February, 2006
January 3, 2006The Moran City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, 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 Craig Miller, Asst. City Superintendent. Galen Bigelow, Mike McEwan, and Tim Perkins were visitors attending the meeting. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of: December 2005 regular council meeting minutes, January 2006 pay ordinance totaling $127,711.08, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $25,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing January 10, 2006. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSMike McEwan informed the Council that he was present to follow up on an earlier request from USD 256 to use the ball fields for school sponsored baseball and softball teams. Mr. McEwan asked the Council if the City would charge for use of the lights, mowing, or maintenance costs. The Council advised they did not foresee charging for these services at this time and asked Mr. McEwan when the season would run. He replied the season would be March 1st through May 20th. The Council asked Mr. McEwan if the school planned on using both fields. He noted the school would like to use both fields but they would need to build a pitchers mound on the east field and would like to have the west field cleaned up and clay put down on the infield. Superintendent Stodgell informed Mr. McEwan that the City has materials for the mound but the Ball Association was going to build the mound on the east field. Mr. McEwan asked if the Council had any plans to put lighting on the west field, the Council replied they had no plans at this time. The Council informed Mr. McEwan that they did not have any problems with USD 256 using the field as long as the school and Ball Association could agree on use of the field.Tim Perkins informed the Council that he is an independent contractor and asked the Council if the City is offering any new building incentives at this time. The Council informed Mr. Perkins the City does not have any specific incentives at this time but will be discussing the topic later in the meeting. Craig Miller invited the Council to inspect the new backhoe.
OLD BUSINESSReview Chapter 2 of the Moran City Code – Councilmember Mueller moved the topic be tabled until the February 2006 meeting. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Incentives for New Construction – The Council discussed the various utility charges assessed by the City for new home construction. Superintendent Stodgell estimated the cost for an average home to be as follows:
A building permit of $1.00 per $1,000.00 of value is assessed for any new construction. Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council the numbers estimated for new construction are based on the actual cost to the City. There is no mark up on products and no charge for city employees time spent on building the services. The Council reviewed an ordinance setting building incentive for the City of LaHarpe. They discussed offering utility credits or waiving connect fees as possible incentives. The Council took no action but asked that the topic be placed on the February agenda. Funding for Franklin Street Water Project – The Clerk informed the Council that Community National Bank will offer a 10 to 15 year loan but can only lock interest rates for the first 5 years of the loan. The Council asked the Clerk to check with other outside sources and to research grant writing and grant possibilities. The topic was tabled until the February meeting.
NEW BUSINESSGeneral Maintenance Needs for Police Car – Tabled until later in the meeting. Termite Re-inspection – The Council agreed the Clerk should contact TNT Pest Control and schedule the annual inspection.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Chief Merkel notified the Council that the County should have moved all items out of the ambulance bay on or before January 16, 2006. After that date the bay will be used by the fire department for vehicle and equipment storage.Police Chief – Chief Smith informed the Council that routine maintenance has been done on the patrol car but it is time to change spark plugs and transmission filter. Chief Smith asked the Council if they would like to have the unit serviced by Ford or S&S Service. The Council agreed to use S&S Service for the repairs. Chief Smith noted tires on the patrol car may need to be replaced toward the end of the year. Chief Smith also informed the Council that he needs to have 40 hours of training by June to meet his recertification requirements. He said he planned to attend a 40 hour class March 20-24 at Independence, KS discussing Highway Drug Investigations but will continue to look for training closer to home. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell thanked the Council for purchasing the new backhoe. He also noted he has left a message for Mr. Robertson concerning a written estimate for the concession stand bid but has not received a call back from Mr. Robertson. Allen Terrell will submit a bid for roofing the concession stand for the February meeting. Superintendent Stodgell also noted Mr. Terrell assisted in pouring the concrete pad for the concession stand and is owed $200.00 for his time. The Council agreed to process this payment through petty cash. The Council discussed various methods to finish the concession stand floor and agreed sealing the concrete would be sufficient.
Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following report of activities for the month of December:
City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of December as shown below:
The Council discussed Mr. Robertson’s bid of $4,674.00 for the concession stand and that the bid covered labor, block, doors, and cement but door prices were an estimate. The Council agreed to have Allen Terrell submit a bid to repair the shelter house at the park. Councilmember Johnson informed the Council that the new owner of the golf course needs a footer dug for a new club house and is having problems getting a contractor to take the job at the present time. He asked if the City crew would be able dig the footing. The Council discussed the request and liability issues and agreed the City could not fulfill the request. The Council did agree to lend the city’s 12” backhoe bucket to use on the project if volunteers choose to dig the footer. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Ginn moved the meeting adjourn at 9:55 PM. With Mueller seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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February, 2006
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