August 4, 2008
The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 4, 2008. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Elected Officials Present: Phillip L. Merkel, Mayor; Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and James Cole, Councilmembers City Staff Present: Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent Visitors Present: Loren Mitchell, Debbie Jones, and Reeva Lindsey.
BUDGET HEARING
Mayor Merkel opened the budget hearing and called for questions or comments regarding the proposed 2009 budget. No questions or comments were raised. Councilmember Johnson moved to adopt the budget as published. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.CONSENT AGENDA
Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the August consent agenda consisting of: July 7, 2008 regular Council meeting minutes, July 14, 2008 special Council meeting minutes, July 2008 pay ordinance totaling $101,976.15, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 15, 2008. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.VISITORS
Loren Mitchell spoke with the Council about questions he had about the Councils decision regarding his request to install a sewer line to his property at 211 S. Pine. Mr. Mitchell said he wanted to build the sewer line to his building and build a bathroom before he actually enlarges the building. He said he already has a space for the bathroom and assured the Council that he had no intention to connect his travel trailer to the sewer line. Discussion followed with Councilmember Mueller moving Mr. Mitchell be allowed to purchase a building permit to install the sewer line as requested. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Debbie Jones, Moran Day Chairman, requested Council approval to close Randolph Street between Cedar and Spruce Streets on Moran Day as they plan to have a motorcycle dyno show and they need the extra space for pedestrian traffic and to park motorcycles. Mayor Merkel advised Debbie they would need to keep the alley open for emergency access to the fire department. Councilmember Cole moved to approve Debbies request with the understanding that access to the alley will not be blocked. Mueller seconded the request, motion passed with all approving.
Reeva Lindsey said she was present to discuss the possibility of deeding the property at 512 N. Spruce to the City in lieu of incurring a property tax assessment for demolition of their home. Discussion followed regarding tearing down just the home or all buildings of the property. The Council agreed that all buildings should be leveled and the City should contact Virgil Tucker to obtain a bid for services for the September meeting. Councilmember Mueller moved the City accept deed to the property in lieu of assessing demolition charges to the property. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
OLD BUSINESS
Water Project Update Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council the contractors had laid 500 of 8 line on Chestnut Street and will resume work at the water tower. Stodgell said he expected work to begin on South Cedar around August 15th.Lillard Tree Trimming Request The Council agreed the City could not honor Mr. Lillards request, as the trees are not interfering with City utility lines.
Ball Lights at West Ball Field The Council agreed to remove the topic from the agenda, as there has been no further information regarding the request.
Water Service from Public Wholesale Water Supply Clerk Evans notified the Council that the City had not received any response to the Citys letter regarding the decrease in water flow over the past year. The Council tabled the topic until the September meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Oil Prices for Chip and Seal Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that Bill King, Director of Allen County Public Works, has advised him that the Countys oil supplier was not able to meet their delivery contract for this year. Mr. King did say he thought he could get at least one tanker of oil to chip and seal some City streets. The Council discussed the rise in oil prices and the availability of funds. Councilmember Mueller moved the City purchase one tanker of oil to chip and seal the streets most in need. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
2007 Audit Recommendations The Council reviewed the accountants suggested recommendations following the 2007 audit. The Council agreed the City should adopt these recommendations:
All employees sign and note the vehicle model and mileage when refueling city vehicles.
Clerks office will include the utility accounts receivable balance with the Councils monthly reports.
Install fuel gages on bulk fuel tanks at the City shop.
2008 Audit and 2010 Budget Services The Council discussed Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips proposal to perform the 2008 audit and prepare the 2010 budget and the Council agreed the yearly audit needed to be available for Council review by the first of May each year. Councilmember Holman moved the City retain Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips for budgeting and auditing services if they can provide the audit report on or before May 1st of each year.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Fire Chief Nothing to report.Police Chief Chief Smith reported the training in Iowa was very educational and he would like to sponsor a community presentation to educate area residents about Identity Theft Protection at some time in the future. Chief Smith also noted some residents have expressed concern over sunflowers grown for ornamental purposes. The Council advised Chief Smith to review the City Code with regards to this concern.
Superintendent Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of July 2008:
Clean and organize water room
Exposed and exercised valves at Linn & Park Street
Changed out water meter, flushed line, open and shut home filter, due from Water Project shut down, at 406 N. Park
Flushed hydrants in area of Water Project
Exercised valves on 8 cast iron mains; flushed hydrants on Walnut & Cedar Streets
Raised valve boxes and exercised
Water Project Chestnut 800 of 8 new water line ran, hydrant set 1, flushed and ran Bac-T test. Set poles at Water Tower, Randy to hook-up and set valves at Chestnut at corner ends.
Received KDOT permit for Cedar South Water project, 6 new main
Trying to find signs for Cedar Street permit
Cut down tree at Troxel Park, hauled limbs away
Sprayed six times for mosquitoes
Reset flashing lights in school zone
Tore up two blocks each on Front and Randolph Streets; bladed and rolled Front & Randolph Streets; cleaned out curb at Locust & Randolph
Spread rock and screenings, and rolled on Walnut & Church Streets
Spread rock and screenings and rolled Randolph Street and Church Street
Worked on roads around town; corners, manholes and potholes
We have received complaints from residents about excessive dust; any ideas?
Replaced culvert at Birch & Franklin
Trimmed tree behind home at 730 N. Cedar to set sewer manhole lid
Put up new meter mask and new triplex due to storm damage at 112 E. Oak Thank you Mr. Cole
Alley electric primary line on fire due to tree limbs at 217 E. Second; cut out of lines. Mike, thank you for hauling limbs away
Replaced fuse in alley of 203 S. Pine (bird in fuse)
Storm felled tree at 324 N. Birch, tree fell onto road at Franklin & Birch Streets; took out pole and duplex; replaced. Thank you to Roger Houk for cutting up tree
Replaced guy on pole at 605 N. Locust; cut out tree on secondary electric lines; Thank you Mike Gulick for hauling timber away
Replaced guy wire and cut limbs at 543 N. Spruce
Picked up limbs along streets after storm
308 W. Franklin alley tap on transformers ware out replaced with new wire
Set pole for security light at Moran Manor
Set pole for security light at Franklin & Birch Streets
Installed new security light and duplex at Franklin & Birch Streets
Refastened electric meter box at 621 N. Locust
Transferred security light and wire to new pole at Moran Manor
Met with Michael Phillips, State Inspector, as he inspected City Shop
Electric Project set poles to Moran Manor and set anchors; waiting on contractors; will call me on 8/5/08 for information
Ran new electric service and underground to service at 504 N. Locust
Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that the State of Kansas Department of Labor had inspected City facilities and only found two violations which are: a panel needs replaced on the generator, and a plug needs replaced on a vacuum. The vacuum plug has been replaced and the panel has been ordered.
Stodgell also noted Tiede Construction should be working the second week of August to install the new electric line. Work will be contingent on Westar setting the new pole at Moran Manor. The Council discussed the need to mail notice of the electric outage to the Manor. Stodgell said he had spoken with the Manors administrator and she is aware of the improvements and that the Manor will be temporarily without electricity when the line is transferred to the new pole. The Council asked City staff to notify the Manor by letter or written notice when electric outages will be scheduled.
Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that he and Asst. Superintendent Miller were able to repair the water leak at the Moran Public Library without having to cut the concrete floor.
City Clerk Clerk Evans reported City income for July 2008 as follows:
| General Fund | Water Fund | |||
| Charges For Services | 20.20 | Sales To Customers | 10,878.33 | |
| Refuse | 1,580.00 | Drinking Water Loan Fund | 51,894.00 | |
| Court Fines | 1,946.00 | Bulk Water Sales | 119.89 | |
| Reimbursed Expense | 13.41 | Water Protection Fee | 41.83 | |
| Dog Tags | 4.00 | Connect Fee | 75.00 | |
| KS Sales Tax | 3,975.22 | Overpaid-Water | 4.15 | |
| VIN Inspections | 10.00 | Penalties | 413.89 | |
| Dog Boarding | 40.00 | Sales Tax | 999.53 | |
| Checking/CDL Interest | 1,023.93 | Sewer Fund | ||
| Building Permit | 47.00 | Sales To Customers | 4,580.56 | |
| NSF Checks | 117.69 | Special Highway | ||
| Electric Fund | State Payments | 4,068.35 | ||
| Sales To Customers | 32,478.79 | Gross Receipts | 119,149.97 | |
| Fuel Adjustment | 4,140.44 | Cash Short | 9.54 | |
| Overpaid-Electric | 207.06 | Setoff Fee | 17.30 | |
| Connect Fee | 73.89 | Electric Credits | 669.08 | |
| Reimbursed Expense | 267.70 | Net Receipts | 118,454.05 | |
| Lieap Receipts | 129.11 | |||
Clerk Evans informed the Council that new legislation allows municipal courts to assess a $5.00 fee when a defendant is mailed a failure to comply notice and asked the Council to allow the Moran Municipal Court to assess this fee. Councilmember Mueller moved to assess the fee as allowed by Senate Bill 366. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
Evans requested the Council approve paying an additional invoice received today from Iola Animal Clinic in the amount of $120.50 for care of three dogs. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve paying this invoice, which would bring the total monthly pay ordinance to $102,096.65. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
Clerk Evans also requested approval to renew the QuickBooks payroll subscription. Evans said the annual subscription price would be $239.00 and would be charged to the debit card September 8, 2008 and listed on the September pay ordinance. Councilmember Mueller moved to renew the subscription. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
The Council discussed residential concerns about the accessibility of Franklin Street at the water tower and the need to paint the water tower. No action was taken.
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 9:15 PM. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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September, 2008
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