ELLIS – A public hearing regarding construction of a new municipal swimming pool was conducted by the Ellis City Council Monday evening prior to the regular council meeting.
The Kansas Dept. of Commerce is offering a special round of grant funding for small city swimming pools.
A new pool for Ellis is projected to costs $1.85 million. The city can apply for a maximum $1 million state grant with a local match of $850,000.
It was a 3-2 vote later in the meeting on a resolution for Ellis to apply for the Community Development Block Grant funds. Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger were opposed.
In other business, the city accepted a $50,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Logan, for the campground expansion project.
The complete meeting minutes follow.
ELLIS CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
Minutes
April 1, 2019
PUBLIC HEARING – COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT – SWIMMING POOL
Swimming Pool – Grant
Mayor David McDaniel opened the public hearing regarding swimming pool improvements at 7:00 p.m. Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission, provided details of the Department of Commerce special round of funding for small cities swimming pools. The State has set aside $20 million for this once-in-a-lifetime grant opportunity. The project is expected to cost $1,850,500, with a maximum grant award of $1,000,000 and a City cash match of $850,500. The City hopes to apply for other local and regional grants to offset the cash match. Several residents appeared to offer opinions and ask questions regarding the proposed project. Mayor McDaniel closed the public hearing at 7:30 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council member Martin LaBarge was absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA
Mayor David McDaniel requested Council’s ratification of the City’s acceptance of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant for the Campground Expansion Project.
PUBLIC PRESENT
Justine Benoit, Darrell Romme, Verda Flinn, Dan Pyle, Jeff Wolf, Glen Keller, Barbara Perkins, Juno Ogle, Nickole Byers (arrived 7:55 p.m.) and Devin Henderson (arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on March 18, 2019 and Bills Ordinance #2066. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)
None
SPECIAL ORDER
Swimming Pool: Grant
Justine Benoit, Northwest Kansas Planning and Development, presented the proposed contract for administrative consulting services. The contract is contingent upon Community Development Block Grant funding. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Northwest Kansas Planning and Development for grant administrator services in the amount of $20,500, contingent upon CDBG funding, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Special Projects fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner then moved to authorize Mayor David McDaniel to sign the related grant documents for Community Development Block Grant funding. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Council member Steve Ferland opposed.
Swimming Pool: Grant
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 554 certifying the City of Ellis has legal authority to apply for Community Development Block Grant funds. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.
Swimming Pool: Grant
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve Resolution No. 555 assuring the Kansas Department of Commerce that funds will be provided for the operation and maintenance of the grant-funded improvements to the swimming pool. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-2, with Council members Steve Ferland and Bob Redger opposed.
General Government: Insurance
Darrell Romme, Romme Agency, reviewed the 2019 general insurance policy for the City. The City incurred over $165,000 in losses the prior renewal period, much of that in worker’s compensation claims. The last several years the City has received a return on premium based on the insurance pool’s losses, with almost $20,000 refunded last year. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the 2019 renewal of the City’s insurance policies from Romme Agency in the amount of $121,873.00. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Sanitation: Accounting/Billing
Dan Pyle, Ellis Recreation Commission, requested Council approval to waive sanitation fees for weekly grass disposal. Council member Bob Redger moved to waive the weekly grass sanitation fees indefinitely for the Ellis Recreation Commission. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Pyle continued by requesting Council approval to utilize a City dumpster and to waive weekly trash dumpster fees at 501 West 6th. The Commission mows the property around the shop annex and also pays a portion of the electrical charges. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to allow the Commission use of a City dumpster and to waive sanitation fees for weekly dumpster service at 501 West 6th in exchange for in-kind services provided by the Commission. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Streets: Policy
Council reviewed the proposed Emergency Route Plan. Several questions arose and it was the consensus of Council to table consideration of the plan until Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub can meet to further discuss.
Sewer: Repair/Maintenance
City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that after further investigation into the property affected by the Cedar Lane lift station project, only one property owner is involved. The project may also fall within an existing easement and further research will be completed to determine the exact property line.
General Government: City Code
Ms. Raub presented the suggested revisions to the proposed ordinance regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer. Council suggested revising Section 10 (c) to also set the special event fees by resolution. Council member Bret Andries moved to approve Ordinance No. 1438 regulating the sale of cereal malt beverages and beer, with the revision to Section 10 (c). Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0. Council then discussed increasing the license fees to $100.00 for a General Retailer, $75.00 for a Limited Retailer, and $50.00 per day for special event fees.
General Government: Policy
City Clerk Amy Burton presented the proposed Donation Policy. Council suggested revisions to the Eligible Applicants and Funding Criteria sections. Ms. Burton will present the revised policy for consideration at the next Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Tourism: Contract
Ms. Burton presented the 2019 renewal contract for the City’s five Lamar billboards. The total annual contract increased 17% and the renewal now includes a preemptive clause that the City’s billboards may be canceled from the contract at any time if another advertiser offers a higher rent payment. Council replaced all of the billboard wraps last year. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the contract with Lamar in the amount of $9,750.00 with funds to come from the Tourism Fund and to direct the Tourism Committee to research additional sign options by January 1, 2020. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
General Government: Financial
Council member Bob Redger moved to approve Resolution No. 556 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Clerk: Acquisition
Council member Steve Ferland moved to approve the purchase of 20,000 pressure seal utility billing forms from Hamlin Creative Consulting in the amount of $2,120.00, with funds to come from the General-Administration fund. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Streets: Repair/Maintenance
Council member Bob Redger moved to ratify the invoice from APAC in the amount of $703.87 with funds to come from the Capital Improvement – Street fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0 with Council member Steve Ferland abstaining due to perceived conflict of interest.
General Government: Disposition
Emergency Manager Darin Myers has a potential buyer for the City’s old warning sirens. Council member Bret Andries moved to authorize the sale of the City’s five outdoor warning sirens. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS
Public Works
Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman inquired if the Council was still interested in applying for the Community Development Block Grant for replacement of a section of waterlines in the City. It was the consensus of Council to proceed with the grant application.
Mr. Scheuerman reported that the engine in the 1-ton dump truck has recently failed. Repairs are estimated at $3,000 – $7,700. Mr. Scheuerman will provide more accurate repairs costs at the next Council meeting.
Police
Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Monthly Activity Report for March and the April Staff Calendar. The Department will host the annual prescription drug takeback program on April 27th.
City Clerk
City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment recently inspected the City’s burn site and it was found to be in compliance with the Kansas Open Burning Regulations.
Campground: Grant
The City was awarded a Dane G. Hansen Foundation grant in the amount of $50,000 for the Campground Expansion Project. Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the Mayor’s signature accepting the grant. Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion. The motion carried 5-0.
Attorney
Mayor Update and Announcements
Council member Bob Redger requested the engineer for the swimming pool improvement project attend a future Council meeting to further discuss the project.
Council member Holly Aschenbrenner noted that the Community Block Party has moved from Play World to Swimming Pool Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Council member Steve Ferland moved and Council member Bob Redger seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.