REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                             JUNE 7, 2006                                      7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Mike Batchelder, Ken Stewart, Mari Ann Parker, Donna Parish and Tony French (8:20 p.m.).

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Jeff Riley, Brian Cates, Howard Potter and friend, Tim Hersh, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

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

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held May 3, 2006.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of May, 2006.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Brian Cates of Blue Valley Public Safety, Inc. presented a bid for the purchase and installation of a new storm siren.  Cates stated it was a standard system which included an option for a battery back-up and had a range of 128 decibels.  The total cost was $19,676.15, however, if Westar Energy could set the pole and the city used the radio they already have, it would reduce the price by $2400.

 

Donna Parish moved to purchase the siren from Federal Signal Corporation for $19,676.15 less $1600 if the Westar Energy could set the pole and to use the radio we presently have which would save an additional $800.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Howard Potter questioned the letter he had received and asked for an opinion/definition  on what  is considered a derelict structure.  After a brief discussion, it was agreed that Councilmember Mike Batchelder and Mr. Potter would view the property in question and decide what action, if any, would be taken.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Mike Batchelder informed the Council that he had sent out approximately 35 letters dealing with weeds, nuisances and unsafe structures and that the voluntary compliance deadline would be June 14th.  Batchelder also stated that illegal dumping had been taking place on the Anthros property. 

After a brief discussion, the Council agreed and asked that it be stated that illegal dumping would not be tolerated and that anyone caught dumping anything other than brush would be turned over to county law enforcement for prosecution.

 

Finance Committee Chairman Tony French asked that the city investment discussion be postponed to a future meeting.

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley reported on the new water line installation on the 400-800 Block of E. Main (cemetery road).  Riley asked that the city purchase a new fire hydrant costing approximately $2500 to replace the old one. 

 

Donna Parish moved to purchase a replacement fire hydrant to be installed on Elm and E. Main Street for $2500.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to contact Herzog Contracting Corporation to find out more specifics on the road preparation and to accept their bid of $45,300 to asphalt the 400-800 block of E. Main to the bridge(cemetery road).  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to accept the bid of $6125.00 from Miller Construction Inc. to install a new 4” water line from the 400-800  Block of E. Main.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins reported that he and City Clerk Bill Butrick had met to discuss Ordinance #339 concerning water service connection fees and asked that this issue be placed on the agenda for the July Regular Council Meeting allowing time for cost information to be received from Water Products, Inc.

 

Donna Parish moved to place direction signs at the intersections of S. Kansas and W. Penn Street and S. Avenue and W. Penn Street per the request of The Highland Health Care Center and for the Center to pay all costs and have the city traffic map updated to show the sign placement.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder stated that he had been contacted by Terrell Bauer and she had asked if the city would  consider placing “stop signs” at the intersection of W. Penn and S. Avenue.  A brief discussion was held and it was determined to have increased traffic enforcement on S. Avenue but no action was taken on placing stop signs.

 

City Attorney updated the Council on the progress of the Kansas Gas Service franchise agreement.  He stated that the City may need to discuss approving both a Gas Franchise agreement and a Gas Transportation Ordinance.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

Superintendent Jeff Riley stated he had interviewed the only two applicants that had applied for the part-time maintenance worker position and would be making a decision to hire one shortly.

Riley also asked the city to consider purchasing a new mower to replace the 6250 Woods mower.  Riley presented bids from Vonderschmidt Repair for a hustler model, Skyview Equipment for a Graveley model and Henry Bros. Implement for  a tank model.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to purchase the tank model mower from Henry Bros. Implement for $5099 including trade-in of the old mower.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Doniphan County deputy Tim Hersh asked the city to consider purchasing a new intoxilizer to replace the old one.

 

Ken Stewart moved to purchase a new intoxilizer and mouth pieces for city law enforcement and to pay for it out of the Law Enforcement Diversion Fund.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick reported on the budget preparation and computer repairs. 

Ken Stewart asked Butrick to explore computer purchase options and present them at a future council meeting.

 

Finance Committee Chairman Tony French reviewed budget reports with the Mayor and Council.  These reports will now be presented every council meeting since the new quickbooks software has been installed.

 

9:50 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to adjourn.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

______________________________                  ____________________________

 

                      Mayor                                                                 City Clerk