ELLIS – The newly elected members of the Ellis City Council were sworn into office by City Clerk Amy Burton during the Jan. 8 meeting.  Bret Andries was elected Council President.

The council also discussed ideas for city improvements and projects in 2018.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

 

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes

January 8, 2018  

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, and City Treasurer Faith Scheck.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Nickole Byers and Glen Keller

CONSENT AGENDA

None

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Personnel: Entry

City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, and Bob Redger, City Treasurer Faith Scheck, and Mayor David McDaniel.

Personnel: Position

Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to elect Bret Andries as Council President.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bret Andries abstaining.

General Government: Policy

Annually, the Council 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 the official banks outside the City limits.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 6-0.

Sewer: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for ultraviolet bulbs for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  The bulbs from the Ray Lindsey Company are 30,000 hour bulbs; while the bulbs from the UV Superstore are 12,000 hour bulbs.  Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the purchase of 64 Trojan ultraviolet bulbs, 4 quartz sleeves, and one leg assembly from the Ray Lindsey Company in the amount of $3,815.32, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund.  The motion carried 6-0.

General Government: Special Projects

Mayor David McDaniel asked for Council members to share their ideas for improvements and projects for 2018.  Some of the suggestions include: implementing a low-flow toilet rebate program; budgeting for Washington Street infrastructure; review the current complaint review process; review the current employee wage and benefit structure; research wind energy; revisit hiring a City Administrator; review the City’s water distribution system; continue to search for a long-term sustainable water supply; hiring a firm for website development; and develop new incentives to bring businesses to town.

Other comments were offered on how to better Council and community relations.  Council members suggested developing a focus group to help determine public perception of the City and ways to involve youth and citizens in government more.  Members urged each other to be open to change, more tolerant of differences in opinion, and to respect decisions made even if not personally in favor.  A council retreat was suggested to bring the Governing Body and department heads together to better relations.

Council will review the comments further at the next Council meeting and develop a priority list.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Police

City Clerk

Mayor McDaniel asked for the Governing Body to update their Authorization to Release Personal Contact Information form and return to City Clerk Amy Burton.

Council discussed whether or not to have Ms. Burton prepare the annual Council Orientation program since there are no new members this year.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 6-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:07 p.m.