REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

FEBRUARY 1, 2006                                 7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Mike Batchelder, Tony French, Ken Stewart, Mari Ann Parker and Donna Parish.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Jeff Riley, Carol Hopkins, Dick Powell, Dave Reist, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

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

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held January 4, 2006.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held January 24, 2006.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of January, 2006.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

City Attorney Ted Collins stated he had visited with Dante McGrew of Westar Energy and that a revised franchise agreement should be ready for discussion at the next regular meeting.

 

Tony French moved to continue with the current franchise agreement with Westar Energy until a different proposal is presented.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Highland Community College President Dave Reist presented copies of the proposed construction of a new dormitory on Block 33.  Reist stated the College would be applying for a variance on the new construction due to some set back requirements.  City Clerk Bill Butrick said the public notice would probably come out in the February 9th  edition of the official paper and that the public hearing would be held sometime  after the twenty day requirement. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

A brief discussion took place concerning the summer recreation program.  It was agreed to discuss in more detail at the next regular meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve Resolution #06-02, a fire suppression mutual aid agreement subject to drafting by the City Attorney and signature of the Mayor.  Tony French 2nd.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins updated the Council with information concerning the boundary/annexation problem on the 400 block of South Avenue.  He stated that the cost to correct the issue would be approximately $6000.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tony French moved to approve the contract with Mayer Hoffman McCann to perform the 2005 audit and prepare the 2007 budget.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to have both water towers inspected and cleaned by Utility Service Company at a cost of $1125 each and to use the inspections to determine the next steps necessary for maintenance and painting.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve Resolution #06-01.  A Resolution of finding that financial statements and fixed asset accounting prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are not relevant to the requirements of the cash basis law and budget laws of Kansas and are of no significant value to the governing body or the general public of the City of Highland.  Mike Batchelder 2nd.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to hire Ken Babcock to remove the sirens from the water tower and have them fixed if minor repair is needed, if not, to bring back repair or purchase bids to the next regular meeting.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley updated the Council on results of the lead & copper testing.  He stated an additional six samples would be sent in and that polyphosphate would be added in the water along with the chlorine to help with the copper increase.

 

Mayor Tyler asked Riley to look into the street by the wellness center because of the lid  cover in the road.

 

 

Mike Batchelder moved to place “No Parking” signs on the east side of the 200 block of South Vermillion between Pennsylvania and Virginia streets and to amend traffic map as such.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Superintendent Riley was asked to post another “15 mile per hour” sign on Ohio Street behind the Grade School building.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins informed the Council that he, Ken Stewart and county officers working in Highland would be having a meeting on February 2nd.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick updated the Council on the new rate increases for employee health insurance. 

 

9:17 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to go into executive session for five minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:22 p.m.  Mike Batchelder moved to come out of executive session.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:22 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

____________________________                    ____________________________

 

                   Mayor                                                          City Clerk