ELLIS – Financial requests in the 2019 budget were heard Monday by the Ellis City Council from several groups.
The Ellis Alliance and Ellis Community Foundation both asked for the same funding as they received last year. The request from the Ellis Public Library includes additional funds for capital improvements, personnel, and projects totaling $12,000. The Ellis Recreation Commission is asking for $5,000 for improvements to the ballfields.
No action was taken by the council. They’ll consider the requests during their 2019 budget preparation.
The council also unanimously approved renewal of city employees’ health, dental, life, and accidental death and disability insurance policies.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
June 4, 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
Mayor David McDaniel requested adding consideration of the purchase of a line stop under New Business and an executive session to discuss non-elected personnel at the end of the meeting. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the additions to the agenda. The motion carried 6-0.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Daniel Pyle, Jim Carthew, Jeannie Ferland, Valerie Henery, Lori Miller, Travis Kohlrus, Pauleen Edmonds, Barbara Perkins, Verda Flinn, Glen Keller, Angie Kreutzer, Tracey Andrews, Gilbert Kinderknecht, Steve Arthur, and Mary Jo Walz (arrived at 7:35 p.m.).
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 21, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2046. 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)
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Steve Arthur, Director of the Ellis Public Library, and Angie Kreutzer, Library Board President, presented the Library’s 2019 budget request of four mills of the assessed valuation, $2,500 for employee benefits, and $2,000 for library programming. The Library is also requesting additional funds for capital improvements, personnel, and projects totaling $12,000. Mr. Arthur also explained how State library funding could be affected in 2020 and beyond due to changing library standards. Small local libraries may not receive the same level of funding as in the past. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Travis Kohlrus presented the 2019 budget request from the Ellis Alliance. The Alliance is requesting $12,500, the same amount as last year. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Pauleen Edmonds presented the 2019 budget request for the Ellis Community Foundation. The Foundation is requesting consideration for $10,000 in funding, the same amount as last year. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Dan Pyle continued by presenting the Ellis Recreation Commission’s 2019 Budget Request. The Commission is requesting $5,000 for improvements to the ballfields. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
SPECIAL ORDER
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Personnel: Insurance
Lori Miller, Heartland Retirement & Benefits Consulting, LLC, fielded questions from Council regarding the employee’s health, dental, life, and accidental death and disability renewal insurance policies. The policies were previously presented at the May 7, 2018 Council meeting. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Blue Cross Blue Shield dental policy as presented. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Advance Insurance basic term life and accidental death and disability insurance policy as presented. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve the employee health insurance policy with United Health Care as presented. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Campground/Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the breakdown of the insurance payment from EMC Insurance for hail damage during last summer’s storms. Funds were received to repair roofs at the Ellis Railroad Museum, the old Fire Station, the Swimming Pool, the Dog Pound, and the Campground bathhouses. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman recommended switching to metal roofs at the campground and swimming pool. Steel prices are steadily increasing and are expected to rise another 8% by July 1st. Council member Dena Patee moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to purchase the metal material to replace the roofs at the campground and swimming pool. Upon a call for further discussion, Council expressed they would like to see bids to determine the actual cost of the replacement. Therefore, Ms. Patee rescinded her motion and Ms. Niernberger rescinded her second. Mr. Scheuerman will provide quotes for the next Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Economic Development: Accounting /Billing
Jeannie Ferland has recently purchased Jus Teazin Salon from Heather Lyman. The City provides free sewer and sanitation services for one year for new business owners that meet the eligibility requirements. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to approve the Application for Local Incentives for Jus Teazin Salon. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained the need to purchase a line stop at 6th and Jefferson Streets. Currently, the City must disconnect water service to almost one-third of the north end, including several businesses, in order to repair waterlines in that area. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to purchase a line stop from Municipal Pipe Services in an amount not to exceed $2,900, with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Fire: Licenses/Permit
Council discussed two fireworks permit applications and the dates for sale and discharge of fireworks per City ordinance. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Fireworks Permit Applications for the Ellis Baptist Youth Group and the Ellis Softball/Baseball Association, contingent on each organization submitting proof of insurance prior to June 27th. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Bret Andries abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest. Per City ordinance, fireworks are allowed to be sold between June 27th and July 5th and discharged between July 3rd through July 5th.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Council member Dena Patee moved to ratify the invoice from Lewis Ford in the amount of $1,095.05 for repairs to the 2004 Ford F250. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committee
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals, presented the 2018 Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives as prepared and recommended by the Commission. The document is useful for Council during budget preparation as it prioritizes items important for the growth and sustainability for the City. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Commission’s recommendations for the 2018 Comprehensive Plan as presented. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period April 10th to May 10th.
Council discussed the Community Block Party on June 9th. Council asked Mr. Scheuerman to supply extra polycarts to Playworld Park for the event. Supper will be served at 6:00 p.m. with games and a movie to follow.
Mr. Scheuerman reported he has received numerous complaints regarding the lack of cleanliness of the campground bathhouses. He stated the Department checks the bathhouses at least once a day, including weekends. Mr. Scheuerman asked if Council would like the Department to check the bathhouses more frequently to try to reduce the number of negative comments. It was the consensus of Council to not modify procedures at this time.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for May and the June Staff Calendar. Five applications have been received for the vacancy in the Department.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the minutes from the recent Planning Commission/Board of Zoning Appeals meeting.
Council reviewed a summary prepared by Ms. Burton of Tourism Fund expenditures from 2017 to present. Council discussed advertising “buy-ins” in regards to the Eagle Communications contract. The Tourism Committee will discuss further at their meeting June 12th.
Personnel: Exit
Ms. Burton announced that Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber has submitted her formal letter of resignation. Her last day will be July 13th. The City will hold a reception for Ms. Weber from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. that day.
Personnel: Entry
Verda Flinn has started full-time employment today in her transition into the Assistant City Clerk’s position.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel thanked Jackie Henman and Council member Susan Eaton for preparing the flowers for the cemetery prior to Memorial Day.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 7 minutes to discuss staffing in the Public Works Department pursuant to the non-elected personnel matter exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman present. The open meeting will resume at 9:12 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.
POST EXECUTIVE SESSION
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Dena Patee seconded a motion to direct Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to advertise for a temporary recycling center worker. The motion carried 6-0.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
