December 1, 2008

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 1, 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; Lynn Heskett, Asst. City Clerk; Michael Stodgell, City Superintendent; and Craig Miller, Asst. City Superintendent

Visitors Present: Sheriff Tom Williams, Pam Beasley, David Toland, Barbara Chalker and Steve Crume.

Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the December 2008 consent agenda consisting of: November 2008 regular Council meeting minutes, November pay ordinance totaling $47,020.25, and corporate resolution to purchase a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing December 5, 2008. Councilmember Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

David Toland - Grant Opportunities (cont) – Mr. Toland presented information regarding THRIVE Allen County, which is a county-wide non-profit organization whose objective is to connect organizations to local services and grant funding opportunities in the areas of Health, Wellness, Education, Recreation. THRIVE Allen County is supported by the Reach Foundation of HCA and other state and local agencies. Mr. Toland told the Council that area communities have benefitted from THRIVE, such as Humboldt adding bicycle and walking trails and suggested the Moran City Council might want to explore the Moran community’s need and how THRIVE could provide assistance to the community.

Councilmember Mueller asked if the areas of street repair, sidewalks, and Library qualified for any grant monies. Mr. Toland said he believed he could help with sidewalks, and stated the Walking Trails Grant was open until April 2009, and that local government would be required to match dollar-for-dollar. The possibility exists of qualifying for up to $15,000.00, $5,000.00 for trees, and $5,000.00 for lighting. Toland will see if the City could provide in-kind labor as a portion of the required matching funds. Barbara Chalker added there may be grant money available through STEP/Small Communities Improvement Program grants. The Council thanked Mr. Toland for speaking with them and said they would investigate the community needs and contact THRIVE regarding grant pos-sibilities.

Barbara Chalker introduced herself and said her job is to help cities find State, Federal, and private funding and grants that are geared toward community improvements to encourage tourism, which in turn helps local economies. This service is provided through the Office of Rural Opportunity SEKAN RC & D for Cities with populations below 5000. Ms. Chalker suggested the City might like to highlight local attractions/events that would promote the Moran community to visitors; such as Moran is the hometown of Debra Barnes, 1968 Miss America and Kelly Welch – Rhodes Scholar. Chalker said the sidewalk topic discussed during Mr. Tolland’s presentation might qualify for the Safe Routes to School grant.

Ms. Chalker suggested the city hold a community meeting separate from the regular council meeting, with Mr. Toland, herself, Extension Agents Kathy McEwan and Carla Nemecek in attendance to speak with representatives from the school, health fields, churches and elderly. Meeting attendees could share local history to come up with ideas to help promote Moran. The Council thanked Ms. Chalker for her time.

Steve Crume – Mr. Crume said he was in attendance regarding the Cereal Malt Beverage License for Playmor.

Library Remodeling Bids – The Council reviewed prospective bids for the library remodeling and cabinet construction but noted the bids differed in work performed. The Council discussed what work they specifically wanted done and agreed to inspect the library at the January meeting.

City Hall Canopy Bids – Topic was tabled until a future date. Water Project Update – Clerk Evans spoke with the Council regarding three outstanding invoices owed by the contractor. The Council agreed the contractor was responsible for paying the invoices and asked the Clerk to contact the credi-tor regarding this matter.

Utility Billing Software – Councilmember Mueller approved purchase of Jayhawk Utility Billing software and one year support at a cost of $1,925.00. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Update on Demolition of 512 N. Spruce – Stodgell said that Virgil Tucker planned to raze the house at 9:00 AM the morning of December 2, 2008.

PWWS 5 Water Rates – Clerk Evans informed the Council that PWWS rates will increase from .35 cents to $2.35 per 1000 gallons effective January 1, 2009. Councilmember Johnson suggested monitoring rates in 3-6 months. Topic was tabled until May 2009.

NEW BUSINESS

911 Advisory Board Meeting – Mayor Merkel noted the board would meet in January 2009.

Dual County Rate Adjustments – The City received an e-mail stating there would be no rate adjustments for 2009.

2009 Council Calendar – Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the 2009 Council Calendar as presented. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Year End Review of Fund Balances – Topic dismissed.

Year End Review of Salaries and Benefits – Topic was tabled until later in the meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Police Chief – Chief Smith reported that he purchased a new battery for the patrol unit, and that one tire required repairs two or three times recently. Becker Tire and Auto is checking the price for two tires and if comparably priced, Smith plans to purchase them. Smith also stated that no problems have been reported, nor complaints voiced with the change in parking in front of the school superintendent’s office. Smith will be issuing citations for violations of the fire code, specifically hay bales placed against homes and fireplace ashes discarded near combustible materials.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of November 2008:
• Repaired five security lights around City
• Resident at 120 S. Linn reported half electric; checked electrical connections
• Trimmed trees in alley behind 315 N. Park
• Set new utility pole at 204 N. Cedar
• Took down electric loop and left meter base at 209 E. Front
• Squirrel caused power outage at AgChoice; repaired
• Replaced hydrant at 204 N. Cedar; 4” 2-way new KVA fire hydrant, took old out
• Worked on #2 low lift station
• Located sewer service at 214 S. Pine
• Took bleachers and trash cans from City park to Shop to secure for Halloween
• Temporarily removed signs near 708 N. Cedar, while resident removed tree
• Scraped curb in front of Emprise Bank on Randolph Street; picked up dirt
• Picked up dirt at corners of Birch & Randolph Streets
• Returned bleachers and trash cans to Troxel Park and City Park
• Attached comfort cover on 2510 John Deere, for snow removal
• Cleaned brush from fence, and all around burn site
• Cold patch around town
• Changed oil and winterized police car and utility trucks
• Prepared chain saws for trimming trees
• Repaired broken backhoe toy from sand box area at City Park
• Ordered and received new backhoe toy and plastic border for sand box at City Park
• Picked up tree limbs at City Park
• Valve box at City Park, put dirt around sand box and low spots
• Raked leaves and cleaned City Park and City Shop areas

Stodgell reported that the furniture had been removed from the home at 512 N. Spruce, and hauled to the landfill. He said he had checked with Tiede Construction regarding their schedule for setting the new electric pole at the Manor. Tiede stated they were back from working in the hurricane area and will have to work around the weather to complete the project on N. Birch.

Stodgell informed the Council that the new sand digger and sand box edging for City Park was delivered. Stodgell plans to put black sand in the box, and will call for pricing for clean black sand. He also noted the valve on the water line by Family Physicians needs replaced, and the existing fire hydrant there needs to be moved.

City Clerk – The Clerk reported income for the month of November 2008 as follows:

Clerk Evans reported receiving a phone call from Cole’s Sanitation offering to provide trash service to residential customers at $7.00 per month for once a week pickup. Cole’s does not offer poly cart service to residential customers. No action was taken. Evans also relayed an inquiry made asking if the City would sell one of the newer fire hydrants that was removed from the water line on Cedar Street. The Council informed Evans that the hydrants were going to be put back in service and were not for sale.

Year End Review of Salaries and Benefits (cont) – Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session at 8:50 PM for 5 minutes to discuss employer-employee relations. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned at 8:55 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session at 9:02 PM for 10 minutes to discuss personnel issues and requested Superintendent Stodgell meet with the Council. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned at 9:13 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session at 9:15 PM for 10 minutes to discuss personnel issues and requested Asst. Superintendent Miller meet with the Council. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned at 9:24 PM. Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session at 9:32 PM for 10 minutes to discuss personnel issues and requested Asst. Clerk Heskett meet with the Council. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned at 9:30 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session at 9:32 PM for 10 minutes to discuss personnel issues and requested Chief Smith to meet with the Council. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned at 9:43 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session at 9:45 PM for 10 minutes to discuss personnel issues and requested Clerk Evans to meet with the Council. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open session at 9:55 PM.

Councilmember Mueller moved the Council return to executive session at 9:55 PM for 10 minutes to continue discussing employer-employee relations. Councilmember Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 10:05 PM. Councilmember Mueller moved that all full time employees receive an increase of $.35 per hour raise effective January 1, 2009 and that the Clerk compute the equivalent for Chief Smith. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Coun-cilmember Johnson moved that paid employees be given a $25.00 gift certificate in appreciation for their service. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council also approved purchase of polo or denim shirts for employees to wear during working hours. Pay for 2009 will be as follows:
      Mike Stodgell $18.65 to $19.00 hr
      Craig Miller $15.40 to $15.75 hr
      Lynn Heskett $10.50 to $10.85 hr
      Lori Evans $15.10 to $15.45 hr
      Shane Smith $701.48 to $716.88 wk

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:15 PM. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

This page was prepared January , 2008