REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

JUNE 1, 2005                                            7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:   Carol Hopkins, Dick Powell, Deb Fox, Ila Spaulding, Katie Hargis,  Jeff Riley, Shawn Tilton, Ray Scherer, Joe Florence, Roger Rush, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick. 

 

PRESIDING: Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held May 4, 2005.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held May 19, 2005.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the minutes of the Special Council Meeting held May 24, 2005.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of  May, 2005.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Fire Chief Dick Powell expressed his concern that in the future he would like to see Highland police officers present for traffic control when severe storms are in the area.

 

Chief Powell also requested new turn-out gear for the fire department.  He stated that the total amount would be approximately $4700. 

Ken Stewart moved to purchase one half of the amount requested of $2350 at this time and to ask Rural Fire District #2 if they would furnish the other half.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Law Enforcement Committee Chairman Ken Stewart talked about visiting with County Sheriff Jerry Dubach and stated that contracting is being discussed as well as hiring police officers for the city.

 

Mike Batchelder updated the Council on the progress of the Community Center Committee.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

The Council agreed to postpone the appointment of a Personnel Committee until after the decision is made on the law enforcement issue.

 

Tony French moved to accept the resignation of Jerry Bruns from the Board of Zoning Appeals and appoint Kevin Lackey to the vacant position.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council reviewed the proposal of KDOT concerning paving the streets affected by the detour several months ago.  The consensus of the Council was to wait for City Attorney Ted Collins to meet with Ken Massengill of KDOT to review the contract and

wait until after that time to make a decision.

 

Deb Fox, Finance Director for Highland Community College, informed the Council that Engemann Drainage Co., Inc. had received the bid for the water line project.  She explained that the city would need to make a decision on  the alternate bid for the purchase of nine fire hydrants which amounted to $19,800.

 

Donna Parish moved to pay for nine fire hydrants at a cost of $19,800 but to work the amount into the upcoming budget and to reimburse the college over the next six to twelve months.  Ken Stewart 2nd.  The vote was 2-2 with  French and Batchelder voting no.

 

Tony French moved to approve the purchase of the nine fire hydrants agreeing to reimburse the college with details of the pay back to be worked out at a later date.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Roger Rush of the Fire Truck Purchase Committee explained the details of the truck that the committee had agreed to purchase.  Rush stated that it would be a four door, International frame, Pierce body and that it met all standards required.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the contract for the firetruck purchase, the loan warrant establishing payment by the city for $17,000 back to the Firemen’s Relief Fund, authorization for the Mayor and City Clerk to sign all necessary documents and for Mike Batchelder to act as city representative to initiate the request for transfer of grant funds.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart said he would look into 9-1-1 sales tax for purchasing a storm siren.

 

The Council reviewed bids from Central Tank Coatings, Inc. and Cunningham Sandblasting and Painting Co., Inc for water tower maintenance and painting.  No action was taken at this time.

 

8:40 p.m.  Tony French moved to take a five minute recess and at 8:45 p.m. to go into executive session for ten minutes to discuss personnel.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

8:55 p.m.  Tony French moved to come out of executive session.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to advance Shawn Tilton to step #7 on the salary schedule with stipulation that he has his CDL before January of 2006.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to increase Jeff Riley to step #18 on the salary schedule.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

8:56 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go back into executive session for ten minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:06 p.m.  Mike Batchelder moved to come out of executive session.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

A discussion was held concerning the city police department and placing ads in the area papers or discussing contracting with the Doniphan County Sheriff.

 

9:37 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to adjourn.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

_________________________                        _____________________________

 

                 Mayor                                                             City Clerk