ELLIS–The city of Ellis is still undecided on how much and what type of construction work should be allowed by property owners. After considerable discussion and two votes during their April 18 meeting, two proposed ordinance amendments were defeated.

The council did vote unanimously to authorize the mayor’s signature on the application for a Permit to Appropriate Water in order to continue exploring the site of an additional potential water source.

The newest Ellis Police Department officer, Avery Smith, introduced himself to council. Smith started his field training April 11.

The complete meeting minutes are below.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes April 18, 2016

CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Gary 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
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Darrell Romme, Avery Smith, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Dena Patee, Brad Leiker, and Glen Keller.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 4, 2016, and Bills Ordinance #1995. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 6-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dena Patee spoke against the proposed ordinance amending provisions for work allowed by property owners.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Personnel: Entry
Avery Smith, new hire in the Police Department, introduced himself to Council.
General Government: Insurance
Darrell Romme, Romme Insurance, reviewed the City’s insurance policies for the new renewal period. The majority of the premiums did not increase. After discussion, Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the 2016-17 insurance policies in the amount of $96,988. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine provided an update for the Fire Department.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire: Policy
Chief Vine requested assistance from the Council in drafting a policy on how the Department should handle callouts when the resident appears not to be home. City Attorney Olavee Raub provided sample language from the City of Salina. Council requested additional time to review the City of Salina’s provisions. Ms. Raub will draft a policy for discussion at the May 16th Council meeting.
Public Works: City Code
Council discussed at length a proposed ordinance amending the provisions of the type of construction work allowed by property owners. Council member Jolene Niernberger supported the Trades Board’s recommendation to approve the ordinance as presented. However, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner believed the Trades Board members had too much of a vested interest in the ordinance, and felt it would prohibit rehabilitation of some of the properties in town if the owners were no longer allowed to perform some of the construction work. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1402 as presented. Upon a call for discussion, Council member Bret Andries questioned if the ordinance should be broken into two separate documents – one for the personal residences, and one for the additional property owned (i.e. rentals, flip houses). Upon a call for the vote, Council members Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voted in favor of the motion. Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, and Bob Redger voted opposed. Mayor David McDaniel broke the tie by voting opposed to the motion, stating it was clear that Council still had questions to resolve. The motion failed 3-4.
Cemetery: City Code
Council performed an additional reading of the proposed ordinance amending provisions for decoration of grave spaces at Mount Hope Cemetery. The Cemetery Committee has reviewed the proposed ordinance, with no further recommendations noted. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1402 as presented. Upon a call for discussion, the Council directed City Attorney Olavee Raub to draft a policy stating provisions for the new disposal bin for misplaced decorations. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Repairs/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained the need to repair the belt press at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Mr. Scheuerman believes the Department would be able to perform the labor for the needed repairs. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to approve the repairs to the sewer belt press in the amount of $14,219.35, with funds to come from the Sewer Depreciation Reserve fund. The motion carried 6-0.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Policy
Council discussed routine agenda items brought before the Council for approval. It was the consensus of Council to have the City Clerk approve Event Request applications, with any concerns noted brought to the Mayor for review. Council will still need to approve any disposal of City property, per the Auditor’s recommendation.
General Government: Disposal
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the list of documents set to be disposed of in accordance with the City’s Records Management Policy. Council member John Walz moved to approve the Certificate of Destruction of Public Records and authorize the Mayor to sign the Certificate. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Policy
Council discussed the current policy on Civil Leave. A question arose when an employee was subpoenaed as a witness to a crime outside of City business. City policy states the employee must use personal or vacation leave time if the court case is not in connection with the City. The employee was requesting reconsideration of that provision in the City’s policy. City Attorney Olavee Raub recommended the policy remain intact and noted that the Court should pay witness fees and mileage to help compensate subpoenaed witnesses. It was the consensus of the Council to not change the policy.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Brad Vincent, Ground Water Associates, informed Council at the last meeting of an additional potential water source for the City. With that, Council member John Walz moved to authorize the Mayor’s signature on the Application for Permit to Appropriate Water to continue exploring that potential site. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Special Project
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the first Pay Application for work performed to date on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve Pay Application #1 for APAC in the amount of $25,715.76. The motion carried 6-0. Council member Jolene Niernberger then made a motion to approve Payment Request #1 to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in the amount of $25,715.76. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented an inventory of the City’s water valves. Approximately 26% of the City’s water valves do not work, complicating timely repairs to any water line breaks. Mr. Scheuerman tries to replace at least four valves a year, but requested discussion at budget time to try to increase that amount.
General Government: Committee
Council member John Walz updated Council on the recent PRIDE Committee meeting. The results from the First Impressions visit were discussed. Some of the positives noted were the campground, the multitude of parks available, and the brick streets; negative items included the website, poor signage to attractions and the campground, and hard to read street signs.
Tourism: Contract
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the renewal contract for the City’s six billboards. The renewal increased approximately 3%. Council member John Walz moved to approve the contract from Lamar Signs in the amount of $10,335. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Campground: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported the five loads of rock for the campground approved at the last meeting has been delivered. Council felt that more rock was needed to cover additional bare spots. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to purchase three additional loads of rock for the campground. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed, stating she would like to see less expensive options considered.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman provided an update on the 10th Street Bridge. The City has repeatedly petitioned the County to repair the bridge. The County reported it plans to overlay the bridge this summer, with additional plans for replacement in five years.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
The pre-construction conference for the Waterline Improvement Project was held with work expecting to start in the 11th and Dorrance St. area in a few weeks. Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, will provide Council with an update on the project at the next Council meeting.
Police
Officer Avery Smith began his Field Training program on April 11th. The annual Girls with Guns and Father and Sons and Daughters with Guns will be held April 23rd and 30th, respectively. The bridge at 11th St. and Baughman was closed temporarily due to rising waters from the recent rainfall.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Summary for March. The Cemetery Committee meeting minutes were included for review. The recent sales tax election passed overwhelmingly with 321 votes in favor, and 17 votes opposed. The Clerk’s office is being remodeled and reconfigured to provide a safer work environment for employees.
Personnel: Entry
Ms. Burton reported that Jordan Arellano has been hired as Pool Manager for the 2016 season. Interviews will begin soon for those individuals applying for lifeguard and pool house attendant.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported an ordinance levying the one cent sales tax approved during the recent special election will need to be adopted at the next Council meeting.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel acknowledged a letter from Ellis resident Richard Weber regarding the removal of trees alongside the creek.
Mayor McDaniel will attend the Mayor’s Conference and Strategic Planning meeting next week in Junction City. Council members John Walz and Jolene Niernberger will also attend the Planning meeting.
Mayor McDaniel reminded Council to provide suggestions for the annual Committee appointments.
Council then inquired of Mr. Scheuerman regarding leaks at the Shop Annex and the Railroad Museum.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.