July, 2009
June 1, 2009The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 1, 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; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Michael Stodgell, City Superintendent Visitors Present: Loren Korte, Bill LaPorte, Bill McAdam, Tom McAdam, Roger Houk, Garret Ericson, Eric Ericson, Judy Knight, Donna Ross, Debbie Jones, and Loren Mitchell. CONSENT AGENDAThe Council reviewed the June 2009 consent agenda consisting of: May 2009 regular Council meeting minutes, May 2009 Petty Cash Report, June 2009 pay ordinance totaling $48,151.71, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing June 16, 2009. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the consent agenda, with the exception of checks drafted to Green Environmental for $1,476.63 and Modern Copy System $170.00. These checks will be removed from the pay ordinance for further discussion. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.VISITORSGarret Ericson, Eric Ericson, Bill McAdam, Tom McAdam, Roger Houk, Debbie Jones, Loren Mitchell, Bill LaPorte, Donna Barker, and Connie Knight. Councilmember Johnson moved the Mayor sign a proclamation declaring July 25th as Kansas All-Star Football Shrine Bowl Day in honor of Garret Ericson being a participant of the All Star Football Shrine Bowl. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Debbie Jones asked if the Council would allow use of a City tractor to pull the sleigh used in the lawn tractor pull. Debbie said Craig Miller had volunteered his time to drive the tractor if the Council approved the request to use the tractor. Debbie also asked if the City crew could cut back the grass from the area used for the tractor pull. Also requested was approval to move the motorcycle show to the Moran ball field. Debbie said the bikes would have kick stand plates to protect the infield. The Council saw no problems as long as stand plates were used and agreed to approve the requests. Loren Mitchell spoke with the Council and said the road south of his property is becoming very rutted due to increased traffic. He asked the City to rock the road as motorists are driving on his property to avoid the pot holes. The Council discussed the request and noted that section of Hill Street is not an open road and that the property owner to the south had rocked the road in the past. The Council asked Superintendent Stodgell if he saw any reason to rock the road. Stodgell said the City only uses the road for mosquito spraying. The Council took no action on the request at present but will review the request later in the meeting. The Council said they would notify Mr. Mitchell of their decision. Mr. Mitchell asked for clarification regarding his request to connect to the City sewer system. The council advised Mr. Mitchell that he could attach to the sewer system as soon as he purchases a building permit Judy Knight spoke with the Council and asked if the City could raise their water meter as the meter pit is too low and water stands in her yard during and after heavy rains. She also noted the ditch along her property is not draining and asked if the City would check to see if there was a problem with flow of the ditch. Superintendent Stodgell said the ditch and meter pit were both affected by the water project and the City crew had plans to rework the problems when the dirt settled. Superintendent Stodgell said he would check the ditch for flow issues during the next rain and would raise the meter pit Wednesday the 4th. Donna Ross also advised the Council that she was having problems with her ditch holding water and heavy rains are washing rock to the east ditch. She also reported difficulty mowing the ditch due to the rocks and the grade of the ditch. Superintendent Stodgell said he would review the situation to see if the City crew could make repairs. OLD BUSINESSLoren Korte presented the Citys 2010 insurance policy and noted the City has had a policy with EMC for more than 20 years. Mr. Korte noted the Citys policy does not provide coverage for damages caused by floods or earthquakes. He also noted the water tower coverage is somewhat low with regard to the cost of replacement. Other uninsured structures are light poles, lights, bleachers, and playground equipment at the park. Mr. Korte did confirm the generator at City Hall is covered under the building policy.The Council suggested the various departments heads review the inland marine coverage to make sure the insured value of equipment is correct as the policy only provides for actual cash value, not replacement value. Equipment if note included the Case backhoe, John Deere tractors, air packs, repeater, and police equipment used in the patrol car. Water and Electric Project Updates The Council requested a letter be sent to Breit Construction regarding the driveways that need work, ditch, and meter pit repairs. The letter should advise these repairs need to be taken care of by July 1st or the City will file a claim with Breit Constructions performance bonding agent. Superintendent Stodgell said he planned to have Moran Manor ready to connect to the new electric line after the City crew finishes a few small projects. The Council also discussed smoke testing need done to help pin point inflow and infiltration problems with the sewer system. Stodgell noted the sewer main from the lift station at First and Cedar needs tested south to the City limits as he is concerned with infiltration on that main. Marmaton Village Sewer Superintendent Stodgell reported that two of the three backflows have been installed and seem to be working fine. Digital Recording of Council Meetings Topic was tabled. City Use of County Provided Rock Councilmember Cole said he thought Superintendent Stodgell should have the authority to make decisions regarding the use of rock on City streets and alleys. Councilmember Cole asked Councilmember Jackman about County rock production and rock use. Jackman said the County policy is that they will only rock roads and driveways to the property line. Discussion followed and the Council agreed to fill the potholes as requested by Mr. Mitchell as the City uses the roadway between for manhole maintenance and mosquito spraying. Library Remodel Mayor Merkel said he had spoken with Connie McWhirter and advised her there were no plans for continuing with the Library remodeling at the present time. The Council asked that the topic be placed on the agenda in 6 months. NEW BUSINESSShrine Bowl Proclamation Topic was addressed earlier in the meeting.Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) Waiver Councilmember Cole moved the City adopt Resolution 2009-02. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving. 2010 KPER Rates Clerk Evans advised the Council that employer rates for 2010 would raise from 5.54% to 6.14%. No action was taken. Pay Ordinance Checks Held for Discussion - Green Environmental, the Council discussed licensure and insurance concerns and agreed the check should be voided and issued to Dual County until these questions have been addressed. Clerk Evans was asked to send a letter requesting documentation of the topics discussed. Modern Copy System, Councilmember Mueller moved the bill be paid as submitted. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Connect Fees Liability Clerk Evans relayed an incident where a parent/landlord had turned on utilities at an address so their child/tenant would not be required to pay connect fees. Evans asked for clarification of what property to shut off if a bill was unpaid. The Council asked that this topic be placed on the July agenda. Advertising City on School Sports Calendar The Council took no action on the topic. 2010 Budget Meeting The Council asked the special budget meeting be scheduled for July 13th if agreeable with the accountants. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief Chief Merkel said he had nothing to report. He did note he would be attending a 911 Advisory meeting June 3rd that would address moving the dispatch center. Merkel asked if the Council had any questions they would like addressed at the meeting. Costs to each City and the topic of moving dispatch to Humboldt were discussed by the Council.Police Chief Smith he had ordered VEU camera and that it should ship June 4th. Smith noted Drivers Education classes would be starting soon and he would speak with the students about driving issues. Chief Smith said the Click It or Ticket campaign wrapped up May 31st and that KDOT plans to begin a new campaign for 2010. The new campaign would cover nine southeast Kansas counties with 38 agencies and would be similar to Step programs. The project would last eight months and participating agencies will receive $600 for equipment purchases with the top seven agencies receiving an additional $1000 award. Chief Smith asked for approval to participate in the Campaign, the Council approved the request. Chief Smith said he had walked the City and that an average of every third home has a dog or dogs and that citations have been issued to dog owners who have not purchased tags. Smith also noted a problem with traffic control at Church & Park Streets as there is a stop sign on Park stopping northbound traffic and no sign stopping southbound traffic. Smith asked that a sign be placed stopping southbound traffic. No action was taken.
Superintendent Superintendent Stodgell submitted the City crews activity report for the month of May 2009:
Superintendent Stodgell requested approval to purchase forks for the Case backhoe. He estimated the costs at $983.50 and presented a brochure for the Councils review. Johnson moved to approve the request, Jackman seconded the request. Request passed with all approving. City Clerk Clerk Evans reported income for the month of May 2009 as follows:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:27 PM. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
July, 2009
|