REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

APRIL 6, 2005                                        7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:   Carol Hopkins, Rachel Williams, Tom Miller, Dick Powell, Gary Vain, Brandi Strong, Crystal Harness, Neal Hontz, Chad and Kari Clary, Katie Hargis, Russell Karn, Deb Fox, Jeff Riley, Shawn Tilton, Ken Stewart, Marion Thompson, Ted Collins, Judy Allen, Gary Connellis, Dave Reist, Mark Allen, Jeff Butrick, Marty Allen 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 March 2, 2005.  Mike Batchelder 2nd , motion carried unanimously.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve the premium for the city’s insurance to include full coverage on the police cars.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried 4-1.  Batchelder voting no.

 

Tony French moved to approve the bills for the month of March, 2005.  Donna Parish 2nd motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Deb Fox of Highland Community College informed the Council that the water line project would go out for bid on April 22nd and agreements between the city and college would be discussed at a later date.

 

Donna Parish moved to accept the bid project as detailed by the college.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Westar Franchise renewal proposal was moved to a future council meeting to allow the City Attorney more  time to review the contract.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve Resolution #05-03.  A Resolution in support of the PRIDE Program for 2005.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes,  Parker-yes, French-yes, Bruns-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Mike Batchelder updated the Council on the committee’s progress concerning the community center building.  He stated the pre-app stage is being worked on at this time.

OLD BUSINESS

 

Recreation Commission member Russ Karn presented expense figures to the Council as requested for the 2004 summer ball program.

 

Tony French moved to pay $1800 contract labor for field manager services for the summer ball program.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Russ Karn also informed the Council that the price for participant had been raised five dollars.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to table the Chamber of Commerce donation request for a billboard

until Donna Parish could get more information.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve the Fire Truck Purchase Committee as presented.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Mayor asked that  BG Consultants be invited to a special council meeting on April 13, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. to talk about city projects.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to table Engineering contract after the April 13, 2005 special meeting.

Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to give Fire Chief Dick Powell permission to purchase fire works for the Fourth of July.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to accept the offer of $10,000 from Bartlett & West Engineers, Inc. toward the separate service line for well #5.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to hire Gary Vain as police officer for the City of Highland at step #6 on the salary schedule.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Historic preservation housing districts and possible grants available for these was discussed with no action taken at this time.

 

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

 

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

 

ACTIVITY REPORTS

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council of a request from Larry Gilmore to place concrete curbs along his property located on the 200 Block of W. Main.  City Attorney Ted Collins was asked to look into the request and get back with Mr. Gilmore.  Butrick also informed the Council of the upcoming Board of Zoning Appeals meeting to be held April 11, 2005. 

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to purchase four tires from Campbell’s for the Bobcat at a cost of $386.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley asked the Council to consider purchasing mowers and a grinder for the lift station.  He also stated that he would be looking into the repair of the storm siren.  Riley asked the Council about trimming tree limbs hanging over streets and city right-of-way.

 

Police Chief Gary Connellis informed the Council that Gary Vain would be attending the Kansas Law Enforcment Training Center starting September 18, 2005.

 

9:00 p.m.  Tony French moved to go into executive session for thirty minutes to discuss police personnel and asked that City Attorney Ted Collins and newly elected councilmember Ken Stewart be present.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:30 p.m.  Mari Ann Parker moved to come out of executive session.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:30 p.m.  Mike Batchelder moved to go back into executive session for thirty minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

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

 

10:00 p.m.  Tony French moved to go back into executive session for thirty minutes  to discuss personnel.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.  Police Chief  Gary Connellis was asked to attend the session during this period of time.

 

10:30 p.m.  Mike Batchelder moved to come out of executive session.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

10:30 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to go back into executive session for ten minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

10:40 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to come out of executive session.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Councilmember Jerry Bruns spoke briefly about his years as a councilmember for the City of Highland and thanked several people who had helped him along the way.  Mr. Bruns received a nice round of applause from all those attending.

 

10:41 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

_______________________________             ____________________________

 

                  Mayor                                                           City Clerk