ELLIS – After several years of stable premiums, the cost for commercial insurance for the city of Ellis is going up.
City council members unanimously approved an EMC insurance contract with the Romme Agency during their Monday meeting. Darrell Romme told the council the increase for 2018 is about 4%. Coverage cost for the city is $112,777.
In other business, Mayor David McDaniel reported the real estate sales agreements for the Water Exploration Project have been drafted and will be presented to the land owners when finalized.
The complete April 2 meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 2, 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
Darrell Romme, Annette Ellis, Mark Ellis, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Gary Luea, and Nickole Byers.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 19, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2042. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Insurance
Darrell Romme, Romme Agency, Inc., presented the 2018 City commercial insurance package. Premiums increased approximately 4%, after remaining stable the last several years. City staff has proposed several adjustments to the policy, and a premium adjustment will be made once the revisions are processed. Council member Bob Redger made a motion to approve the EMC Insurance package from Romme Agency, Inc. in the amount of $112,777, and to authorize the Mayor to sign the Terrorism Rejection form. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Special Project
Mayor David McDaniel and Police Chief Taft Yates presented information regarding the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and their upcoming Bowl for Kid’s Sake fundraiser on May 2nd.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Violations
Annette Ellis, representative for the property at 210 E. 11th Street, reported that all twenty-five cited compliance violations have been addressed. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman will review the property and sign off on the violation notice.
General Government: City Code
Council reviewed the amended ordinance regarding weed definitions. Subsection (d) has added “or grasses” to the definition of an area that harbors rodents and other menaces. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1428 amending weed definitions, as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: City Code
Council then reviewed an amended ordinance adding verbiage that the Fire Chief has discretion in declaring a fire menace, and replacing the term “city manager” with “mayor” as the official who appoints the public officer charged with enforcement of the ordinance. Council member Dena Patee moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1429 amending Code Section 8-403. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Contract – Land Sale
City Attorney Olavee Raub presented the real estate sales agreement with the Ellis Golf Club for 1.67 acres of land at the golf course. The Golf Club has already approved and signed the agreement. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the Real Estate Sales Agreement with the Ellis Golf Club in the amount of $1,500. The motion carried 6-0.
Water Exploration: Contracts
Mayor David McDaniel reported that the real estate sales agreements for the Water Exploration Project have been drafted and will be presented to the land owners when finalized.
NEW BUSINESS
Capital Improvement: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented cost estimates for improvements to Washington Street from 3rd Street south to the bridge. The County plans to recycle the two center lanes of this stretch of Washington Street; therefore, it would be an opportune time to perform the same work on the parking lanes. The County estimates the City’s cost at $24,007.28 plus approximately $3,000.00 for seal work later this fall. The County Commissioners have not yet approved this project; therefore, Council decided to table consideration until the County’s plans are finalized.
Capital Improvement: Special Project
Council member Bob Redger inquired of adding sidewalks on Monroe Street from 14th Street – 15th Street. He was approached by a School Board member who expressed concerns of children walking between the high school and elementary school. The area is fairly sloped and Council believes drainage could be an issue if the area was leveled and sidewalks were added. Mr. Scheuerman will review the area and continue discussion at a future Council meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Council reviewed documents illustrating current water well levels and the change in the City-wide daily water use once the large 11th Street water main break was repaired.
The Department of Health and Environment has issued a report that the City’s burn site is currently in compliance with the Kansas Open Burning Regulations.
Recently, the City performed dirt work at Ellis High School to help with drainage. Mr. Scheuerman estimated the City’s cost of labor, materials, and machine use at $4,477.
Public Works: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman reported that Flatlander Dirtworks is in the process of crushing the stockpile of concrete and millings accumulated from the Street Improvement Project. Council discussed possible locations where the City could stockpile raw materials in the future. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to ratify approval of Flatlander Dirtworks crushing the street materials at a cost not to exceed $30,000, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement-Streets, Campground, and General-Cemetery funds. The motion carried 6-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for March and the April staff calendar. There will be an active shooter presentation at the Good Samaritan Center on April 18th. Chief Yates invited governing body members to attend the DARE graduation in May.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reviewed the minutes from the recent Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.
General Government: Accounting
The School District has requested reimbursement for the City’s usage on their outlet at the Water Tower. The City apparently has plugged in a space heater into the District’s outlet during the winter months. The District is requesting reimbursement in the amount of $628.94, which encompasses the City’s usage from January 2014 – February 2018. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated the statute of limitations for utility billing errors is 24 months. Therefore, Council member Dena Patee moved and Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve reimbursement to USD 388 in the amount of $198.28, which represents the last 24 months of usage. City Attorney Olavee Raub will prepare a letter explaining the calculation of the reimbursement. The motion carried 6-0.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported she is currently working with the Fireman’s Relief Association to update their bylaws.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner updated Council on the Community Block Party to be held June 9th.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Clerk Amy Burton. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 10-minutes to discuss staff in the City Clerk’s office pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Clerk Amy Burton present. The open meeting will resume at 8:56 p.m. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
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 8:57 p.m.