CITY OF
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING AUGUST
23, 2006
MEMBERS PRESENT: Larry Coursen,
Rich Hamit, Bob Sisson, Ira Allen, Mayor Jack Young,
Bruce Smith
absent.
OTHERS PRESENT: Vic Robbins, Bruce Rinkes, Mike Dickerson,
Charles Hamner, Beverly Hix,
Bob Call,
Ed Harmison, Cheryl Brown.
The meeting was called to order by Councilmember Ira
Allen as Mayor Young was arriving late, and Council President Smith was
absent. Roll was called by Clerk Brown
to determine the presence of a quorum.
MINUTES / WARRANTS: Larry Coursen
moved to approve the minutes of the August 9, 2006 meeting as written. Rich Hamit
seconded; motion carried 4-0.
Bob Sisson made a motion, seconded by Rich Hamit, to pay all warrants presented. Motion carried 4-0.
Mayor Young arrived at this time.
CITIZEN CONCERN: Jason Hielscher
was present to complain that he had not been notified that the sewer
rehabilitation would involve his property.
His back yard has been torn up, a retaining wall has been removed, and he
thinks there may be an issue regarding the city’s easement. Mayor Young said he has been told by Vic
Robbins, city engineer, that this was all within the easement and that the area
would be re-seeded. Hielscher
asked that the retaining wall be replaced also, and possible erosion be
eliminated also. The mayor said that he
would check into these matters and get back to Hielscher.
STANGIS PROPERTY:
Michael Coffman, City Attorney, has sent a letter stating the
following: If the flooding of Stangis’ property is caused by negligent construction or
development practices on adjoining land, the the Stangises should seek restitution and correction from the
contractor or developer who made the mistakes.
Bob Sisson said that enlarging
the drainage ditch on the Stangis property could
result in more run-off on
WATER/ SEWER REPORT: Vic Robbins reminded the council that
the city had received an extension to upgrade the lagoons, and he thinks the
time is about up so would like to request another extension. This upgrade would include rip rap and
improving the piping between the cells.
The council agreed by concensus to have
Robbins ask for another extension.
Robbins said that the current sewer rehab work is going
well. Eight lines have been completed,
or about 20% done, and they’re running ahead of
schedule. Robbins is concerned about the
clean-up part, and has discussed this with Josh Hawkins. From now on, they plan to do some clean-up
work at the end of each week. Ira Allen
asked why the manholes haven’t been repaired or replaced. Robbins explained that Meyer Specialties is
doing only the actual replacement or relining, but that Joshua Excavating is
going to do the prep work after they’ve replaced the service lines. Robbins said there’s been a change order to
be submitted to KDHE regarding some extra work. Robbins also reported on some things they’ve
discovered that will cost about $1,000 extra to cover.
Mayor Young said that Jason Hielscher
has questions about his property. Hielscher said that he believes that the old well
previously mentioned by Robbins is on his property. Robbins said he thinks the well is on the
city easement. Robbins told Hielscher that the sewer line couldn’t be dug without the
retaining wall falling in. Robbins said
that Mrs. Hielscher told them that it wasn’t a
problem, but to not damage the sandbox.
Robbins said he thinks it was part of an old foundation, and not a
retaining wall. Hielscher also had concerns about
erosion due to removing the wall.
Robbins said he didn’t think there would be any erosion. Hielscher had
questions about the exact location of the easement. Mayor Young asked how this can be
resolved. Robbins said it would have to
be surveyed. Hielscher
again stated that he was mostly upset about not being notified in advance. Robbins said that this is the case in several
areas where additional easements were not necessary. Robbins said that all the property will be
cleaned up and left according to contract requirements.
Hielscher asked about the
damage caused by the sewer rehab crew going through his yard to get to the back
of the property. Robbins said that all
the damage would be repaired. Rich Hamit questioned the number of vehicles in a yard last
week. Robbins said that they had the
owner’s permission in that case.
The mayor asked if Joshua Excavating is supposed to be
putting up door hangers to notify people.
Robbins said that the contract doesn’t specify door hangers, but they
are supposed to be contacting the property owners in advance. Robbins also said that the school wouldn’t be
without sewer service when those lines are being replaced, but the regular bus
loading area will have to be changed for a short time.
BOUNDARY SURVEY: Vic
Robbins said that he mentioned this to Michael Coffman, who thinks this might
be a good idea. It was decided that
Mayor Young should visit with Coffman to decide exactly what should determine
the need for a boundary survey as part of a building permit.
SIDEWALKS: The
sidewalks that had been the subject of a letter from Shandy
Vollrath on Brad Henderson’s property have been
replaced. The clerk provided the council
with sections of the state statute that regulates sidewalk maintenance and
ownership. The city has the authority to
regulate sidewalks, but Overbrook considers them to be the property owners responsibility.
PRIVATE ANIMAL TRAPS: The mayor asked the council’s opinion
on the handling of citizen-owned live animal traps. The council agreed by concensus
that only city-owned traps are to be maintained by city employees. Mayor Young said he would pass this
information along.
TRASH AT TREE/LIMB SITE: Mayor Young said that there is currently
a deck at the tree/limb dump site, and he would like the police department to
investigate. Unacceptable trash being
left there was discussed again. The
council agreed by concensus to have Bob Call make a
recommendation about having the site open just certain times of the week/month
rather than close it permanently.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS: Larry Coursen said we
need to get a pick-up of some kind for the maintenance department. Bob Sisson has been letting them use his, but
doesn’t want to sell it. After
discussion, Larry Coursen moved to authorize the
purchase of a truck for up to $5,000.
Bob Sisson seconded; motion carried 4-0.
Coursen also asked about
checking on a skid loader. Bob Sisson
said he would check on prices, leasing, etc.
Bob Call said he didn’t want to trade in the backhoe, and asked about
just leasing a skid loader when necessary.
DRAINAGE:
Mike Dickerson, Osage County Herald, told the council that according to
his notes, the council agreed to have Vic Robbins come up with plans to address
the drainage issue on the Stangis property at one of
the July meetings. Ira Allen moved to
address this issue again at a future meeting.
Larry Coursen seconded; motion carried 4-0.
There being no further business before the council, Bob
Sisson moved to adjourn. Rich Hamit seconded; meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully
submitted,
Cheryl
L. Brown
City
Clerk
APPROVED:SEPTEMBER 13, 2006