ELLIS – Ellis city council members want more time to review a proposed contract with Lamp Rynearson for swimming pool engineering services.
Construction of a new municipal pool is contingent upon the city receiving a state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). A application for a grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, will also be made.
Andy Smith, Lamp Rynearson, presented the preliminary engineering report for the pool project. Although the new pool would be smaller, Smith told the council it’s more functional, with a dive well, designated area for the existing slide, lap swim areas, and zero entry. The proposed pool would have a new pump and new piping, but utilize the current filtration system.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 15, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Foreman Danny Wickham, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel struck the Executive Session under New Business and replaced the agenda item with Consideration of Acquisition of Personal Property.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Myles Vine, Joe Kreutzer, Glen Keller, Margie Mickelson, Verda Flinn, Andy Smith, Justine Benoit, and Nickole Byers (arrived at 7:33 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 1, 2019, Bills Ordinance #2067, and the Manual Journal Entries for December 2018. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Acquisition
Fire Chief Dustin Vine provided his monthly report to Council. The Department purchased an aluminum flat bottom boat for water rescues and training.
Swimming Pool: Grant
Andy Smith, Lamp Rynearson, presented the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Preliminary Engineering Report for the proposed swimming pool project and entertained questions from Council. The report identifies ongoing issues with the current swimming pool and explains the scope of the proposed project. Mr. Smith explained that although the proposed pool is smaller, it is actually more functional in that there is a dive well, a designated area for the existing slide, lap swim areas, and zero entry. The estimated patron load of 238 is over double the average daily attendance at the current facility. The proposed swimming pool will have a new pump and all new piping, but the current filtration system will be salvaged as it has usable life remaining due to a smaller pool area to service.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Swimming Pool: Contract
Mr. Smith continued by presenting Lamp Rynearson’s contract for swimming pool engineering services. The contract is contingent on the City being awarded the Community Development Block Grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce. City Attorney Olavee Raub expressed concerns with two of the provisions regarding additional miscellaneous charges and additional services to be completed with or without written authorization from the City. Mr. Smith agreed to strike Appendix 1 to Exhibit C regarding miscellaneous charges, and to strike the heading of A2.02 (Additional Services Not Requiring Owner’s Written Authorization) and instead incorporating those provisions into A2.01 (Additional Services Requiring Owner’s Written Authorization). It was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the contract until the next meeting in order to give Council more time to review the document.
General Government: Policy
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Donation Policy as presented. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on the proposed Cedar Lane Lift Station project. Ms. Raub has requested documents from the Ellis County Register of Deeds’ office to determine if the project would fall within the boundaries of the City’s existing easement.
NEW BUSINESS
Special Machinery: Acquisition
In the absence of Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton and Public Works Department employee Joe Kreutzer informed Council of a sealed bid opportunity regarding the possible acquisition of two pickups for the Public Works Department. Council budgeted for the purchase of two pickups for the Department in the 2019 budget. One pickup was purchased in January, and funding would come from monies remaining in that budget, as well as monies leftover from the recent purchase of the bobcat. After further discussion, Council member Steve Ferland moved to authorize Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to submit a sealed bid for two pickups in a total amount not to exceed $30,000, with funds to come from the Special Machinery fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voted in favor of the motion, and Council member Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, and Martin LaBarge voted opposed. Mayor David McDaniel voted in favor of the motion, therefore the motion carried 4-3.
Parks: Event Request
The Committee for the Community Block Party has submitted applications for the use of Creekside Park for the event. Committee member Holly Aschenbrenner amended the Event Request for Traffic Control to leave Taylor Street open for traffic, but to barricade the dirt roads leading into and out of the park. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application, Noise Permit Application, and the Event Request for Traffic Control as revised for the Community Block Party to be held on June 8, 2019 at Creekside Park. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Licenses/Fees
The City’s fee schedule has been updated for an increase in the cereal malt beverage/strong beer license fees. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Resolution No. 557 adopting the revised fee schedule as Exhibit A. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Campground: Contract
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to accept the contract for electric service from Midwest Energy for the Campground Expansion Project. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Tourism: Contract
Lamar has presented a proposed contract to replace the vinyl on the billboard used by the City but paid for by the Ellis Chamber. Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the contract from Lamar to replace the vinyl panel in the amount of $350.00, with funds to come from the Tourism Fund. Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Council reviewed the Comparative Water Report for the period February 10th – March 10th.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported the Department received a letter of appreciation from the State for Officer Moeder’s participation in the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Hunter Safety Class. Officer Smith is coordinating the annual bike safety classes at the elementary schools.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the December 2018 and year-end Financial Statements. Council reviewed the Health Insurance Savings Report for March and the draft minutes from the recent Tourism and Water Advisory Committee meetings. Council briefly discussed the Water Exploration project. Trego County Rural Water District #2 would like to visit with the Committee about partnering with the City for water distribution. City Attorney Olavee Raub will review the language in the land owner’s sales contracts to see if that would be possible.
Ms. Burton presented the budget submitted to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for the Campground Expansion Project. Committee member Verda Flinn reported the City hopes to have the project completed by Spring 2020.
The Governor has approved Senate Bill 105 allowing cities to determine the start date of regular terms of office for elected officials. The bill requires the start date be on or after December 1st following certification of the election, and no later than the second Monday in January following certification of the election. Council directed City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a resolution for consideration at the next Council meeting in accordance with the bill.
Swimming Pool: Financial
Council asked if the Swimming Pool Committee has started the application process for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant for the CDBG Swimming Pool Improvement Project. Ms. Burton reported the Committee has not started the grant process due to uncertainty of Council’s support for the project. Council then entered into another discussion regarding the proposed project. Council member Jolene Niernberger stated that residents have expressed concerns about the size of the new pool and the cost of the project, but that all residents have expressed an interest in keeping a pool in the City. Council asked for Ms. Burton to find out how long the City would have to accept the CDBG grant, if awarded, and if accepted, how long the City has to complete the project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner stated she is in favor of the project as long as the City’s cash outlay does not exceed $500,000. Council members Bret Andries and Jolene Niernberger agreed, while Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Bob Redger were still undecided. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to direct Assistant City Clerk Verda Flinn to prepare and submit the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant application for the CDBG Swimming Pool Project. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Bret Andries, and Jolene Niernberger voted in favor of the motion, with Council members Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, and Bob Redger voting opposed. Mayor David McDaniel voted in favor of the motion, therefore the motion carried 4-3.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel referenced a letter received from Ellis County Administrator Philip Smith-Hanes asking for the City’s input on a proposed countywide sales tax. It was the consensus of Council to support a half cent sales tax and for the City to receive their portion. Council member Jolene Niernberger requested the City’s County representative come to a future meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
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 City Clerk Amy Burton present. The open meeting will resume at 9:47 p.m. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Steve Ferland seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:48 p.m.