ELLIS — The newest members of the Ellis City Council were sworn into office during the April 21 meeting.
City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to David McDaniel, Gary Luea, and incumbent John Walz. Mayor Lyle Johnston thanked outgoing Council members Jeff Wolf and Loran Gottschalk for their service.
Johnston also appointed McDaniel to the position of Council President.
The complete meeting minutes follow:
DRAFT COPY NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY COUNCIL
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes April 21, 2014
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were current Council members Jeff Wolf, John Walz, Jolene Niernberger, Loran Gottschalk, and Ron Johnson, and incoming Council members David McDaniel and Gary Luea. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates (arrived 9:10 p.m.), and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Terry Redetzke was unable to attend.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor Johnston noted that Dan Pyle has asked to be added to the agenda to discuss heating and cooling at the Ellis Recreation office. It was the consensus of the Council to approve the addition to the agenda.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Troy Weigel, Celeste Johnson, Lillian Bongartz, Alejandra Juarez, Dan Pyle, Glen Keller, Nickole Byers, Kellie Crnkovich, Henry Fischer, Helen Fischer, Kimberly Voeller, Linda Wei, Cindy Xu, Dean Gottschalk, Neil DeWerff, Ryan Augustine, Dena Patee (arrived 8:30 p.m.), and Nan Brown (arrived 8:30 p.m.).
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from Regular Meeting on April 7, 2014, Bills Ordinance #1947, and December 2013 manual journal entries. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Water: Accounting/Billing
Celeste Johnson addressed Council regarding a large leak she experienced at her residence. She is requesting an adjustment from the water conservation billing rate and to be reimbursed for the adjustment. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to allow Ms. Johnson to receive a cash adjustment rather than an adjustment to her account, per policy, due to the large amount of water usage and the significant financial hardship imposed on Ms. Johnson, contingent upon auditor approval, Utility Clerk Charlene Weber calculating the exact amount of the reimbursement, and Ms. Johnson submitting bills verifying the repair of the leak. Motion carried unanimously.
Water: Accounting/Billing
Kellie Crnkovich also addressed Council regarding a large leak she experienced at her residence. She is requesting an adjustment from the water conservation billing rate. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to approve the adjustment to Ms. Crnkovich’s utility account back to the water utility rate of $3.58 per thousand gallons, and to allow Ms. Crnkovich to have six months to pay the balance of the large utility bill. Motion carried unanimously.
Water: Accounting/Billing
Lillian Bongartz appeared before Council on behalf of her son, Wayne Bongartz, and Wes King to request an adjustment from the water conservation rate due to a leak at their rental house at 608 Washington Street. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jeff Wolf seconded a motion to approve the adjustment to the utility account back to the water utility rate of $3.58 per thousand gallons, pending Ms. Bongartz submitting proof of the repair. Motion carried unanimously.
Ryan Augustine expressed appreciation to Police Chief Taft Yates and the Ellis Police Department for their participation in his uncle’s recent funeral. The Department was very professional and respectful to those involved.
Dean Gottschalk requested Council consider an extension of the water allowance to the Ellis Golf Club for the 2014 season. It was the consensus of Council to add this item to the agenda for the May 5, 2014 regular meeting.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Water: Special Project
The Fort Hays State University Leadership 310 Team consisting of Kimberly Voeller, Linda Wei, and Cindy Xu, presented their semester project on the uses of gray water and educating citizens in Ellis County on the importance of water conservation. The students, along with Stacie Minson, KSU Watershed Specialist, helped organize the Water Festival held in Ellis on March 27, 2014.
Personnel: Benefits
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Representative Alejandra Juarez presented the 2014 health insurance rates for City employees. Ms. Juarez gave Council an informative presentation on the requirements to maintain the City’s “grandfather” status in the rating pool and what the new rating system may look like in future years. Ms. Juarez will provide the City Clerk with rates available outside of the City’s “grandfather” status to compare premiums and deductibles.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, provided Council with a revised list of project locations for the Street Improvement Project. Corina Cox, Northwest Planning and Development, did not feel the original project locations would score high enough for consideration of funding under the Community Development Block Grant program. Mr. Driggs recommended adding a section of Spruce Street, and then continuing with the original Cottonwood and Dorrance Street projects. It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Driggs move forward with submitting the recommended project locations to Ms. Cox for consideration.
Capital Improvement – Water Exploration
Council took under consideration a proposed Estimate of Services from Ground Water Associates for exploration of viable water sources for the City. City Attorney Olavee Raub recommended drafting a formal contract with Ground Water Associates. Ms. Raub will draft a contract for consideration at the next Council meeting.
Tourism: Financial
Chamber Director Dena Patee again inquired of Council on their interest in a commitment of tourism funds for the digital community sign. Ms. Patee is requesting a commitment of $5,000.00 from the City. After further discussion regarding other expenditures to come out of the tourism monies, Council member John Walz moved to commit $2,500.00 of tourism monies for the new community sign for the Chamber. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Industrial Development: Repair/Maintenance
Council reviewed and discussed a draft letter to downtown business owners in the 1000 block of Washington Street inquiring of their willingness to partake in a property survey to determine the correct legal descriptions. Council directed City Attorney Olavee Raub to revise the letter to state the property owners would share in the cost of the property survey. Council member John Walz moved to approve the Mayor signing the letter to the downtown business owners with the revisions discussed. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion from the Mayor, Council member Ron Johnson questioned what amount of funds the City would pay. Attorney Raub noted that all property owners must participate or the survey won’t be conducted. The purpose of the letter is to solicit interest among the property owners, not to commit funds at this time. Upon a call for a vote the motion carried 4-1, with Council member Ron Johnson opposed.
Special Parks & Recreation: Repair/Maintenance
Ellis Recreation Director Dan Pyle presented information on PTAC systems, as requested by Council. The recommended unit from Don’s Electric costs $1,263.00 and the building will need three units. The low bid to install a central heating and cooling system is $6,074.00. Council questioned putting $6,000.00 – $10,000.00 into an old building that is unusable for many functions. Council member Ron Johnson will meet with Mr. Pyle on April 28th to look at the building and discuss further options. It was the consensus of Council to table this item until after the ERC board meeting in May. Therefore, Council will reconsider this topic at the June 2, 2014 regular meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Personnel: Entry
City Clerk Amy Burton administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Council members David McDaniel, Gary Luea, and incumbent John Walz. Mayor Johnston thanked outgoing Council members Jeff Wolf and Loran Gottschalk for their service.
Personnel: Position – Council President
Mayor Lyle Johnston noted the Council President position is formally designated by mayoral appointment but will let Council decide who should hold the position. After a brief discussion, Mayor Johnston chose to appoint Dave McDaniel for the position of Council President. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the appointment of Dave McDaniel as Council President. Motion carried 5-0, with Council member Dave McDaniel abstaining.
General Government: Policy
Annually, the Governing Body designates the official newspapers and official banks for the City to use. Council member John Walz made a motion to designate the Hays Daily News and Ellis Review as official newspapers; Equity Bank and Golden Belt Bank as official banks within the City limits; and Emprise Bank and Commerce Bank as official banks outside the City limits. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Disposal
Henry and Helen Fischer were present to discuss with Council the possibility of vacating north Monroe Street at the old bowling alley. After further discussion, Council member John Walz made a motion to have City Attorney Olavee Raub prepare an ordinance to vacate north Monroe Street. Council member Ron Johnson seconded the motion. Motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Parks: Event Request
Council took under consideration a Public Property Permit Application and Noise Permit Application from Donnie Younger for May 23, 2014 in Chrysler Park. Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Noise Permit Application for the use of Chrysler Park on May 23, 2014 from Donnie Younger. Motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported the Department will have a portion of the pool water to give away in early May. It was the consensus of Council to not pay overtime for employees to offer the water on the weekend, but to offer the water give away during the week ofMay 5-9 during office hours.
Personnel: Exit
Mr. Scheuerman reported that Anthony Heroneme has resigned from his Grounds and Maintenance position effective April 30th. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve advertising for the open position. Motion carried 4-1, with Council member Ron Johnson opposed.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that LiquiVision Technology Services will be performing the cleaning of the water tower onMay 19, 2014. The City will be offering 12,000 – 15,000 gallons of water to give away that day.
Street: Training
Mr. Scheuerman reported that John Leiker and Jake Schartz recently attended street sweeper training in Salina, KS.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates provided an update of his department’s activities.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented for review the December Financial Statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts and the Security Deposit Worksheet.
Personnel: Entry
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to approve the Swimming Pool Management Agreement. Motion carried 5-0. Council member Dave McDaniel then moved to allow the Swimming Pool Manager to live outside the city limits since it is a seasonal position. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
General Government: Training
City Clerk Amy Burton will review the calendar and try to schedule some possible dates for Council Orientation.
Attorney
At the next Council meeting City Attorney Olavee Raub will have for review ordinances implementing the 2009 building codes. The Trades Board is currently reviewing the 2012 building codes.
Council again discussed an ordinance automatic raising utility rates on an annual basis rather than large jumps every few years. Ms. Raub noted a feasibility study has to substantiate the rate increase.
MAYOR/COUNCIL
Mayor Johnston presented a letter thanking the County for their willingness to help the City with the 2014 street rehabilitation project.
It was the consensus of Council to have Mayor Johnston schedule a work session with Aaron White, Ellis County Coalition, on ideas on how to revitalize the downtown area.
Council member Dave McDaniel noted that property owners are taking heart to the City’s concerns and beginning to work on downtown buildings in need of repair.
Council member John Walz directed Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman to obtain bids on purchasing water softeners for the campground, rather than renting them at a monthly fee.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Dave McDaniel and Council member Ron Johnson seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 p.m.