ELLIS – Thanks to a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the city of Ellis was able to replace its 40-year-old outdoor warning sirens with two new sirens at a 50 percent reduced cost.
That information was shared with the Ellis City Council during their meeting Monday evening.
The council also heard an update on the water exploration project.
The complete Sept. 4 meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
September 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
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Steve Ferland, and Barbara Perkins.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on August 20, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2052, and the July manual journal entries. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Glen Keller stressed the importance of tourism and noted that both the Chrysler Museum and the Railroad Museum were recently featured in “Kansas” magazine and the Railroad Museum was also featured in an issue of “True West” magazine.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton shared correspondence from Darin Myers, Ellis County Fire Chief and Emergency Manager, regarding the County’s storm siren project. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation awarded grant funds in the amount of $130,000 towards the project, reducing the City’s cost for two large sirens from $47,009.12 to $23,372.76. Council discussed purchasing an additional siren, as the additional cost would still be less than the original amount approved. However, siren coverage maps indicated two sirens would already provide overlapping coverage to notify all residents of an impending storm. It was the consensus of Council to not purchase an additional siren at this time.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water Exploration: Special Project
City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on the Water Exploration Project. The purchase contracts for one of the properties has been signed by the landowners; however, the City has not yet received the contracts from the other landowner. Once received, a closing date can be set and title insurance purchased. Council member Bob Redger moved to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the water purchase contracts upon receipt of the signed contracts from the landowners. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman alerted Council to a culvert on west 10th Street that needs repair work performed. The area drains slowly and the pipes are deteriorated. Eventually, the storm drain will be completely blocked off and cause flooding in the area. Mr. Scheuerman discussed options to repair the culvert. The City could cut an open trench and replace the steel culvert. However, there is a storage building that was built on top of the culvert, which would require boring under the building to remove and replace the culvert for that portion. The cost for that option is estimated to be $17,600, or $66,960 if contracted out. The property owner has declined the City’s request to access the property and suggested the storm drain and culvert be moved further west to the end of town. To completely reroute the storm drain in that area would increase the cost to approximately $128,000. City Attorney Olavee Raub will verify but stated the City probably has a utility easement to enter the property.
Mr. Scheuerman plans to invite FEMA Representative Steve Samuelson to a future Council meeting to discuss FEMA floodplain regulations.
Swimming Pool: Training
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow Joe Kreutzer to attend certified swimming pool training on October 9th – 10th in Wichita. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for August and the September Staff calendar. An offer was extended to a candidate for the open position in the Department; however, the candidate declined. The search for candidates has resumed.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the July Financial Statements.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council that the new sales tax rebate program policy discussed during budget work sessions needs to be drafted in hopes to have in place by January 1, 2019.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.