REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

JULY 7, 2004

7:30 P.M.

PRESENT: Mike Batchelder, Mari Ann Parker, Jerry Bruns and Tony French (7:37 p.m.) Donna Parish was absent.

ALSO PRESENT: Carol Hopkins, Roger Hopkins, Chad Clary, Katie Hargis, Dick Powell, 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 June 2, 2004. Jerry Bruns 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

Jerry Bruns moved to approve the bills for the month of June, 2004. Mike Batchelder 2^nd, motion carried unanimously

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Law Enforcement Committee Chairman Jerry Bruns spoke of the meeting held with the college to discuss the annual security contract. He stated that the meeting went well and that the usual 3% increase was agreed upon. Jerry Bruns moved to authorize the signing of the 2004-2005 security contract with Highland Community College with a 3% increase. Mike Batchelder 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Jerry Bruns moved to approve the appointment of Gene Lambert to a five year term on the Board of Zoning Appeals. Mari Ann Parker 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

Jerry Bruns moved to table the bids on installing an electric line at the ball park until the next regular council meeting. Mike Batchelder 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

City Superintendent Roger Hopkins informed the Council that the city crew is pulling the motor from the grader and that Donald Dittemore is working with the city to do the repairs.

Jerry Bruns moved to table the bids for the city tractors until the next regular council meeting. Mari Ann Parker 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Mike Batchelder moved to approve Ordinance #444. An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas relating to the rates charged in connection with the waterworks system amending Ordinance #339. Jerry Bruns 2^nd. By roll call vote: Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Bruns-yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Jerry Bruns moved to approve Ordinance #445. An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas fixing the charges for use of the sewage disposal system of said city repealing Ordinance number 416 and amending Ordinances number 389 and 366 and Section one of Ordinance #340. By roll call vote: Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Bruns-yes. Motion carried unanimously.

Jerry Bruns moved to table the discussion of the 2005 proposed budget until all information is received. Tony French 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

The Council discussed parking on the 200 block of E. Illinois. It was agreed that city law enforcement would monitor traffic flow and inform area residents that parking is prohibited directly behind a driveway.

The Council reviewed the discussion draft of the 2003 financial statements and no changes were requested.

Councilmember Mike Batchelder informed the Council of the results of the LMI Survey that was completed recently with the help of the PRIDE Committee. He stated the results as follows: Return rate---92%, 67.5% low to moderate income families, 58.7% low to moderate income single. Batchelder stated that the city would qualify for CDBG and KANSTEP grants. The Mayor asked Mr. Batchelder to invite MO-KAN representatives to the next regular council meeting to answer questions about grant writing and available grants for the city.

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

City Superintendent Roger Hopkins stated that he hoped to have the new 4” water line installed next week on the 100 and 200 blocks of N. Ives.

8:15 p.m. Jerry Bruns moved to go into executive session to discuss financial matters. Mike Batchelder 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

8:20 p.m. Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session. Mari Ann Parker 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

Police Chief Chad Clary said he had received several complaints about fireworks being discharged on city streets. He stated that Fireworks Ordinance #399, adopted in 1997, section no. 8 prohibits discharge of fireworks upon any public street, alley or avenue, or in any park or public place within the city. The Ordinance also states that fireworks may be discharged on July 1-3 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on July 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. Chief Clary informed the Council that city law enforcement would be enforcing the ordinance as written from now on and that notice would be provided in some way to the citizens to let them know what the rules are.

Chief Clary asked the Council to consider looking into a rotation of leasing or purchasing police cars. Mayor Tyler asked Chief Clary to bring information to the next regular council meeting about leasing or possibly purchasing used highway patrol cars as the city had done in the past.

City Clerk Bill Butrick stated that he had talked with Dave Yearout and that a proposal involving a new zoning ordinance should be arriving by next week. He also informed the Council that he would contact them to set up a special meeting when all the information was received concerning the 2005 budget.

GOVENING BODY COMMENTS

Councilmember Jerry Bruns informed the Council that he and Roger Hopkins had attended a GPS mapping meeting recently. Bruns and Hopkins both stated that mapping of the city utilities would not only be beneficial but probably mandatory due to homeland security issues we will be facing. The charge is $35 per hour for readings to be taken. These readings would then be downloaded on a computer program to provide either books or maps. The Council agreed to take the matter under advisement.

8:50 p.m. Tony French moved to go into executive session for five minutes to discuss personnel. Jerry Bruns 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

8:55 p.m. Jerry Bruns moved to come out of executive session. Mike Batchelder 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

8:56 p.m. Mari Ann Parker moved to adjourn. Tony French 2^nd, motion carried unanimously.

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Mayor City Clerk