ELLIS–Ellis earned a “clean audit” opinion for 2015 from Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball during the June 6 city council meeting. ABBB Audit Manager Teri Klitzke also made recommendations for improving efficiency and internal control.
Council members also approved the city’s Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes June 6, 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, 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. Council member Bob Redger was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Kellie Crnkovich, Glen Keller, Teri Klitzke, Sophia Sanders, Katlin Senst, Dena Patee, Nan Brown, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Mary Jo Walz, Steve Arthur, and Tiffany Kershner.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on May 16, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #1998. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Dena Patee expressed appreciation to the Public Works Department for how nice the parks looked for the Walter P. Chrysler Car Show.
Cheryl Kinderknecht thanked the City for allowing Public Works equipment to be displayed during the Planes, Trains, & Automobiles event on June 4th.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Public Works: Public Hearing – Environmental Violation
City Attorney Olavee Raub stated that an administrative hearing has been requested by Kellie Crnkovich to determine if the items cited by the Public Works Director constitute an environmental violation. Ms. Crnkovich stated she is unclear on what needs to be done to become compliant with the environmental code. Ms. Raub suggested Ms. Crnkovich review the City Code cited in the violation notice and also meet with Alan Scheuerman, Public Works Director, to clarify the items noted in the violation notice. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to defer the hearing for 30 days to allow Mr. Scheuerman to meet with Ms. Crnkovich to determine the action needed to become compliant with the environmental code. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
SPECIAL ORDER
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Tiffany Kershner, representing Options – Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, provided information regarding the Options program, and requested consideration of funding from the City for the 2017 Budget. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Steve Arthur, Director of the Ellis Public Library, presented the Library’s 2017 budget request of four mills of the assessed valuation, $2,500.00 for employee benefits, and $2,000.00 for library programming. The Library is also requesting additional funds for capital improvements, personnel, and projects totaling $12,000.00. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial
Teri Klitzke, Audit Manager with Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd., presented the City’s 2015 audit report. The City received a clean audit opinion, meaning the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects. Ms. Klitzke reviewed the financial statements and offered recommendations for improving efficiency and internal control.
Fire
Fire Chief Denis Vine presented an update from his Department. The supply lines have all been pressure tested, and the Department fire trucks participated in the Alumni parade last weekend and will also participate in the Riverfest parade on June 11th.
Personnel: Exit
Darret Hazlett has resigned from the Ellis Fire Department due to other commitments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire: Policy
Council discussed the proposed policy on automated fire alarm systems. The Fire Department reviewed the policy and submitted revisions to City Attorney Olavee Raub for consideration. Ms. Raub stated she has not reviewed the proposed revisions; therefore, consideration of the policy will be tabled until the next Council meeting.
Fire: City Code
Council discussed a proposed ordinance regulating automated fire alarm systems. Ms. Raub explained the proposed ordinance preserves immunity to the City in damage that might occur due to a forced entry from the Fire Department caused by a response to an automated fire alarm call. Council will defer action until Ms. Raub has made revisions to the coordinating policy.
Personnel: Benefits
Council discussed the renewal of the employee’s health insurance plan and funding options for the claims reserve fund. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the renewal of the employee’s health insurance plan with United Health Care and Freedom Claims Management, and to increase the funding of the claims reserve fund by 6.25%. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the refunding bond ordinance and resolution. The documents authorize the sale and the issuance of the refunding bonds. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1404 authorizing the sale and issuance of the refunding bonds. The motion carried 5-0. Council member John Walz then moved to approve Resolution No. 527 directing the sale of the refunding bonds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to sign the necessary closing documents. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Committee
Planning Commission Chairman Glen Keller presented the Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives as approved by the Planning Commission at their May 23rd meeting. The Plan is used to provide guidance to Council for the growth and development of the City. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives as presented. Motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel recommended additional appointments to the various City committees. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve the committee appointments as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Disposal
City Clerk Amy Burton presented a list of documents set to be disposed of in accordance with the City’s Records Management Policy. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Certificate of Destruction of Public Records as presented. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Contracts
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed with Council the possibility of installing Wi-Fi at City Hall. The proposed contract is for the monthly lease of equipment and service agreement. Council directed Ms. Burton to present a wireless router option as well.
City Attorney: Contract
City Attorney Olavee Raub reviewed a letter to Council proposing slight revisions to her contract for services. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the contract with Raub & Zeigler, LLC, as presented. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea questioned the need to bid out attorney services. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 3-2, with Council members Bret Andries, Jolene Niernberger, and John Walz voting in favor of the motion and Council members Holly Aschenbrenner and Gary Luea voting opposed.
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed the need to create additional accounting funds for the special grant and loan projects in process. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve creating the necessary project funds for accounting purposes. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Council discussed options regarding concealing the concrete pile on Old Highway 40.
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported on the mowing at Spruce Villa. The Department is mowing the City’s portion of the property.
Water
Mr. Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period April 10th – May 10th.
APAC may have some water valves available for purchase. Mr. Scheuerman will compare prices with another vendor and report back.
Mr. Scheuerman and Water Operator John Leiker will attend a water training workshop sponsored by KRWA on June 14th.
Swimming Pool
The pool liner is experiencing tears resulting in water loss at the swimming pool. Mr. Scheuerman has contacted the company regarding the warranty on the liner, but the company will not return any calls. City Attorney Olavee Raub recommended calling the Better Business Bureau and the League of Kansas Municipalities.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for May and the June staff calendar. Chief Yates is back to full duty following his injury. Officer Chris Krom will be hosting child safety seat training on June 4th at the Planes, Trains, and Automobiles event.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the 2016 Refunding Bonds were locked in at an interest rate of 1.76%, resulting in estimated savings to the City of $650,000 over the remaining life of the bonds.
The swimming pool will be offering a new swim lesson group this year for children under five years of age.
Ms. Burton will be absent for the June 20th meeting.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
The facilities tour work session will be rescheduled to July 9th.
The filing deadline for Council member elections has passed and seven candidates have filed for election: Gary Luea, Jolene Niernberger, John Walz, Susan Eaton, Dena Patee, Martin LaBarge, and Nan Brown.
The Cemetery Committee meetings have been changed to quarterly, rather than monthly from April – October.
Council member Gary Luea requested another update regarding ongoing litigation from City Prosecutor Cassy Zeigler.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:36 p.m.