ELLIS – The 2017 audit report was approved by Ellis City Council members during their July 9 meeting.
After considerable discussion, the council directed the Campground Committee to investigate options for allowing reservations at the Lakeside Campground. Currently, no reservations are allowed because there is no on-duty attendant. However, the council voted 3-2 to accept one- time reservations for a tour group wanting seven camp sites July 18-21.
Following a report by Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, council members asked Scheuerman to come up with estimated costs for paving half of the city’s truck route on Madison and Washington Street from 2nd to 3rd Streets in concrete versus the entire street.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
July 2, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, Dena Patee (left at 8:20 p.m.), and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Assistant City Clerk Charlene Weber, Police Chief Taft Yates (arrived at 7:38 p.m.), and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Bret Andries and City Clerk Amy Burton were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Council member Dena Patee requested discussion on campground reservations under Unfinished Business.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Barbara Perkins, Glen Keller and Verda Flinn.
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 18, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2048, and the May manual journal entries. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Financial
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the 2017 Audit Report as presented by Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd at the last Council meeting. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Campground: Policy
Council member Dena Patee reintroduced the question of allowing a tour group to reserve seven campsites at the Lakeside Campground from July 18 – 21st. At the last Council meeting, in which Ms. Patee was absent, the Council’s consensus was to adhere to the current policy which does not allow reservations. Ms. Patee stated that the group could bring $1,000 in revenue to the City during their stay. After an extended discussion, Council member Dena Patee moved to allow the one-time only exception to the City’s policy prohibiting reservations at the Lakeside Campground for this tour group. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Dena Patee, Holly Aschenbrenner, and Susan Eaton voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Bob Redger and Jolene Niernberger opposed. The Council then directed the Campground Committee to investigate options for allowing reservations at the Lakeside Campground in the future.
NEW BUSINESS
General Government: Financial
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2019 Budget Consultation Contract as presented. Council member Dena Patee seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained the history of repairs for the Case Loader. The latest repair invoice is in excess of the Department Head’s authorization and therefore needs ratified by Council. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the invoice from Victor L. Phillips Co. in the amount of $2,342.61. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Public Works: Special Project
Mayor David McDaniel explained that in the interest of being a “good neighbor” he had told St. Mary’s Church that the City would help remove a large tree which has fallen from the Church property into Big Creek. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner expressed concern on how this tree, and the other large tree which has fallen in the Creek just west of the Washington Street Bridge, could damage the City’s infrastructure. Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman explained that while the St. Mary’s tree is easily accessible, the second tree has several physical barriers that completely block the City from accessing it with their equipment. City Attorney Olavee Raub informed the Council there is past precedence which would allow the City to go on private property to remove trees. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to have the Public Works Department assist St. Mary’s Church with the removal of their tree, with the condition that any costs incurred by the City for rental of additional equipment to complete the project will be the responsibility of St. Mary’s Church. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Street: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed his memo detailing the proposed street maintenance project involving the City’s truck route on Madison and Washington Street from 2nd to 3rd Streets. After further discussion, Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to provide additional information on the cost of doing only half the street in concrete versus the entire street in concrete.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Sanitation: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman continued by proposing dates for the annual City-Wide Clean Up. The Ellis County Landfill has requested the City not run the clean up the same time as the City of Hays. It was decided to hold the clean up on October 17th. The grass route will not run on October 15th.
Street: Special Project
Mr. Scheuerman updated Council on the latest information he had about the Washington Street resurfacing project with Ellis County.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for June and the July Staff Calendar. Chief Yates informed Council that the application process to fill the vacancy in the Department is still ongoing.
City Clerk
Council reviewed the draft minutes from the recent meeting of the Planning Commission/ Board of Zoning Appeals and the May financial statements consisting of the Statement of Accounts, Treasurer’s Report, and Security Deposit Worksheet. Council has scheduled the first budget work session on July 12th at 6:00 p.m. in Council chambers.
Swimming Pool
Wednesday, July 4th is the annual Free Swim Day at the swimming pool; however, the swimming pool will not open that day until 2:00 p.m. so that pool staff may attend the funeral services of George Crawford. Also, the regular Wednesday water aerobics session will be rescheduled to Thursday, July 5th.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Due to the recent resignations of Cheryl Kinderknecht and Dena Patee from the Tourism Committee, the City is looking to fill the vacancies. Mayor David McDaniel asked Council members to offer names for consideration to appoint to the committee.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Mayor David McDaniel asked for a motion to recess into executive session at the request of City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved for City Council to recess into executive session for 7 minutes to discuss a current claim against the City pursuant to the attorney-client privilege exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(2) with City Attorney Olavee Raub present. The open meeting will resume at 8:49 p.m. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Bob Redger moved to adjourn the meeting. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.