ELLIS–Mayor Dave McDaniel had to break a tie vote during the May 18 Ellis city council meeting regarding a resolution to end the ban on outdoor watering.

Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Heather Luea said the triggers are met to move to Stage 2 and begin allowing outdoor watering during certain hours.

John Walz said he is not against moving to Stage 2, but would like to make sure the city has the water rate structure and lawn permit forms updated before the move.

During another water-related discussion, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented lab results on the test wells drilled northwest of Ellis. Scheuerman reported that overall, the water quality is very good.

The complete May 18 meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES May 18, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, 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
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Kelly Leister, Charlene Weber, Margie Mickelson, John LaShell, Glen Keller, Julie Kohl, John Begler, Jake Schartz, Brad Leiker, Mandy Wallgren, Nickole Byers (arrived at 8:05 p.m.), and Faith Scheck (arrived at 8:08 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 4, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1973. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Julie Kohl spoke on the Council work session held on May 13th where Kelly Stewart and Mark Billinger from the Kansas Division of Water Resources discussed the availability of water for the City of Ellis. She asked for residents to be careful in how things are worded, as she had already heard variations on the street of information distributed at the meeting. Ms. Kohl also spoke on the vacant property next to her that should be considered a health hazard.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Mandy Wallgren representing Options – Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, provided information regarding the Options program, and requested consideration of funding from the City for the 2016 Budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request at budget time.
Campground: Event Request
John LaShell, representing the Ellis High School Alumni Association, requested a donation of six nightly passes to the Lakeside Campground to be used as prizes in the 2nd Annual EHS Alumni Golf Tournament. Council member John Walz moved to approve the donation of six nightly passes to the Lakeside Campground for the EHS Alumni Association. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Benefits
Kelly Leister, Blue Cross Blue Shield Representative, presented a proposal to Council for a Health Reimbursement Account as an additional option for the employee’s health insurance plan. In a previous meeting, BCBS presented three non-grandfathered fully insured plans as well. The HRA would work in conjunction with one of the fully insured plans as the base plan, and then the Council could decide how claims are paid and how benefits are funded.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Policy
Council discussed the current Water Conservation Plan. Doug Ginther, Kansas Division of Water Resources, has not completed the draft of the Plan discussed at the May 13th Council work session. Council member John Walz stated he would like to add to the updated Plan the current triggers involving the level of water in Big Creek, since that is an indicator of the ground water available. Mayor David McDaniel would like for the Water Advisory Committee to meet quarterly, at minimum, and maybe more if in a declared Water Emergency. The Council then discussed Code Section 15-507 regulating the hours outdoor watering is prohibited. It was the consensus of Council that it was better to have a solid block of time to allow residents to water, rather than designated times for the morning and/or the afternoon. After further discussion, it was decided to not change the prohibited hours. City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed the Commercial Usage definition drafted by the Water Advisory Committee. The definition will be added to the draft ordinances. Council member Heather Luea then moved to direct Ms. Raub to draft a resolution moving to Stage 2 Water Warning, given the information that has been presented by the State. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. Upon a call for further discussion, Mr. Walz stated he is not against moving to Stage 2, but would like to make sure the City has the water rate structure and lawn permit forms updated before the move. Both Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Heather Luea stressed the triggers are met to move to Stage 2, and the City should follow its own rules and do the citizens a service by moving to Stage 2 now. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Heather Luea, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion. Council members Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voted against the motion. Mayor McDaniel broke the tie with a vote in favor of the motion. Therefore, the motion carried 4-3.
Personnel: Benefits
Council member Gary Luea moved to accept the proposal from Freedom Claims Management for the United Health Care umbrella policy for the employee’s health insurance. The motion died due to lack of a second. The Council then discussed the different policies presented by both Freedom Claims Management and Blue Cross Blue Shield. The Council decided to hold a work session on May 20th at 7:00 p.m. to further review the proposals.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the lab results on the test wells drilled northwest of Ellis. Overall, the water quality is very good. Mr. Scheuerman discussed possible funding available for the drilling of the wells and the transmission of the water through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the United States Department of Agriculture. Some of the paperwork for the applications may need to be completed by an engineer. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to contact the Kansas Rural Water Association to see if they provide this service. If not, Mr. Scheuerman will obtain bids from Wilson & Co. and Driggs Design Group.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Event Request
Council member John Walz moved to approve the Event Request for Traffic Control, Public Property Permit Application, and Noise Permit Application for the Ellis High School Alumni Association’s activities to be held on May 23rd. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Streets: Event Request
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and the Event Request for Traffic Control for the annual Riverfest Fun Run sponsored by the Ellis High School Cross Country. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Industrial Development: Accounting/Billing
Council member John Walz moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for the Seams Like Olde Times Quilt Shop. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Tourism: Contract
Council discussed the renewal contract with Lamar Companies for the City’s six billboards. The City provides advertising at no cost for the Chrysler Museum, Railroad Museum, and the Lakeside Campground. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the renewal contract with Lamar Companies. The motion carried 6-0.
Clerk: Acquisition
City Clerk Amy Burton presented two bids for the City’s municipal court software. The current software provider will stop supporting their product this fall. Although the Data Tech software package is less expensive, Court Clerk Margie Mickelson recommends the purchase of the Jayhawk court software because she feels it better meets the City’s needs and allows for future growth. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to purchase the court software package from Jayhawk at a cost not to exceed $5,110.00 with funds to come from the Municipal Court department. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Policy
The Council suggested that when the Department Heads present 4-5 bids for consideration that the bids be summarized in a spreadsheet to help Council analyze the potential vendors and purchase.
General Government: Policy
Council member Heather Luea asked that everyone respect who is talking and to allow everyone their turn to speak. At the last meeting it was difficult to discuss an agenda item because people kept interrupting the speaker.
Sanitation: Policy
Council member Gary Luea questioned the need for the reeving cylinder for the new sanitation truck, and asked if the dumpsters needed a maximum load capacity stated in the current policy. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained that currently sanitation workers are getting under the dumpster to push it into the truck to dump, or go get another piece of equipment to get the dumpster into the truck. The purchase of the reeving cylinder will allow the workers to safely empty heavy dumpsters and it’s faster than a winch. The current ordinance does not specify a weight limit on dumpsters or polycarts. Mr. Luea would like to consider adding a weight limit for trash receptacles when the policy is reviewed.
General Government: Policy
Council member Heather Luea asked if Council was interested in streaming the Council meetings for those residents that are unable to attend the meeting in person. It was the consensus of Council to have Ms. Luea look into different options.
General Government: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel reviewed the Roster of Appointments. Committee positions are on staggered terms; therefore, each year the appointments are approved by Council. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Roster of Appointments as updated by the Mayor. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period March 10th through April 10th, and a spreadsheet of the Gallons per Minute for each of the wells. Mr. Scheuerman will get estimates on the cost of transducers to put in the wells. KanCap will hold a Council training session on drinking water regulations and the water system as a whole. The training will be held in WaKeeney on June 10th. Mr. Scheuerman reported that Sergeant Drilling has looked at Well #2 in an effort to reduce the amount of sand being pulled in. A portion of the sand and rust may actually be coming in from Well #13.
Personnel: Position Change
Brad Leiker has completed his probationary period as a General Public Works 1A employee. Mr. Scheuerman would like to move Mr. Leiker from the GPWE 1A position to a Sanitation position. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Brad Leiker as a Sanitation employee at a probationary wage of $12.51 per hour, effective May 11th. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Highway: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman would like to explore the possibility of purchasing asphalt from the County in 2016. It was the consensus of the Council to continue discussing the possible acquisition with County representatives.
Sanitation: Repair/Maintenance
The forklift used at the Recycling Center is in need of repair. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Ellis Auto Repair to perform repairs on the forklift at a cost not to exceed $2,200, with funds to come from the Sanitation fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported Officer Kirby Wechsler will graduate from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on June 12th. The Department has been busy with ongoing investigations.
City Clerk
Water: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton reported she has received notification from the United States Department of Agriculture that loan funds have been reserved in the City’s name for the waterline improvement project. Buck Driggs will attend the June 1st meeting to discuss the possible expansion of the project.
Personnel: Policy
Ms. Burton requested clarification from Council regarding the policy on scheduled grave closings on the weekends. Several employees feel the two (2) hour minimum should apply to each grave closed; while the Public Works Director and Clerk interpret the policy to mean each call-out, regardless of how many graves need closed. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated the policy was written to mean each call-out, not each grave closed. It was the consensus of the Council to confirm Ms. Raub’s statement and added it was at the Department Head’s discretion to schedule the time of the call-out.
Capital Improvement: Policy
Ms. Burton will get with the Department Heads to update the Capital Improvement Plan and then schedule work sessions with the Council to review.
Mayor/Council
Mayor McDaniel announced the Ellis Good Samaritan Center was recently awarded the prestigious honor of being recognized as a Five-Star facility. The Hays Daily News reported County Administrator Greg Sund proposed closing the Ellis and Victoria EMS facilities in an effort to reduce the budget deficit. Mayor McDaniel will attend the budget meeting along with the Mayor from Victoria to voice concerns over this proposal. Mayor McDaniel asked for Mr. Scheuerman to look at a tree in Memorial Park that has become a liability to the City.
Council member Gary Luea asked about a mechanic shop off of Main Street. He also voiced a formal complaint about the Council voting on something they have not had time to review. The Council makes a point to review everything else, and they need to follow their own policy.
Council member Jolene Niernberger noted that May 18th – 22nd is National Public Works Week and thanked Director Alan Scheuerman and his crew for everything they do for the City. Ms. Niernberger then gave an update on the topics discussed at the recent Governing Body Institute she attended.
Council member Bob Redger feels the Council is making progress and is taking a step forward. He would like to discuss structuring new water rates to ensure the water supply is sustainable.
Council member John Walz would like for the Water Advisory Committee to review and offer suggestions on the revisions to the Water Conservation Plan. He would also like for the Committee to review the current watering permits allowed. Mr. Walz suggested establishing a Policy Review Board to review the City policies annually.
Council member Heather Luea responded to Mr. Luea’s complaint by asking what policy was broken during the discussion on the Water Conservation Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Heather Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:58 p.m.