REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

May 14, 2008                                      5:00 p.m.

 

PRESENT: Tony French, Ken Stewart, Mike Batchelder, Donna Parish and Mari Ann Parker (5:04).

 

 

ALSO PRESENT: Joe Florence, Russ and Joann Karn, Wendy Simmons, Robert Powell, Melanie Edie, Julie Speer, Dick Powell, Ted Collins, Randy Snyder, Brandon Whetstine, Scott Twombly, Jeff Riley and Bill Butrick.

 

 

PRESIDING: Mayor Marty Allen

 

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held April 9, 2008.  Ken Stewart 2nd.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of April 2008.  Tony French 2nd.  Motion carried 4-0.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT: 

 

Fire Chief Joe Florence stated that a fire hydrant test would take place on June 10, 2008 and continue on June 17, 2008 and June 24, 2008 if necessary.  Mr. Florence stated that an ad would be placed in The Kansas Chief to inform the public. 

 

PRESENTATIONS:

 

Mayor Marty Allen presented a plaque to Russell and Joann Karn in appreciation for their work with the summer ball program and maintaining the city web site.

 

Mayor Allen presented a plaque to former Fire Chief Dick Powell in appreciation for his 42 years of service with the Fire Department.

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:       

 

 

Recreation Commission Chairman Julie Speer reported that shirts for the summer program would cost $8.50 each and that approximately 40-45 would be needed.  She also stated that the schedule had not been set at this time and that a Director would need to hire shortly.  The Council asked Mrs. Speer to bring back the Commission’s recommendation for hiring of a Director and amount to be paid for umpires and Director. 

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS:

 

Scott Twombly asked if he could hook on to city water for the new shop building they were constructing.  Tony French moved to allow Scott Twombly to hook on to city water providing that he pay all costs involved up to the city meter. Mike Batchelder 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley reported that he was approximately 70% finished with debris removal.  The Council decided to set June 1st as the deadline for residents to have their debris moved to the curbside and have this deadline published in The Kansas Chief.  After June 1, 2008 any debris left will be the property owner’s responsibility to remove.  Jeff Riley also reported that Nicholas Dickerson started work on May 12th as part time helper for city maintenance. 

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Ken Stewart of the Street and Alley Committee reported that the city was informed by Westar Energy that to move the pole in the alley in the 300 block of West Main would be at the city’s expense.  After a brief discussion of the city’s right-of-way ordinance, it was agreed that Ted Collins and Bill Butrick would measure the location of the pole as it sets now.

 

Street and Alley Committee Chairman Mari Ann Parker stated that she had nothing to report on the parking issues at this time and asked it be tabled until next meeting. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Mayor Allen reported that Wathena Recreation has a used score board they would like to sell.  After a brief discussion no action was taken. 

 

Donna Parish moved to appoint The Kansas Chief as the official city newspaper for 2008.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to appoint The Farmers State Bank of Highland as the official city depository for 2008.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to appoint Tony French as the Council President for 2008.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  Motion carried 4-1 with French voting no.

 

Donna Parish moved to accept the Mayor’s recommendation to leave all Council Committees the same for 2008.  Ken Stewart 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Ken Stewart moved to have the Board of Zoning Appeals remain the same for 2008.  Tony French 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Tony French moved to appoint all employees to their current positions for 2008.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Robert Powell stated that National EMS Week is the week of May 18th thru May 24th.  He extended an invitation to the City to attend a cookout of hotdogs and hamburgers on Wednesday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m. to honor EMS volunteers.  Life Net is scheduled to make an appearance that evening also.

 

Mayor Marty Allen reported on the bridge at the bottom of the High School hill.  He stated that the inspector provided evidence that the bridge should be totally replaced.  Marty further stated that he would be looking into possible grants and Bill Butrick said he would contact Brian Kingsley of BG Consultants, Inc. to get his input. 

 

City Attorney Ted Collins presented plat maps and documents for annexation and right-of-way boundaries for West Avenue.  He stated that Clark Surveying Company had completed a survey of all property in that area. 

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve, 2nd by Donna Parish, Ordinance #471.  An Ordinance providing for acquisition of certain private property for the purpose of construction of a Community Center and Fire Station designating the lands required for such purposes.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Tony French moved to accept the second edition plat map as presented and to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign all necessary documents.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to approve, 2nd by Tony French, Ordinance #472.  An Ordinance annexing certain described land into the City of Highland, Kansas.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to authorize the Mayor to execute any documents with quiet title proceedings on the annexed property and right-of-way.  Mike Batchelder 2nd. Motion carried unanimously. 

 

City Attorney Ted Collins stated that the property to be annexed should probably be zoned R-2 with conditional uses for the Community Center/Fire Station and that a waiver be established on set backs for any future improvements.

 

Tony French moved to establish the second edition zoning for R-2 per the prepared application.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

6:00 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go into executive session for 21 minutes to discuss personnel.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

6:21 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to come out of executive session.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to give Dennis Lentz the old generator owned by the city in exchange for a commercial dish-washer to be placed in the Community Center.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French reported that he would be willing to put the city’s web-site on his server and to proceed with event reporting thru the Clerk’s Office and establish other organizations to place events on the web-site as well.

 

Ken Stewart stated that the city had updated their cell phone service thru AT&T and that the cost per month should almost be the same.

 

6:54 p.m. Ken Stewart moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

 

_____________________                           _____________________

Mayor                                                           City Clerk