ELLIS — Land acquisition was the topic of discussion for two agenda items during Monday’s Ellis City Council meeting.
Following an executive session with members of the Water Advisory Committee, council members unanimously agreed to proceed with the acquisition of property for the water exploration project. City Attorney Olavee Raub will meet with the committee to draft the real estate contracts.
Council members also agreed to make a counter offer to the Ellis Golf Club Board which wants to purchase 1.67 acres of land at the golf course from the city. The board has offered $750 for the land which includes the parking lot and area where the cart sheds are located. Council members feel $750 is too low because the city has already incurred $2,000 survey costs and attorney fees. The city is suggesting a purchase price of $3,000 to the golf club board.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes February 5, 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 Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, John Walz, John Leiker, Barbara Perkins, and Gary Luea.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 15, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2038. Council member Bob Redger 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
Water Exploration: Special Project
Executive Session
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of the Water Advisory Committee. Council member Bob Redger moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss land acquisition related to the water exploration project pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Water Advisory Committee members John Leiker, John Walz, Alan Scheuerman, and Gary Luea present. The open meeting will resume at 7:48 p.m. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session.
Post Executive Session
Council member Bob Redger moved to proceed with the acquisition of property for the water exploration project and to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to meet with the Water Advisory Committee to draft the real estate contracts. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the updated fee schedule to reflect the increase in sanitation special pickup fees due to Ellis County increasing their landfill disposal fees on February 1st. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 545 adopting the Fee Information Listing. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Dena Patee moved to approve Resolution No. 546 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Special Highway: Acquisition
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of 50 – 3 lb. 10 ft. channel posts from Road Side Supplies in the amount of $1,883.00 with funds to come from the Special Highway Fund. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Special Project
Council discussed hosting a City block party this summer to bring the community together to enjoy food and activities. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner will chair the event and will contact the City Departments and outside groups, such as the Ellis Recreation Commission, to help plan activities and games. Council discussed holding the event over the 4th of July holiday or in June to fill the absence of Riverfest.
General Government: Contract
City Attorney Olavee Raub recently met with Donnie Younger, representative for the Ellis Golf Club Board, regarding the possible purchase of 1.67 acres of land at the golf course. The land would include the parking lot and areas around the club house where the cart sheds are located. The Ellis Golf Club Board has offered the City $750.00 for the purchase of the land. Council felt the offer was unreasonable in that the City has already incurred approximately $2,000 in survey costs and attorney fees. After further discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to direct Ms. Raub to present a counteroffer of $3,000.00 to the Ellis Golf Club Board for the purchase of 1.67 acres of land, and for the offer to remain open for 30 days. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Personnel: Entry
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman announced that Sanitation Department employee Dominique Davis has resigned and Jason Armstrong has been hired for the vacancy.
Public Works: Training
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and staff to attend the Kansas Rural Water Association training in Wichita, Dig Safe training in Hays, and Floodplain training in Salina or Abilene. The motion carried 6-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for January and the February Staff Calendar. The new Ford Explorer is now in service and the new radios are currently being programmed by Motorola.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reminded the Governing Body of the annual Rabies Clinic on February 10th from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The City was not selected for 2018 Community Development Block Grant funding through the Kansas Department of Commerce. The City plans to reapply for grant funding in September 2018. Ms. Burton also presented the 2017 City Car Summary and the draft minutes from the City’s Tourism and Water Advisory Committee meetings. Ms. Burton met with the City’s health insurance provider to discuss the semi-annual review of the City’s plan. Actual premium costs are slightly below the figures estimated in July.
General Government: Zoning
The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a Public Hearing on February 26th to discuss an application to build an accessory building within the required setback limits.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the 45-day extension for the property at 211 E. 11th Street will expire February 16th, and the 30-day time limit for the property owners to remove the properties at 1309 Fauteux and 208 W. 12th Street will expire February 14th. All three properties will be discussed at the February 19th Council meeting.
Executive Session
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Dena Patee moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss a potential claim against the City pursuant to the attorney client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Attorney Olavee Raub present. The open meeting will resume at 8:39 p.m. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel presented a sample Economic Development Policy for discussion. Council requested City Clerk Amy Burton email the document to the Governing Body in order to have more time to review before the next council meeting.
On January 24th, Mayor David McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger attended the League of Kansas Municipalities Local Government Day and met with area legislators. Mayor McDaniel discussed Senate Bill 307, the Amusement Ride Act, and how it could affect the miniature train at the Railroad Museum.
On February 23rd, Farm Bureau will host a legislative session in Ellis.
Council member Dena Patee had a local business owner express concerns that City Departments may not be shopping local first.
Council member Bob Redger and Water Advisory Committee Chair Gary Luea will set up a meeting with City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft the real estate contracts for the Water Exploration Project.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner inquired about Midwest Energy replacing six of the City’s street light bulbs with LED lights, and what the cost difference will be to the City.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m.