December, 2008
November 3, 2008The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 3, 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; and Michael Stodgell, City Superintendent Visitors Present: No visitors present when meeting began. Steve Crume arrived at 7:20 PM. Connie McWhirter arrived later in the meeting. CONSENT AGENDACouncilmember Mueller moved to approve the November 2008 consent agenda consisting of: October regular Council meeting minutes, October pay ordinance totaling $49,122.44 plus $57.90 to US Cellular and corporate resolution to purchase a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing November 16, 2008. Councilmember Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.VISITORSNone present.OLD BUSINESSParking Issues-USD 256 Councilmember Cole said he had spoken with Superintendent Meyer regarding her concerns with the No Parking signs in front of the Board Office. Discussion followed with the Council taking no action.Water Project Update Councilmember Cole moved that Superintendent Stodgell prepare a list of items that Breit Construction needs to address before the10% retainage will be released. Shawn Turner, Project Engineer, will submit the list to Breit Construction requesting the work be completed within 30 days. If the work is complete by December 1st retainage could be released at the next Council meeting, otherwise Breits request to release retainage will be reviewed at the January meeting. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Mueller moved the City finance road repairs with City funds and to finalize the loan as soon as Breit Construction completes the project and the retainage is released. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Steve Crume asked the Council about the problems that were cited in October minutes relating to the September street dance. Mr. Crume said he was out early Sunday morning cleaning up the trash and bottles. Discussion followed, no action was taken. Library Remodeling The Council requested the clerk contact local contractors to see if they would bid on the remodel project. Contractors will review the project with the librarian and submit bids for the December council meeting. City Hall Maintenance Clerk Evans said she had spoken with Laco Guttering regarding repairs to the front entrance canopy but they have not submitted a bid as of this meeting. The Council suggested Evans speak with the contractors bidding on the library remodeling project to see if they would submit a bid to repair or replace the canopy boards. Annual Holiday Party Clerk Evans reminded the Council and staff present that the annual holiday party would be held Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30 PM at the Senior Center. 512 N. Spruce Councilmember Mueller moved the City proceed with demolition of the property as soon as the City Code would allow. Demolition cost will be assessed to the General fund. Superintendent Stodgell will contact Virgil Tucker to see if he would demolish the home. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Library Remodeling (cont) Connie McWhirter informed the Council that the Library had received a grant for repairs and remodeling for a small area of the Library. Connie said the Library board had approved plans to install a coffee station in the Library. Connie requested approval to remove the toilet and change the sink from a bathroom lavatory to a kitchen/bar sink. Grant money will be used to remodel the bathroom. The Council expressed no opposition to the plan. Utility Extensions - The Council upheld City policy and agreed utility customers will receive only one extension to pay per account. No further extensions will be granted without Council approval. Increase in Water Rates Clerk Evans informed the Council that Public Wholesale Water Supply has notified the City that they will increase rates by .25 cents per 1000 gallons beginning January 1, 2009. No action was taken. Utility Software The Council agreed the office staff could should schedule a demonstration with Jayhawk software. Topic will be reviewed December 1st. Grant Opportunities/David Toland Attorney Heim will speak with Mr. Toland and invite him to attend the December meeting. Drainage Ditch at 423 N. Linn Superintendent Stodgell reported the ditch will be reworked when Mann Construction repairs Franklin Street next summer. Year End Review of Salaries and Benefits Topic was tabled until later in the meeting. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief Chief Merkel reported the 911 advisory board reviewed operation issues with the 911 dispatch center and discussed moving 911 dispatch to another location. No action has been taken but if the board does move the dispatch center local communities may have to contribute additional funding.Police Chief Chief Smith said he would be attending CPR recertification on November 10th at the Allen County Hospital. He also noted he would be participating in the STEP campaign November 24-30. Any overtime paid during the campaign will be reimbursed by the program. Chief Smith reported the alternator went out on the patrol vehicle and was replaced in October.
Superintendent Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of October 2008: Superintendent Stodgell reported the sand box digger at the park needed repairs and requested approval to purchase one more digger for the park. He estimated costs to be $400.00 to $500.00 per digger. He also requested approval to purchase plastic timbers to replace the railroad ties bordering the sand box. The Council approved Superintendent Stodgells request. City Clerk October 2008 income was reported as follows:
Councilmember Mueller moved to meet in executive session at 9:44 PM for 15 minutes to discuss personnel matters. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open session at 10:00 PM. The Council invited all employees to meet individually with the Council at the December meeting. The Council asked for comments from the employees present. Superintendent Stodgell asked the Council to review the vacation policy and consider increasing the vacation allowance as a number of employees have 15 or more years with the City. The Council requested Clerk Evans prepare a report showing employees actual salaries for 2007 and projected salaries for 2008. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:07 PM. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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December, 2008
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