ELLIS–Water conservation and new sources of water remain constant discussion items at Ellis City Council meetings.
During the March 3 regular meeting, council members talked about plans to hire a geologist to search for nearby viable water sources. The city is also in discussion with the Kansas Rural Water Association regarding water exploration.
The full meeting minutes follow.
DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes March 3, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Jeff Wolf, John Walz, Loran Gottschalk and Terry Redetzke. Also present were Public Works Crew Foreman Dan Wickham, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Jolene Niernberger and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman were unable to attend.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
City Clerk Amy Burton noted that due to the change in meeting date, Will Meyer with Wildflower Telecommunications will not be able to attend and has rescheduled to the March 17, 2014 meeting. Ms. Burton also requested to strike from the agenda the discussion on office staffing. City Attorney Olavee Raub requested an executive session for attorney client privilege. It was the consensus of Council to approve the revisions to the agenda.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Julie Duncan, Ron Johnson, Ryan Augustine, Brian Raub, Kristofer Malleck, Heather Kennedy, David McDaniel, Gary Luea, and Glen Keller.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on February 17, 2014, the Minutes from Special Meeting on February 24, 2014, and Bills Ordinance #1944. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Heather Kennedy talked to Council about a leak at her residence at 105 W. Sixth St. The leak was repaired soon after the City notified her of the high usage. It was the consensus of Council to allow the City Clerk’s office to adjust the utility bill for the excess water usage over the base allowance, pending Ms. Kennedy submitting proof of repair, per policy.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Personnel: Entry – Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine requested approval to add Jason Colby and Thomas Lee to the volunteer Fire Department. With the additions, the Department will be fully staffed once more. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jeff Wolf seconded a motion to approve Jason Colby and Thomas Lee as volunteer firemen. Motion carried 4-0.
Parks: Event Request
Julie Duncan requested approval to use Memorial Park for a wedding. She would like to make two revisions to her original application – to change the start time from 2:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and to request the use of electricity. Council member Loran Gottschalk moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application from Julie Duncan for the use of Memorial Park on May 3, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-0.
Sanitation: Special Project
Public Works Crew Foreman Dan Wickham noted the Department would like to conduct two City-Wide Cleanup days – one before grass cart season and one this fall after grass cart season. No dates have been scheduled yet. Council will revisit holding a City-Wide Cleanup at the next meeting.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Wickham talked to Council about acquiring two Rubber Edge Sno Pushers by Pro-Tech. The pushers would quick-attach to the loader and the backhoe and aid the Department in clearing snow more efficiently, thus saving labor costs and machine time. It was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the Sno Pushers until budget time.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Wickham presented the Comparative Water Report for December. He also discussed an email between Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and Elmer Ronnebaum from the Kansas Rural Water Association regarding water exploration.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Wickham presented a bid from LiquiVision Technology Services for inspection and cleaning of the storage tank at the Water Treatment Plant. The tank was installed in 2007 and has never been cleaned. The City would be able to save mobilization costs if the cleaning was done in conjunction with the scheduled cleaning of the water tower sometime this year. Council will revisit the cleaning of the storage tank at the next Council meeting.
Public Works
Mr. Wickham then gave Council an update of recent Department activities. Repairs have been made at the Recycling Center and to a fire hydrant at 11th Street and Washington Street. The heater at the dog pound has been repaired as well as a leak by St. Mary’s Church.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the March officer calendar. He also provided information regarding a seat belt survey conducted by the Kansas Department of Transportation. No tickets will be given out during the survey; the observers are merely collecting data. Chief Yates will conduct interviews for the three finalists for the open officer position on March 5th. Officer Geiger is currently at KLETC completing the reciprocity program. Chief Yates reported the Department is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons involved in the recent arson and burglary cases. Chief Yates then asked the Governing Body for support in contacting Love’s corporate office to get the company to clean up the secondary truck parking lot across from the store. The secondary lot has poor lighting, which is leading to accidents and the trucks are tearing up the City streets and curbing.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton thanked the Council for their patience while her office continues to be understaffed due to illness.
MAYOR/COUNCIL
Council member Jeff Wolf questioned if a survey had been done to determine what water source the City of Ellis is drawing from. He questioned why the City should spend money looking elsewhere if the City is possibly already on a viable water source. The City is currently looking to hire a geologist which will help the City determine where the most viable source of water is located.
Council member John Walz thanked the public for their water conservation efforts. He feels it is important to have several engineers come visit with the Council to consider all options available.
Council member Terry Redetzke asked if the City is able to offset their existing water rights to another well. City Attorney Olavee Raub believes it is possible as long as it is within a quarter mile radius of the current well.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
City Attorney Olavee Raub requested an executive session for purposes of attorney client privilege. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at 8:16 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member John Walz moved to recess to executive session for matters under attorney client privilege with the City Attorney, City Clerk and Police Chief present. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously. The Council returned to open session at 8:26 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member Jeff Wolf seconded the motion to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.