August 3, 2009

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 3, 2009. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Elected Officials Present: Phillip L. Merkel, Mayor; Michael Holman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, Jerry Jackman, and James Cole, Councilmembers

City Staff Present: Bret Heim, City Attorney; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Michael Stodgell, City Superintendent

Visitors Present: William Birnel of Westar arrived later in the meeting.

2010 BUDGET HEARING

Mayor Merkel called for questions or comments regarding the proposed budget. No comments were made. Councilmember Johnson moved to pass the 2010 budget as published. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

CONSENT AGENDA

The Council reviewed the August 2009 consent agenda consisting of: July 2009 regular Council meeting minutes, July pay ordinance totaling $ 88,503.13 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 18, 2009. Councilmember Cole moved to approve the consent agenda. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

OLD BUSINESS

Water and Electric Project Updates – Superintendent Stodgell reported Slate’s Construction returned to make the repairs and modifications requested by the Council. Councilmember Jackman moved a letter be sent to Breit Construction accepting the water line project as complete. Mayor Merkel will sign the letter representing the Council and Superintendent Stodgell will sign as project engineer.

Low to Moderate Income Survey Update – Clerk Evans informed the Council that the City needs 50 more qualifying survey’s to meet the requirements to apply for a Community Development Block Grant.

NEW BUSINESS

2009 Audit and 2011 Budget – Councilmember Mueller moved Jarred, Gilmore, and Phillips conduct the City’s 2009 audit for a charge of $3,100.00 and to assist in the preperation of the 2011 Budget for $775.00, plus traveling expenses. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Certificate of Deposits – The Council discussed various options to restructure the City’s cash reserves. Councilmember Mueller moved to purchase a $120,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) using cash reserves in the City’s checking account. The CD will have a maturity date of one year. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel said he had nothing to report. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the City crew’s activity report for the month of July 2009:
  • Sprayed for mosquitoes five times
  • Cleaned and painted curbs
  • Sprayed weeds around town
  • Filled in dirt around valves at water tower
  • Hauled two loads of dirt to 520 W. Randolph
  • Hauled two loads of dirt to empty lot on Oak Street
  • Mowed and used weed eater around town and parks
  • Put down ¾” rock on West Hill Street
  • Buddy Mann bladed off grass at ballpark for Moran Day
  • Cold patched streets
  • Cut trees away from streets for chip and seal
  • Talked with Mr. King on chip and seal and reclaimer for roads
  • Talked with Mr. Mann about Franklin road project
  • Painted railing
  • Painted poles around shelter house and playground toys
  • Prepped tennis court for sealer
  • Spread 15 gallons of sealer on tennis court
  • Filled cracks on tennis court
  • Pulled electric pole at empty lot on N. Pine (Lillard); pulled secondary electric triplex
  • Set electric pole for secondary lines to raise triplex at 322 S. Cedar
  • Removed electric pole and dropped triplex secondary electric line at 415 N. Locust
  • Repaired blown fuse in alley west on S. Cedar (squirrel)
  • Repaired blown fuse at 217 E. Second
  • Located underground electric at Moran Manor
  • Located underground water lines (6”) at Moran Manor
  • Wired in electrical outlet at City Library
  • Demo locator at Moran Manor – located underground electric
  • Dug-in conduit and ran underground wire to pad for transformer at Moran Manor
  • Poured cement pad at Moran Manor
  • Changed out six electric meters
  • Low lift ready for new motor for contractors
  • Fixed water pit lid at 412 N. Birch
  • Called locates for water leak at 508 N. Birch
  • Called for bids on painting and maintenance on water tower

Superintendent Stodgell reported the bucket on the small bucket truck needs refiber-glassed and the large bucket truck needs two welding repairs. The Council approved to have the welding done by a professional.

Stodgell advised the Council that he is soliciting bids to paint and maintain the City’s water tower. He also noted the damaged lift station should be repaired by August 11th.

Stodgell requested Council approval to purchase a McLaughlin utility line locator. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the purchase of the locator using funds from Equipment Reserves. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

The Council approved to publish a public notice advertising the City will perform smoke testing of the sewer lines during the month of August.

Superintendent Stodgell asked the Council to approve chip and sealing of all the City streets. Stodgell said the oil to seal Franklin Street would cost between $2.40 to $2.60 a gallon. Oil for the other streets will be $1.60 a gallon. Councilmember Mueller moved the City spend up to $50,000.00 using available funds as needed. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

William Birnel of Westar advised the Council that Westar would like to propose the City and Westar enter into a new tariff and agreement based on the Arma/Westar agreement recently approved by FERC. Westar would then withdraw the original agreement and submit the new agreement for FERC’s approval. Mr. Birnel informed the Council that Westar has offered variable term lengths for the new agreement and reviewed the benefits of a twenty-year agreement versus a ten-year agreement. Birnel reviewed the estimated rates and asked the Council to approve the new agreement before August 20th. The Council asked Mr. Birnel to provide a full and complete rate schedule before they make a decision. The Council agreed to recess the regular meeting until 7:00 PM on August 11th.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of July 2009 as follows:

General Fund   Water Fund
Charges For Services 65.65   Sales To Customers 11,244.24
Refuse 1,606.42   Bulk Water Sales 120.58
Court Fines 3,163.00   Water Protection Fee 45.15
Reimbursed Expense 572.43   Connect Fee 150.00
Dog Tags 6.00   Penalties 326.19
KS Sales Tax 3,356.85   Overpaid on Account 16.09
Solicitor Permit 25.00   Sewer Fund
Interest Earned Checking/CDL 636.06   Sales To Customers 4,534.22
Dog Board/Pickup 40.00   Reimbursed Expense 144.97
Special Highway   Transfer Ck 20136 to CC Purchase 962.64
State Gasoline Tax Receipts 3,622.57   Sales Tax
Electric Fund  Sales Tax Receipts 867.86
Sales To Customers 30,136.39   Gross Receipts 63,284.89
Fuel Adjustment 475.73   Lieap Credit 455.85
Overpaid on Account 258.30  eBusiness Fee 14.68
Connect Fee 221.67   Lieap Fee 79.95
Reimbursed Expense 10.00   Survey Credits 640.00
Lieap Payments 676.88   Electric Credit 346.43
 Net Receipts 61,747.98

Clerk Evans relayed a request from a resident asking the Council waive the connect fee for his residence as he has been paying the utility bills for his father’s account for the past several years. Councilmember Mueller moved to waive connect fees for Rex Moore, John D. McAdam, and Cathy Cox. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with Mueller, Jack-man, Johnson, and Cole approving. Holman abstained from the vote.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting recess at 9:36 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, August 11, 2009. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

The Moran City Council resumed the regular session on Monday, August 11, 2009. Elected Officials Present: Phillip L. Merkel, Mayor; Michael Holman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Jerry Jackman, Councilmembers

Also present: Lori Evans, City Clerk

Visitors Present: Suzanne Lane of Westar and guest, Emily.

Suzanne Lane spoke with the Council about FERC Order 888, which mandates full service utility providers unbundle generation and transmission services. Suzanne also reviewed the charges assigned to electric transmission service and touched on the yearly rate updates. Yearly rate changes will be calculated in October and will take effect on the following January 1. A “true up” meeting will be held in June of each year to make adjustments for the previous year’s rate where additional charges or credits may be applied.

The Council discussed various rate scenarios, meter charges, and the need to change the meter reading dates. Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting rates be adjusted as follows: August 24th, September 28th, and October 30th. Subsequent meter reading dates will be set by ordinance. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Mueller moved the Council hold a special meeting on August 18th to discuss utility rates for all services and to ask Bill Birnel of Westar to attend the meeting to present the corrected electric transmission rates. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 9:23 PM. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

September , 2009