DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
June 17, 2013
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Jolene Niernberger, Steve Ferland, Loran Gottschalk and Terry Redetzke. Also present were Public Works Interim Co-Director Danny Wickham, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, City Attorney Olavee Raub and Fire Chief Denis Vine. Council members John Walz and John Leiker were unable to attend.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
Mayor Johnston requested the addition of consideration of appointments to the Water Advisory Committee to the agenda under New Business. City Clerk Amy Burton requested the deletions of the update from Driggs Design Group on the water line improvement project under Old Business and consideration of the bid from Layne Christensen on the servicing of the second well under Public Works. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the amendments.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Dennis Bollig, Jessica Shank, Alberta Knoll, Mark Bongartz, John Begler, Adeline Henderson, Kathy Clifton, David McDaniel, Jim Ross, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Gilbert Kinderknecht, Steve Arthur, Glen Keller, Swede Swenson, and Darrell Romme.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Ferland moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on June 3, 2013, Special Meeting on June 14, 2013 and Bills Ordinance #1927. Councilmember Gottschalk seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mark Bongartz addressed Council regarding the recent water main break on the west side of town. He questioned if Trego Rural Fire Department broke the main, and if so, who would foot the bill to repair the leak. Public Works Interim Co-Director Danny Wickham reported that the rural fire department did not cause the leak; the mains on that part of town are very old and fragile.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Jessica Shank, representing the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent Programs at Fort Hays State University, presented each of the program’s 2014 budget requests. The Senior Companion program helps homebound adults live independently. Ms. Shank requested consideration from Council for $4,084.00, the annual support cost of one senior companion volunteer. The Foster Grandparent program provides assistance and attention to at-risk children in schools and attendance centers. Ms. Shank requested consideration from Council for $1,500.00 to partially support one foster grandparent to serve in Ellis. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, presented a budget request of $16,000 for the City of Ellis 2014 budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Steve Arthur presented the Ellis Public Library’s request of four mills of the assessed valuation and additional funding of $2,500 for employee benefits and $2,000 for children’s programming in the City of Ellis 2014 budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine presented his monthly report. He reported that Brad Tebo and Troy Parsons have retired from the department so the department is currently looking for volunteers. Chief Vine also noted that he will visit with rural fire departments and advise them to use the newer hydrants to possibly ward off a water main break.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Insurance – Property
Darrell Romme, Romme Insurance Agency, was present to review the City’s property listing and to answer questions. The premium for insuring the City’s property accounts for 40% of the entire premium for the City’s business protection policy. Mr. Romme explained that several of the property values changed due to an engineer’s physical inspection of the property. It was the consensus of the Council to evaluate the City’s property listing and determine if the property would be repaired or replaced if it would happen to be destroyed.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Public Works Interim Co-Director Danny Wickham presented bids on new 60” deck mowers. The Hustler mower offers a rear discharge and a 5 year/3,000 hour warranty at a cost of $9,484.16. The John Deere mower is a side discharge mower with a 3 year/1,500 hour warranty at a cost of $9,949.02. Mr. Wickham recommended purchase of the Hustler mower because the rear discharge would be ideal for areas such as the cemetery. The City’s current mowers are all side discharge, so the rear discharge would be a good addition to the fleet. Council felt the warranty package was better on the Hustler mower as well. Therefore, Councilmember Ferland moved and Councilmember Niernberger seconded a motion to purchase the Hustler Super Z 27 HP Kawasaki mower from Gottschalk Equipment Sales, Inc. at a cost of $9,484.16 with funds to come from Special Machinery. Upon further discussion, Council noted that the mower needing replaced will be kept as a backup mower and for spraying. The mower can be sold if and when the City determines it is no longer needed. Upon a call for a vote by the Mayor, the motion carried 4-0.
General Government: License/Permit
Council again took under consideration the application for fireworks permit from the Ellis Softball/Baseball Association. At the Special Meeting on June 14, 2013, Council banned the discharge of fireworks due to Stage 3 watering restrictions. After debating the subject on whether to allow the sale but not the discharge of fireworks, or letting the ESBA decide if they want to sell knowing the discharge of fireworks is not allowed, Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the fireworks permit application for the Ellis Softball/Baseball Association. Steve Ferland seconded the motion. Terry Redetzke asked if we could request the Association to post a sign reminding residents that discharge of fireworks is prohibited within the City limits. Motion carried 3-1, with Loran Gottschalk voting opposed to the motion.
NEW BUSINESS
Parks: Event Request
Swede Swenson requested use of north and south Chrysler Parks for the Walter P. Chrysler Car Show on August 31, 2013. All proceeds from the show go the Chrysler Museum. Councilmember Ferland moved and Councilmember Gottschalk seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control from Swede Swenson for the Walter P. Chrysler Car Show on August 31, 2013 in north and south Chrysler Parks. Motion carried 4-0.
General Government: License/Permit
Council took under consideration an Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages from David Honas, representing the Ellis Fire Department, for sale of cereal malt beverages during the Ellis Junior Free Fair. Steve Ferland moved and Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to approve the application from David Honas for a special event permit to sell cereal malt beverages during the Ellis Junior Free Fair from July 23, 2013 to July 27, 2013. Motion carried 4-0.
General Government: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that HB 2052 was recently signed into law authorizing the carrying of concealed weapons in municipal buildings. The law goes into effect July 1, 2013; however, the City may request an extension until January 1, 2014 by submitting a letter to the State and local law enforcement. Police Chief Taft Yates would like to extend the implementation to evaluate security measures. Councilmember Niernberger moved to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to the Attorney General and local law enforcement extending the implementation of HB 2052 until January 1, 2014. Councilmember Ferland seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Water: Committee
Mayor Johnston announced his appointments to the Water Advisory Committee. Serving a one-year term will be Ronald Johnson and Julie Kohl. Serving a two-year term will be John Douglas, Joshua Wilson and Matthew Windholz. Steve Ferland made a motion to approve the appointments to the Water Advisory Committee. Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Interim Co-Director Danny Wickham provided Council with an update on the several recent water leaks within the City. Mr. Wickham also provided an update of the projects within the department.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that the number of cases has increased when compared to this time last year. Chief Yates also reported that Officer Casey has eight days left of field training and that all current officers are taking an active role in training Officer Casey. The department is currently assisting the Driver’s Education Program and will also hold its annual handgun qualification training on July 3. Chief Yates will be teaching a class on explosive packages at the Sheriff’s office in Hays. Mayor Johnston questioned if something could be done to make the alley on the south side of the City building from Jefferson to Washington safer. The alley could become a one-way or stop signs could be installed at each of the exits. Chief Yates responded that pedestrians and motorists need to use extra caution in these areas and each party needs to be responsible and alert to avoid accidents. He did not feel any changes to the alley were necessary.
City Clerk
General Government: Grant
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that representatives from FEMA and KDEM held the exit briefing with her on June 6 in regards to the February snowstorm. This was the next step in requesting reimbursement for extra expenses incurred due to the storm. The City’s total expenses submitted were $11,331.13 and the City could receive up to 85% of that total back.
General Government: Repair
Ms. Burton showed the Governing Body pictures of the billboard reportedly needing repairs. The Clerk’s office has contacted Lamar signs and the City is on the waiting list to have the billboard repaired.
Personnel: Salary
With Alan Scheuerman hired as the new Public Works Director, City Clerk Amy Burton asked Council when the Interim Co-Directors should revert back to their normal wage. She wants to ensure they receive adequate notice of the change in pay. Councilmember Ferland would like to see the interim pay stay in effect for several weeks after Mr. Scheuerman starts due to the complexity and variety of issues he will need to familiarize himself with. Councilmember Ferland then moved to extend the interim pay increases for the co-directors until July 19, 2013, at such time Mr. Wickham and Mr. Homburg will revert to their regular pay. Councilmember Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
General Government: Financial – Budget
Ms. Burton informed Council of the need to start planning the budget work sessions to develop the 2014 budget.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that she is continuing to work with Mr. Bittel and Mr. McDaniel on determining a solution to the placement of the Patee memorial. If the issue cannot be resolved within the next two weeks, Ms. Raub will ask Mr. Patee to remove the memorial until such resolution is determined.
MAYOR/COUNCIL
Councilmember Loran Gottschalk questioned if Council acted appropriately in not obtaining two bids on the recent purchase of a police vehicle. In his opinion, the comparison of two vehicles from the same vendor is not the same as two independent quotes. Mr. Gottschalk stated that he wished the item could have been tabled until further information could have been obtained. Councilmember Jolene Niernberger stated that common practice has always been to purchase police vehicles from Government Services due to price and availability. City Attorney Raub noted that in previous cycles, Government Services was the only police outfitter and their prices have always been lower than other vendors for the base vehicle. Councilmember Gottschalk stated that from his research he feels the Police Interceptor is a very good vehicle to add to the department.
Mayor Johnston informed everyone that the bridge on 6th Street will be out for another 2-3 weeks for repair.
Councilmember Redetzke questioned if the City was in violation under Stage 3 watering restrictions by not fixing the leak on Main Street within 24 hours. City Attorney Raub stated that the citizens have a defined amount of time in which a leak must be repaired; however, the City does not have a time limit due to the multitude of projects ongoing at any given time.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Steve Ferland moved and Councilmember Loran Gottschalk seconded the motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:53 p.m.