REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 6, 2006                     7:30 P.M.

 

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

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Tom Stechmann, Tom Bliss, Russ Karn, Tim Hersh, Jeff Riley, Bill Butrick and Ted Collins (8:35).

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

Mayor Tyler called to order the Public Hearing for the purpose of considering an application to be submitted to the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing for grant funds under the KAN-STEP category.

 

Tom Bliss of MO-KAN explained that the grant applied for would be for approximately $827,000 of which $299,000 would be grant funds, $40,000 from Rural Fire District #2, $40,000 from the City of Highland and the remaining $448,000 provided by volunteer equipment and labor within the community.  Ken Stewart stated that the Community Center would be approximately 64’ x 76’ and the fire station 64’ x 64’.

 

Mayor Tyler asked for public comment.

 

Comments included:  1. Who would in charge of inspection.  2.  The cost of insuring the building.  3.  Where would the building be located.  4.  The cost of utilities.  5. Who would act as job superintendent. 

 

Ken Stewart stated that the Kansas Rural Water Association would provide for inspections and act as overseer of the project, that the cost of insurance would be approximately $4000 per year and that the cost of utilities were estimated to be around $300 per month.  He further stated that several options were still under consideration for the location of the building.

 

Mike Batchelder made a motion, seconded by Ken Stewart, to approve Resolution #06-4.  A Resolution of the City of Highland, Kansas certifying legal authority to apply for the Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.  By roll call vote:

Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart made a motion, seconded by Mike Batchelder, to approve Resolution #06-5.  A Resolution of the City of Highland, Kansas, assuring that funds will be continually provided for the operation and maintenance of improvements to be financed with Community Development Block Grant Funds.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

7:55 p.m.  Ken Stewart moved to adjourn the Public Hearing.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

7:56 p.m.  Mayor Tyler called the Regular Council Meeting to order with a quorum present.

 

Ken Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held August 2, 2006.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the bills for the month of August, 2006.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Tom Stechmann of Utility Service Company explained the repairs needed to the water towers from their recent inspection.  He stated that it would probably be in the city’s best interest to let the old tower run it’s course and to spend around $3000 for a roof vent and do some welding to maybe add 5-7 years use and then to replace it with a larger storage tower.  Stechmann informed the city of a maintenance program with Utility Service Co. to repair the newer tower north of town which would cost $27,043 for the first three years and $8,235 per year after three years.  He stated this would include all painting, repairs, inspections and bulb replacement.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to accept the maintenance contract with Utility Service Company, Inc. on the 100,000 gallon tower at a cost of $27,043 for the first three years and $8,235 per year after three years.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved to have Utility Service Company replace the roof vent and do the necessary welding to upgrade the 50,000 gallon tank at a cost of no more than $3,000.

Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Recreation Commission member Russ Karn presented an expense report of the summer ball program to the Council.  Karn also stated that Tammie Petrik and Tammie Witham had resigned from their positions on the Recreation Commission and that Aaron Leach had been appointed to one of the vacancies.  Karn informed the Council that the current members of the Commission are:  Greg Delzeit, Scott Twombly, Mike Batchelder, Russ Karn, Julie Spears, Nathan Idol and Aaron Leach.  A brief discussion followed concerning the status of the lights at the ball park.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Mike Batchelder stated he had received a complaint about the city burn pile smoldering at night time.

 

Doniphan County deputy Tim Hersh reported a complaint he had received about parking on the curve of the 300 Block of North Carolina Street.  It was agreed to have Hersh speak with the manager of Brookwood Apartments about the parking and to also speak to the individuals parking there.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

City Attorney Ted Collins informed the Council that Jeff Riley, Bill Butrick and himself had met to examine costs involved with water connection fees.  He stated that the recommendations had been drawn up as Ordinance #458 for the Council’s discussion or approval.

 

Donna Parish moved, seconded by Mike Batchelder,  to approve Ordinance #458.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas, amending Ordinance #339, specifically amending section fifteen relating to the fees charged for connecting to the city waterworks system.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Ken Stewart moved, seconded by Mari Ann Parker, to approve Ordinance #456.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas, regulating public offenses within the city, incorporating by reference the “Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas Cities” edition 2006.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ken Stewart moved, seconded by Mari Ann Parker, to approve Ordinance #457.  An Ordinance of the City of Highland, Kansas, regulating traffic within the corporate limits of the city incorporating by reference the “Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas cities,” edition 2006.  By roll call vote:  Batchelder-yes, Parker-yes, Stewart-yes, Parish-yes.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

A brief discussion was held concerning the operation of 4-wheelers on city streets.  It was agreed to have the Law Enforcement Committee meet with Deputy Tim Hersh and City Attorney Ted Collins and for them to report their recommendations at a future meeting.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins reviewed with the Council the jurisdiction of traffic enforcement in private parking lots.  He stated this would mainly concern the High School and Highland College lots and that signs should be posted to allow for law enforcement to enforce traffic.

 

CITY OFFICERS REPORT

 

City Superintendent Jeff Riley reported that the new storm siren should be installed and operating soon.

Deputy Tim Hersh asked if the city would purchase a laser radar unit at a cost of approximately $3000.  He asked if the diversion fund could be used for most of the cost.

The Council asked that Deputy Hersh bring his request to a future meeting so they could  see where the diversion fund and the city’s general fund stood.

 

City Attorney Ted Collins updated the Council on the Degginger Park Trust Fund.

 

City Clerk Bill Butrick informed the Council that the electric meter at the lift station for the lagoons had been taken in to be checked out by Westar Energy.

 

Mike Batchelder reported on the property clean-up.

 

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

 

 

_______________________                  _______________________

 

                   Mayor                                               City Clerk