CITY OF
MINUTES REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 9, 2005
MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Smith, Bob Sisson, Rich Hamit, Ira Allen, Mayor
Jack Young. Larry Coursen absent.
OTHERS PRESENT: Peggy Waldman, Vic Robbins, Mike Dickerson, Patty Hylton,
Bob Call, Mark Tomlinson, Ed Harmison, Cheryl Brown.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Young at 7:00 PM. A quorum was present.
MINUTES/ WARRANTS: Rich Hamit moved to approve the minutes of the October 26, 2005 meeting as written. Ira Allen seconded; motion carried 4-0. Bruce Smith made a motion, seconded by Ira Allen, to approve the minutes of the November 2, 2005 special meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
Bruce Smith moved to pay all warrants presented. Ira Allen seconded; motion carried 4-0.
LIBRARY FURNACE: Peggy Waldman, Librarian, came to the council to report that the Kansas Gas Service technician wouldn’t light the pilot light on the library furnace because of a possible problem with the location of the flue pipe. She asked that someone talk to Walt Martin about the problem and what needs to be done. Mayor Young said he would talk to Martin. Waldman also asked if the handrails in front of the library could be painted a bright color. The council said that this will be done. Chief Harmison said he could have this done by someone doing community service.
WATER/SEWER PROJECTS: Vic Robbins reported that the second phase of the waterline replacement project is underway. Robbins told the council that 3 property owners will be notified through legal channels that their property has to be inspected to determine whether or not they’re violating the city’s sewer system ordinance. They are the following:
JoAnn Lemberger, Michael Stewart, and Neal Horton. There are 2 properties that need to be inspected in person by Dean Beckman, and so they will be re-contacted soon.
Robbins said that he’s almost done with the sewer rehabilitation plans to be submitted to KDHE. The de-sludging process is almost done on Cell#2, and then they’ll start on Cell #3. He’s made arrangements with Max Friesen if more land is needed for the application. Robbins gave a brief report on the results so far.
The amended consent order from KDHE has been approved and signed by the mayor and will be mailed tomorrow. There was some discussion about the wording in the petition to appear as prepared by Michael Coffman. Robbins will talk to Michael Coffman about making a few changes.
Mayor Young said that Larry Coursen is concerned about not having anything in writing to assure the city that the remaining waterline loan funds can be used to pay for the current project being done. Robbins said that since the extension wasn’t part of the original change order, no written authorization is necessary. William Carr, with the Public Water Supply division, has indicated that they just want the work to be completed so the project can be closed.
Bruce Smith asked if we’ve heard anything from Dave Peimann about the easements for the sewer project. Robbins said we haven’t had any reports at this time. Robbins said that he recommends waiting until we get the information from Peimann before asking for bids.
RE-APPOINTMENTS: Bruce Smith moved to re-appoint Tom Wurdeman and JoEllen Criger to the Planning Commission for a three-year term. Rich Hamit seconded; motion carried 4-0.
MISCELLANEOUS: The formation of a recreation commission was tabled. Cheryl Brown said that they will be interviewing several applicants for the part-time clerk position next week.
Funding from the Jones Foundation was also tabled.
DITCH: The mayor said that there is a ditch behind the Laundromat, and Walt Martin would like the city to fix it. The council agreed by concensus to have Bob Call put some rock in it at this time. The mayor asked the council to look at the area for future consideration of a more permanent solution.
Mayor Young also mentioned that he’s received a request from Cliff Bowser to change the angle of the alley behind his house to re-route the drainage. The council agreed to look at the property before the December 14th meeting.
The mayor has told Everette Dannar to go ahead and order the tasers using city funds to make up the difference between donated funds and the final cost.
Mayor Young said Kirk Wiscombe has asked him about having a parade to honor the SFT volleyball team as they are 4-A state champions. The council agreed by concensus to allow a parade. The mayor said Wiscombe is supposed to give him more information soon.
BIDS FOR ELECTRICITY TO
LAW REPORT: Chief Harmison said this is the first time in 6 years that they haven’t had any criminal cases to report. He gave an update on training for himself and Officer Dannar. Harmison reviewed the rest of his report for the council.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: Rich Hamit moved to recess to executive session for 5 minutes to discuss matters not related to elected personnel. Bruce Smith seconded; meeting recessed. Mayor Young called the meeting back to open session at which time no action was taken as a result of the executive session.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Patty Hylton reviewed the financial reports for the month of October, and also a report showing expected revenues and expenses for the remainder of the year. Hylton explained that she’s transferred some expenses out of the General fund to other funds to increase the amount of budget left for the General fund. Half of the cost of the new Library roof will show up in next month’s report at approximately $13,000. There was discussion about the other fund balances and what can be done to avoid having any negative balances at the end of the year.
Hylton said that we need to start investigating other options for health insurance. She has noticed that some of her clients are being charged less for family coverage than the city employees. She needs to do more checking as to deductibles and benefits, but thinks there has to be a more cost-effective plan offered by someone. Several options need to checked before the contract is renewed in May. The possibility of having someone from Blue Cross Blue Shield come to a meeting at the first of the year was discussed.
Ira Allen asked about adjusting the Law budget to make up for the $5,000 downpayment on the 2005 patrolcar that came out of the 2005 budget rather than 2004. Hylton said that the money came out of General Fund to compensate for the time difference so the Law budget wasn’t affected.
MAINTENANCE REPORT: Bob Call arrived at the meeting at which time he was told to put some rock in the alley behind the Laundromat as a temporary solution.
CLERK’S REPORT: Cheryl Brown asked about having the second council meetings in November and December due to holidays. Bob Sisson made a motion, seconded by Rich Hamit, to cancel the second meetings in November and December. Motion carried 4-0. A special meeting can be called in case of an emergency.
Brown reminded them that Carolyn Gaston, Sprint, will be at City Hall on Monday, November 14th to meet with the public.
She told the council that she called Jason Hielschier about getting all the food out of the refrigerator at the concession stand so Bob Call can winterize it soon.
Brown also asked if someone could please give Mike Fawl official notice about who owns the property where the access street is from Hwy 56 to the city lake. Mayor Young said he would talk to Fawl.
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS: Ira Allen asked about the resolution concerning drainage issues. Brown said it was a suggested one from Ray DeJulio of Taylor Design Group for the council’s consideration. The council agreed that Michael Coffman needs to review the resolution before any decision is made.
Rich Hamit mentioned the drainage issue on Mac Barnett’s property in Meadowbrook II. Barnett is concerned about the frontage size in regards to installing a culvert as related to the actual size of the cul de sac. It was agreed that Mayor Young and Bob Call should discuss the matter with Barnett.
MAYOR’S REPORT: The mayor said he will have information about a recreation commission at the next meeting, as well as on the Jones Fund.
There being no further business before the council, Rich Hamit moved to adjourn. Bruce Smith seconded; motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Respectfully,
Cheryl L. Brown
City Clerk
APPROVED: December 14, 2005