CITY OF
MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER 20, 2007
MEMBERS PRESENT: Dorthy Chikly, Don
Schultz, Bob Sisson, Tadd Goodyear,Mayor Jack Young. Larry Coursen absent.
OTHERS PRESENT: Phil & Kathy McAnulty, Carol
Bloodworth, Bev Hix, Eula Lee
Fuller, Michael &
Jenna Blood, Vic Robbins, Jon Brady, Ed
Harmison, Everette
Dannar, Bob Call, Cheryl Brown.
Mayor Young called the special meeting to order at 7:30
PM. After roll was called, he stated
that this meeting falls under the rules of a special meeting and ONLY the items
listed on the agenda will be subject to action by the council. The mayor stated that while other business
could be discussed, he was not in favor of discussing matters that can’t be
acted upon.
Mayor Young asked that
everyone present be given a copy of the agenda.
MINUTES / WARRANTS: Bob Sisson made a motion, seconded by Don
Schultz, to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2007 regular meeting as
written. Motion carried 4-0.
Tadd Goodyear moved to pay all warrants. Bob Sisson seconded; motion carried 4-0.
McANULTY SEWER ISSUES: Mayor Young explained
that he and Vic Robbins had met with Carol Bloodworth the previous week, and
had discussed the possibility of lifting manholes downstream because of the
large amount of water present when the lift station kicked on. Vic Robbins is to meet with Bob Call to
schedule this. How to simulate the same
amount of water was discussed. Tadd
Goodyear asked if it’s been determined that the problem is not due to a
perimeter drain emptying into the sewer.
Phil McAnulty assured them that the perimeter drains are not at
fault. The mayor said that it sounds to
him like that the sewer line is not handling the flow coming from the lift
station. Carol Bloodworth stated that
she thinks the main piping is too small.
Mayor Young said that no one knows for sure what the problem is at this
time. Bob Sisson asked if a check valve
had ever been installed. Contacting the
builder, Glen Norton was discussed. The
mayor said that he would recommend installing one, but wasn’t sure that sould
solve the existing problem. Kathy
McAnulty said that installing a check valve would only limit the water usage by
the occupants and they hadn’t needed one for the past 50 years. Phil McAulty made the statement that he has
witnesses that it’s not a perimeter drain problem as he’s had plumbers there in
the past. Dorthy Chikly said that
installing a check valve would reduce further damage until the problem is
fixed. Vic Robbins asked if their line
has ever been inspected with a camera.
He then said that without that being done, no one could be sure that the
perimeter drains were not emptying into the sewer. Bloodworth stated that the house predates the
city’s sewer system being installed.
The mayor said that the lines surrounding the property have been
inspected by camera at the city’s expense recently. Vic Robbins explained which sewer lines had
been cleaned and/or replaced during the sewer project. Don Schultz asked about the possibility of
adding a line to relieve the flow, after investigation. Robbins said that doing some elevations and
calculations might be as effective as dumping water into the lift
stations. Bloodworth stated that the
real problem is the amount of grey/clean water going into the system and the
city needs to eliminate that problem.
Mayor Young said that his immediate goal is to find out if there’s a
blockage or if the line is too small.
Don Schultz said that if his understanding is correct, there had been a
problem 2 years ago and the council recommended at that time installing a check
valve as well as a sump pump. McAnulty
said that he has clarified that situation at 2 previous meetings as involving a
blockage in their service line and they had G & G Excavation clean the
line. Vic Robbins made the comment that
any check valve that might have been previously installed would most likely be
destroyed when the service line was roto-rootered. Vic Robbins said the only time water usage
would be limited due to a check valve would be when the lift station is
running, and if it’s cycling normal household usage shouldn’t be a
problem.
McAnulty said that they’d never had any sewer back-up’s
from 1998 until recently. He then asked
that a letter he wrote to the council be included in the minutes of this
meeting. So noted. He then proceeded to read the letter.
The mayor has been informed by the current occupant, Rob
Molt, that there is some urgency to fix the problem as he is trying to buy the
house. McAnulty stated that he is
reluctant to have a check valve installed until he knows exactly where his
service connection hooks into the city sewer.
Since he’s now 99% sure of that, he’s going to try to find someone to
install a check valve. He then stated
that he would never accept that as a permanent solution to the problem, and
that he will be back every time it happens until it’s fixed. Dorthy Chikly commented that if the city
makes the effort to solve the problem, and the property owner makes the effort
to install a check valve then both parties will be working towards a common
goal. The mayor stated that the problem
needs to be determined before solutions can be done. Robbins said that shutting off the lift station
might be easier that forcing water into the manholes.
Mayor Young then asked if McAnulty wanted this done
before a check valve is installed.
McAnulty said he would have this done as soon as possible, but wasn’t
sure who is available. The idea of using
city personnel and equipment was discussed.
Don Schultz moved that the city
dig the hole and that at the time we do the testing, the owner supply a check
valve to be installed at that time as part of the test. Tadd Goodyear seconded; motion carried
4-0. Bob Call said he’d get the check
valve.
AGREEMENT WITH GEORGE
MAICHEL/PASTURE METER: Dorthy
Chikly said she’d been contacted about a water bill received by Dr. Maichel’s
daughter for water usage at his pasture meter.
The clerk explained that this was actually the second bill sent within
the past year, but the first bill had been dismissed at Dr. Maichel’s
daughter’s request as there was no usage.
When Jim Koger, who reads the meters, reported 23,500 gallons of usage recently,
a bill was sent to Dr. Maichel.
Apparently the meter had been turned on by someone other than city
personnel. According to Bruce Smith, who
worked for the city and installed the meter, Dr. Maichel paid to have the meter
installed and also for all the usage up until the last billing in 1992. The clerk then showed the council the billing
ledger to verify this. Mayor Young said
that any agreements between the Maichel family and those renting the pasture
were not the city’s concern, but that Michael Coffman has been contacted about
a request to furnish water to the Maichel family as long as they are
alive. Don Schultz was concerned that
Dr. Maichel’s daughter might not be aware of the agreements. The mayor and the clerk both assured him that
she’s received copies of all the agreements and water usage reports for as long
as the state has required the records be kept.
Jon Brady, who works for KDHE, had concerns about the use
of untreated water. The clerk said her
main concern is that an unauthorized person has turned the water on without
permission. The mayor said that the
matter will be discussed in more detail at the next meeting.
ORDINANCE TO REGULATE ATV’S,
ETC:
Dorthy Chikly had a question about some of the wording regarding “STO’S”
used in the proposed ordinance. STO
stands for “Standard Traffic Ordinance” which the city adopted by
reference. After discussion, Dorthy
Chikly moved to adopt Ordinance No. 304 that would regulate the use of All
Terrain Vehicles, Golf Carts and WorkSite Utility vehicles within the city
limits. Bob Sisson seconded; motion
carried 4-0. This will be effective
after publication in the paper.
BID TO PAINT 2001 PATROLCAR:
Chief Ed Harmison presented several bids. After discussion, Bob Sisson moved to accept
the bid from Jagger Swisher for $602.51.
Tadd Goodyear seconded; motion carried 4-0.
REVERSE DECISION TO KEEP 2005
PATROLCAR IN TOWN: Don Schultz
presented a letter to the council from a local business man, Richard
Wright. Wright had called the sheriff’s
office when someone came into his Overbrook office asking for money when Wright
was in
Mayor Young said he’s concerned about the fact that there
was no county officer available when one was needed. He feels that the sheriff has no problem
using a city officer when necessary, but may not be willing to
reciprocate. Chief Harmison said that
county officers had responded to 2 calls recently. At this point, Don Schultz made a motion,
seconded by Dorthy Chikly, to reverse the decision to keep Officer Dannar’s car
in town. Bob Sisson said that he’s
received numerous positive comments from citizens about keeping the car in
town. The mayor said he wants the
council to vote the way they really feel as there’s been too many changes in
votes lately. Dorthy Chikly apologized
to the mayor for this, and stated that she had made her earlier decision too
hastily. The police chief said he had
heard only negative comments regarding where the car is being parked. At that time, the mayor asked for the
vote. The vote was 2-2. Mayor Young voted to keep the car in town
until the next meeting. He also stated
that the matter will undoubtedly be brought up again.
HOLIDAY HOURS:
Cheryl Brown told the council that Jim Koger will be working the Friday
after Thanksgiving this year, but would like to close City Hall for either a
half day or all day December 24th. Tadd Goodyear moved that City Hall be
closed on December 24th with the clerk’s taking either vacation or
personal days. Dorthy Chikly asked about
December 31st. Brown said she
would be working that day to close out the year. Bob Sisson seconded; motion carried 4-0.
CONCERNS ABOUT REMAININD
AGENDA: Don Schultz voiced his
concerns about the business being left until the December meeting. He again stated that the council should have
the minutes and an agenda at least 10 days before the meetings. This would allow the agenda to be published
the week before the meeting, and allow the public to see what’s going to be
discussed at the meeting. He also stated
that having the minutes and department reports at that time would help the
council conduct city business more efficiently.
This will be discussed at the December meeting in more detail.
CITIZEN COMMENTS: Jon Brady commented that he didn’t
care where the police car is parked, but he’s concerned about response time by
the sheriff, and how can we protect anything if cars aren’t safe parked at City
Hall?
Vic Robbins wanted to address Mr. McAnulty’s comments in
his letter about the lagoons. The city
has been receiving favorable test results for some time.
Michael Blood asked that there would be more consistency
in who is allowed to make public comments and when. Mayor Young said that from now on, all
public comments will be held until the end of the meeting. He thinks that’s the only way to be fair and
keep things focused during the meetings.
Bob Sisson moved to adjourn;
Dorthy Chikly seconded. Meeting was
adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully,
Cheryl
L. Brown
City
Clerk
APPROVED:12/12/2007