REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

          MAY 5, 2004                                                  7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Roger Hopkins, Katie Hargis, Dick Powell, Chad Clary, Carol Hopkins, Russell Karn and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with all council members present.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held April 7, 2004.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve the bills for the month of April, 2004.  Jerry Bruns 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Mari Ann Parker thanked the city crew as well as Marty Allen and college students for their help with PRIDE Clean-up day.

 

Council member Donna Parish asked about the policy for abandoned vehicles.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Jerry Bruns moved to table the hiring of an on site field manager for the summer ball program until the next regular meeting.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Street & Alley Committee member Donna Parish stated she had spoken with USD #425 officials about the parking problem at the grade school.  She further stated that due to a lot of activity at the school it would be better to delay a decision until further information became available.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tony French moved to approve Ordinance #443.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas vacating a portion of the east-west alleys in Blocks 64 and 65 in the original town, now City of Highland, Doniphan county, Kansas.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Bruns-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Council member Donna Parish informed the Council that the Lioness Club had disbanned due to lack of membership.  She asked for suggestions or input to establish a history of the organization and to have this placed in the community center of the city hall building.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to table the appointment of the official city newspaper for 2004 until the next regular council meeting.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to appoint the Farmers State Bank of Highland as the official city depository for 2004.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried 4-1 with Bruns voting No.

 

Tony French moved to appoint Jerry Bruns as Council President for 2004.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried 4-0-1 with Bruns abstaining.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to keep all Council Committees the same for 2004.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to table the appointment of the Board of Zoning Appeals Committee until the next regular council meeting.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

 

City Superintendent Roger Hopkins informed the Council that Randy Parsons was looking into establishing a rural water district in this area.

 

Mr. Hopkins also stated that he had hired Nolan Cruse Jr. for part-time maintenance help.

 

Superintendent Hopkins told the Council that Utility Services Company would be doing the cleaning and sanitation for the 100,000 gallon tank for $1125. 

 

Mike Batchelder moved to hire Utility Services Company for $1125 to clean and sanitize the 100,000 gallon water tank.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mayor Tyler asked that Chief Clary’s activity report break down the tickets by officer.

She also asked if the summer vacation schedule was completed.

 

Council member Mari Ann Parker requested Chief Clary to look into the basketball goal located on S. Iowa Street.

 

Chief Clary informed the Council that the Police Department would be doing away with the pager service and that Officer Hontz’s patrol car was in need of repairs.  He stated that J & G Auto could do the work and that it should fall under the amount that the Mayor can authorize.

Mayor Tyler gave the OK to have the car repaired.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick told the Council that a special meeting had been scheduled for May 19th at 7:00 p.m. to meet with Dave Yearout to discuss the current city zoning ordinance.

 

Mayor Tyler asked Butrick to do a proposal concerning an increase for the water & sewer rates and to have the  Water & Sewer Committee review the proposal and bring a recommendation back to the next regular meeting.

 

8:35 p.m.  Tony French moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.

Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried 4-1 with Bruns voting No.

 

8:50 p.m.  Mari Ann Parker moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

8:50 p.m.  Mari Ann Parker moved to go back into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss personnel.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:15 p.m.  Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session.  Mike Batchelder 2nd,  motion carried unanimously.

 

Mayor Tyler asked that a special meeting be held on May 17th at 7:00 p.m. for personnel reasons.

 

Jerry Bruns moved to appoint all city employees to their current positions for 2004.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:20 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

_________________________                           _____________________________

 

                   Mayor                                                                   City Clerk