ELLIS – Ellis city council members learned during their Dec. 18 meeting that the fieldwork has been completed for a Trego County ground survey as part of the Water Exploration Project.
The council also heard from Ellis Fire Chief Dustin Vine. The fire department recently had its five-year ISO audit. Vine said he expects the department should maintain or even improve on its current rating.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes December 18, 2017
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Myles Vine, Westin Vine, Glen Keller, Nickole Byers, Gary Luea, and Joyce McCollam (arrived at 8:02 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 4, 2017, Bills Ordinance #2035, and the November manual journal entries. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Gary Luea reported on the Water Exploration Project. The surveyor has completed the fieldwork for the survey of the ground in Trego County; however, the written report has not been completed yet. The Committee will meet on December 19th to further discuss the project.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented a summary of the Department’s projects and accomplishments during 2017. The Department recently had their 5-year ISO audit. Chief Vine believes the Department should maintain or even improve on its current rating.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire: Policy
Discussion regarding procedures to test the City’s fire hydrants was tabled due to the topic being discussed at the Water Advisory Committee meeting on December 19th. This agenda item will be revisited at the January 2nd Council meeting.
General Government: Building Code
Council performed a first reading of ordinances adopting the 2015 International Building Codes for building, electrical, and fire regulations. City Attorney Olavee Raub noted that three additional ordinances will be presented in January. These first three ordinances will be considered for adoption at the January 2nd Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Water: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed revisions to the emergency plan for the water supply system. The plan has been updated for well supply data and contact information for key personnel. Council member Bob Redger asked Ms. Burton to add contact information for the vendors listed in Section V. Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the 2018 Public Water Supply Emergency Operating Plan as revised with the added contact information. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Clerk: Accounting/Billing
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to pay vendor invoices due and payable at year-end. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Machinery: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed the benefits and drawbacks of the General Fund departments (Police, Fire, Park/Cemetery, and Swimming Pool) transferring any excess budget authority to the Special Machinery Fund. By transferring the money to the Special Machinery Fund, those funds can be held for future equipment purchases, thus possibly reducing a future transfer or mill levy increase to help fund those needs. On the other hand, the transfer moves “unrestricted” monies in the General Fund to a “restricted” status within the Special Machinery Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to transfer 75% of the General Fund departments’ excess budget authority to the Special Machinery Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval to purchase chemicals for the Wastewater Treatment Plant, including a foaming root killer, de-greaser, and a chemical to help with the flushable wipes. Council member Dena Patee moved to approve the purchase of chemicals from MARC in the amount of $2,205.50, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman provided an update for the Public Works Department.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates announced the new patrol vehicle has arrived and should be in service by the end of January. Officer Smith hit a deer responding to a rollover accident north of town. The City is obligated to respond to incidents in the County when the City’s officers are the closest responders. The accident will not affect the trade-in value towards the new vehicle. Chief Yates stated the new police radios should arrive in a few weeks.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed the draft minutes from the recent Tourism and Safety Committee meetings. The November Health Insurance Savings Report was reviewed as well as the November financial statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Security Deposit Worksheet.
General Government: Financial
With interest rates rising, Ms. Burton inquired if Council wished to leave the interest earnings in the General Fund or distribute to each fund based on their respective cash balances. Council member Bob Redger moved to leave the interest earnings in the General Fund until the interest rate is greater than 1%, then to revisit a possible distribution. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Bret Andries, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton and Dena Patee voted opposed. The Mayor voted in favor of the motion; therefore, the motion carried 4-3.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reminded Council of the Public Hearing regarding unfit properties on January 2, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of Police Chief Taft Yates. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss an employee of the Police Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Attorney Olavee Raub, Police Chief Taft Yates, and Sergeant Joyce McCollam present. The open meeting will resume at 8:34 p.m. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.