ELLIS–City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected public officials during Monday’s city council meeting. They are Mayor David McDaniel, Treasurer Faith Scheck, and Council members Heather Luea and Bob Redger.

Jolene Niernberger, the next highest vote-getter, was appointed to fill McDaniel’s remaining one year term as a Council member.

John Walz was elected Council President.

Council orientation will be held Wednesday, April 29, and include a special meeting during which Burton will administer the Oath of Office to the third new council member, Holly Aschenbrenner.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES April 20, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea, David McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, and Police Chief Taft Yates. Council member Terry Redetzke and City Attorney Olavee Raub was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
City Clerk Amy Burton requested the addition of the resignation of a Council member under New Business.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Terri Fischer, Rae Seeber, Ryan Augustine, Nan Brown, Michelle Rauch, Buck Driggs, Dave Barber, Glen Keller, Dan Pyle, Sam Pyle, Heather Luea, Sharon Disney, Margie Mickelson, Faith Scheck, Bob Redger, Doug Self, and Laura Ellison.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Gary Luea moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 6, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1971. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Doug Self addressed the Council on the City’s utility billing system. He feels the utility bills are hard to understand and the base tier determination is not equal for each household. Mr. Self doesn’t believe the base tier encourages residents to conserve water.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
SPECIAL ORDER
Water: Financial – USDA Loan
Dave Barber, United States Department of Agriculture, updated Council on the grant/loan application on file with the Department for over a year. The program finally has funds available, but unfortunately, as the interest rates declined, so did the grant funds. Mr. Barber reviewed the Letter of Conditions and asked for Council to adopt a Resolution approving various forms related to the application for financing, and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the documents. Council member Gary Luea moved to adopt Resolution No. 508 approving the forms as listed and authorizing the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the documents related to the USDA application for financing. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council member John Walz felt the Council should wait until the City Attorney and the incoming Council members have an opportunity to review the documents. Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 2-3, with Council members Gary Luea and Jolene Niernberger voting in favor, and Council members Ron Johnson, David McDaniel, and John Walz voting opposed. A special meeting will be scheduled to help expedite the process and lock in the funds.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Cemetery: Petition
Council invited Terri Fischer, Cemetery Committee Chair, to speak on behalf of the Committee regarding a request from Michelle Rauch to waive the guidelines outlined in Ordinance No. 1306, specifying the allowed placement of cemetery monuments. Ms. Fischer reported the Committee recommends the Council deny the request and to honor the guidelines stated in the Ordinance. In her absence, Mayor Lyle Johnston read a memo prepared by City Attorney Olavee Raub stating the Council would need to adopt another ordinance in order to allow for variances from the established specifications. It was the consensus of Council to take no action regarding consideration of an additional ordinance.
Sewer: Financial
At the last meeting, the Council adopted an Ordinance executing the loan agreement between the City and the State of Kansas for financing of the required wastewater treatment plant improvements. The Council needs to formally approve the language in the documents and authorize the Mayor’s signature. Council member John Walz moved to approve the final draft of the KDHE loan documents and to authorize the Mayor’s signature on said documents. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Personnel: Exit
Mayor Lyle Johnston read a prepared statement thanking everyone for the opportunity to serve as Mayor and offered bits of advice for the incoming Council members.
Personnel: Exit
Mayor Johnston then read a resignation letter from Council member David McDaniel formally resigning his position on Council in order to accept the position of Mayor, as determined in the April 7th election. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion to accept the resignation of Council member David McDaniel. The motion carried 5-0, with Council member David McDaniel abstaining.
Personnel: Entry
City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected public officials: Mayor David McDaniel, Treasurer Faith Scheck, and Council members Heather Luea and Bob Redger.
Personnel: Entry
Mayor McDaniel needs to appoint an individual to complete his remaining one-year term as Council member, the position now vacant due to his successful bid for Mayor. Traditionally, the Mayor appoints the next highest vote-getter, that person being Jolene Niernberger. Council member John Walz moved to accept the appointment of Jolene Niernberger for the remaining one-year term as Council member. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. City Clerk Amy Burton then administered the Oath of Office to Ms. Niernberger.
Personnel: Position
Mayor McDaniel explained the role of the Council President and opened the position up for nominations. Council member Gary Luea moved to elect John Walz as Council President. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Mr. Walz abstaining.
General Government: Policy
Annually the Governing Body designates the official newspapers and official banks for the City to use. Council member Bob Redger moved to designate the Hays Daily News and Ellis Review as official newspapers; Equity Bank and Golden Belt Bank as official banks within the City limits; and Emprise Bank and Commerce Bank as official banks outside the City limits. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented an updated resolution authorizing City employees to utilize the City credit card for necessary expenditures. The resolution has been updated for changes in staffing. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 508 authorizing current employees to use the City credit card. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Library: Committee
Mayor McDaniel announced that Amy Rohr has resigned from the Library Board. The Board is asking for the City to appoint Tracy Andrews to her vacant position. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to appoint Tracy Andrews to fill the unexpired term of Amy Rohr on the Library Board. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported the pre-chlorination pump at the Water Treatment Plant has gone down. A new pump was ordered weeks ago and should arrive April 29th. So far the Department has been able to coax the chlorination process along without any major setbacks. A second pump at the plant has also exceeded its life expectancy; therefore, Mr. Scheuerman chose to expedite the ordering of another pump to have a backup on hand. Prior to ordering the pump, Mr. Scheuerman consulted both then-Mayor Lyle Johnston and incoming Mayor David McDaniel. The purchase will need to be ratified by Council. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Heather Luea seconded a motion to ratify the purchase of a booster pump from Weber Industries, Inc. in the amount of $2,274 with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman provided an update on projects the Department is currently working on. The crew continues to work on cleaning out the swimming pool in preparation of the upcoming season. Last Wednesday, the Department assisted Stacie Minson with building 74 rain barrels for residents. The road on the east side of the dam has been closed off to prevent through traffic. Previously, Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to patch holes on the 10th Street Bridge. However, the County requested the City not patch holes on the bridge, but the City would be allowed to patch the approaches to the bridge.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that Officer Wechsler is maintaining an 84% average at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Officer Moeder graduated from KLETC on April 10th and is now on patrol. On April 18th the Department assisted the Fort Hays State University Defensive Tactics Team with the annual event “Girls with Guns”, and will assist the Team again on the 25th with “Dads with Sons and Daughters with Guns”.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton handed out annual Governing Body information forms for the members to complete. Ms. Burton and Mr. Scheuerman will attend the annual CDBG Application Workshop in Russell on April 23rd. The majority of the swimming pool lifeguard and pool house attendant interviews have been conducted and selections will be made soon. Ms. Burton has received the 2015-2016 property and worker’s compensation information from Romme Insurance. The premiums have increased approximately 3.3%. Ms. Burton and Mr. Scheuerman will review the property values before submitting to Council. The annual Governing Body Institute will be held on May 15-16th in Topeka.
General Government: Special Meeting
It was the consensus of Council to hold Council Orientation on April 29th. The meeting will be a Special Meeting and include Ms. Burton administering Holly Aschenbrenner’s Oath of Office and review of the loan documents with Dave Barber from USDA.
Mayor/Council
Mayor David McDaniel announced the Ellis Day’s Inn has been rated as the #1 Days Inn in the nation.
Council member Jolene Niernberger asked for employee input when determining benefits paid by the City. She also inquired of the cracks in the dam and which organization would be responsible for repairs. Mr. Scheuerman will check with Corps of Engineers and the Department of Wildlife & Parks.
Council member Bob Redger inquired about the bathrooms at City Hall. He feels they are not properly maintained and would like to see them spruced up as they do not offer a good first impression to someone entering the building. He also inquired of the topics to be covered at Council Orientation.
Mayor McDaniel stated the Governing Body should strive for active communication with the public. Many no longer read newspapers or the Town Crier newsletter. Not everyone is on social media outlets. Mayor McDaniel suggested a quarterly forum where residents and the Governing Body could openly discuss topics affecting residents and the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.