REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

             April 7, 2004                                                                    7:30 P.M.

 

 

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

                     Parish.

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Betty Lewis, Roger Hopkins, Bob Cluck, Tammi Petrik, Katie Hargis, Randy Parsons, Russell Karn, Carol Hopkins, Tyler Keebler, Chad Clary 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 March 3, 2004.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the bills for the month of March, 2004.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Randy Parsons asked about purchasing water from the city or other options that might be available for people in need of water on the Iowa Point road.  Roger Hopkins stated that he was waiting on a letter from the Kansas Rural Water Association which would detail what steps would be necessary by the city or what rural residents might need to do to establish a rural water district.  The Council told Mr. Parsons that they would be supportive of selling water to rural residents’ if all  the criteria could be met and not pose a threat to our current system.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Betty Lewis asked about enforcement of the leash law for dogs running loose.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve Resolution #04-02.  Kansas Pride Program Entry Government Resolution for 2004.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the recommendation of the Mayor to sign a Proclamation recognizing April as Fair Housing Month and to have it put on the city website.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Parks and Recreation Committee member Tony French updated the Council on several meetings that had been held to establish a Highland Recreation Commission and recommended that the Council approve the establishment of the Commission. 

 

Tony French moved to establish the Highland Recreation Commission with eight board members to serve at this time.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tammi Petrik and Russell Karn, representing the Highland Recreation Commission, informed the Council of the equipment needs for the summer ball program and presented copies of the “Code of Ethics” that had been written which pertained to players, parents and coaches. 

 

Tony French moved to approve purchasing summer ball program equipment not to exceed $1000 at this time.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council and Commission members reviewed the duties of the On-site Coordinator for the summer program.  It was determined that some of the wording be changed on the Coordinator’s duties concerning thunderstorms and to establish the title as the “On-Site

Coordinator” and to be a contract labor position.

 

Tony French moved to advertise the On-Site Coordinator position for the Highland Recreation Program in the local newspaper.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advertise for umpires for the summer recreation program in the local newspaper.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

The Council reviewed a letter from City Attorney Ted Collins concerning the city’s zoning ordinance.  It was agreed that Bill Butrick would contact Dave Yearout and set up a special council meeting to start discussions on needed changes.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Council member Jerry Bruns spoke of the parking problem at the Grade School and stated if the fence could be moved back by the tennis courts it could allow for extra parking on the 100 Block of West Illinois.  Mayor Tyler appointed the Street and Alley Committee to talk with USD #425 officials to see if they would be interested in pursuing this issue.

 

9:26 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to take a five minute recess.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:32 p.m.   Mayor Tyler called the meeting back to order.

 

Street asphalting bids were reviewed and costs to run new water lines along these streets before asphalting.

 

Superintendent Hopkins presented estimates for N. Ives Street water lines to be around $1000 per block for two and one half blocks for a four inch line.  The estimate for a two inch line on E. Main to the cemetery road would be $750 per block.

 

The bid from Herzog Contracting Corporation for a three inch overlay on N. Ives Street, the 400 block of W. Illinois and the 500 and 600 block of W. Vermont would total approximately $54,000.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to install a new four inch water line from the 400 block of W. Ohio Street to W. Main, to install fire hydrant at the intersection of W. Illinois and N. Ives and to run a two inch water line down the alley.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to asphalt N. Ives from Main Street to N. City Limit, the 400 block of W. Illinois and the 500 and 600 block of W. Vermont at an estimated cost of $54,000.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

Tony French moved to authorize Roger Hopkins to hire part-time help for the summer

and to be a contract labor position.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to authorize Roger Hopkins to hire someone to seed the well sites.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Police Chief Chad Clary talked about dogs running at large and the enforcement of a car port removal.  The Council reviewed Chief Clary’s Diversion Fund transactions.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council of the renewal of the automobile policy for the City.

 

Tony French moved to not carry collision coverage on the city vehicles but to use the money saved for equipment purchases and have transferred to the Capital Improvement Fund.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried 4-1 with Bruns voting No.

 

Mayor Tyler thanked Council member Jerry Bruns for representing the City of Highland at the County government festivities held at Highland Community College.

 

 

 

 

10:25 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

                  

 

_______________________________          _____________________________

 

                    Mayor                                                         City Clerk