ELLIS–Mayor Lyle Johnston had to cast a vote to break the tie in a discussion of employee health insurance coverage during the May 19 Ellis City Council meeting.
In other business, council members reviewed a proposed agreement with the Ellis Golf Club allowing the club to use up to 40,000 gallons per month at the base utility rate. The water would be used only to cool down the greens.
The full meeting minutes follow.
DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes May 19, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, Terry Redetzke, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Nancy Wright, Steve Arthur, Janetta Heroneme, Mary Jo Walz, Jim Carthew, Glen Keller, Alberta Knoll, Joyce McCollam, Terri Fischer, Jim Ross, John LaShell, Luke Karlin, Angie Johnston, Neil DeWerff, Henry Fischer, Ryan Augustine, Dennis Bollig, Kris Bollig, Pamela Dietrich, Jessica Shank, Millie Karlin, Joy Fischer, Dan Pyle, and Gilbert Kinderknecht.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Ron Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on May 5, 2014, Minutes from Special Meeting on May 14, 2014, and Bills Ordinance #1949, with the exception of the invoices and payments to City Plumbing and Stueder Contractors. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. Upon a request from the City Clerk for clarification on the invoices removed for further consideration, Council member Ron Johnson amended his motion to only include the exception of the invoice and payment to City Plumbing. Council member John Walz amended his second. Upon a call for the vote, the Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
John LaShell, representing the Ellis High School Alumni Association, requested a donation of six 2-day passes to the Lakeside Campground to be used as hole prizes in the 1st Annual EHS Alumni Golf Tournament. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the donation of six 2-day passes to the Lakeside Campground to be used as hole prizes. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed, feeling Council was setting precedence for forgoing revenue to other groups that may come request donations as well.
Luke Karlin inquired of Council as to how much money the City has, and is it possible for the City to combine all the funds to replace the streets, curbs and sidewalks on Washington Street.
Ryan Augustine questioned Council’s procedure regarding Monroe Street at a previous meeting. A motion was made to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft an ordinance regarding vacating North Monroe Street. However, then there was no motion to drop consideration of the vacation. Ms. Raub explained that Council only makes motions to take action; no motion is required to stop action.
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, thanked the Council for past support and presented the Senior Companion 2015 budget request. Ms. Shank requested consideration from Council for $4,084.00, the annual support cost of one senior companion volunteer. Joy Fischer presented the budget request for the Foster Grandparent program. Ms. Fischer 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
Steve Arthur and Janetta Heroneme presented the Ellis Public Library’s 2015 budget request of four mills of the assessed valuation, and additional funding of $2,500 for employee benefits, $2,000 for programming, and additional funds for capital improvements, additional personnel, and projects totaling $26,000. The enhanced budget request is to help with needed improvements to the infrastructure and programs at the Library. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Street: Disposal
Henry Fischer addressed Council regarding the recent decision to install barriers at North Monroe Street to restrict truck traffic. He requested permission to install a gate where the street could be open during the day but closed at night. City Attorney Olavee Raub noted that a private person cannot close a public street at will. Mr. Fischer stated he did not want the street to be closed permanently. Council member Gary Luea made a motion to remove the barricades on North Monroe Street and to again allow access to the public. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Capital Improvement – Water Exploration: Contracts
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented two contracts for consideration with Ground Water Associates – one with the requirement for professional liability insurance and one without. Council discussed the pros and cons of requiring Ground Water Associates to obtain the professional liability insurance at the City’s expense. After further discussion, Council member Gary Luea moved to accept the contract with Ground Water Associates without the requirement for professional liability insurance. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-2, with Council members Jolene Niernberger and John Walz opposed.
Water: Contracts
Council reviewed a proposed agreement with the Ellis Golf Club. The agreement would allow the Golf Club to use up to 40,000 gallons per month at the base utility rate. The water may be used only to cool down the greens and not to water the fairways or the lawn at the club house. The agreement also contains a provision to terminate the agreement if the City would move to tighter water restrictions. The Council would like to revisit the agreement at the next meeting after revisions to the scope and termination paragraphs are made. Council also discussed creating agreements with other commercial users where water is a primary component of their business.
Personnel: Benefits
City Clerk Amy Burton presented a comparison of employee health insurance rates under the City’s current “grandfather” status and those rates outside of the City’s current plan. After further discussion, Council member John Walz moved to maintain the City’s grandfathered status by continuing with the current Blue Cross Blue Shield employee health insurance policy. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for further discussion, Council member Gary Luea questioned if the City had considered any out of state policies. Council member Terry Redetzke suggested contacting Julie Yarmer, a consultant that evaluates insurance bids. Upon a call for a vote, the motion passed 4-3, with Council members Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voting for the motion; Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, and Terry Redetzke voting opposed. Mayor Lyle Johnston broke the tie by voting in favor of the motion.
General Government: Committees
Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to appoint Philip Martin as the City’s representative to the Ellis Industrial Development Corporation. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
Cemetery: Repair/Maintenance
Terri Fischer, Cemetery Committee Chair, presented an improvement plan for the City cemetery. Many of the trees are 50-60 years old and the committee proposes a tree replacement program, adding 3-5 trees per year for the next 10 years. The Committee also requests $1,000.00 this year to purchase two rain barrels, 3-5 trees, weed barrier and mulch. Ms. Fischer also proposed establishing a Capital Improvement Plan for the cemetery and to budget $2,500.00 annually to fund long-term improvements to the cemetery. Council member John Walz moved to appropriate $1,000.00 for 2014 for the Cemetery Committee to purchase two rain barrels, trees, and mulch, with funds to come out of the General Fund, Cemetery and Park department. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0. The Committee’s budget request will be further considered during the 2015 budget preparation.
Streets: Event Request
Council member Ron Johnson moved to approve the Noise Permit Application, Event Request for Traffic Control and Public Property Permit Application for the Ellis High School Alumni Association activities on May 24, 2014. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. Motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the monthly Comparative Water Report. The City has improved its FEMA Community Rating System from a “9” to an “8”. This will result in lower flood insurance rates for Ellis consumers. The City will be awarded a plaque in July for their efforts. Mr. Scheuerman then reported the City has lost almost 100,000 gallons over the last two weeks due to major water leaks.
Parks: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported one of the City’s older mowers needs repaired. He has obtained a bid from Carrico Implement of $1,351.00 to repair the mower. It was the consensus of Council for Mr. Scheuerman to obtain bids on a replacement mower.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported he has restarted the evaluation process of reviewing the pool of applicants for the open position.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton requested permission to advertise for an additional part-time position in the Clerk’s office. Council member Dave McDaniel made a motion authorizing the Clerk to advertise for an additional Clerk II position. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Ron Johnson opposed. Ms. Burton reminded the Governing Body of the Capital Improvement Plan work session on May 28th at 6:00 p.m.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub noted she will be absent for the June 16, 2014 regular Council meeting.
MAYOR/COUNCIL
Mayor Lyle Johnston announced his candidacy for the District 1 County Commissioner seat. If elected, he would need to resign his position as Mayor. Mayor Johnston also recognized May 18-24 as National Public Works Week. Aaron White, Ellis County Coalition, will hold a work session on June 4th regarding downtown revitalization.
Council member John Walz commented that the City should make sure and document the water exploration process and keep a list of contacts and the timeline of events.
Council member Gary Luea inquired of the pond on West 10th Street. City Attorney Olavee Raub will contact the City’s special counsel for a status update.
Council member Terry Redetzke inquired again of the Love’s parking lot east of the main location. It was noted that upper management plans to be in town June 3-4 and that possibly the City should meet with them to explain the City’s concerns.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor Lyle Johnston called for an executive session under attorney-client privilege. A 10-minute executive session was proposed starting at9:54 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Terry Redetzke seconded a motion to recess to executive session under attorney-client privilege with the City Attorney present. Motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:04 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Terry Redetzke moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.