This page was prepared
November, 2002
October 7, 2002The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 7, 2002. 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 Officer; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Andy Hodo and Richard Luken were visitors attending the meeting. James Dean and Craig Miller arrived around 7:05 PM with Steve Holloway arriving around 7:20 PM. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the October 2002 consent agenda consisting of: September 2002 regular council meeting minutes with an addition to paragraph 3, page 1 … cover all broken windows, pay all outstanding bills due to the city…, September pay ordinance totaling $68,226.38, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing October 19, 2002. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSAndy Hodo, 203 S. Elm, asked the Council if the City crew could assist in trimming out some tree limbs in a tree near his driveway as he is physically unable to cut down the limbs. Superintendent Stodgell said the request was on their work order list, but the city crew’s main priority at the present is trimming tree limbs out of primary lines before cold weather sets in. The City crew should be able to respond to the request later this fall or early winter.Craig Miller was just visiting and James Dean was present to check on the status of the Police Chief vacancy. Mayor Merkel advised the position was scheduled on the agenda and would be addressed shortly.
OLD BUSINESSProperty Reviews – The Council reviewed the progress at 140 W. Church and found that only two of the five improvements agreed upon had been completed. Councilmember Mueller moved to continue with the condemnation process by placarding the property and soliciting bids for demolition. Holman seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving.Moran Grain - 115 Hill; Following considerable discussion, Councilmember Mueller moved to continue with the condemnation process by placarding the property and soliciting bids for demolition or repair. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Pool - 408 N. Birch; The Clerk was advised to send a letter addressing the lack of repairs being made to the property and request an update on the plans for the property. Hampel Oil - 102 S. Cedar; Councilmember Ginn moved to send notice of property violations as allowed under Moran City Code Chapter 8. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. VISITORS (cont)Steve Holloway told the Council that the United States Postal Service had advised him that they were renewing a five-year lease option on the old postal building and that they would not be utilizing the new building until the end of the lease extension. Mr. Holloway noted his concern that the accessibility ramp at the post office would not be removed by the end of the year as advised the postal service. Councilmember Mueller moved the Clerk send a letter to the United States Postal Service advising them of the City’s continued concerns with the ramp and inquire of their plans for the current postal facility. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Utility Billing Software – Topic moved to the Clerks report. Police Chief Vacancy – Councilmember Ginn moved the Council meet in executive session for 30 minutes at 8:02 PM to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Bret Heim was invited to attend the session. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. At 8:15 PM Mayor Merkel returned and invited Shane Smith to attend the session. The Council returned to open meeting at 8:26 PM and Mayor Merkel appointed Shane Smith as Police Chief to begin October 21st, contingent upon signing an employment contract. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the appointment. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Mr. Dean asked if the Council would be seeking applicants for part time employment. The Mayor advised that the Council would consider departmental staffing after Chief Smith is established in the position. Credit Card for Moran Ambulance – Councilmember Ginn moved the Council apply for a Phillips MasterCard for use by the Moran Ambulance Department. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Painting Bids – Clerk Evans informed the Council that Tneme-Crete no longer makes the type of sealant that was used to paint the City Hall-Emergency complex in 1994. However, Rick Penner, a representative from Tneme-Crete has offered to inspect City Hall and advise us as to what type of sealant he would recommend. Mr. Penner should be in the area within the next 30-45 days and could take a look at the building at that time. The agenda item was tabled until Mr. Penner has inspected the building and offered his advice. Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission Meetings – Councilmember Ginn volunteered to attend the December meeting representing the City.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Nothing to report.Ambulance Director – The Council reviewed pricing for the purchase of three new Firestone Steel-Tex Radial tires for the ambulance. Iola Tire priced the tires at $134.55; J.D.’s Automotive, $105.00; and Moran Tire, $110.00. All prices included stems, mounting, and balancing. Councilmember Ginn moved to purchase the tires locally from Moran Tire. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval. Police Chief – Officer Smith suggested the Council may want to send a letter to the County Commissioners advising them of the City’s concern with public use of the parking lot at the new Senior Center. The Council discussed increased complaints to the police department regarding the number of cars using the parking lot on the weekends and after business hours. The Clerk was asked to send a letter the Commissioners noting the Council’s concern and to ask how the Commissioners would like the City to handle the parking problems. Officer Smith and the Council discussed plans for the upcoming Halloween holiday. The Clerk was asked to send a letter to Moran Tire and Moran Locker asking they secure any large items that could be easily moved to block highway 59. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of September:
City Clerk – Clerk Evans updated the total income for the month of August as $84,548.32 to reflect interest earned on the checking account. The income for September was reported as:
Councilmember Mueller moved to offer free flu shots to city employees. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Clerk Evans notified the Council that the City has received the annual licensing and support agreement from Data Technologies for the year 2003. Unfortunately, Data Technologies only has ten customers remaining using the DOS based version of the software and they will be phasing out support next year. Data Technologies has offered a discount of 72.35% off the retail price of the Windows based version if the Council chooses to update the City’s utility billing and financial software. The Council discussed purchasing the update versus purchasing software from another vendor. No action was taken and the topic was tabled until the November Council meeting.
NEW BUSINESSRequest to Close Street – Councilmember Wallis moved to approve a request from Jackie Luken to close the 100 block of S. Elm at 3:00 PM on October 26th to hold a Halloween party. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Councilman Wallis moved the meeting adjourn at 10:10 PM. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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This page was prepared November, 2002
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