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ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING

Minutes December 16, 2013

CALL TO ORDER

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Dave McDaniel, Glen Keller, Jim Carthew and Dena Patee

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on December 2, 2013, November manual journal entries, and Bills Ordinance #1939. Councilmember Jeff Wolf seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, informed the Governing Body that the Museum Board is in the process of drafting paperwork deeding the train depot to the City.

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Dena Patee, Ellis Alliance, will appear later in the meeting.

Fire

Fire Chief Denis Vine reported that the Kansas Highway Patrol will be presenting a four-hour class on defensive and safe-driving techniques for the volunteer firemen this week.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Fire: Capital Outlay

Fire Chief Denis Vine presented two revised bids for 750 feet of 4” supply line fire hose, with the bids now including freight costs. Council member John Walz moved and Council member John Leiker seconded a motion to accept the low bid from Municipal Emergency Services, Inc. for 750 feet of supply line and adapters at a cost of $7,380.00 with funds to come from the Fire Department budget. Upon a call from Mayor Johnston for further discussion, Council member Loran Gottschalk expressed concern over hooking up a larger hose to a smaller water main and possibly collapsing the main. Chief Vine explained there is less friction loss with a larger diameter hose and the hose only carries what the hydrant supplies. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried unanimously.

Personnel: Salary

In November, Council approved the Crew Foreman wage at $15.54 per hour, with a probationary wage of $14.94 per hour. However, at the December 2nd meeting Council approved Danny Wickham in the Crew Foreman position at a probationary wage of $14.44 per hour, therefore City Clerk Amy Burton is asking for approval to correct the wage. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion to approve the probationary wage of $14.94 for Danny Wickham as Crew Foreman retroactive to December 7, 2013. Motion carried unanimously.

Personnel: Salary

City Clerk Amy Burton presented a revised pay rate structure to be effective January 1, 2014. Revisions include a 2% budgetary raise for the Crew Foreman position, adding a General Public Works Employee IA position, and breaking out the Fire Department Treasurer salary for clarity. Council member John Walz moved to approve the revised 2014 Pay Rates as presented. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: Special Project

Mayor Lyle Johnston asked for reconsideration from Council for holding a contest or offering a prize for updating the City’s webpage, with the possibility of continuing to maintain the webpage on a contractual basis. Council discussed several options and directed City Clerk Amy Burton to gain more information to present at a future meeting.

Personnel: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the revised substance abuse and testing policy for consideration. The random testing provision has been removed for non-regulated employees and the employee positions subject to drug and alcohol testing has been expanded. Council member John Walz moved to approve the Workplace Substance Abuse and Testing Policy as presented. Council member Jeff Wolf seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

General Government: Licenses/Permits

Council member John Leiker made a motion to approve the 2014 cereal malt beverage license application for Rich’s IGA. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Personnel: Position

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the job description as presented for the General Public Works Employee IA position. Council member John Leiker seconded the motion. Upon the call by the Mayor for further discussion, Council member Niernberger asked Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman if employees are required to pass a physical before employment. Director Scheuerman noted that DOT regulations require a physical every two years, but new employees are not required to complete a physical prior to starting employment with the City. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 6-0.

Personnel: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton presented to Council revisions made to the Personnel Policy for consideration. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the 2014 Personnel Policies and Guidelines as presented. Motion carried 5-1, with Council member Terry Redetzke opposing the motion.

Emergency Preparedness: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the City’s Emergency Operating Plan in response to a crisis involving the City’s public water supply. Council member John Leiker moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve as presented the 2014 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan. Motion carried unanimously.

Capital Improvement: Policy

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed Capital Improvement Plan for 2014-2019. The Plan has been updated for 2013 activity and also includes the two new proposed Capital Improvement funds to account for the City’s share of the county half cent sales tax. Council member John Walz moved to approve the 2014-2019 Capital Improvement Plan and Reserve Fund Balances as presented. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: City Code

City Clerk Amy Burton presented proposed ordinances creating two new Capital Improvement funds for 2014. Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance 1363 creating a Capital Improvement – Water Exploration Fund. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. Council member John Walz then moved to approve Ordinance 1364 creating a Capital Improvement – Special Project Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: Contracts

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the revised Municipal Pound Services contract between the City and Mark Augustine for approval. The revised contract includes a provision to also allow transport of animals to the Western Plains Animal Refuge in addition to the Humane Society of Hays. Council member John Leiker moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the Municipal Pound Services contract as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

SPECIAL ORDER

Dena Patee, Ellis Alliance, reported that the City had given the Alliance $2,500.00 to apply toward the hiring of part-time help in the Alliance office. However, most of the people helping out in the office have been volunteers. Therefore, approximately $2,200.00 of the City’s appropriation remains. Being that the Alliance must begin and end the year with a zero balance, Ms. Patee asked Council if the City would like the excess funds to be repaid, or if the remaining funds should be designated at the discretion of the Alliance Board. It was the consensus of the Council to allow the Alliance to keep the money to use at the Board’s discretion.

Clerk: Accounting/Billing

City Clerk Amy Burton asked approval from Council to pay any vendor invoices due and payable at year end. The bills to be paid will be included on the January 6, 2014 bills ordinance for review. Council member John Walz moved to approve the City Clerk’s office to pay any end of year accounts payable. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Police: Acquisition

Police Chief Taft Yates presented two bids for a storage shed to place at the shooting range to store the targets, frames and other materials. Currently, the range items are stored in various places around the City. A storage shed would alleviate the Department from transporting items back and forth. After further discussion Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of a storage container from TSB in the amount of $2,000.00 with funds to come from the Police Department budget. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Jolene Niernberger, John Walz and John Leiker voted in favor of the motion; Council members Terry Redetzke, Loran Gottschalk, and Jeff Wolf opposed the motion. Mayor Lyle Johnston broke the tie by voting opposed to the motion. Motion failed 3-4.

Police: Acquisition

Police Chief Taft Yates presented two bids for a Dell OptiPlex computer to replace the computer in the office that crashed. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Loran Gottschalk seconded a motion to approve the low bid from Sicoir Computer Technologies for a Dell OptiPlex computer in the amount of $1,680.31 with funds to come out of the Police Department budget. Motion carried unanimously.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Sewer: Repair/Replacement

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that the new sewer pump has been installed and is working properly. The old one is awaiting new parts to be repaired. The new pump cost $4,486.00, well under the $10,000.00 approved at the December 2, 2013 meeting.

Police

Personnel: Entry

Police Chief Taft Yates requested approval to hire Jon Geiger, a certified law enforcement officer from Colorado. Mr. Geiger has four years of experience and will only be required to attend the one week reciprocity training at KLETC. Council member John Walz moved to approve the hiring of Jon Geiger at a starting wage of $14.08 per hour effective January 2, 2014. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.

Personnel: Exit

Chief Yates reported that Officer Emmett Casey has turned in his letter of resignation effective January 25, 2014.

Chief Yates continued with his monthly report noting that the Department has seen twenty-eight new cases in November, and thirty more cases than the entire year of 2012. Chief Yates also reported the Crown Victoria sold on PurpleWave Auction for $2,450.00.

Public Works

Public Works: Special Project

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that the County has received our request for assistance in removing several large dead trees from Big Creek. Currently the project is on hold until the ground is frozen enough to get heavy equipment in and out of the creek bed.

Water: Special Meeting

Director Scheuerman reminded Council of the special meeting with Kelly Stewart, acting commissioner of the Kansas Division of Water Resources, regarding the water exploration process on December 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.

Streets: Repair/Maintenance

Director Scheuerman reported that a resident approached him about filling potholes on Lakeview Drive. Mr. Scheuerman and City Attorney Olavee Raub are researching to see if the City owns the street. The street was poorly installed and is deteriorating quickly. The street has no curb and guttering and does not have proper drainage. Mr. Scheuerman and Ms. Raub will continue to research and report back at a future meeting.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the November Financial Statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and the Security Deposit worksheet. The City Christmas Party has been scheduled for January 25, 2014. Ms. Burton then informed Council of a meeting she had with Vera Haver from the Ellis Community Thrift Shop. The Thrift Shop plans to distribute the profits from the store in the form of a grant for not-for-profit entities. The grant will be awarded twice a year and is a great way for the Thrift Shop to give back to the community.

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Council member Jolene Niernberger thanked the Council for allowing her to attend the Mini Governing Body Institute in Great Bend. Ms. Niernberger shared with the group several of the topics discussed.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Terry Redetzke moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member John Leiker seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:33 p.m.

First Care Clinic’s Certified Navigator, Sayre Shuck, will be  at the Ellis Public Library Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. to answer questions regarding health insurance offered under the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was passed into law March 31, 2010.

As a result all individuals and families are required to have health insurance beginning in 2014.  Otherwise, they will have to pay a fee when filing their 2014 income taxes.  There are tax credits to help pay monthly premiums and cost share reductions to assist with deductibles, coinsurance and co-pays for those who qualify.

The deadline for open enrollment is March 31, 2014.

Shuck said in a news release that she will present information about ACA and can assist with individuals’ applications.  She’ll be in the following locations next month:

• Tuesday, January 7 at 2:00 PM at the Plainville Memorial Library
• Tuesday, January 7 at 7:00 PM at the Ellis Public Library
• Monday, January 13 at 2:00 PM at the Russell Public Library
• Thursday, January 16 at 2:00 PM in the basement of First Care Clinic, 105. W. 13th, Hays
• Tuesday, January 21 at 5:30 PM in the basement of First Care Clinic

For more information call Shuck at 785-621-4990.

LAWRENCE (AP) — Water levels in a vital western Kansas aquifer system have fallen drastically in recent years, and scientists who plan to take new readings this winter don’t expect things to be any different this time.

Last year, Kansas Geological Survey researchers found the groundwater levels in the High Plains Aquifer dropped an average of approximately 3.5 feet, the second-largest single-year decline they ever recorded, the Lawrence Journal-World reported. That was exceeded only by the average 4.25-foot decline the year prior.

“I’ve only been doing this about eight years, and historically it’s declined year after year,” said Brett Wedel, manager of the KGS water-level-data acquisition program. “Some areas are worse than others. Two years ago was definitely the most drastic drop I’ve seen.”

Geological Survey crews and the Kansas Division of Water Resources plan to measure roughly 1,400 wells in the aquifer region of central and western Kansas, from Colby and Goodland in the north to Liberal and Garden City in the south.

Most of the wells draw from the High Plains aquifer, a large network of underground water-bearing rocks that stretch from South Dakota to Texas.

It includes the Ogallala aquifer in western Kansas, the Great Bend Prairie aquifer in west-central Kansas and the Equus Beds aquifer north and west of Wichita.

The aquifers are the primary source of water for cities and industries in western Kansas, but agriculture is the heaviest user of the water — especially since the invention in 1948 of center-pivot irrigation.

An extended drought over the Central Plains during the past five years has forced farmers to rely even more on irrigation. That has drawn the water levels down 2 to 3 feet each year, while nature replaces only a few inches of that annually.

The annual data collection is intended to help landowners and other water users manage groundwater resources. Most people acknowledge, however, those management plans only will buy time.

Unless farming practices in the region — or the weather — change dramatically, water in the aquifer eventually will run out, Wedel said.

“At some point it no longer becomes a continual process,” he said. “You’re going to eventually bleed that resource dry.”