January 6, 2003

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 6, 2003. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent, and Terry Pruitt of TNT Pest Control. Ambulance Director Roberts arrived at 7:11 p.m.

Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the January consent agenda consisting of: December 2002 council meeting minutes, pay ordinance totaling $73,399.83, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing January 9th. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

None Present

OLD BUSINESS

Termite Bids – Mr. Pruitt spoke with the Council and clarified his pest control bid. He proposed the building at 339 N. Cedar receive a perimeter treatment only with all other buildings receiving full termite treatment. He advised the warranty for 339 N. Cedar would be the same as full treatment. The Council noted their concern that the recent drop in temperatures would cause problems with the effectiveness of the pesticide. Mr. Pruitt said that he would not treat the buildings if the ground is frozen or the outside air is under 20 degrees ambient temperature. Mr. Pruitt was asked about the expected life of the pesticide. Mr. Pruitt said he would use Prevail Ft. and estimated the treatment to last up to 15 years. Councilmember Wallis moved to award the termite bid to TNT Pest Control. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Property Reviews for 111 S. Sycamore – 408 N. Birch – Councilmember Mueller moved to table this issue until the April council meeting. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. In lieu of condemnation proceedings, the Council directed Chief Smith to issue a court citation to the property owner of 111 S. Sycamore as the condition of the property violates City Code.

Painting Bids – Clerk Evans submitted pricing for Tneme-crete to repaint the City Hall/Emergency Complex. Mayor Merkel asked the Council if the City should consider repainting the exterior of the Library. He then suggested installing metal siding as an alternative to painting the Library. The Council agreed to review paint bid specifications at the February Council meeting.

Water Line Replacement – The Council continued discussion considering the need to replacing water mains. Superintendent Stodgell will prioritize the mains needing replacement and the topic will be reviewed at the February meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel said he was not able to purchase all of the items as approved for the fire department and asked approval to encumber the remaining budget for these purchases. Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the request. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Ambulance Director – Director Roberts spoke with the Council about the recent news articles in the Iola Register regarding the operations of the Allen County Ambulances. Discussion followed with no action taken. The Council discussed the salaries of ambulance personnel and agreed to review the topic in September.

Police Chief – Chief Smith informed the Council that the new radar unit has been installed in the patrol car. Additional work will be done on the wiring of the patrol car while Chief Smith is away at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC).

Chief Smith asked the Council to clarify the job description for the temporary officers that will be hired while he is attending KLETC. The Council agreed they would prefer the position to be limited to 20 hours per week. The City will offer an hourly wage of $10.00 with no benefits. Temporary officers will properly maintain the patrol car and equipment and prepare all reports as required. The Council agreed to review applicants at the February Council meeting.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of December:

  • Repaired a leak on the 4” water line at Elm and Second
  • Addressed a problem with customers removing the water dock air gap
  • Removed and capped service lines of demolished houses
  • Made repairs to the dog pound
  • Installed five new lights at the Library
  • Completed renovations to the fire bay behind library

    Superintendent Stodgell told the Council that the paint on the utility bed of the ‘97 utility truck is flaking badly and that he believes that it is time repaint the bed. He submitted pricing from Caler Auto Body and Miller’s Auto Body with Caler’s estimated price between $2100 and $2200 to repaint the bed and Miller’s pricing at $1523 to repaint the bed. Councilmember Ginn moved that Miller’s Auto Body paint the utility bed. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

    Superintendent Stodgell also asked the Council to consider purchasing a snow blade for the small John Deere tractor. Pricing for the blade alone is $1750, blade with toggle switch is $2250. Discussion followed, with the Council requesting additional information for review at the February Council meeting.

    Superintendent Stodgell asked the Council if the City crew should clear snow off the Senior Center drive and parking lot following snowstorms. The Council agreed the City should clean the drive and lot when necessary.

    City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported the following Income for the month of December:

    GENERAL FUND
    		WATER FUND
    CHARGES FOR SERVICES 7.04 SALES TO CUSTOMERS 8,236.09
    RENT 100.00 REIMBURSED EXPENSE 31.50
    COURT FINES 4,208.00 CONNECT FEES-WATER 73.89
    BUILDING PERMIT 10.00 BULK WATER SALES 316.97
    KS SALES TAX 2,720.37 WATER PROTECTION FEE 43.20
    NSF CHECKS 264.52 PENALTIES 237.17
    CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE LICENSE 200.00 SEWER FUND
    REIMB EXP-GENERAL 4.23 SALES TO CUSTOMERS 4,847.14
    VIN INSPECTION 10.00 REIMBURSED EXPENSE 48.59
    TAX DISBURSEMENT 1,129.69 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT FUND 244.53
    INTEREST EARNED CHECKING/CD 643.94 LIBRARY FUND 119.32
    BANK ERROR 0.50 AMBULANCE
    ELECTRIC FUND CHARGES FOR SERVICES 6,697.00
    SALES TO CUSTOMERS 30,910.48 REFUSE   1,210.90
    REIMBURSED EXPENSE 488.24 GROSS RECEIPTS 63,958.52
    CONNECT FEES-ELECTRIC 73.89 FUEL ADJUSTMENTS 687.89
    OVERPAID-ELECTRIC 164.61 REFUSE CREDIT 1.50
    SALES TAX 916.71 CREDITS     81.32
    NET RECEIPTS 63,187.81

    NEW BUSINESS

    League of Kansas Municipalities Membership – The Clerk submitted an invitation from the League of Kansas Municipalities inviting the City to join their association. The Council took no action on the invitation.

    The Council asked the Clerk to extend an invitation to Mark Barnett to attend the February meeting.

    Clerk Evans asked the Council to consider allowing City employees to exchange the Veteran’s Day holiday for the day following Christmas. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the request. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

    Councilmember Wallis moved the meeting adjourn at 9:40 PM. Jim Mueller seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

February, 2003