REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

            JANUARY 7, 2004                                                                 7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Mike Batchelder, Tony French, Jerry Bruns and Mari Ann Parker (7:31 p.m.)

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Helen Frye, Chad Clary, Francis Gordon, Jim Ruhnke, Dick Powell, Marilyn McVicker, Jan Stonebarger, Katie Hargis, Mr. & Mrs. Orville Sutherland, Betty Lewis, Aaron Powell, Dorothy Diveley, Ila Spaulding, Roger Hopkins, Carol Hopkins, Emily Tharp, Amber Lock, Dave Riest, Thomas Beaman, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present. 

 

Jerry Bruns moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held December 3, 2003.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried 3-0.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the special meeting held December 23, 2003.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried 4-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS:  Helen Frye addressed the Council about assisted living facilities being constructed in Doniphan County.  She stated that the facilities would need a minimum of three acres but would prefer five to seven acres.  These facilities would have between 32 to 36 units.  Helen explained the differences between assisted living quarters compared to skill care facilities and the need for these facilities in Doniphan County.  The Council informed Helen that they would like to put together a proposal for her and Thomas Reddy to consider at a special meeting at a later date. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:  City Superintendent Roger Hopkins stated that he would have bids on the voltage capacitor for the next regular council meeting.

 

Mayor Tyler appointed Donna Parish to the vacant council member position and asked the Council for their approval.  Jerry Bruns moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Donna Parish to fill the vacant position.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS:  Tony French moved, 2nd by Mari Ann Parker, to approve Ordinance No. 442; An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas to rezone Block 64, Lots 1-12 from R-2 to B-2.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Bruns-yes.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Orville Sutherland addressed the Council about the carport he had constructed.  Mike Batchelder moved to table discussion on Mr. Sutherland’s carport until the next regular meeting.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried 3-1 with French voting no.

 

Marilyn McVicker had requested that “yield signs” be installed at the intersection of South Ives and West Virginia Streets.  Tony French moved to have the Law Enforcement Committee look into the City traffic map to see where yield signs should be posted and report their findings at the next regular council meeting.  Motion died for lack of second.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to have the Law Enforcement Committee review the traffic map, but to go ahead and install yield signs at the intersection of South Ives and West Virginia.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

8:30 p.m. Jerry Bruns moved to take a 5 minute recess.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

8:35 p.m.  Mayor Tyler called the meeting back to order.

 

CITY OFFICER’S REPORT:  City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council he would be contacting Thoroughbred Computer Systems this month to have the utility billing software installed.  He also stated that he would talk with Thoroughbred about the laser printer.

 

Police Chief Chad Clary updated the Council about the traffic map and nuisance list.  He stated that a no parking sign needed repair at the 700 block of West Missouri Street, and also asked the Council to consider banning semi-trailer trucks from parking on City streets. 

 

City Superintendent Roger Hopkins asked the Council to have their street paving request list ready for him next month so he could get estimates.  He also stated that some areas may need new water lines ran before street paving took place, so he would not have to tear up streets. 

 

8:55 p.m. Mike Batchelder moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried 3-1 with Bruns voting no.

 

9:10 p.m. Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:11 p.m. Mike Batchelder moved to go back into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:26 p.m.  Mari Ann Parker moved to come out of executive session.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advance Mark Allen to step 10, Jeff Riley to step 11, Neal Hontz to step 14, Chad Clary to step 17, Roger Hopkins to step 18 and Bill Butrick to step 24 per the salary schedule of Ordinance No. 417; and, that Mayor Tyler would meet with each employee to discuss their wages.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Fire Chief Dick Powell was given the OK by the Council to have new gauges installed on the fire truck.

 

Council Member Mike Batchelder reminded the Council that an appreciation supper would be held on January 18 for the Fire Department.  Batchelder also asked that certificates be presented to the firemen in recognition of their completed training at the next regular council meeting.  The list of firefighters completing the training are as follows:  Mark Allen, Noah Diveley, Lucas Keebler, Robert Powell, Zachary Powell, Aaron Powell, Roger Rush, Allen Simmons, Chuck Simmons, Daren Stewart and Ken Stewart.

 

Tony French moved to hold a special meeting on January 21, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. for 2004 planning.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:50 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

 

 

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                       Mayor                                                                                            City Clerk