REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                     JANUARY 12, 2005                            7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Mike Batchelder, Jerry Bruns, Donna Parish, Tony French and Mari Ann Parker.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Jeff Riley, Landon Riley, Shawn Tilton, Jason Pendleton, Rachel Williams, Ted Collins, Pam Wiedner and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with all council members present.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held December 1, 2004.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the bills for the month of December, 2004.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Highland Community College’s presentation concerning the water line for the wellness center was again moved back due to postponed meetings and conflicts and would be rescheduled for the February, 2004 regular meeting.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Gerald Neibling requested to have a meter placed for water service to his residence outside the city limits.  Tony French moved to have meter placed for city water service with the understanding that Gerald would be responsible for the line from the meter to the house.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tony French moved to pay the League of Kansas Municipalities membership dues for 2005 of $425.68.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to hire Rachel Williams to the position of Police Officer at step six on the salary schedule.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Councilmember Mike Batchelder updated the Council about bids received for the old industrial tractor and 8N ford and that two tractors had been looked at as a possible

purchase for city maintenance.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to accept the bid of Construction Equipment Company of $2500 for the sale of  the old industrial tractor and 8N ford and to apply that money to the purchase of the 1530 John Deere tractor with loader and blade attachment from Gerard Havercamp of $12,500.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to accept with regret the resignation of Police Chief Neal Hontz.

Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS

 

 

Tony French moved to accept the contract of Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. to perform the City’s 2004 audit and 2006 budget.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council discussed the importance of the county wide sales tax to be voted on in the April election and what it would mean to maintaining city services.

 

Tony French moved to promote the county wide sales tax thru education and to have City Attorney Ted Collins and City Clerk Bill Butrick coordinate with other cities in the county to encourage the passage of the 1% sales tax in April.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Police Officer Jason Pendleton updated the Council on the repairs to two of the police cars.

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley stated that Westar Energy had performed voltage checks at the well site.

 

Donna Parish moved to have chart meters on Wells 4 and 5 to find out voltage and if sufficient to turn on well #5.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Riley also talked of several sewer problems in town.  He stated that he was going to look into purchasing chemicals and to ask the larger businesses to do more preventative maintenance to help alleviate some of these problems.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to purchase the necessary parts to finish repairs on the city maintainer at a cost of $850.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council complimented the city maintenance crew on the job they had done keeping streets clear.

 

The Council reviewed a letter from Mayor Leonard Clary of Troy asking for donations and support for the return of the local troops.  The Council pledged their full support and asked that all citizens pledge their support and welcome troops back home.

 

Mayor Tyler announced that an appreciation dinner was being held for the firemen and emt’s on Sunday.

 

Mayor Tyler also informed the Council that proposed Rural Water District #6 had approximately 160 people signed up.  The Council asked that the minutes state that they pledged their full support for this project.

 

Councilmember Mike Batchelder asked that all Committee Chairman’s bring their committees suggestions and recommendations to the planning meeting to be held February 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m.

 

The Council asked City Attorney Ted Collins to look into ownership of property of the old abandoned #2 well site and have city maintenance tear down the old building.

 

8:50 p.m.  Mayor Tyler declared a five minute recess.

 

8:55 p.m.  Mayor Tyler called the meeting back to order.

 

8:55 p.m.  Tony French moved to go into executive session for thirty minutes to discuss personnel.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:25 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd,

motion carried unanimously.

 

9:25 p.m. Mike Batchelder moved to go back into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:40 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advance Jeff Riley to step #16 and Bill Butrick to step #26 on the salary schedule and for all other employees to be reviewed after completion of probation period.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:41 p.m.  Tony French moved to go back into executive session for thirty minutes to discuss personnel.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

10:11 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

10:11 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to go back into executive session for 90 minutes to discuss personnel.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

12:30 p.m.  Tony French moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to appoint Jason Pendleton as acting Police Chief.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advance Jason Pendleton’s pay to minimum step allowed for Police Chief on the salary schedule.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

12:30 p.m.  Tony French moved to go back into executive session for two minutes to discuss personnel.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

12:32 p.m.  Tony French moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advance City Attorney’s salary to $20,000 per year.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

12:35 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

__________________________                           __________________________

 

                   Mayor                                                               City Clerk