REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                              March 12, 2008                               5:00 p.m.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Robert Powell, Ted Collins, Carrie Blevins, Misty Watts, Melanie Edie and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Marty Allen

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. with all council members present.

 

Tony French moved to approve  the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held February 13,  2008.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to pay the annual dues for membership with the Kansas Rural Water Association for 2008.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve the bills for the month of February, 2008.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT:

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick stated he was looking into options for a new city auditor. 

 

Fire Chief Joe Florence gave a brief report concerning the fire department.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST:

 

Carrie Blevins came to voice her concerns and get some input from the council on the possibility of the Elementary School being shut down and the kids being bused to Midway.  Carrie stated that she wanted to see the Elementary School stay in this community and gave several reasons in addition to many advantages why.  A brief discussion by the Council and the Mayor resulted in unanimous agreement in having the Elementary School remain in Highland and offered their full support to help in any way they could.

 

Steve Gaul had requested the city to consider placing “No Parking This Side of Street”

signs on South Genesee Street.  Mayor Allen appointed the Street and Alley Committee to look into this request and bring a recommendation to the next Regular Meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

Parks and Recreation Committee Chairman Mari Ann Parker informed the Council that the Committee’s recommendation was to become a “Tree City” member.  It was agreed by the Council that Mari Ann Parker and Donna Parish be Tree Board members and for them to provide a list of other possible members by the next Regular Meeting for approval.  Tony French moved to become a “Tree City” member and have the City Attorney prepare a Tree Ordinance for approval at the next Regular Meeting. Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried 4-1 with Stewart voting No. 

 

Ken Stewart stated that a Westar Energy technician will be looking at the pole on N. Genesee Street to see if it can be moved and if so provide an estimate on the cost to the city.  

 

Parks and Recreation Committee gave no report at this time but did state that sign up sheets had been passed out for the summer ball program and that there would be questions concerning participation for certain age groups.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Ken Stewart updated the Council on the progress of the Community Center/Fire Station.  He stated that roughly $200,000.00 had been spent thus far and that some items were not included in the bid sheets causing the project to be $6,000.00 over budget.  Stewart further stated that West Avenue road work would probably start sometime this summer. 

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve Ordinance #470; an ordinance of the City Of Highland prohibiting the planting, growing, cultivating and harvesting of certain types of plants.  Ken Stewart 2nd.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-no, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried 4-1. 

 

Mari Ann Parker said she was still waiting for the appraisal to be done on the Old Depot building. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mari Ann Parker told the Council that no date has been set yet for Pride clean-up but she has spoke with Jeff Riley to begin necessary preparations. 

 

Tony French moved to approve Resolution #08-02 for Pride Committee’s entry for participation for 2008.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  By roll call vote: Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

 

 

 

Mike Batchelder moved to purchase a 2005 Kansas Highway Patrol car for $13,200.00.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

Mayor Marty Allen talked about trash dumpsters placed in the Christian Church parking lot and stated he will continue to try and contact K&M Refuse about removing them.  City Attorney Ted Collins said he would send a follow up letter.

 

Mayor Allen inquired about a phone franchise for the City Of Highland.

 

Mayor Allen reported that city maintenance was hoping to burn the debris pile next week. 

 

6:00 p.m. Tony French moved to go into executive session for 5 minutes to discuss personnel.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

6:05 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

6:05 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go back into executive session for 10 minutes to discuss financial matters.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

6:15 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to come out of executive session.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

6:16 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to adjourn. Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

_________________________        _________________________

 

        Mayor                                                City Clerk