ELLIS–The ongoing search for additional water sources for the city of Ellis has improved.

Council member Gary Luea and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided an update about the water exploration process to city council members during their April 6 meeting.

According to Luea and Scheuerman, additional testing sites have been drilled and determined to have “extremely good water quality and quantity.”

Ellis will file another application with the state for a site on an adjacent quarter section. Following the new application, the state has requested the city turn back in three site applications the city is no longer interested in.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes April 6, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Lyle Johnston called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Ron Johnson, Gary Luea (arrived at 7:35 p.m.), Dave McDaniel, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates (arrived at 7:37 p.m.), Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Terry Redetzke was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Bret Andries, Martin LaBarge, Glen Keller, Holly Aschenbrenner, Nan Brown, Brian Raub, Steve Homburg, John LaShell, Ryan Augustine, Michelle Rauch, Alejandra Juarez, Robert Redger, Kim Andries, Chris Krom, and Clara Crawford.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Ron Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 16, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1970. Council member Dave McDaniel seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michelle Rauch requested a waiver from Ordinance No. 1306, which specifies the placement of monuments in the cemetery. Ms. Rauch wants to place a monument for her father outside of the guidelines stated in the Ordinance.
Kim Andries and Clara Crawford asked Council to please take action on loose dogs chasing children in the 11th and Cottonwood area. Ms. Andries has filed four police reports, yet no action has been taken.
Chris Krom wants to sell his boat but needs to hook up his outside water hose to the boat to show a potential buyer the engine will properly run. He also needs to run his in-ground sprinkler system to fix the pump mechanism. The Council stated these types of situations are allowed, as they are maintenance issues.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine provided his monthly report. Fireman Wesley James successfully completed the Kansas University Instructor Course, which consisted of a 40-hour on-line class and final exam. The bunker gear has been ordered and should arrive later this month. Nine volunteer firemen assisted with the mock accident held with the Ellis High School students. The Ellis County Fire Chiefs meeting will be held in Ellis this week and the annual mutual aid drill will be held in Victoria on Saturday.
Personnel: Benefits
Alejandra Juarez, Blue Cross & Blue Shield representative, reviewed the City’s renewal packets for the employee’s health insurance. Ms. Juarez also provided information on the City’s “grandfathered” status and the implications if the City would go out from under that status. The City is facing a 19% increase in premiums due to the age of the employees and utilization of the insurance. The City’s insurance renewal date is July 1.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Industrial Development: Petitions
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman discussed cost estimates to add sewer and water lines up to the property line of the land proposed for annexation by the Henman family. To add 400’ of sewer line, 150’ of water line, and two manholes could cost upwards to $35,000. If another fire hydrant was needed, that would add approximately $1,500. The Planning Commission reviewed the petition at their last meeting and their primary concern was cost. City Attorney Olavee Raub noted the City’s Infrastructure Policy does provide a provision for cost-sharing between the City and the developer. It is the Council’s belief that Mr. Henman would like for the City to cover all of the additional infrastructure costs up to the property line. The Council directed Ms. Raub to draft a resolution allowing for a public hearing on the petition for annexation, and for Ms. Raub to contact Mr. Henman to determine if the family still wants to move forward with the petition if the City does not pay to add the needed infrastructure up to the property line.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Council member Gary Luea and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman provided an update on the water exploration process. Additional testing sites have been drilled and determined to have extremely good water quality and quantity. Another application will be filed with the State for a site on an adjacent quarter section. With that, the State has requested the City turn back in three site applications the City is no longer interested in.
NEW BUSINESS
Parks: Event Request
Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Noise Permit Application for Tammy Gottschalk for the use of Chrysler Park on May 22nd for a dance. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Financial
The City has received the final loan documents from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Council member John Walz moved to approve Ordinance No. 1384 executing the loan agreement between the City of Ellis and the State of Kansas in order to finance the required wastewater treatment plant improvements. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Police: Acquisition
The copier in the Police Department quit working unexpectedly. Chief Yates stated it would cost almost $2,900 for repairs; therefore, with the Mayor’s emergency approval, Chief Yates purchased a used copier from Northwestern Office Suppliers. Council member Dave McDaniel moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to ratify the purchase of the copier from Northwestern Office Suppliers in the amount of $3,995, with funds to come from the Police Department’s budget. The motion carried 5-0.
Special Parks: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented bids for playground mulch for the parks. Council member Ron Johnson moved to approve the low bid from Industrial Crating for 100 cubic yards of playground mulch in the amount of $2,600, with funds to come from the Special Parks Fund. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman continued by reporting the sludge pump at the Wastewater Treatment Plant needs replaced. Council member Ron Johnson moved to accept the low bid from JCI Industries for a Moyno 500 Series Pump in the amount of $1,522, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reviewed the Comparative Water Report for the period February 10th to March 10th. Well #13 will be set back in place soon. The gallons pumped per minute have been reduced in Well #2, but it is still pulling in the same amount of sand. Layne will continue to review further options.
Water: Training
Mr. Scheuerman gave an overview of the Kansas Rural Water Association conference he and several staff members recently attended. He also discussed information shared at the Regional Water Vision Team meeting he attended in Ellsworth.
Personnel: Exit
T.J. Lee had originally set his resignation date as May 29th; however, he presented Mr. Scheuerman with another resignation letter on April 6th, effective that day. Mr. Scheuerman may try to fill that position with a part-time seasonal employee for the summer, rather than another full-time employee.
Personnel: Position Change
With T.J. Lee resigning as Water Operator-in-Training, Mr. Scheuerman would like to move John Leiker into that position. He has already obtained approval from the Kansas Department of Health & Environment. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve John Leiker as Water Operator-in-Training at a probationary wage of $15.14 per hour, effective March 23rd. The motion carried 5-0.
Hal Witthuhn has completed his probationary period as a General Public Works 1A employee. Mr. Scheuerman would like to move Mr. Witthuhn from the GPWE 1A position to the Recycling Attendant position. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Hal Witthuhn as the Recycling Attendant at a probationary wage of $12.51 per hour, effective March 30th. The motion carried 5-0.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
The annual pool water give-away is scheduled for April 14th.
General Government: Special Project
The Public Works Department will be assisting Stacie Minson with constructing rain barrels in the City Shop on April 15th.
Capital Improvement: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman thanked the County and DC Services for their help with the parking lot at Jefferson and 9th Street. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with installing curb stops along the east side of the parking lot.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the March Report of Activity and the April staff calendar. Officer Cameron Moeder’s graduation from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center is April 10th. Council inquired on the new gun law. Chief Yates explained that a permit is not required for conceal carry in Kansas; however, a Kansas resident would not be able to cross the state line without the proper permit from the state they are entering.
City Clerk
Special Highway: Grant
City Clerk Amy Burton provided an update on the LMI Grant Survey Project. The FHSU Leadership 310 team has been able to obtain 162 surveys over nine hours of phone calls to date. Approximately 250 households are left to contact.
Personnel: Benefits
Ms. Burton met with Lori Miller, Solid Financial Strategies, regarding options for the employee’s health insurance. Ms. Miller has an innovative approach that would provide the employees with the same level of benefits at a significant cost savings to the City. Ms. Miller will meet with the Council in May.
General Government: Financial
Upon request from a Council member candidate, Ms. Burton provided clarification on the figures presented in the Security Deposit worksheet.
Bob Muirhead, Midwest Energy, has informed the City that the utility has overcharged three utility customers in the County for the City’s franchise and sales tax. Mr. Muirhead estimates the amount of the overage to be less than $500. Midwest Energy will reduce the next remittance to the City for the overage.
Swimming Pool: Personnel
Ms. Burton and Alyssa Dawson, Pool Manager, will begin the interview process for those applying for the lifeguard and pool house attendant positions this summer.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported an incident where a vendor failed to obtain the proper monument permit to place a monument in the cemetery. A warning letter will be sent to the vendor.
Ms. Raub reported she will be absent from the April 20th Council meeting to attend a conference in Wichita.
Mayor/Council
Mayor Lyle Johnston reminded everyone to vote on April 7th.
Council member Dave McDaniel requested the Cemetery Committee review the request by Michelle Rauch as presented under Public Comments.
Council member Jolene Niernberger thanked Dena Patee and Nickole Byers for holding the Leadership Training on April 1st.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session under attorney-client privilege. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:05 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to recess to executive session under attorney-client privilege with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:10 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor Johnston called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:11 p.m. Mayor Johnston asked for a motion to recess. Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:16 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Ron Johnson moved and Council member Dave McDaniel seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:17 p.m.