DRAFT MINUTES NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes November 4, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members John Leiker, Jolene Niernberger, Terry Redetzke, John Walz and Jeff Wolf.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton and Police Chief Taft Yates.  Council member Loran Gottschalk and City Attorney Olavee Raub were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Buck Driggs, David McDaniel, Glen Keller, Sarah Staten, Cody Staten, Swede Holmgren (arrived 8:30), Tammy Leiker (arrived 9:40)

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember John Leiker moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on October 21, 2013 and Bills Ordinance #1936. Councilmember Wolf seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Sarah Staten addressed the Governing Body about a large water leak recently at her residence at 305 W. 14th.  Eighty-three thousand gallons of water ran through her meter in one month.  Once the meter was read, the water was shut off immediately and the leak was fully repaired within several days of notification.  Ms. Staten feels she is being penalized for involuntary use of water since the water was charged to their account at the water conservation rate of $10.74 per thousand gallons.  Council then entered into a discussion regarding the current water leak policy and the intent of the conservation rate.  It was the consensus of Council to adjust Ms. Staten’s bill to reflect the charge for the entire water use back to the pre-conservation rate of $3.58 per thousand gallons.  The Council directed City Clerk Amy Burton to consult with City Attorney Olavee Raub on the process needed to make that adjustment.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

County Commissioner and Ellis resident Swede Holmgren will appear later in the meeting as he had a County Commissioner meeting in Hays this evening as well.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance

Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, presented the Preliminary Engineering Report and the Environmental Report on the proposed waterline improvement project.  The documents are ready to submit to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for approval and consideration for funding.  Councilmember John Walz moved and Councilmember Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the submission of the Preliminary Engineering Report and the Environmental Report to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.  Motion carried 5-0.

Emergency Preparedness: Contract

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman recommended Council consider entering into the Program Agreement with the Kansas Mutual Aid Program for Utilities (KSMAP).  Mr. Scheuerman feels it will strengthen the City’s disaster mitigation plan and possibly improve our community rating for flood insurance.  Councilmember John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 497 authorizing the City to enter into the Program Agreement with the Kansas Mutual Aid Program for Utilities.  Councilmember Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

General Government: City Code

Council took under consideration a proposed ordinance amending Section 13-302 mandating building numbers on residential and commercial properties.  It was the consensus of Council to table this item until City Attorney Olavee Raub is present to provide guidance and clarification on Council’s questions.

NEW BUSINESS

Street: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that the contractor building the house at 21st and Walnut has requested that the City put in the street at 21st from Walnut, east to the alleyway.  The house under construction will have garage access to 21st, rather than Walnut.  The Department has already rented a compactor and laid in dirt and rock.  Mr. Scheuerman asked for direction on what type of material to install as the top layer for the street.  The street is not planned to be fully constructed until Phase II of the TIF project, which could be late 2014. Councilmember John Leiker moved and Councilmember John Walz seconded a motion to authorize the Public Works Director to install a top layer of sand on 21st Street, from Walnut east to the alleyway.  Motion carried 5-0.

Public Works: Special Project

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed with the Governing Body information from the Kansas Department of Transportation regarding grant funding available for bicycle and pedestrian paths.  The program requires a 20% hard match and must meet certain eligibility requirements.  Council was not interested in pursuing the project at this time but may reconsider in the future.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Personnel: Position Change

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman would like to re-create the crew foreman position in the Department.  This item will be tabled until Council has an opportunity to review the proposed job description.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman presented two bids for manhole repairs.  Mayer Specialty Services submitted the low bid of $8,792.30 and will reduce that price by $1,500.00 if the work is scheduled in conjunction with other work in the area.  Since this is not an emergency repair, the City could take advantage of this additional discount.  City Clerk Amy Burton would like to table this item until closer to the end of the year to verify funds and adequate budget authority are available.

SPECIAL ORDER

County Commissioner and Ellis resident Swede Holmgren visited with those present about the Governor’s Conference he attended October 24-25th, where Governor Brownback presented his 50-year plan for water issues within the State of Kansas.   Unfortunately, western Kansas does not have 50 years to plan for water issues, but is closer to 5-7 years at the current water depletion rate.   Mr. Holmgren feels Ellis may be worse off than any other town in Kansas due to the lack of recharge in its wells and the lack of a viable long-term water source.  He noted that the High Plains Aquifer and the Ogallala Aquifer are one and the same, and it is being depleted at an astronomical rate – down 11’ in three years.  Mr. Holmgren recommended the City contact the Environmental Services Office to find out when the permits expire for domestic wells within the 3 mile radius of the City and start a petition at the time of renewal to submit to the State stating the wells adversely affect the community water supply.  Mr. Holmgren challenged the Governing Body to make a community-wide effort to educate the public of the water issue.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS (CONT)

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reviewed the November officer calendar.  He also noted that the Department has narrowed down the applicant search to six viable candidates.  Chief Yates hopes to begin the interview process in December.

Special Machinery: Disposal – Police

Chief Yates presented an Auction Engagement Agreement with Purple Wave Inc. to sell the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria.  Councilmember John Leiker made a motion to authorize Police Chief Taft Yates to sign the Purple Wave Auction Engagement Agreement listing the 2007 Ford Crown Victoria for sell on its auction site.  Councilmember Terry Redetzke seconded the motion.  Motion carried 5-0.

Personnel: Exit

Chief Yates reported that Officer Smull is actively seeking a law enforcement position in Colorado and has given a tentative last date of employment as December 31, 2013.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reported the State has approved the City’s request for authorization to require private domestic well owners within the City limits to comply with water conservation measures as outlined in the City’s Water Conservation plan.  The letter extends the City’s authority through December 31, 2014.

Ms. Burton continued by reporting that Bob Redger, manager of Golden Belt Co-op, has informed the City that KDHE has allowed the Co-op to delay pumping the contamination wells.  KDHE will continue to monitor these wells for the next eighteen months.

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Councilmember John Walz would like Council to review the water violation penalty section of the Water Conservation Plan.  He also inquired about an ordinance allowing automatic rate increases for utility rates.  With talk of the campground expansion last meeting, Mr. Walz would like to see the Campground Committee reactivated. He would also like to see possibly forming a regional water advisory committee to push legislators to help with the severe drought conditions in western Kansas.

Councilmember Jolene Niernberger noted she has visited with Representative Sue Boldra and Senator Ralph Ostmeyer about the drought conditions and encouraged other Council members and the Mayor to do the same.  She would also like to see the Water Advisory Committee look at potential exploration of water sources and strengthen restrictions of watering under Stage 2 Water Emergency.  Ms. Niernberger thanked County Commissioner Swede Holmgren for his informative presentation to Council earlier in the meeting.

Councilmember Terry Redetzke questioned the revised police department holiday pay policy approved at the last meeting, in which he was absent.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Terry Redetzke moved and Councilmember John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The meeting adjourned at 9:44 p.m.

What’s up with gas prices? Nothing. The cost to fill your gas tank is down. Here are the latest price around Hays

Area Average : $2.941
Last Week: $3.024 Last Month: $3.355 6 Months Ago: $3.469 Last Year: $3.216

Average Cost To Fuel A Vehicle With a 15 Gallon Tank: $44.12
Last Week: $45.36 Last Month: $50.33 6 Months Ago: $52.04 Last Year: $48.24

 

Station Address Reg Dsl Services MAIN STREET EXPRESS Conoco 1601 MAIN ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 07 09:30 PM KWIK SHOP #759 (DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) Kwik Shop 1301 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 07 09:01 PM DILLON FOOD STORE (DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) Dillon 1902 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 07 07:30 PM DILLONS FUEL # 9014 (DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) Dillon 517 W 27TH ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 07 08:30 PM $3.799 Nov 07 04:30 PM CERVS WEST Conoco 2722 HALL ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 07 08:30 PM CERVS CONOCO Conoco 2701 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.829 Nov 08 03:30 AM $3.799 Nov 07 08:30 PM I C 66 Phillips 66 3701 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.849 Nov 07 10:30 PM $3.799 Nov 07 10:05 AM LEROYS SHAMROCK SERVICE Valero 1509 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.859 Nov 07 06:30 PM $3.799 Nov 07 04:30 PM LOVES COUNTRY STORE #044 Loves 2500 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.859 Nov 08 05:01 AM $3.799 Nov 05 HOME OIL AND SUPPLY Unbranded 1200 E 8TH ST Hays , KS $2.859 Nov 07 08:01 PM $3.799 Nov 07 08:01 PM 24/7 TRAVEL STORE Unbranded 3601 VINE ST Hays , KS $2.899 Nov 06 $3.869 Nov 07 CASEYS GENERAL STORE (DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) Caseys 1600 E 27TH ST Hays , KS $3.089 Nov 07 10:30 PM CASEYS GENERAL STORE (DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) Caseys 1301 CANTERBURY DR Hays , KS $3.089 Nov 07 09:01 PM GOTTSCHALK ENTERPRISES Unbranded 1000 E 41ST ST Hays , KS $3.699 Nov 07 08:30 AM $3.959 Nov 07 06:01 PM EL CHARRO CONV STORE Unbranded 2020 E 8TH ST Hays , KS $2.999 Nov 05 $3.799 Nov 06 CENEX Cenex 219 E 9TH ST Hays , KS $3.899 Nov 05

The annual Veterans Day program sponsored by Hays VFW Post #9076 will be held Monday, November 11, at the post site, 2106 Vine Street.

The raising of the colors, rifle salute and Taps ceremony starts at 11a.m. outside in the parking lot.  Then, the ceremony moves indoors.

Keynote speaker is Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown.   His service includes the U-S Air Force as a Crew Chief on F-4 Phantom Fighter-bombers during the Vietnam War.

Inspirational music will be provided by the Roosevelt Elementary School Singers.

A free-will donation lunch will follow.

(AP) — Room and board costs at Kansas’ six public universities would increase next year under a proposal before the state’s Board of Regents.

Under the proposal, the traditional arrangement of two residents per room and a typical meal plan would increase 2.5 percent next year at the University of Kansas.

Students would see increases of 4.5 percent at Kansas State University; 3.6 percent at Emporia State; 3 percent at Pittsburg State; and 2.1 percent at Fort Hays State. The proposed increase at Wichita State is not comparable to previous years because the school has a new housing facility.

The Regents will take final action on the rates during their December meeting.