ELLIS–Ellis police officers will soon have new Tasers to replace those the department are currently using. According to Police Chief Taft Yates, the average life of a Taser is five years. The EPD Tasers are now eight years old and no longer under warranty.

City council members voted unanimously at their Mon., Nov. 7 meeting to the purchase of five new Tasers at a cost of $6,179.30.

In other business, the council agreed to a recommendation by the Planning Commission to maintain the current boundaries of the city’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Zone area, commonly called the 3-mile zone.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes November 7, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary 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 Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler. City Attorney Olavee Raub was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Dena Patee, Sharon Disney, Glen Keller, Cheryl Kinderknecht, and Nan Brown (arrived at 7:43 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 17, 2016, Bills Ordinance #2008, and the manual journal entries for April, May, and June. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Zoning
Council discussed the Planning Commission’s recommendation to maintain the current boundaries of the City’s Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction Zone area. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to accept the Planning Commission’s recommendation to not make any changes to the City’s “3-mile” zone. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton presented Contractor’s Pay Estimates #4 and #5 for work completed to date on the Waterline Improvement Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #4 to APAC in the amount of $24,913.66. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Contractor’s Pay Estimate #5 to APAC in the amount of $35,914.51. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the approved pay estimates. The motion carried 6-0.
Campground: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for trimming trees at Lakeside Campground. Council member Bob Redger moved to accept the low bid from CCR & Landscaping in the amount of $1,250, with funds to come from the Campground fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Police: Acquisition
Police Chief Taft Yates presented proposals from TASER International for two different payment plans to upgrade the Department’s Tasers. The life expectancy for the equipment is approximately five years; however, the Department’s Tasers are eight years old and no longer under warranty. The City could either purchase the Tasers outright at a cost of $6,768.20, or enter into the Taser 60 Plan where annual payments are made over the next five years at a total cost of $6,179.30. There is no penalty for early payoff. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to purchase five Tasers under the Taser 60 Plan, contingent on verification of product warranty, with the first payment to come out of the Special Machinery fund when due, and the remaining balance to come out of the Police Department budget as the budget allows. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: License/Permit
Council member John Walz moved to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages from Casey’s General Store. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committee
Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Bob Redger updated Council on correspondence with the Ellis Golf Club. Both Council members have reached out to different Ellis Golf Club board members to set up a meeting, but neither Ms. Aschenbrenner nor Mr. Redger received a response back that the members were interested in meeting with City representatives.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period September 10th to October 10th. The inside of the water tower is scheduled to be power washed on November 9th; however, the Department is having trouble getting one of the valves to shut down properly. Council member Jolene Niernberger inquired about putting a spotlight on “Ellis” on the water tower. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to check into adding the spotlights.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for October and the November Staff calendar. The Department recently hosted a seminar at Ellis High School with speakers covering topics on situational awareness, overcoming adversities, and goal-setting.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the October meeting of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals. The financial reports consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Security Deposit worksheet were reviewed for April, May, and June. Ms. Burton also reviewed the 3rd quarter recycling report. The USDA General Obligation bond issue related to the Waterline Improvement project closed on October 28th. Ms. Burton reported that our insurance provider responded to the questions posed at the last meeting regarding the installation of a swimming pool slide and allowing archery hunters at the Police shooting range. The underwriter stated that a pool slide would not increase liability to the City as long as it was installed to specifications. However, the underwriter also stated that they do not want unsupervised “non-police” individuals at the shooting range.
Attorney
City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler updated Council on the status of outstanding code violation issues, including a guttering complaint at 1016 and 1018 Washington Street. Trial is set on November 18th regarding the property at 1024 Washington Street. Ms. Zeigler also reported she has just received an investigation packet on the car lot on 10th Street.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reminded everyone to vote November 8th.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.