REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

 

                                OCTOBER 4, 2006                            7:30 P.M.

 

PRESENT:  Mike Batchelder, Tony French, Donna Parish, Ken Stewart (7:35) and Mari Ann Parker (7:45).

 

ALSO PRESENT:  Roger Gormley, Lois Owens, Russ Karn, Ted Collins, Tim Hersh and Bill Butrick.

 

PRESIDING:  Mayor Janet Tyler.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. with a quorum present.

 

Donna Parish moved to approve the minutes of the last Regular Council Meeting held September 6, 2006.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried 3-0.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to approve the bills for the month of September, 2006.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried 3-0.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Lois Owens and Roger Gormley requested a directional sign be placed on Main Street for the County Library.  Tony French moved to allow a library directional sign that would be purchased by the library and installed by the city.   Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

CITIZENS REQUESTS

 

Mayor Tyler stated that Clifford Hawk had asked that something be done about the drainage coming down his driveway and that Bob Garner had requested a tube be placed on city-right-of-way by his property.  The Street & Alley Committee said they would get with Jeff Riley to look into both requests.

 

Donna Parish moved to have the Recreation Commission be in charge of reserving the shelter area at the ball park.  Ken Stewart 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Ted Collins updated the Council on the high school reunion and sesquicentennial celebration.  He stated that both events would probably be scheduled around the Memorial Day weekend.  Collins stated that a street dance had been planned for Saturday night that would require the closing of the 300 block of West Main and that the community center may be needed for a heritage room.

 

A brief discussion was held concerning the financing of the sesquicentennial celebration.

 

Tony French moved that the city offer their full support of the sesquicentennial celebration to include the closing of the 300 block of W. Main, the use of the community center and the restrooms in City Hall and to contribute funds for the celebration when it becomes known what the needs are.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Recreation Commission member Russ Karn reported that Wendy Simmons and Rex Bollinger had been voted in as new members of the Commission and that Julie Speer and Nathan Idol would act as Co-chairman.  Karn stated he would in charge of public relations.

 

A brief discussion was held concerning possible soccer field locations.

 

Donna Parish moved to allow up to $2500 for the purchasing and hauling of red shale for the ball park area pending the approval of the college to pay the other half.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The governing body again complimented the Recreation Commission for the good job they have done with the summer program and that they continue to do with other events.

 

Finance Committee Chairman Tony French reported on the meetings that he, Ted Collins and Bill Butrick have had concerning city investments.  He stated the recommendation would be to accept the proposal presented by Farmers State Bank.

 

Mari Ann Parker moved to accept the proposal of Farmers State Bank as presented.  Donna Parish 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Tony French moved to authorize the transfer of $70,000 from active to idle funds at Farmers State Bank.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

The Council reviewed a report from City Attorney Ted Collins concerning the Degginger Park Trust Fund.

 

A brief discussion was held about GPS mapping.

 

Ken Stewart moved to accept with regret the resignation of Carol Hopkins as assistant city clerk.  Mike Batchelder 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

Mike Batchelder moved to advertise for the vacant assistant city clerk position in the Kansas Chief.  Tony French 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

The next item of discussion were the funds recently received from the trustee of the Frank Kendall estate.  The Mayor and council gratefully acknowledged this generous bequest of $113,416.25 and noted that a portion of this gift had been used to purchase a new storm warning siren and was being considered in connection with other worthwhile capital improvement projects.  The city attorney will contact the trustee to express the city’s appreciation.

 

Mayor Tyler asked the Water & Sewer Committee to look into possible financing, including grants available, for the city’s water storage.

 

Governing body comments

 

Donna Parish asked that top priority be given to fix the sewer line problem which has caused back-ups at the Irene Bramel residence.  Mayor Tyler stated that she would contact city maintenance tomorrow morning to start the process to fix the problem.

 

9:22  p.m.  Tony French moved to adjourn.  Mari Ann Parker 2nd, motion carried unanimously.

 

 

______________________                  ______________________

 

                  Mayor                                               City Clerk