REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

June 11, 2008 5:00 p.m.

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

ALSO PRESENT: Russ Karn, Joe Florence, Julie Speer, Robert Powell, Rick Clark, Dennis Blevins, Kevin Lackey and Bill Butrick. Wendy Simmons arrived later in the meeting.

PRESIDING: Mayor Marty Allen

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

Ken Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held May 14, 2008. Tony French 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Ken Stewart moved to pay Mayday Trucking Services $1,100.56 for towing and repairs on City fire truck. Mike Batchelder 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Tony French moved to approve the bills for the month of May 2008. Mike Batchelder 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Mari Ann Parker moved to allow Ernies to hold a street dance on July 5, 2008 and to have the 400 block of West Main Street closed. Ken Stewart 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Ken Stewart moved to allow Rick Clark to close the South half of the 100 block of South Iowa from the Post Office alley to the intersection at Virginia for his neighborhood barbecue. Mike Batchelder 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mari Ann Parker moved to accept the recommendation of The Recreation Commission to hire Barry Simmons as Recreation Director for $1,800.00 which will include other activities throughout the year. Tony French 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Recreation Commission member Julie Speer asked about using the money from the 4^th of July Tournament to resurface the tennis courts. She was instructed that the Commission would need to establish a contract with the Recreation Director and then determine how proceeds from approved activities would be used.

Street and Alley Committee Chairman Mari Ann Parker stated she had looked into “No Parking” issues and asked that the Committee be allowed another month before making a recommendation.

OLD BUSINESS:

Council Members Tony French and Ken Stewart asked the Mayor to encourage the City Maintenance Crew to finish up with debris removal and if not, hire a contractor to complete the task.

Council Member Ken Stewart asked that Ordinance #470, prohibiting plant growing, be enforced and that the City Attorney follow thru with the necessary complaints.

NEW BUSINESS:

The Council held a brief discussion concerning drainage problems due to the heavy rains. It was agreed that Mayor Allen would meet with City Superintendent Jeff Riley to look into possible solutions.

Mari Ann Parker moved to pay $2,500.00 to BG Consultants, Inc. to do a detailed study of the box culvert located on East Spring Street. Ken Stewart 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Allen opened the bids for the demolition of the Old Depot building. The bids were as follows: Lackey’s Loader Works - $11,500.00, Urban Construction - $5,123.00 and Louis Droge Construction - $3,300.00.

Ken Stewart moved to accept the bid of Droge Construction. Tony French 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:

Tony French stated he had received several complaints about barking dogs.

Ken Stewart updated the Council about the progress of the Community Center/Fire Station. He stated that the two areas in which help could be used would be the roof of the building and heating and cooling later on.

Mayor Allen stated that he appreciated the work that Ken Stewart, Robert Powell and all other workers were doing.

Tony French reported that highlandkansas.org is available on the internet now and that he would like to see it treated like a City Newspaper where several volunteers from different organizations would keep the web site updated. Tony stated he would keep the Council informed of the progress.

5:36 p.m. Tony French moved to adjourn. Mari Ann Parker 2^nd. Motion carried unanimously.

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Mayor City Clerk