ELLIS–Ellis city council members want residents to understand the proposed sales tax to be voted on in April would replace the current sales tax that will sunset in September, 2016. Council members unanimously approved the resolution during their Jan. 18 meeting.
A new tourism task force has been appointed to develop a marketing strategy for the town’s attractions, and the city is looking at rehabilitating some streets, comparing the costs for bricks, asphalt and concrete.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes January 18, 2016
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, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor McDaniel requested multiple executive sessions to review personnel evaluations for non-elected personnel. Council member Gary Luea requested an executive session to discuss property acquisition.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Swede Swenson, Sharon Disney, Buck Driggs, Glen Keller, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Guy Windholz, Travis Kohlrus, and Dena Patee.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 4, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #1989. Council member Gary Luea 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: Grant
Fire Chief Denis Vine reported the Department has submitted a grant to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for SCBA’s, bottles, and helmets in the amount of $84,252.60. Chief Vine requested authorization to compensate Fire Department Treasurer Tim Kohlrus for his time in assisting with the grant process. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to authorize Fire Chief Denis Vine to compensate Tim Kohlrus, at the Chief’s discretion on amount, for assisting with the submission of the FEMA grant, such duty determined to be outside of his Department Treasurer duties. The motion carried 6-0.
Tourism: Committee
Travis Kohlrus and Glen Keller, representing a newly formed task force charged with promoting tourism in the City of Ellis, introduced the members present to the Governing Body and spoke on the goals of the task force. The group is looking to cross market many of the tourism places in Ellis and develop marketing strategies to unite the community and the local businesses. Mr. Kohlrus emphasized the need for all parties to work together. The task force meets monthly.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, updated Council on the status of the Waterline Improvement Project. The design phase has been completed and pending final approval from the United States Department of Agriculture, is ready to let out for bids. Once awarded, the contractor will have 150 days to complete the project. Four of the five permanent easements on Dorrance Street have been acquired. The project will add fifteen new valves and six new fire hydrants to the area.
General Government: Financial
Council discussed a proposed resolution calling for a sales tax election in April 2016. Council member Gary Luea expressed concerns that the verbiage in the resolution sounds like the City is asking for a new sales tax, when actually it is renewing the current sales tax. City Attorney Olavee Raub stated she has little leeway in the wording of the resolution. Council discussed the importance of educating the residents that the proposed sales tax simply replaces the current sales tax that will sunset in September 2016. Council member John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 520 calling for the sales tax election in April 2016. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Municipal Court: Fines/Fees
Council reviewed a proposed ordinance amending the court costs assessed in the Ellis Municipal Court. City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the cities of WaKeeney and Hays recently raised their court costs to $70 and $75, respectively. The proposed ordinance will raise the total municipal court costs assessed in Ellis to $75. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1396 amending court costs assessed in the City of Ellis. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Bob Redger voting opposed.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented a spreadsheet illustrating costs for needed street rehabilitation projects within the City. Mr. Scheuerman discussed the cost comparison of replacing brick pavers versus laying concrete or asphalt. Asphalt costs are much lower right now due to fuel costs; therefore, Mr. Scheuerman felt it would be beneficial to repair Dorrance Street from 13th Street through Lakeview, to take advantage of the lower pricing. Council members inquired about performing spot repairs rather than rehabilitating the entire street to save on costs. Council also discussed the historic value of maintaining the brick streets in town, especially Washington Street, although the cost for the brick pavers adds approximately $94 per square yard to the cost. Mr. Scheuerman reported there may be a grant available in two years that would help fund the cost of preserving the brick streets. It was the consensus of Council to revisit this item at the next Council meeting in order to have more time to review Mr. Scheuerman’s worksheet.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman discussed a possible solution for the drainage problem in the alley behind the City shop. The VFW is in agreement to allow the City to cut a 10’ wide channel through their parking lot from the alley drain to Jefferson Street. Any overflow from the drain would then travel through the channel to the street and follow the guttering to another drain. It was the consensus of Council to have the Public Works Department cut the trench to help alleviate the drainage in the alley.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer: Financial
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has requested the City update the “Authorized Representative” stated in the KDHE loan documents for the wastewater treatment plant improvements. Resolution No. 504 named Mayor Lyle Johnston as the City’s authorized representative; therefore, the resolution needs updated for Mayor David McDaniel. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Resolution No. 521 naming Mayor David McDaniel as the authorized representative for the KDHE loan documents. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed the inspection report from Layne regarding the City’s Water Treatment Plant. Many of the suggested items for improvement have already been completed or implemented. The City’s bond documents require a professional inspection of the Water Treatment Plant every five years.
Mr. Scheuerman also presented the Comparative Water Report for the period November 10th to December 10th.
Personnel: Entry
Mr. Scheuerman recommended the hiring of John Riley Deutscher for the vacant position in the Department. He would like to start him in the Sanitation department until Mr. Deutscher obtains his commercial driver’s license, and then he will be transferred to the Grounds department. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to hire John Riley Deutscher as a General Public Works Employee I at a probationary wage of $13.17, effective January 19, 2016. The motion carried 4-2, with Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea voting opposed.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported that KDHE is willing to visit with Council regarding options for a sludge containment site. Council asked Mr. Scheuerman to set a meeting date of March 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
A resident has complained about the weeds and trees on 15th Street from Monroe to the USD 388 bus barn. The ground is too rocky and steep to properly maintain. USD 388 Superintendent Bob Young has given the City permission to get on the ground to perform dirt work to try to improve the area.
Mr. Scheuerman requested approval to purchase asphalt patch material. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the purchase of asphalt patch material in an amount not to exceed $5,000. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Acquisition
Council gave permission to Mr. Scheuerman to acquire bids for a new Metrotech for the Water department. The City’s waterline maps have not been reliable in locating the utility lines and the equipment will help the department find the utility lines more efficiently.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates provided an update from his department. Council inquired if any of the applicants for the open position were already certified officers. Council then discussed the new patrol car and how the disposal of the obsolete equipment from the Dodge Charger will be handled.
City Clerk
Personnel: Entry
City Clerk Amy Burton requested the hiring of Verda Flinn to fill the Clerk II opening in the Clerk’s office. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to hire Verda Flinn for the Clerk II position at a probationary wage of $8.26, effective January 19, 2016. The motion carried 4-2, with Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Heather Luea opposed.
General Government: Zoning
The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on January 25th at 7:00 p.m. regarding an application for re-zoning property located at 112 W. 10th Street.
Personnel: Benefits
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the monthly health insurance summaries for November 2015 and December 2015. Claims of $8,772 were paid out of accounts payable due to inadequate reserves at the time of the claim.
The Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank for employees has a current value of $15,072.13 and is capped at $19,000.
General Government: Committee
Ms. Burton presented the annual Safety Report for 2015. City employees had fewer accidents in 2015 than the previous year.
Ms. Burton then presented the cost savings of utilizing the City car versus paying employee’s mileage costs for using their own vehicle. The 2015 savings totaled $4,431.78 with a cumulative savings of $16,003.03 from when the car was purchased in November 2009.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the Certificate of Title required for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project is almost complete.
Ms. Raub has been in contact with various individuals regarding questions on the April elections. She believes the City has properly followed procedures to hold elections in November 2016.
Ms. Raub then addressed an issue on social media regarding a lawsuit filed against Police Chief Taft Yates. There was no settlement paid and the case was dismissed. The City incurred no financial liability.
Cassy Zeigler will observe at the next Council meeting as Ms. Raub will be absent for the February 18th Council meeting.
Mayor Update and Announcements
The City of Hays has provided an update on the R9 Ranch project.
Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the Work Session with the Trades Board on January 19th.
Local Government Day is January 27th in Topeka. Mayor McDaniel and Council members John Walz and Jolene Niernberger plan to attend.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss property acquisition. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:12 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss property acquisition with the City Attorney present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:17 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 20-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:19 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney and City Clerk present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:39 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:40 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney and Public Works Director present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 9:55 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 9:55 p.m. Mayor McDaniel asked for a motion to recess. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to recess to executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel with the City Attorney and Police Chief present. The motion carried 6-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:10 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Heather Luea seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:13 p.m.