REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

             MARCH 3, 2004                                                                    7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Mike Dunnaway, Bob Archer, Katie Hargis, Roger Hopkins, Carol Hopkins, Dick Powell, Chad Clary, Neal Hontz, Mark Allen 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 February 4, 2004.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve the bills for the month of February, 2004.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd,

Motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Mike Dunnaway of Bartlett & West Engineers, Inc. attended the meeting to do a follow-up visit with the Council to see if there were any questions or concerns since the new well project had been completed.  He also acknowledged that the communication between the City, Grant Administrator and Bartlett & West Engineers was not what it should have been during the project.   The Mayor, Council and other city staff members told Mr. Dunnaway that they were not only unhappy with the communication but the transition period when another engineer took over the project and estimated costs jumped significantly.  City officials also informed Mr. Dunnaway that even though several mistakes were made by them that the city still had to stand all of the costs that were unaccounted for.

 

Bob Archer of Utility Services Company spoke to the council about a maintenance contract to paint and maintain the city water towers.  He explained that the initial cost could be spread out over a four year period with no interest.  The Council told Mr. Archer they would take his contract under advisement.

 

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

 

8:36 p.m.  Mayor Tyler called the meeting back to order.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Council member Tony French reported on the meeting held February 18, 2004 to establish a Recreation Commission.  He stated that those attending felt an eight member board should be established represented as follows:  Position one:  Representative from Highland Community College.  Position two:  Representative from USD #425.  Position three:  Russell Karn

Position four:  Representative from the City.  Position five thru eight:  At large members.

 

He went on to say that Greg Delzeit, Scott Twombly, Russ Karn, Jeff Riley, Janet Libel, Marla Olson, Tammi Petrik and Tammi Witham were being considered for the eight positions at this time.  French stated that another meeting was going to be held March 4, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. at the City Hall.

 

Donna Parish moved to accept the bid of Larrison Tree Service to trim the tree at the ball park at a cost of $200.  Jerry Bruns 2nd,  motion carried 3-2 with Parker and Batchelder voting No.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Council member Mari Ann Parker asked on behalf of the PRIDE Committee if city maintenance would again help with their clean-up week.  The Council instructed Mari Ann Parker to get with Roger Hopkins to work out a schedule.

 

The Laurene Drake family had asked that the 200 Block of S. Ives to barricaded for the auction that is to be held on March 20, 2004.  City Superintendent Roger Hopkins was asked and agreed to take care of this request.

 

The Council reviewed a letter presented by Mayor Tyler concerning the city’s options for trash service.  After discussion Donna Parish moved to have City Attorney Ted Collins research franchise options on trash service.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council reviewed Activity Reports from the City Superintendent, Police Chief and City Clerk.  No comments or purchases were discussed.

 

Mayor Tyler wished to thank Mike Batchelder and PRIDE Committee members for the work they were doing on the LMI Survey.

 

Mayor Tyler and Council member Tony French talked about the current Highland website.

French stated that he would like to register the website as either HighlandKs.gov or Highland.Ks.gov and that he would be willing to do the registering.

 

GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS

 

Council member Mike Batchelder asked Mayor Tyler about the exercise machine in City Hall and asked that the owner be notified to remove it due to liability problems.

 

Council member Tony French stated that he would like for the City Attorney to start the procedures necessary to withdraw the city from county zoning and to begin the ground work to update and change the current zoning ordinance.

 

Tony French also shared a letter with the Council pertaining to withdrawing the conditions and regulations of Degginger Park.

 

9:55 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to go into executive session for five minutes to discuss personnel.

Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

10:00 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

Donna Parish moved to hire Carol Hopkins for the Assistant City Clerk position at a minimum of 28 hours per month and to pay $8.50 per hour to start with a review in 60 days.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

10:03 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

__________________________                                  __________________________

 

                    Mayor                                                                      City Clerk