October 4, 2004

The Moran City Council met in regular session at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 4, 2004. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Dana Endicott and Lawrence Hermmann were visitors attending the meeting. Councilmember Holman arrived at 7:10 PM. Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Barbara Shoate, Asst. Ambulance Director; Lee Roberts, and Lawrence Herrmann arrived later in the meeting.

Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the October consent agenda consisting of: September 2004 regular council meeting minutes, October pay ordinance totaling $69,118.14, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing October 24, 2004. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Dana Endicott thanked the Council for granting approval to hold a softball tournament at the park over Moran Day's weekend. She then asked the Council if they would consider remodeling the park concession stand. She told the Council that the concession stand doesn't have a sink and noted a lack of storage shelves and storage space as the ball equipment is stored in the concession stand. The Council advised Ms. Endicott they were under the impression the equipment was stored in a shed specifically purchased for that purpose. Superintendent Stodgell said he believed the City crew could install a sink and water heater rather easily using existing plumbing. The council suggested the ball association move the equipment to the storage shed and then review the storage problems. Councilmember Mueller moved the City crew install the sink and water heater as requested sometime before next spring. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Lawrence Herrmann informed the Council that he had purchased land north of the 400 block of West Oak Street and asked the Council how much utilities would cost if he was to build a new home. The Council reviewed a work sheet showing an estimate of approximately $1,250.00 to build new water, sewer and electric services to the home. Building permits and connect fees would add approximately $250.00 to the estimate. No action was taken.

OLD BUSINESS

Annual Christmas Party
Clerk Evans informed the Council that the FCCLA and Mrs. Stewart had agreed to host the annual Christmas party at 6:30 PM on December 1, 2004.

Resolution for 408 N. Birch
Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following quotes from Virgil Tucker for demolition and clean up for the property as follows; house and garage $2,500.00, house alone $2,000.00. The Council discussed a problem that could hinder the planned demolition of the garage as it seems the garage spans two lots with each lot owned by different individuals. Clerk Evans was instructed to send a letter to the property owner at 412 N. Birch to ask their intent for repairing or tearing down the garage. Councilmember Johnson moved the landowner of 408 N. Birch receive court citations for an abandoned vehicle and travel trailer left on the property. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Clerk Evans read the title of Resolution 2004-02 A RESOLUTION SETTING A DATE AND TIME FOR A PUBLIC HEARING TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE SPECIFIED STRUCTURES SHOULD NOT BE FOUND UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION AND ORDERED REPAIRED OR DEMOLISHED. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve passage and publication of the resolution. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Pocket Motorcycles and Lawn Mowers Driven on City Streets
Discussion held, no action was taken.

NEW BUSINESS

Review Chapter 3 & 4 of the City Code Book
The Council reviewed chapters 3 and 4 of the Moran City Code and agreed to make the following changes:
3-202(f) & (g) Delete these sections if allowed under Kansas Statutes
3-202A (c) Rewrite as "The clerk's office shall provide copies of all applications to the police department when they are received. The police depart-ment will run…"
3-213 (c) Rewrite as "…from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., closing hours for clubs shall conform to K.S.A. 41-2614 and any amendments thereto.
4-302 Delete section
4-411 Rewrite as "It shall be the duty of any person moving any of the structures mentioned in this article upon or across any street, alley or sidewalk or other public place, in this city, to display lighting thereon…
4-601 Rewrite to include Ordinances 1064 and 1083

The Council agreed to review chapters 5, 6, and 7 at the November meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief - Chief Merkel reported the new rural truck was taken on five calls last month.

Ambulance Director - Director Roberts informed the Council that the ball joint on the ambulance had been replaced by Twin Motors and the bill was submitted to Ford as a warranty repair.

Police Chief - Chief Smith notified the Council that the City would not be responsible for licensing fees for the Global Software until November 2005. The Council and Chief Smith discussed the purchase and possible funding for a new police car. No action was taken.

Superintendent - Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following report of the City crew's activities for the month of September:

  • Built new electric service for Moran Locker. Will complete project when electric contractors are done wiring inside the building
  • Replaced fuse on primary line on 9/13/04
  • Helped plum in new lights at school football field
  • Disconnected utilities and took down electric triplex to residence at 303 W. Randolph as house was razed
  • Repaired ¾" copper service at the Landmark that was damaged by KGS
  • Capped a leak on old cast iron 4" water main at Second & Maple
  • Sent two water samples to state for testing. All tests passed
  • Water project dates and work involved:
    • 9/01/04 Installed hydrant at Maple & Front; 30' PVC Pipe laid; exposed many unknown utilities
    • 9/02/04 220' PVC pipe laid going east on south side of Front & Spruce. Stopped to get Locker utilities ready, prepare for Moran Days and new house services ready
    • 9/22/04 Used cut off saw to cut street on Spruce between Hill & Randolph to allow for digging. Laid 40' pipe.
    • 9/23/04 70' of pipe laid, installed new hydrant
    • 9/24/04 120' of pipe laid; exposed utilities
    • 9/27/04 120' of pipe laid; exposed utilities
    • 9/28/04 60' of pipe laid; one new service tapped; flushed new main
    • 9/29/04 Located two services on old cast iron main
    • 9/30/04 One new service tapped
  • Made necessary preparations for Moran Days
  • Replaced fuel filter, replaced teeth on bucket and welded brace on backhoe
  • Continued spraying for mosquitoes throughout the month
  • Continued to mow and weed-eat as necessary
  • Installed new utilities at 303 N. Park
  • Replaced stop sign at Sycamore & First Streets
  • Replaced thermostat and top hose on '78 Chevy truck
  • Replaced light bulbs on front of Fire Station
  • Spoke with Lawrence Herman about installing utilities at property across from 407 W. Oak
Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that the water tower passed inspection with just a few items needing attention. Of primary concern is the existing ladder system on the tower. The foreman of the inspection crew told Superintendent Stodgell that he and his crew would be willing to climb the water tower without a safety ladder but other crews employed by the same employer would not climb the tower and make inspections unless a safety ladder was installed. Installing a safety ladder would cost between $1,200.00 and $3,500.00. Secondly, an electrical wire feeding the antenna serving Nautilus Commercial Data internet customers is placed too close to the left of the ladder and the wire interferes with the ability to attach safety equipment to the ladder. Clerk Evans was instructed to send a letter to Nautilus Commercial Data asking they move the wire away from the ladder and move the antenna itself so that it is not blocking the City's name on the water tower. Additionally, Stodgell suggested the Council consider building a fence around the water tower property for safety and security reasons. No other action was taken.

Superintendent Stodgell requested approval to purchase (2) blind mule hoists for $396.00, 18" wire cutter at $97.00, OD crimping tool at $220.00, (2) tool holders for $236.00, and hooks for $51.00. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the tool purchase and to increase the number of hoists ordered from two to four. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

City Clerk - Clerk Evans reported income for the month of September:

General Ambulance Fund
Charges For Services 21.60 Charges For Services 12,123.11
Dog Pickup/Boarding 50.00 Tax Disb - Emp Benefit 1,887.08
Court Fines 3,950.00 Water Fund
Building Permit 5.00 Sales To Customers 8,610.55
Ks Sales Tax 2,769.91 Penalties 58.98
Reimbursed Expense - General 150.00 Water Protection Fee 63.98
Interest Earned Checking/Cd 537.95 Bulk Water Sales 1,957.41
Tax Disbursement-Gen 5,327.62 Connect Fees-Water 75.00
Special Assessment 1,180.00 Reimb Exp-Water 238.50
Electric Fund Tax Disb - Library 17.13
Sales To Customers 34,411.58 Refuse 1,199.48
Fuel Adjustment 1,572.58 Sewer Fund
Reimb Exp-Electric 195.42 Sales To Customers    4,942.14
Connect Fees-Electric 147.78 Gross Receipts 83,832.63
Overpaid-Electric 145.29 Credits        55.89
Sales Tax 1,194.54 NET RECEIPTS 83,776.74

Clerk Evans relayed a request from Kenneth Luken asking permission to hold a Halloween party and block the street in the 100 block of S. Elm on October 29th. He also requested permission from the fire department to build a small bonfire. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the request to close the street, Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Fire Chief Merkel approved Mr. Luken's request to build a small bonfire.

The Council reviewed a SEK Library Evaluation of the Moran Public Library. The review indicated the Library should have a marked handicapped parking zone in front of the entrance, clearly marked and accessible exit, a small leak repaired in the roof, and possible expansion of the Library. No action was taken.

Superintendent Stodgell told the Council that two bean pots are cracked and need welding. The bean pots are used for Moran Day's, Elsmore Day's and the Kincaid Fair. The Council discussed the option of discontinuing lending of the bean pots to other communities as the pots keep getting damaged. The Council suggested the pots be taken to General Repair for welding. No further action was taken.

Mayor Merkel advised the Council that the annual board meeting for Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5 would take place later in the month. He informed the Council that Daryl Drake, the City's local representative on the board, has said the board will most likely raise water bulk rates at this meeting. Mayor Merkel asked if the Council has any questions or comments to take before the board. Discussion followed with no action taken.

Clerk Evans reported meeting with Suzanne Eristurk, Business Manager for Westar Energy, regarding contract negotiations between the City and Westar. Ms. Eristurk said contract negotiations that were discussed in September 2002 had been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances but the City should be aware that Westar would most likely issue a termination of contract notice sometime within the next few months. The contract termination requires three years notice be given to the affected party before any rates changes are imposed. Discussion followed with no action taken.

Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:22 PM. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

Close this page to return to the previous page

This page was prepared

November, 2004