October, 2008
September 2, 2008The Moran City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 2, 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; Lynn Heskett, Assistant City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent Visitors Present: Kevin Davis, Wayne Barnett, David Colgin, Gary McIntosh, and Robert Francis. CONSENT AGENDACouncilmember Cole moved to approve the September consent agenda consisting of: August 4, 2008 regular Council meeting minutes, August 2008 pay ordinance totaling $151,515.42, and corporate resolutions to purchase two $30,000.00 certificates of deposits (CDs) to replace CDs maturing September 12th and October 5th 2008. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.VISITORSAllen County Ambulance Service (Council moved agenda item from New Business) - Wayne Barnett, David Colgin, Gary McIntosh, and Robert Francis introduced themselves to the Council as candidates for County Commissioner in the November election. Their presence at the meeting was to ask the Council to clarify Moran’s operation of the ambulance service. Their goal is to obtain information from Iola, Humboldt, Moran, as well as the State, so that whoever is elected will be able to step into the Commissioner positions with the knowledge they need to help implement better organization and communication where the ambulance service is concerned.The Council reviewed the City’s operation of the ambulance service in years past and answered questions posed by the candidates. The candidates asked the Council if they would be willing to house the ambulance if the need arose. The Council agreed they would be willing to discuss the subject if the Commissioners felt it would be in the County’s best interest. The Council thanked them for their time and efforts in this area. Kevin Davis requested the Council consider eliminating five parking spaces to the east of the handicapped parking spaces in front of USD 256’s Superintendent’s Office as his family is unable to access their driveway and garage due to vehicles parked in those five spaces. After some discussion, the Council agreed to table the topic until the October Council meeting and each Council member agreed to review the parking situation at the specified location before the next meeting. OLD BUSINESSWater Project Update – Request from Breit to Reduce Retainage to 1% - Superintendent Stodgell stated there were several items that are incomplete on the original project, and therefore felt the Council should deny Breit Construction’s request to Reduce Retainage from 10% to 1%. Discussion followed with the Council agreeing to deny the request. The Council also requested to retain loan funds to chip and seal Franklin Street from the water tower to Chestnut Street and Chestnut Street two blocks north and south of intersection next year.Water Project Update – Change Order Number 1- The Council discussed Change Order 1 but did not approve submitting the Change Order to the State until they have better clarification of the data. Councilmember Mueller approved paying Breit Construction $50,760.00 with Councilmember Cole seconding the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Franklin Street Access at Water Tower – The Council discussed closing Franklin Street at the water tower and rocking the area beneath the water tower, inside the new fence so there would be no need for mowing. No action was taken. Response from Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5 – No action taken. Minimum Water Purchase from Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5 – No action taken. City Code; Article VIII, Chapter IV; Weeds - Officer Smith stated City Hall had received a complaint regarding a residential weed violation, but that the situation had been resolved. Superintendent Stodgell also relayed a request from a company that transports camper tops, that the City trim overhanging tree limbs on South Cedar Street to prevent scratching on high profile vehicles. The Council agreed the business should be referred to KDOT, as they maintain the highway. 512 N. Spruce – Property Taxes/Demolition Bid- The Council acknowledged receiving the Quitclaim Deed for 512 N. Spruce from Christopher and Reeva Lindsey, but Clerk Evans hasn’t filed the deed yet as there are past due property taxes attached to the property from 2007-2008 totaling $615.00. City Attorney Bret Heim suggested proceeding with the condemnation process, reviewing Virgil Tucker’s bid for demolition, and contacting Highberger Construction to update their bid. Heim also suggested the City draft a letter to the Lindsey’s stating their intent to continue with condemnation, and a letter to the State requesting an exemption on the past due taxes. The Council agreed to contact Highberger Construction for their bid. The topic was tabled until the October meeting. NEW BUSINESSMoran Day Committee Request to Use Concession Stand Sept 12th, 13th, & 20th - Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the committee’s request to use the concession stand on the dates requested. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Further discussion led to a request that the Clerk’s Office contact Kris Smith, Ball Association President, to inform him of the request so they can move any equipment they may have stored in the building.Moran Day Candy - Councilmember Holman offered to contact Russell Stover’s about candy donations for the Moran Day’s parade. Mueller moved that should Russell Stover’s not be able to donate, that the City purchase up to $200 worth of candy for the parade. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Termite Inspection of City Buildings – Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that termites had been found in the City Shop bathroom, and that the City’s current contractor was not fulfilling his obligation of inspections or treatments. Stodgell contacted Ryan Walter, of Ryan’s Pest Control of Garnett, KS. Mr. Walter is the former serviceman for Embarq, but is also a certified exterminator. Mr. Walter submitted a bid to treat the Library for $270.00, and recommends spot treating the City Shop for $200.00. He would return to inspect the buildings annually for $80.00 per annual visit. Councilmember Cole moved the City accept Mr. Walter’s bid as written, Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Nothing to report.Police Chief – Chief Smith reported that with football season starting soon, he had invited the highway patrol and sheriff’s officers to be involved in patrolling the school grounds on game nights. Smith stated that he had purchased a tensioner pulley for the police car, which Assistant City Superintendent Craig Miller will install at first opportunity. Smith also spoke with Steve Halbut, KDOT Bureau of Traffic Safety, regarding the Click It or Ticket program, and that Smith’s participation in the program earned $1010 to be used for purchase of traffic-related safety equipment. He requested the Council allow him to purchase a Zero Tolerance flashlight with alcohol sensor for $675.00 with $12.20 shipping. The remaining money could be spent on various items such as traffic vests and reflective gloves. Mueller moved that Smith make the purchases, Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Officer Smith informed the Council of an organization called the “We Care” Foundation, which provides replacement body armor vests for police officers. Smith is planning to apply for this grant and if the department meets the foundation’s criteria the Foundation will replace his armor vest at no cost to the City.
Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of August: Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that Mike Cooper of Westar said Westar has been delayed in setting Moran Manor’s electric pole. Also, Tiede Construction informed Stodgell that they only expected the electric to be down for two hours when they switch the Manor to the new line. Stodgell stated that Waste Management/Dual County Sanitation of Wichita has closed the Erie, KS satellite office, and that he and Clerk Lori Evans have repeatedly ordered poly carts from the company, but have yet to receive them. The Council agreed that Clerk Evans should draft a letter to them regarding the matter. Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that Debbie Jones, Moran Day’s Committee Chairperson, had contacted the City about available electrical outlets for vendors on Moran Day. Stodgell and the Council discussed the electrical facilities at the park and agreed there are plenty of outlets at the park without adding any new. Stodgell said he would contact Mrs. Jones to review the vendor’s electrical requirements. Council members expressed to Stodgell that the City utility workers were doing a good job painting curbs so the City would look clean for Moran Days. Stodgell stated that City employee Adam Cole had been doing a good job on this project. City Clerk – Assistant City Clerk Lynn Heskett presented income for the month of August as follows:
Asst. Clerk Heskett relayed several requests for the Council’s approval. Stub’s Market asked if the Council were aware of any funding for businesses that could be used for expanding or improving their existing business facilities. Councilmember Cole suggested they contact the Department of Commerce and provided a printout for the Clerk’s Office to pass on to Stub’s. The Council agreed that while they were not able to provide funding from the City, they would be willing to write a letter to the Department of Commerce in support of Stub’s Market’s application. Billy Holloway, MVHS student, requested permission to have a bonfire at the City Park on October 16, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. to complete their homecoming pep rally. Mueller moved to approve request, Johnson seconded, with all approving. The Council reviewed a request that City employees be allowed to trade the December 24th holiday for December 26th which would allow employees a four-day holiday weekend. Councilmember Cole moved to approve this request, and moved that the employees only work until noon on Wednesday, December 24th. With Mueller seconding the motion, motion passed with all approving. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:00 PM. Cole seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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October, 2008
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