and an increase in the
mills, people would actually be paying a double increase. Ed Harmison then
stated that the total amount of the tax increase would be approximately
$11,000, which will be divided among all property owners, based on the assessed
valuation of their property. Jon Brady
then asked what the city’s plan is for the increased revenue. Mayor Young said there are plans, and the
main plan is to catch up on the maintenance of the water and sewer system. He said that there is no
definite engineered plans to improve the water at this time, but is
hopeful there will be in the near future.
Helen Sloan said that she not only has poor water, but very little
pressure at her house. Mayor Young asked
Bob Call if he’s aware of this. Call
said that he ran a pressure test at her house, and
discovered that her filter was plugged which would explain the lack of
pressure. Mayor Young said that Call
will check it again. Athon asked if there’s anything that can be done about the
problem with iron in the water. Jon
Brady said that he thinks that there’s always been problems
with the water on the east side of town, based on the testing he’s done in his
job. He said that one of the wells is
very high in iron.
Bruce Smith said that we are
adding a substance to the water which is supposed to help bind the iron.
Morine
Ira Allen made a motion, seconded by Bob Sisson, to adopt
Ordinance No. 293, authorizing the city to increase the amount of tax levy for
2007. Motion carried 5-0.
Bruce Smith moved to pass the 2007 budget as prepared and
discussed. Ira Allen seconded; the
motion carried 5-0. The hearing was closed at 8:10 PM.
MISCELLANEOUS: Cheryl Brown said that she has a phone
number that people can call Wright’s Tree Service if they want some of the wood
chips.
POOL CLOSING: Mayor Young said that he’s received
calls about refunds for pool parties and one that was double-booked. Rich Hamit said he
would check into the matter. Cheryl
Brown said that Joni Hudson has given her the pool passes. The total refund will amount to about $403. Hielscher asked
about refunds for private lessons. Brown
said that she has no list of those who have paid for private lessons. Ira Allen moved to refund the pass money as
stated by Joni Hudson. Bruce Smith
seconded; motion passed 5-0.
DINNER WITH DONNA CRAWFORD:
Mayor Young suggested Friday, August 18th to
have the celebration dinner with Donna Crawford. The clerk said she would notify Crawford.
LAW REPORT:
Chief Ed Harmison reviewed his written report
for the council. He also told the
council that he found out that the catalytic converter on his patrol car is
covered by warranty after all, and will schedule a date for it to be fixed
soon.
MAINTENANCE REPORT: Bob Call said that they’ve fixed 2
water breaks at 7th and Maple.
The west water tower is scheduled to be inspected on August 14th. He’s ordered some Saturock
for street patching. He’s not sure what
to do with the water quality at this point.
Mayor Young said that he authorized Call to purchase a camcorder in
order to record property before the sewer work is done.
Call said he’s ordered about
20 culverts to replace those in the street and alleys dug up during the sewer
rehab work.
Call said that he’s concerned about determining the
property lines when he’s checking out building permits. Larry Coursen asked
if the city should require a boundary survey be done before approving the
permits. Larry Coursen
moved to require a boundary survey as part of the application for a building
permit. Bob Sisson seconded the
motion. Following discussion, the motion
failed 0-5. The council agreed by concensus to have Michael Coffman review the ordinance to
see if this additional requirement can be included.
Call asked if the contractor can leave the rock and dirt
removed during the sewer rehab project at the lagoons. The council agreed by concensus
to allow this until a more suitable place can be found.
Bob Sisson asked Call if Tomlinson has returned the
city’s traps and other equipment. Call
said he hasn’t, and Sisson said he would talk to Tomlinson.
CLERK’S REPORT: Cheryl Brown asked if Jim Koger can be
reimbursed for the office call and prescription necessary after he got into
some poison ivy while mowing. Rich Hamit moved to reimburse Koger for these items. Larry Coursen
seconded; motion carried 5-0.
COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS: Ira Allen said that while he knew
why the council voted to abolish Mark Tomlinson’s job, he agreed that since the
clerk doesn’t do the appointing or do away with any position, the letter should
have been signed by the mayor. Brown
said that she did not do away with any positon, but
signed the letter “For the Governing Body” as she does on many occasions,
including notifying people not hired for positons. Bob Sisson said that Tomlinson’s job was
part-time and started out to be temporary.
He wasn’t fired, the job duties were included
with another employee’s job.
Allen then said he thinks that since reading an article
in the Osage County Herald regarding the FAR properties, the city should
consider refunding the fees for the new utility services. The clerk said that these fees will be
refunded should the application be denied, but it has been neither
approved or denied. The matter
was tabled until a later meeting.
P.R.I.D.E.: Rich Hamit
moved to adopt Resolution NO 80 that declares the city to be an official entrant
in the PRIDE program for 2006. Bruce
Smith seconded; motion carried 5-0.
MISC: Morine
There being no further business before the council, Bob
Sisson moved to adjourn. Rich Hamit seconded; meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Cheryl
L. Brown
City
Clerk
APPROVED:AUGUST 23, 2006