ELLIS–Employees of the city of Ellis will be paid more next year.

City council members Monday evening unanimously approved the two percent wage increase which was included in the city’s 2017 budget.

The council also agreed to write-off $10,129 in utilities bad debts. City Clerk Amy Burton said the write-off is an annual accounting procedure and does not affect the city’s ability to ability to collect the debts. The amount to be written off represents less than one percent of the city’s 2016 total receivables, according to Burton.

The complete Dec. 5, 2016, meeting minutes follow.

ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING Minutes December 5, 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, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA (if needed)
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Sharon Disney, Chris Cline, Cheryl Kinderknecht, Susan Eaton, Charlene Weber, Steve Homburg (arrived at 7:45 p.m.), and Jeri Homburg (arrived at 7:45 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member John Walz moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on November 21, 2016 and Bills Ordinance #2010, with the exception of the invoice from Ground Water Associates, which will be considered later on the agenda. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner 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: Acquisition
Ellis Volunteer Fireman Chris Cline presented two bids for two sets of bunker gear. In 2015 Council approved the purchase of twenty sets of bunker gear, but the Department only ordered eighteen at that time. The Department would like approval to purchase the remaining two sets of bunker gear. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the quote from Municipal Emergency Services for two sets of coats and pants in the amount of $3,070.00, with funds to come from the Fire Department budget. The motion carried 6-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Water: Special Project
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman updated Council on the Waterline Improvement Project. Buck Driggs, Driggs Design Group, will attend the Council meeting on the 19th to present final results of the project. Mr. Driggs and Mr. Scheuerman will partake in a walk-through of the project with APAC prior to the meeting.
General Government: License/Permit
Council performed a first reading of an ordinance modifying contractor licensing requirements. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner requested clarification on the contractor definitions versus the wording on the actual licenses issued. Council will revisit the ordinance at the next meeting.
General Government: License/Permit
Council performed a first reading of ordinances establishing time limitations on building, electrical and plumbing permits. Council suggested adding wording acknowledging that the permits are subject to a renewal fee. Council will revisit the ordinances at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Tourism: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel recommended the appointment of Josh Eaton, General Manager of Love’s Country Stores, to fill the vacancy on the Tourism Committee. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to appoint Josh Eaton to the unexpired term on the Tourism Committee. The motion carried 6-0.
Sewer: Acquisition
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented three bids for aluminum chlorohydrate for the wastewater treatment plant. A 3,000 lb. tote will last approximately two and one-half months. The add-in chemical is necessary to reduce the phosphorus and nitrates at the plant. Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member John Walz seconded a motion to approve the bid from Brenntag for one tote of aluminum chlorohydrate at a cost of $1,140.00, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Water Exploration: Special Project
Council reviewed the latest invoice from Ground Water Associates for professional services performed from July 2015 to November 2016. Council member Gary Luea has worked closely with Ground Water Associates and believes the bill looks accurate for the work completed to date on securing an additional water source for the City. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the invoice from Ground Water Associates in the amount of $18,699.85, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Water Exploration Fund. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: License/Permit
Council member John Walz moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to approve the Application for License to Sell Cereal Malt Beverages for Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods. The motion carried 6-0. Background checks have been successfully completed.
General Government: Financial
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the list of bad debts to be written off. Writing off the bad debts is an annual accounting procedure and in no way affects the City’s ability to collect these debts. The amount to be written off represents less than 1% of the City’s 2016 total receivables. Most of the debts listed have already been submitted to the State Setoff program and another collection agency. Prior to the Council meeting, Council member Holly Aschenbrenner reviewed the individual names of the accounts to be written off, per auditor recommendation. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Gary Luea seconded a motion to approve the write-off of the utility bad debts in the amount of $10,129.46. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Salary
Ms. Burton presented the proposed pay rates for employees for 2017. The rates reflect a 2% wage increase as approved in the 2017 budget. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to approve the 2017 pay rates as presented. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Special Project
Ms. Burton inquired if Council was interested in holding a City Christmas Party for staff, elected officials and their guests. Council discussed putting a cap on the expense and soliciting bids for venue and food. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve holding a City Christmas Party at a cost not to exceed $500, and for the Clerk to solicit bids for the party. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Personnel: Benefits
Ms. Burton continued by asking if Council wanted to continue the practice of giving City employees a Christmas bonus. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve a Christmas bonus for each full-time and part-time employee in the net amount of $200.00. Council member John Walz seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.
Personnel: Policy
Ms. Burton presented the proposed 2017 Personnel Policies and Guidelines manual. Several sections had language added for clarification purposes. The only major revision was adding a policy for weapons in the workplace. No further revisions were proposed by Council. Council will consider approval of the policy at the next meeting.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period October 10th – November 10th. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment will not allow residents to dump leaves at the burn pile due to the possibility of other debris being raked up and dumped with the leaves. Mr. Scheuerman reported the inoperable portable welder did not sell on the PurpleWave auction site.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for November and the December staff calendar. Officer Chris Krom and Chief Yates will present at Rotary on December 14th on the Department’s new Tasers.
City Clerk: Training
City Clerk Amy Burton requested Council approval to attend the IIMC Annual Conference in Montreal, Canada in May 2017. Ms. Burton’s registration, travel and lodging expenses will be paid by the City Clerk’s and Municipal Finance Officers Association since she will become the Vice-President of the Association in March. Council member John Walz moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to allow Ms. Burton to attend the IIMC Annual Conference from May 21st – 24th in Montreal, Canada. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committees
Ms. Burton presented the draft minutes from the recent Campground Committee meeting. The Board of Zoning Appeals will hold a public hearing on December 27th regarding an application for a variance on fence height regulations.
General Government: Building Code
Ms. Burton offered information about the Institute of Building Technology and Safety (IBTS), a non-profit organization which recently signed a Master Service Agreement with the League of Kansas Municipalities to provide contracted services to member cities on a variety of topics. Council has expressed interest in contracting with IBTS for building inspection services. The League is hosting a free webinar to introduce municipalities to IBTS on December 13th.
The Kansas Department of Labor recently performed a safety compliance audit. No major safety deficiencies were noted. The City should receive KDOL’s official report in 2-3 weeks.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub updated Council on outstanding code violation cases. Council member Gary Luea inquired of a property in violation on Fauteux St. Ms. Raub has completed an initial draft of the Attorney General’s opinion on the question of incompatibility of office of Council member-elect Dena Patee. Ms. Raub will set up a meeting with the property owner and developer regarding the drainage issues at 21st Street and Walnut.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Council member Bob Redger inquired if the school district would be able to designate the area north of the tennis courts as an outdoor classroom.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Gary Luea moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.