By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

ELLIS — There’s been talk of the need for a community center in Ellis for some time.

Nickole Byers, representing the Ellis Alumni Association, presented a proposal to the city council this week.

Byers said the owners of the old bowling alley have offered to sell it for $30,000 if it is used as a community facility.  The alumni association has already done a walk-through of the building with local contractors who’ve determined it’s structurally sound.

Council members like the location, just off Interstate 70, which also has ample parking.  Council members will do their own walk-through of the building during a work session Jan. 27 at 5 p.m.

Below are the complete minutes of the January 20 Ellis City Council meeting.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 20, 2014

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Jeff Wolf, John Walz, John Leiker, Jolene Niernberger, and Terry Redetzke. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Loran Gottschalk was absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

City Clerk Amy Burton requested that “Big Creek Clean Up” under Unfinished Business be struck from the agenda as it will be discussed under Reports from City Officials.

PUBLIC PRESENT

Gary Luea, Ronald Johnson, John LaShell, Dave McDaniel, Dena Patee, Connie Waldschmidt, Glenn Kohl, Sylvia Kinderknecht, Nickole Byers, Ryan Augustine, and Melanie Fischer.

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on January 6, 2014 and Bills Ordinance #1941. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Dena Patee expressed disappointment that after concern was noted at a previous Council meeting that a ribbon cutting had not yet taken place at Cancun Mexican Grill; no Governing Body members were present at the ribbon cutting.

Ron Johnson asked the Governing Body why the fire truck was not paid off in 2010 when approved by that sitting Council. Mr. Johnson noted that he actually made the motion and Glenn Kohl seconded the motion. City Clerk Amy Burton replied that she can’t speak for that previous Council and why they didn’t follow up with the payoff. However, with the current Council’s approval at the previous meeting, it is scheduled to be paid off in March 2014.

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

None

SPECIAL ORDER

Fire

Fire Chief Denis Vine provided his monthly report of various training and activities the volunteer Fire Department has been involved in.

Personnel: Entry – Fire

Chief Vine asked for approval to add Korey LaDuke to the volunteer fire department roster. Council member John Walz moved to approve Korey LaDuke as a volunteer fireman. Council member Jeff Wolf seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Industrial Development: Committee

Sylvia Kinderknecht, Ellis County Coalition representative, provided an update from the Coalition’s recent developments. A major project the Coalition is currently working on is the construction of an $8.2 million 20,000 square foot convention center, which Fort Hays State University would manage and also house a culinary school. The City of Hays is close to announcing a national retailer moving into an existing facility and new retail, sales, and service facilities also coming to Hays. Ms. Kinderknecht reported that Discount Retail Store Services, a business concept firm, is looking for investors to bring a dollar store to Ellis. The firm offers investment packages whereby an investor could have the benefit of a franchise name without having to pay the franchise fees. Low interest loans are available through the Coalition. Ms. Kinderknecht then asked if the City has any type of health and environment code where dilapidated buildings could be forced to be repaired or reconstructed. Several downtown buildings in Ellis are only used for storage, limiting the amount of retail space available. The City should consider changing the zoning regulations to require a special use permit to allow storage or warehousing in the downtown business district. Ms. Kinderknecht also reported a need for senior or low-income housing in Ellis. Developers should be made aware of the water restrictions to be able to plan landscaping and xeriscaping. It was the consensus of Council to direct Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to begin building inspections downtown and report back to Council with any findings.

Capital Improvement: Special Project

Nickole Byers, representing the Ellis Alumni Association, spoke to the Governing Body about the need for a community building in Ellis. Henry and Helen Fischer have offered for sale the old bowling alley building for $30,000.00 if the building is used as a community facility. The Association has performed a walk-through of the building with several local contractors to ensure the building is structurally sound. The Council felt the location is ideal, with ample parking and proximity to gas stations, the hotel, and Interstate. The Ellis Alumni Association would like to know if the City is interested in purchasing the building for the purpose of a community center. It was the consensus of Council to schedule a work session for January 27, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. to perform a walk-through of the building.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Water: Special Project

Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Water Advisory Committee, gave a summary of the City’s meeting with Trego County Rural Water District to see if the District is interested in partnering with the City to provide an emergency water resource for the City of Ellis. The District would serve as a backup system only, not a major supplier of water. Mr. Johnson reported the District is receptive to partnering with Ellis; however, an engineering study needs to be performed to see if the project is even feasible. The Council directed Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to contact Trego County Rural Water District to let them know the City is interested in contracting with the engineer to have the study performed.

Police: Acquisition

Council took under consideration the Enterpol Records Management System that was presented at the January 6, 2014 meeting. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the purchase of the Enterpol Records Management System in the amount of $11,145.00, with funds to come out of the Police Department budget. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. Upon a call for further discussion, the annual maintenance contract was discussed and Council inquired how many entries would be made in a day. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 4-1, with Council member Terry Redetzke opposed.

General Government: Special Project

City Clerk Amy Burton provided a summary of responses received to an inquiry of how other cities manage their websites. After discussion, the Council asked audience member Ryan Augustine to prepare a presentation for the next meeting showcasing what services he could provide to the City.

NEW BUSINESS

Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance – Streets

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided a map of the areas to be included in the 2014 Street Maintenance Project. After review, Council member John Walz moved to approve the 2014 Street Maintenance Project at a cost of $81,360.00 with funds to come from Capital Improvement – Streets. Council member John Leiker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.

Industrial Development: Committee

Mayor Johnston reported that Sylvia Kinderknecht has expressed interest in continuing her role as the City representative to the Ellis County Coalition. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Sylvia Kinderknecht as the City of Ellis representative to the Ellis County Coalition for 2014. Motion carried unanimously.

General Government: Land

City Attorney Olavee Raub discussed a portion of land on the USD 388 practice field owned by the City. At question are the legal boundaries of the parcel of land, as the legal descriptions held by the Railroad and Ellis County do not agree. Ms. Raub recommended the City obtain a survey of the ground to determine the proper legal description, and then prepare a quitclaim deed between the City and USD 388 on that land. Council member John Leiker moved to proceed with obtaining a survey of the property on West 10th Street to determine proper ownership of the property. Council member Terry Redetzke seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Library: Committee

Mayor Johnston reported that the Library Board has two vacancies to be filled. Mayor Johnston would like to appoint Janetta Heroneme to fill the unexpired term of Gayla Wichman, and Christy Mergen to fill the unexpired term of Don Wood. Council member Terry Redetzke moved to approve the Library Board appointments of Janetta Heroneme and Christy Mergen to the vacant unexpired terms. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Water: Training

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval for Steve Homburg, Matt Windholz and himself to attend the KRWA annual meeting in Wichita from March 25th to March 27th. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jeff Wolf seconded a motion to approve the attendance of Alan Scheuerman, Steve Homburg and Matt Windholz at the KRWA Annual Conference to be held in Wichita, KS from March 25th to March 27th. Motion carried unanimously.

Personnel: Position Change

Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to move Jacob Schartz from General Public Works Employee II to General Public Works Employee IV. Council member John Walz moved to approve the position change effective February 1, 2014, for Jacob Schartz from GPWE II to GPWE IV at a probationary wage of $13.72 per hour. Council member Jeff Wolf seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Personnel: Exit

Mr. Scheuerman continued by announcing that he has received a resignation letter from Martin Jimenez effective January 31, 2014.

Public Works: Special Project

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that City crews continue to work on pulling out the large dead trees from Big Creek. It is still unclear at this point if County assistance will be needed.

Sewer: Repair/Maintenance

Director Scheuerman presented several pictures showing recent sewer plant repairs and the cleaning out of debris from the ditches. He reported that the City will need to re-seed the ditches. Council requested he obtain bids from local contractors for the re-seeding.

Water: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman then informed Council of an emergency repair to the water lines around 13th and Monroe Streets. Municipal Supply, Inc. had to be called in to provide line stops and an insta-valve to be able to work on the repair. Council member John Walz moved to ratify the authority of Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to obtain the help of Municipal Supply Inc. for two line stops and an insta-valve for an emergency water leak at an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Mr. Scheuerman continued by informing Council that Utility Services will be providing an estimate to paint the water tower. Utility Services had the painting planned for 2014 but Mr. Scheuerman would like to budget for the painting in 2015. The tower was last painted around 1998.

Mr. Scheuerman reported that repairs have also been made to the dock. He would like to thank the County for supplying a piece of decking to aid in the repair.

Council inquired if a portion of the effluent water could be pumped back into Big Creek to aid in the recharge of the City’s wells. Mr. Scheuerman will contact the State to see if they would allow the City to do that.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented his monthly report of activity for December 2013. The department had 370 cases in 2013, an increase of 54 from 2012. Officers McCollam and Krom attended an eight hour training course on youth mental illness and abuse, and Chief Yates attended an eight hour training class on drugs and alcohol.

In response to a question from Council on the police car being seen in Hays at various times, Chief Yates replied that it is not unusual for the officers to travel to Hays in the City police cruiser. There are a variety of circumstances that lead the officers to Hays: transports to the County Jail, investigation interviews, meetings with the County Attorney or witnesses, transports of injured offenders to get medical treatment, etc. If the Police Department takes someone into custody, it is the City’s responsibility to transport that individual to another facility. Chief Yates also wanted to remind individuals to not follow the police cars for their safety and the officer’s safety.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reminded those interested that the filing deadline for City Council is January 21, 2014 at noon. The annual Rabies Clinic will be January 25, 2014 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the City Shop. Dog owners may also purchase their pet’s 2014 dog tags while at the clinic. Also on January 25, 2014 the City will hold their annual Christmas party for elected officials and staff.

Ms. Burton then presented a summary of the usage of the City car during 2013. The car was driven 8,156 miles, resulting in a savings to the City of $3,514.00.

Ms. Burton reviewed with the Governing Body the Safety Committee’s Annual Report. City employees reported three minor injury accidents and two vehicle accidents. Safety inspections for each department will begin in 2014.

Ms. Burton informed Council of the K-State Community Board Leadership Series taking place in Hays in February.

Attorney

MAYOR/COUNCIL

Mayor Johnston announced he exchanged his showerhead at the City office for a low-flow showerhead and encouraged other Council members to do the same. He also announced he took part in the Eagle Community Television Community Forum to be broadcast the week of January 27th.

Council member John Walz recently attended a Government Relations Meeting in which the presenters gave pointers on how to effectively contact your legislatures.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Terry Redetzke moved and Council member John Leiker seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m.