ELLIS — At Monday’s meeting of the Ellis City Council, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported on the department’s current fleet of vehicles.
He said the average age of the pickups used daily by staff is over 18 years old, noting one vehicle already has incurred over $3,500 in repair costs this year.
The council allocated $24,000 in 2018 to replace a pickup, and an additional $16,000 in 2019. The council’s preference was for Scheuerman to try to replace two pickups in 2019 with the combined $40,000 available.
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Complete minutes of Monday’s meeting:
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
November 19, 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, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Susan Eaton was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Martin LaBarge, Verda Flinn, Barbara Perkins, Nickole Byers, Glen Keller, Steve Ferland, Gary Luea, and Guy Riedel.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 5, 2018 and Bills Ordinance #2057. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine provided his monthly report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire: Repair/Maintenance
Chief Vine presented bids to replace the roof at the Old Fire Station. Although both bids were similar in price and work performed, High Plains Roofing offered a 20-year warranty, while Roofmasters Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. offered a 15-year warranty. After further discussion, Council member Bret Andries moved to accept the bid from High Plains Roofing in the amount of $14,828, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement Fund and existing insurance proceeds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Fire: Acquisition
Chief Vine continued by presenting three bids for the purchase of thermal cameras for the Fire Department. Council member Dena Patee moved to accept the low bid from Emergency Fire Equipment for the purchase of two FLIR K2 thermal cameras in the amount of $1,349 each, with funds to come from the Fire Department budget. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Licenses/Permits
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages for Casey’s General Stores. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Special Event
City Clerk Amy Burton inquired if Council was interested in holding a City Christmas Party for staff, elected officials, and their guests. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to hold a City Christmas Party. The motion carried 5-0.
Personnel: Benefits
Ms. Burton continued by asking if Council wanted to continue the practice of giving City employees a Christmas bonus. Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve a Christmas bonus for each full-time and part-time employee in the net amount of $200. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported on the Department’s current fleet of vehicles. The average age of the pickups used daily by staff is over 18 years old. One vehicle in particular has already incurred over $3,500 in repair costs this year. Council allocated $24,000 in 2018 to replace a pickup, and an additional $16,000 in 2019. Council would like for Mr. Scheuerman to try to replace two pickups in 2019 with the combined $40,000 available. Council would also like for Mr. Scheuerman to purchase a pickup specific to the department needing it, and not switch vehicles around among staff. Mr. Scheuerman stated the four vehicles needing replaced the soonest are the 1988 Chevy, the 1990 Ford, the 2001 Dodge Ram, and the 2004 Ford F250. When pressed for the two worst vehicles, Mr. Scheuerman stated the 1988 Chevy and the 1990 Ford.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period September 10th to October 10th.
Water: Training
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Water Operator John Leiker to attend backflow prevention training in Hays. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman further discussed the City’s increasing issue with sewer inflow and infiltration. The sewer plant is treating 150,000 gallons a day more than it is producing. Council questioned why Mr. Scheuerman didn’t have Mayer Service camera more linear feet of sewer line when they were in town for the annual sewer cleaning. The City budgeted $11,000 in 2018 to investigate the infiltration problem.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented his Department report. The two new warning sirens have been installed and the County hopes to have them on-line by the end of the year.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton informed Council of the Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission’s Annual Meeting on November 28th. The October Tourism Committee meeting minutes were reviewed. The Kansas Department of Commerce is considering a special round of CDBG grant funding for swimming pools for small cities. The public hearing will be on December 10th.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the second contract for the Water Exploration Project has been accepted as revised. Once signed, the City can close on the land contracts. Council member Jolene Niernberger asked Ms. Raub to investigate if the City already has an ordinance in place for infrastructure for tele-communications towers. The League has reported an ordinance needs to be in place by January.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel congratulated Jolene Niernberger, Steve Ferland, and Martin LaBarge on their election to Council. The new council members will be sworn in on January 14th.
Council member Bret Andries questioned the need to hire an engineer to draw up specifications for the Campground Expansion Project. An engineer is needed to apply for grant funds from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the grant from the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism. The Campground Committee has been asked to solicit bids from engineers to review at a future Council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.