REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 5, 2007                            7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Jerry Bruns, Betty Lewis, Mari Sailors, Randy Snyder, Jason Pendleton, Wendy Simmons, Michelle & Bob Smith, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Marty Allen.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with all council members present.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held August 1, 2007.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting (Public Hearing for

2008 budget) held August 22, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting (approval of bids) held August 22, 2007.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the bills for the month of August, 2007.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Mari Sailors and Wendy Simmons gave a presentation concerning the Healthy Kansas Communities program.  Mrs. Sailors stated that their primary concern is tobacco prevention but promoting health and wellness in the community is what the program is all about.  She asked the city to partner with them by completing the questionnaire and helping with community events that would promote health and wellness.  Sailors further stated that a meeting would be held at the HCC Wellness Center on September 19, 2007 and asked if a city representative could attend.  Wendy Simmons spoke of the Kansas Quit-line for smokers and how it could benefit people who want to quit tobacco.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Bob & Michelle Smith requested that something be done about the road by their property and also wanted to know if something could be done about the corn field across from their residence.  Smith stated that he didn’t mind soybeans or grasses that weren’t as tall but the corn took away visibility from their home as well as being able to see at intersections of the streets.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins indicated that should the city want to address the corn issue that there could be several options available.  Mayor Allen asked the Law Enforcement Committee to review the options and bring back a recommendation before the December, 2007 regular meeting.

 

Ken Stewart said he had received some complaints from businesses on why Main Street was shut down so early for the college block party and why it couldn’t be moved in front of the college on Main Street.  Stewart volunteered to talk with college officials about this issue and report back to the Council.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Finance Committee Chairman Tony French informed the Council that City Attorney Ted Collins, City Clerk Bill Butrick and himself had met to review information concerning a 1% city sales tax.  City Attorney Ted Collins talked about several issues involved with the sales tax and stated that he should be receiving further information from the Kansas Department of Revenue.  It was agreed to discuss sales tax at the next regular meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Ken Stewart informed the Council that the total amount of the bids had been reduced and that approximately $9600 should be available for other costs.

 

Tony French moved to approve the bid from Jones Air Conditioning of $16,615.00 for

radiant floor heat in the fire station.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Betty Lewis updated the Council on the U.S. Highway 36 Treasure Hunt to be  held the week-end of September 14-16.  She stated that the Community Center and Council Chambers have been reserved and also the parking lot if needed for vendors.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Tony French moved, seconded by Donna Parish, to approve Ordinance #462.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland regulating public offenses within the city, edition 2007, and repealing Ordinance #456.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved, seconded by Tony French, to approve Ordinance #463.  An Ordinance of the City Of Highland regulating traffic within the city, edition 2007, and repealing Ordinance #457.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved, seconded by Mari Ann Parker, to approve Ordinance #464.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland authorizing the limited operation of all-terrain vehicles and work –site utility vehicles within the corporate limits of Highland and repealing Ordinance #459.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-no, Parker-yes, French-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried 4-1.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins stated he would send an article to the Kansas Chief helping to explain the use of all-terrain and work-site vehicles.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

Deputy Jason Pendleton informed the Council he would be pulling more duty since Officer Hansen had become injured.  Pendleton said he had received several complaints in the Brookwood Manor area about cars traveling too fast.

 

Council member Donna Parish asked to discuss Ordinance #393, keeping and harboring of dogs within the city limits and stated she felt stricter enforcement was needed.

 

8:53 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go into executive session for twenty minutes to discuss personnel.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.  Mayor Allen asked that Ted Collins and Bill Butrick remain.

 

9:13 p.m.  Mari Ann Parker moved to come out of executive session.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:14 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go back into executive session for twenty minutes to continue with personnel discussion.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:34 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to come out of executive session.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The Council reviewed and accepted the resignation letter of Shawn Tilton.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to hire Aaron Leach as full time public works assistant at the beginning level of the salary schedule for this position, with a start date of September 15, 2007 at full benefits.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to place an ad in the Kansas Chief for a part-time helper in the maintenance department.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

9:45 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to go into executive session for thirty minutes to discuss real estate and contract negotiations.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Allen asked that Ted Collins and Bill Butrick remain.

 

10:05 p.m.  Tony French moved to come out of executive session.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement for exchange of real estate between the City, Olson’s and the cemetery association per the terms discussed.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign an agreement between the City and College for annexation, right-of-way and construction of West Avenue per the negotiated terms.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

10:07 p.m.  Donna Parish moved to adjourn.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

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              Mayor                                       City Clerk