ELLIS–About 26 percent of the water valves in the Ellis water system do not work.

City council members found out about the problem at their June 20 meeting during an update of the city’s waterline improvement project.

Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, also told the council the city’s existing water line maps of line locations, valve locations and line sizes have been sometimes inaccurate. The council approved purchasing additional water valves not to exceed $25,000. Ellis will utilize federal USDA funding for the valves.

In other business, funding requests from several non-profit groups were heard during the June 20 meeting of the Ellis City Council. No action was taken. The requests will be considered during the city’s 2017 budget meetings.

The complete meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes June 20, 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 Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Denis Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member John Walz was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
It was the consensus of Council to add two executive sessions at the end of the meeting.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Buck Driggs, Chad Pritchett, Pauleen Edmonds, Glen Keller, Nickole Byers, Margie Mickelson, Guy Windholz, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Dena Patee, Swede Swenson, and Sharon Disney.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 6, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #1999. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Nickole Byers read a prepared statement pleading with community leaders to become more involved and to consider adequate funding of organization budget requests. Mayor David McDaniel allowed Ms. Byers additional time during Public Comments to completely read her statement.
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Tourism: Special Projects
Chad Pritchett, Tourism Task Force representative, updated Council on the Planes, Trains and Automobiles event held in June. The event was a great success and Mr. Pritchett thanked the Governing Body for their support.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Cheryl Kinderknecht presented the 2017 budget request from the Ellis Alliance. The Alliance is requesting $14,000, an increase of $1,500 from 2016. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Dena Patee presented the 2017 budget request from the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum. The Chrysler Museum is requesting $17,500, an increase of $2,500 from 2016. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Pauleen Edmonds presented the 2017 budget request for the Ellis Community Foundation. The Foundation is requesting consideration for $10,000 in funding, the same amount as 2016. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
General Government: Financial – Budget Request
Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, presented a budget request of $16,000 for consideration in the City’s 2017 budget, the same amount as last year. The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Fire: Policy
Council reviewed the proposed ordinance and corresponding policy on automated fire alarm systems. Council discussed administration of the provisions included in the ordinance relating to registration and renewal for residents who own an automated fire alarm system. After further discussion with the City Attorney, no action was taken on the proposed ordinance. Being no action was taken on the ordinance, Council requested minor revisions to the proposed policy. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Fire Department Policy to Respond to Automated Alarm Systems, with revisions removing reference to the proposed ordinance. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Gary Luea opposed.
General Government: Financial
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2015 audit report as presented by Adams, Brown, Beran, & Ball at the June 6, 2016 regular meeting. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman had an opportunity to purchase millings at a discount from Venture Corporation while they were in town working on another project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to ratify the purchase of approximately 1,200 ton of millings at $5.00 per ton from Venture Corporation, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Gary Luea seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sewer: Special Project
Council reviewed the third set of Pay Applications for work performed to date on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve Pay Application #3 to APAC in the amount of $125,354.35. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Council member Jolene Niernberger then moved to approve Payment Request #3 to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment in the amount of $125,354.35. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Clerk: Acquisition
Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber presented two bids for 40 cases of copy paper for the Clerk’s office. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the purchase of 40 cases of copy paper from Tri-Central Office Supply in the amount of $1,491.60. The motion carried 5-0.
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, gave an update on the Waterline Improvement Project. Mr. Driggs reported that the City’s existing water line maps on line locations, valve locations, and line sizes have been sometimes inaccurate. Approximately 26% of the City’s water valves do not work, and Mr. Driggs is asking Council to consider purchasing additional valves to replace some of the valves that are not working, or to add valves to better isolate areas of town. The valves would be replaced in areas already affected by construction in the current waterline project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the purchase of additional valves not to exceed $25,000. The City will utilize USDA funding for the additional valves. Mr. Driggs will report to Council the placement and actual cost of the valves at a future Council meeting. The motion carried 5-0.
Special Machinery: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported he has visited with Ellis County about possibly leasing their tandem truck, with any rents paid to be applied towards a possible future purchase by the City. The City would pay the County $145 per day of use. The truck would replace the City’s 1991 Ford Tandem truck that the engine went out on last year. Council member Gary Luea moved to approve leasing the tandem truck from Ellis County at a rate of $145 per day of use, with rents to be applied to a possible future purchase. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested the agreement between the City and County be put in writing. Upon a call for the vote, the motion carried 4-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Water: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman reported the City’s water disinfection byproduct (DBP) levels have risen over the last two years. The City will continue quarterly testing and monitoring of the levels per KDHE requirements.
Council reviewed the latest report on well levels.
Sanitation: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman updated Council on the cleanup of the property subject to the environmental hearing at the June 6th Council meeting. Council discussed the sanitation fees involved with the cleanup and whether the fees should be charged to the resident. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion for the City to absorb the $151 in sanitation fees for the cleanup of 300 E. 11th Street. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Bret Andries and Gary Luea opposed.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates provided an update for his Department. Officer Smith began the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center today and all officers have completed their annual 40 hours of training, including firearms qualifications.
Chief Yates explained why barricades were placed in certain areas around town due to high water levels caused by the recent thunderstorm.
Council inquired on the circumstances leading to the impoundment of two dogs, one who was found to have bitten an individual. City Attorney Olavee Raub also briefed Council on the dangerous dog proceedings relating to the case.
City Clerk
Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber presented the audit reports for the City’s related entities. The minutes from the recent Cemetery Committee were reviewed.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on pending environmental violation cases currently being handled in her office.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel read a letter addressed to the Ellis Police Department thanking them for their prompt actions relating to a situation with a family member.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session for personnel matters of non-elected personnel. A 15-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:00 p.m. Mayor McDaniel called for a motion to recess. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger 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 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:15 p.m. No action was taken in executive session.
Mayor David McDaniel called for an executive session to discuss land acquisition. A 5-minute executive session was proposed starting at 10:16 p.m. Mayor McDaniel called for a motion to recess. Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to recess to executive session to discuss land acquisition with the City Attorney and Public Works Director present. The motion carried 5-0. The Council returned to open session at 10:21 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 10:23 p.m.