REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

JULY 3, 2007                                       7:30 P.M.

 

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Dennis and Tana Snyder, Scott Sisk, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Marty Allen.

 

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 June 6, 2007.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the Special Planning Session Meeting held June 11, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the bills for the month of June, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Scott Sisk thanked the City for allowing him to hold a street dance and stated that everything seemed to go real well.  He asked if the city would consider allowing him to have another street dance on August 18, 2007 which would be the Saturday night of HCC alumni week-end.

 

Ken Stewart moved to allow Ernie’s to have a street dance on August 18, 2007 with all the same regulations and expectations as before.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

A complaint had been filed about crops being grown within the city limits.  The City Attorney said he would look into any ordinances that might address this issue and report back at the next Regular Council Meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Ken Stewart updated the Council about the status of the Community Center/Fire Station.

He stated that the engineer and architect had agreed that the building should be moved to the south to allow for better drainage.  Stewart also said that a survey would need to be done on West Avenue.

 

Ken Stewart moved to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Clark Land Surveying for $3500 which would include a topographic survey and a survey to determine land boundary descriptions.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Mike Batchelder moved to have the city maintenance crew work on the roof of the old City Hall building.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

A brief discussion was held about implementing a city sales tax of 1%.  Mayor Allen asked the Finance Committee to look into this possibility and bring back their recommendation to the next Regular Council Meeting. 

 

The Council reviewed a memo from Council member Donna Parish concerning sidewalks.  City Attorney Ted Collins agreed to look into this issue and prepare a memo for the next regular meeting.

 

Ken Stewart moved to purchase a Ford bucket truck from A&B Auto Sales for $6500.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved, seconded by Tony French, to approve Ordinance #460.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas, relating to the rates charged in connection with the waterworks system of the city.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved, seconded by Tony French, to approve Ordinance #461.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas, fixing the charges for use of the sewage disposal system of the city.  By roll call vote:  Stewart-yes, French-yes, Batchelder-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Mayor Allen asked the opinion of the Council concerning the continuance of department head activity sheets for each meeting.  The Council agreed they would like to have the city maintenance and law enforcement activity sheets continue, however, the City Clerk’s sheet would not be necessary.

 

Mayor Allen updated the Council about the FEMA visit and stated that disaster money should be coming in about three weeks.  He also stated that an estimate from Husker Steel to put in a new bridge at the bottom of the high school hill was $99,858.

Allen said that the state inspector should be here soon to give his assessment of what should be done with the bridge.

 

Mayor Allen stated that Mike Batchelder had resigned from his position as Code Enforcement Officer.  Mayor Allen asked the Council to find out if they knew of anyone interested and to consider appointing a new officer at the next regular meeting.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins updated the Council about the passage of Senate Bill #8 which is now a state law regarding the banning of ATV’s and work site utility vehicles.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council that the 2008 budget is being prepared and that a special meeting probably will need to be held to have it published.

 

8:38 p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

 

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               Mayor                                                        City Clerk