City of Ellis

ELLIS–Ellis mayor Dave McDaniel voted in favor of an inspection of the city’s water treatment plant filtration system, breaking a tie among the city council members.

The vote came during the Oct. 19 city council meeting.

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented a proposed agreement with Layne Christensen for the inspection. It was the only bid Scheuerman sought because Layne Christensen designed the pressure filtration system. Scheuerman told the council the system has never been inspected by an engineer, only the city Public Works Director. Council members Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz voted in favor of the motion. Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, and Heather Luea were opposed. Mayor McDaniel broke the tie vote by voting in favor of the motion.

The complete Oct. 19, 2015, meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes October 19, 2015

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, Heather Luea, Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and Fire Chief Denis Vine. City Attorney Olavee Raub was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel removed the appointment to the Cemetery Committee from the agenda pending an inquiry with the City Attorney.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Daniel Pyle, Glen Keller, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Henry Fischer, Kellie Begler, Wesley James, and Faith Scheck (arrived at 8:06 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 5, 2015 and Bills Ordinance #1983. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kellie Begler presented a listing of possible locations for a community dog park. Ms. Begler stated she has received a few more signatures on her petition.
Glen Keller reported a tree has fallen on the miniature train track, blocking the entrance to the storage shed for the miniature train. The Public Works Department will help remove the tree so the Railroad Museum can store the train inside for the winter.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Water: Policy
Dan Pyle, Ellis Recreation Commission, requested consideration from Council on allowing the Commission to continue to use water misters in the dugouts during the summer ball seasons, even if the City would revert back to Stage 3 where no outside watering is allowed. Council member Bob Redger moved to allow the Ellis Recreation Commission to use water misters in the ball dugouts whenever the temperature exceeds 90 degrees from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in June and July each year, regardless of water restrictions. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0. Mayor David McDaniel also recognized Mr. Pyle for being elected to the Kansas State Board of Parks and Recreation.
Fire: Acquisition
Fire Chief Denis Vine presented bids for 4” supply line for the fire trucks. If approved, this purchase will furnish both trucks with adequate 4” supply line. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the low bid from Hays Fire and Rescue Sales & Service for 600’ of 4” supply line at a cost not to exceed $3,300, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water Exploration: Contracts
It was the consensus of the Council to table this item until City Attorney Olavee Raub was present to review the proposals for engineering services.
Cemetery: City Code
Council reviewed a proposed ordinance amending the current code specifying monument placement in Mount Hope Cemetery. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner questioned why the maximum foundation depths are different in the original cemetery area versus the expansion area. Council also questioned why monuments had to be set on the exterior edge. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained it is problematic to move dirt in and out of burial sites when the monuments are so close together. Having the monuments placed on the exterior edge allows room for the equipment so that monuments aren’t hit or broken. Council then asked Mr. Scheuerman to contact Penco Engineering to see how much it would cost to possibly re-plat the expansion area of the cemetery. The Council decided to table further discussion until City Attorney Olavee Raub was present.
Cemetery: City Code
The Cemetery Committee has recommended Council remove veteran’s emblems from the list of non-compliant temporary decorations. Mr. Scheuerman noted the City of Hays does not allow any cemetery decorations outside the wash of the monument foundation. Not placing restrictions on the amount or placement of decorations would add considerable cost and manpower to maintain the cemetery. The City recently published a notice that cemetery patrons had until November 1st to remove non-compliant decorations; however, the Ordinance also states that from November 1st to April 1st temporary decorations are allowed. It was the consensus of Council to have Mr. Scheuerman delay the removal of non-compliant decorations until April 1st. The Council will revisit modifications to the ordinance when Ms. Raub is present.
Streets: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that Golden Belt Telephone has given permission for the City to construct the sidewalk on the north side of their property at 1801 Monroe Street. City Attorney Olavee Raub is drafting an agreement with Ellis High School stating the school will remove snow from the sidewalk from Monroe St. to Walnut St. when necessary. Once the agreement has been signed, Mr. Scheuerman will be able to receive permission from the property owner at 18th and Walnut for construction of the sidewalk.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman discussed a letter received from Brad Vincent with Ground Water Associates regarding a land owner’s concerns about his spring water rights being negatively impacted by the City possibly drilling a water well in the vicinity. Mr. Vincent would like direction on how to proceed – does the City wish to abandon the north well site or would the City agree to run a small distribution line to his property. Council member Gary Luea does not feel the City should abandon the north well site at this time. With that, Mr. Luea moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to contact the land owner and find out what his concerns are and what the City could do to alleviate those concerns. Council member Heather Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Parks: Event Request
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control for the Ellis Polar Express event on December 5th. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented an updated resolution authorizing City employees to utilize the City credit card for necessary expenditures. The resolution has been updated for changes in the Ellis Volunteer Fire Department. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 516 authorizing current employees to use the City credit card. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented a proposed agreement with Layne Christensen for inspection of the Water Treatment Plant filtration system. Mr. Scheuerman only obtained one bid because Layne Christensen designed the pressure filtration system; therefore, they would be the best company to inspect the system. The system has never been inspected by an engineer, only the Public Works Director. Mr. Scheuerman recommends Council have the plant inspected by an engineer every two years. Council member John Walz moved to approve the Inspection Agreement with Layne Christensen in an amount not to exceed $4,000, with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Upon a call for the vote Council members Jolene Niernberger, Bob Redger, and John Walz voted in favor of the motion. Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary Luea, and Heather Luea voted opposed. Mayor David McDaniel broke the tie vote by voting in favor of the motion. The motion carried 4-3.
General Government: Building Code
The Trades Board has recommended Council revisit Ordinance No. 1382 allowing unlicensed property owners to perform their own construction work on commercial structures. Commercial buildings have more stringent inspection standards than residential structures, and having an unlicensed contractor perform the work could pose a safety risk to the general public. Council discussed alternatives such as changing the ordinance to disallow unlicensed contractors to work on commercial properties, or increasing the inspection fees and have a commercial inspector from the City of Hays perform the inspections. It was the consensus of Council to table this item until City Attorney Olavee Raub was present.
Public Works: Special Project
The School District has contacted the City requesting help in moving dirt to Ellis High School. The drought has eroded the foundation around the school and Mike Downing has generously donated dirt to the School District from his pond. The District has asked the City for help in moving approximately 100 yards of dirt to the school and then to help spread the dirt around the foundation of the school. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the partnership with USD 388 to help with dirt work at Ellis High School at the Public Work’s Director discretion on time and availability. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member John Walz abstaining due to conflict of interest.
Parks: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman presented one quote to remove a large dead Cottonwood tree in Memorial Park. No other contractors contacted submitted a bid. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the bid from Paul’s Tree Service in the amount of $1,000 to remove the dead Cottonwood tree in Memorial Park. The motion carried 6-0.
Streets: Policy
Council discussed semi-truck traffic on the north hill. Both Henry Fischer and Denis Vine stated trucks routinely use their business parking lots to turn around, rather than follow the signs of the posted truck route. Council discussed the need to possibly post additional signage and the placement of those additional signs. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman and Police Chief Taft Yates will review the situation and report back to Council.
General Government: Special Project
Council member John Walz discussed the Kansas PRIDE program. One benefit of the program is involvement with a First Impressions Committee. A committee from another community of similar size would visit Ellis unannounced and evaluate their “first impression” of the City, both positives and negatives. Then, in return, a First Impression Committee from Ellis would go and evaluate a different community. Council member Heather Luea moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the application for the Kansas PRIDE program’s First Impressions Committee. The motion passed 5-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Personnel: Position Changes
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman would like to make two position changes within his Department. Mr. Scheuerman would like to move Brad Leiker from Sanitation to Streets and Maintenance and Joe Kreutzer from General Public Works to General Maintenance. Council member John Walz moved to approve transferring Brad Leiker to GPWE IV Streets and Maintenance at a probationary wage of $14.49 and Joe Kreutzer to GPWE III General Maintenance at a probationary wage of $13.82. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported Don’s Electric has not received the well transducers.
Campground: Special Projects
Mr. Scheuerman is preparing the grant documents for the dock at Big Creek.
The Department needs to move dirt to help with drainage in the campground expansion area. Mr. Scheuerman is obtaining bids for 50 amp circuitry and individual sewer taps.
Mr. Scheuerman has contacted the Division of Water Resources regarding the process to obtain permits to dredge the creek.
Sanitation: Repair/Maintenance
The new sanitation truck did not pack refuse as the truck was moving. The truck has been modified for that option and the seller will pay for the addition.
The City-Wide Cleanup was held today using both of the City’s sanitation trucks and also a Mack truck borrowed from Ellis County.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported the WedgCor building for the KDHE mandated modifications to the Wastewater Treatment Plant has been received and inspected by both Brian Spano and Doug Goetz of Wilson & Company.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported the Department has had several major incidents lately. The new police car is projected to be delivered to Lewis Ford in mid-January.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reminded Council that the City offices will be closed October 22nd for staff to conduct inventory.
Personnel: Exit
Ms. Burton reported she would like to begin advertising for an upcoming vacancy in her Department. The Clerk II position will be vacant at year-end due to a staff member graduating from college.
Personnel: Benefits
Ms. Burton presented the monthly savings report and claims analysis for the City’s health insurance policy for the month of September.
Attorney
Mayor/Council
Mayor David McDaniel announced the Ellis County Emergency Services open house will be October 27th. Council members Jolene Niernberger, John Walz, and Mayor McDaniel will attend the LKM Regional Legislative Supper in Goodland on October 21st.
Mayor McDaniel gave an update from the recent League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference in Topeka. He stated the conference stressed the need for “hope” – elected officials need to offer hope to employees, fellow Council members, and the citizens. We need to continue to move the City forward and not backward.
Council member Gary Luea requested Mr. Scheuerman obtain additional bids on the installation of the campground expansion utilities from more than just the local plumbing and electrical contractors.
Council member Jolene Niernberger talked about the sessions she attended at the LKM Annual Conference. The speakers stressed that investing in the future pays off – when evaluating projects select the alternative that is best for the community, not just the one that is least expensive. Ms. Niernberger also discussed new budget regulations coming into effect in 2018. Kansas University sponsors a “RedTire” program where rural business owners close to retirement are matched with a student entrepreneur interested in their line of work with the hope of that student taking over the business. Ms. Niernberger explained the program is aimed at preventing rural businesses from closing due to the retiree not being able to find a buyer or successor.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner, representing the Ellis Alliance, reported that the three museum boards will hold a joint work session to determine how they can work together on certain projects.
Council member John Walz spoke on the sessions he attended at the LKM Annual Conference. One session was on aging swimming pools and how more communities are moving towards smaller swimming pools with water features. Mr. Walz also attended a session on community promotion and creating events. He praised the Council on reviewing the Capital Improvement Plan annually. He stated the speaker stressed removing items that Council has no intent on following through on.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.