ELLIS – Several longtime employees of the city of Ellis were honored by the city council during their meeting last week.
In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman told council members his department is continuing the process of locating underground water leaks. The Kansas Rural Water Association has been assisting in the project.
The complete Oct. 15 meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
October 15, 2018
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Dena Patee was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Glen Keller, Myles Vine, Faith Scheck, Nickole Byers, and Gary Luea (arrived at 7:36 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on October 1, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2055, and the September Manual Journal Entries. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
Personnel: Award
Mayor David McDaniel presented the annual Service Awards to employees who attained milestone anniversaries with the City. Awards were presented to City Treasurer Faith Scheck (10 years), Police Chief Taft Yates (5 years), and Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman (5 years). Clerk I Margie Mickelson (15 years) and Fire Lieutenant Brandon Pfeifer (10 years) were unable to attend.
SPECIAL ORDER
Fire: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine reported he has not yet received updated comparable bids to replace the roof at the old fire station.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Streets: Event Request
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the Public Property Permit Application and Event Request for Traffic Control for the annual Trunk or Treat event to be held at 9th and Jefferson Streets on October 31, 2018. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Ellis Rotary will host a ribbon cutting for the joint dock project on October 17th at 11:00 a.m. Mayer Service will be in town October 24th for the annual sewer cleaning. Doorknockers will be distributed to affected residents.
Water
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period August 10th – September 10th. Council members expressed concerns that the percentage of water accounted for continues to decline. Mr. Scheuerman stated that the Kansas Rural Water Association assisted the Department in locating a couple of underground leaks; however, he has no other suggestions on how to locate additional possible breaks. Council requested Mr. Scheuerman contact KRWA for additional assistance.
Training
Mr. Scheuerman requested approval for John Leiker and Brad Leiker to attend water training in Hays on November 1st and for himself to attend the Kansas Association of Code Enforcement conference in Mayetta on November 7th – 9th and the Kansas Water Office Annual Meeting in Manhattan on November 13th – 14th. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the stated training opportunities for Alan Scheuerman, John Leiker and Brad Leiker. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported that he canceled the two scheduled interviews for the vacant position in the Department. The Department will help with the annual Trunk or Treat event held on October 31st.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the Health Insurance Savings Report for September and the September Financial Statements. Council will conduct a work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan on November 7th at 6:30 p.m.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported her office is waiting on a call from Mr. Bird regarding an ongoing code violation case. Ms. Raub requested an Executive Session to discuss contracts for the Water Exploration Project.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel discussed a joint project between the PRIDE Committee and the Ellis High School FFA to provide improvements to Memorial Park.
The State has approved a 34% increase in the registration fees for dog pounds.
Veterans will dedicate the new walkway at Memorial Park on November 11th at 1:00 p.m.
Mayor McDaniel and Council member Jolene Niernberger updated Council on the recent LKM Annual Conference they attended in Topeka.
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
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 15 minutes to discuss contract revisions pursuant to the acquisition of real property exception, K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(6) with City Attorney Olavee Raub and Water Advisory Committee Chair Gary Luea present. The open meeting will resume at 8:33 p.m. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. No action was taken in executive session and the open meeting resumed.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.