ELLIS – It’s never too soon to start thinking about summer and swimming.
The Ellis City Council voted last week to pursue a grant for swimming pools from special round of Community Development Block Grant funding from the Kansas Department of Commerce. Justine Benoit, grant administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, told the council grant funds may be used for construction of a new pool, diving boards, equipment, lifeguard stands, and concession areas. There is a required 60/40 match with the local body providing 40% of the cost.
A swimming pool committee will be developed to facilitate the project.
In other business, Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the 2019 Street Seal project for consideration. The streets included in the project were last sealed in 2013. A $11,925 bid from the Crafco state contract for street seal material was unanimously approved.
Bids for 750 ton of rock, seal oil, and 750 ton of ½” chips from other vendors were also approved.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
January 21, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Martin LaBarge, 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.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PRESENT
Justine Benoit, Verda Flinn, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Heather French, and Nickole Byers (arrived at 8:37 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 7, 2019, Minutes from the Regular Meeting on January 14, 2019, and Bills Ordinance #2061. Council member Bret Andries 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: Report
Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented his monthly report. The Department recently trained on ice rescues on Big Creek. Chief Vine stressed that residents and animals should stay off of Big Creek as the ice is unstable and not safe.
Swimming Pool: Special Project
Justine Benoit, Grant Administrator with Northwest Kansas Planning & Development Commission, presented information regarding a special round of Community Development Block Grant funding for swimming pools from the Kansas Department of Commerce. The application deadline is May 15th with grant awards announced July 1st. The maximum grant request is $1,000,000 and the required match is 60/40 (60% grant funds and 40% local funds). Grant funds may be used for construction of a new pool, diving boards, equipment, lifeguard stands, and concession areas, but funds could not be used for “extras” such as a lazy river, splash pad, or slides. It was the consensus of Council to move forward with the grant application. Council developed a swimming pool committee to help facilitate the project.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
General Government: Policy
Council reviewed the current document providing for aesthetic standards for small cells and proposed several revisions to simplify the standards. City Attorney Olavee Raub will present a revised draft at the next Council meeting for consideration.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the 2019 Street Seal project for consideration. The streets included in the project were last sealed in 2013. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to accept the bid from the Crafco State Contract for street seal material in the amount of $11,925, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Martin LaBarge seconded a motion to approve the bid from Flatlander Dirt Works to haul 750 ton of rock to Ellis in the amount of $11,250, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the bid from Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc. for seal oil for the project in the amount of $48,000 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Council member Bret Andries then moved to approve the purchase of 750 ton of ½” chips from APAC-Kansas in the amount of $22,162.50 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Streets fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0, with Council member Steve Ferland abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
NEW BUSINESS
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
Mr. Scheuerman would like to replace the single phase pump at the Cedar Lane lift station with a three-phase pump. The City already has a Loveless pump which would need to be rebuilt, and Midwest Energy would need to add a pole and transformer to accommodate the three-phase electricity. Right-of-ways would need to be acquired from the two residences where the lift station is located. Council requested that Mr. Scheuerman provide quotes for the project at the next meeting. Council member Bret Andries moved to direct City Attorney Olavee Raub to investigate the easement rights for the properties affected. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Tourism: Committee
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the appointment of Joleen Fisher to the Tourism Committee. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
General Government: Committee
Mayor David McDaniel requested affirmation of the City’s support of the Kansas PRIDE program by adopting a resolution. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 553 pledging support of the City’s participation in the Kansas PRIDE Program. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman requested approval to contract out the replacement of the roof at the swimming pool. The Department is unable to perform the work due to time constraints and other projects. The City has already purchased the materials. Council instructed Mr. Scheuerman to solicit bids for the project.
Water: Acquisition
Mr. Scheuerman requested the purchase of 65 electronic-read meters. The City has already installed close to 50 of the meters and they have been helpful in pinpointing residential water leaks faster. The meters are also used in locations the meter readers aren’t able to access easily due to location of the meter or pets in the area. Eventually, the City would like to convert all 950 traditional meters to the electronic-read meters. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the purchase of 65 electronic-read meters from Metron-Farnier, LLC in the amount of $24,068 with funds to come from the Water Depreciation Reserve fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. Upon a call for discussion, City Clerk Amy Burton noted there were funds still available from 2018 earmarked for the purchase of electronic-read meters, if Council chose to increase the purchase. Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 1-5, with Council member Martin LaBarge voting in favor of the motion, and Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger voting opposed. Mr. Scheuerman will bring a revised quote to the next Council meeting.
General Government: Policy
Council reviewed updates to the City’s Safety Guideline Manual. The last revision was done in October 2013. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Safety Guideline Manual as revised. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 6-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period November 10th – December 10th. The percentage of water accounted for remains slightly lower than the industry average.
Mr. Scheuerman stated the new 2015 Ford F-250 will become the Water Department truck and the bed from the old truck will be installed on the new truck. The second pickup to be purchased will replace the current Parks truck.
Concrete work needs to be performed at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Street. Traffic will need to be re-routed for the project. Council directed Mr. Scheuerman to contact the County since portions of that area would be under their direction.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates reported Officer Kolas began employment January 7th. There has not been a date set for him to attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Officer Kolas has qualified on the Department’s firearms and the Taser.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton discussed possible dates to hold Council orientation. The training session reviews the Governing Body’s role in local government and the City’s policies and procedures. The orientation session will be held January 31st at 6:00 p.m.
Attorney
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the real estate closing on the water exploration sites will be next week.
Mayor Update and Announcements
Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the Town Hall meeting to discuss the Ellis County Comprehensive Plan on January 31st at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor McDaniel and Nickole Byers announced that Monica Befort, local artist, is interested in working with the City to re-paint the mural on the south side of City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Steve Ferland moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 6-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:19 p.m.