REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                           MAY 2, 2007                                               7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Ted Collins, Paul Stewart, Dennis Snyder, Russ Karn, Wendy Simmons, Janet Tyler, Lora Libel, Scott Sisk, Robert Powell, Bill Noll and Bill Butrick.

 

Outgoing Mayor Janet Tyler called the meeting to order with a quorum present and asked City Clerk Bill Butrick to administer the Oath of Office to newly elected Mayor Marty Allen and re-elected council member Mike Batchelder.

 

Mayor Allen presented a plaque to Janet Tyler in appreciation for her twelve years of service as a governing body member.  The Council members also recognized Janet for her years of service.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held April 4, 2007.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of April, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Russ Karn and Wendy Simmons from the Recreation Commission were present to update the Council on the summer ball program.  They stated that approximately 84 kids had signed up to participate and that the K-Ball boys Tournament would be held in Highland around the weekend of the 6th of July as it stands now.  It was also reported that Barry Simmons would be in charge of most duties at the field. 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Council member Donna Parish stated that she had been asked by Cheryl Rasmussen if something could be done about the erosion west of her property.  It was agreed to have Jeff Riley take a look at the problem and go ahead with the work that needed done.

Mrs. Parish also reported that she had been asked by Mari Ann Parker that the city crew be recognized for their help with the clean-up week and to also thank the FFA for the plants in the flower boxes around town.

 

Scott Sisk requested the City to close the 400 block of West Main Street on June 30th for a street dance and to allow for beer sales.

 

Lora Libel also requested the City to close the 100 block of South Ives to the alley for a street dance on the Friday night of the Sesquicentennial celebration for the young people to enjoy.

 

Tony French moved to close the 400 block of West Main Street for a street dance on June 30th.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.  The Council agreed to table the request for beer sales until the next regular council meeting.

 

Ken Stewart moved to close the 100 block of South Ives Street for a street dance by Lora’s Latte on Friday night, May 25th, from the alley to Main Street.  Mike Batchelder 2nd,   Motion carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Mayor Allen requested the Water & Sewer Committee and City Clerk Bill Butrick to meet to look into increasing water and sewer rates and bring their recommendation to the June regular council meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

City Attorney Ted Collins updated the Council about reservations for the Saturday evening meal and entertainment for the Sesquicentennial Celebration.  He also stated that he had talked with Sheriff Jerry Dubach about security and that the city crew would probably be responsible to help with tables and chairs and electricity for the band.

 

Janet Tyler stated that two banners had been ordered for placing on the streets noting the celebration.

 

Ken Stewart reported that surveying had been done on the property involving the new Fire Station/Community Center and that most details involving land swapping and deeds would be worked out soon.  He also stated that the college would be discussing the West Avenue Street at their next regular Board Meeting and that annexation of the area would probably be necessary and in the best interest of the college and the city.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins recommended the City to contact their City Engineer to look into the preparation of W. Avenue. 

 

Ken Stewart moved to contact BG Consultants, Inc. and have the city engineer prepare plans for upgrading West Avenue.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously. 

 

Ken Stewart stated that the EMT Association had purchased several stainless steel commercial kitchen equipment items as well as an ice maker,  chairs, dishes and other small items.  He requested the City to reimburse the EMT’s $3000 toward the purchase of this equipment.

 

Tony French moved to reimburse the EMT’s $3000 for the purchase of the kitchen equipment.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried 3-0-1 with Stewart abstaining.

 

Ken Stewart moved to authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement with MO-KAN Regional Council as administrator for the KANSTEP grant.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick stated that he had met with Jackie Wolf from MO-KAN and that they are waiting for the letters to be returned for the environmental review and that the bank paperwork for receiving grant funds would be set up in the next few days.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Mayor Allen prepared copies of the Vicious Dog Ordinance for the Council’s review and asked that discussion be held concerning this ordinance at the next regular meeting.

 

The Council reviewed a map of street asphalting and agreed to wait until the next regular meeting for discussion.

 

The City had received a letter from Casey’s General Stores asking the city to consider Sunday beer sales.  No action was taken.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to authorize Marty Allen to sign city warrants from the city’s checking account.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to appoint The Kansas Chief as the official city newspaper for 2007.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to appoint the Farmers State Bank of Highland as the official city depository for 2007.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to appoint Ken Stewart as Council President for 2007.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mayor Allen appointed all current committees the same for 2007.

 

Tony French moved to appoint all Board of Zoning Appeals members the same for 2007.

Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to appoint all employees to their current positions for 2007.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS

 

Donna Parish asked about the purchase of a generator for the water wells and if there was any discussion concerning the restoring or tearing down of the old depot building.

Donna Parish moved to outlaw all terrain vehicles on the streets of the City of Highland.  Motion died for lack of second.

 

Ken Stewart moved to outlaw all terrain vehicles on the streets of the City of Highland after 9:00 p.m.  Motion died for lack of second.

 

After a brief discussion, Mayor Allen asked the Law Enforcement Committee to bring back a recommendation concerning all terrain vehicles on the streets of Highland to the next regular meeting.

 

Wendy Simmons voiced her concerns about cars speeding on city streets.

 

Ken Stewart stated he hoped to have the Cafeteria Plan information available by the next regular council meeting.

 

Ted Collins presented the City a framed map of the City of Highland that he had acquired from the Register of Deeds Office.  The Governing Body thanked Mr. Collins for his gift.

 

Mayor Allen asked Ken Stewart to look into prices for a bucket truck for the city.

 

8:40 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to adjourn.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

____________________________                __________________________

 

                    Mayor                                                        City Clerk