This page was prepared
May, 2003
April 7, 2003The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, April 7, 2003. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; and Barbara Shoate, Assistant Ambulance Director. Pam Beasley, Steve Womack, Kent Houk, Chris King, Jeanne Harles were visitors attending the meeting. The Council discussed the petty cash report and meal expenditures for the Ambulance Department. Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the April consent agenda consisting of: March regular council meeting minutes, April pay ordinance totaling $87,540.39, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing April 11, 2003. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSChris King spoke with the Council regarding his concerns with the condition of the property at 111 S. Sycamore and 303 E. First. The Council advised Mr. King that they would address the property as 111 S. Sycamore later in the meeting. The Clerk was asked to address a letter to the new owners of 303 E. First inquiring of their intentions to remodel or demolish the property.Jeanne Harles asked the Council if the City could do something about the method the Locker is using to transport animal carcasses and waste material. Jeanne told the Council that blood from the waste is spilling on the ground and causing a mess behind her shop. Mayor Merkel advised the Council that he had spoken with the owner of the locker and that they had agreed to try and change their methods so they wouldn’t have spillage. Councilmember Mueller moved the Clerk send a notice of City Code violation to the Locker’s owners and ask that they clean up the spill damage to surrounding properties. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Lt. Steve Womack of the Iola Police Department spoke with the Council regarding the Iola Police Department’s application for a $400,000.00 Byrne Grant to provide Mobile Data Terminals for the Iola Police Department. Lt. Womack said the Iola Police Department is extending a proposal to Allen County law enforcement agencies to join in the grant process so that all police cars could share data and increase communication between the departments. Lt. Womack advised that the departments would need to raise approximately 25% of the grant as matching funds and that each department would be asked for a donation to help meet the match. He did note that Moran’s grant match would be substantially less as the City has only one patrol unit. Additionally, each department would be responsible for a portion of the annual costs for software fees and equipment upgrades. Lt. Womack estimated the City of Moran’s cost to be around $1,636.64 per year. He then asked if the City would be willing to join in their efforts. The Council advised Lt. Womack they would like to discuss the matter in further detail later in the meeting and would let him know of their decision.
OLD BUSINESSLight Switches at the Moran Ball Field – The Council discussed ongoing problems with operating the ball field lights. They considered locking the light switches and requiring the coaches have a key to turn on the lights. Kent Houk suggested only the coaches of the older teams be given keys to the lights. The Council agreed that the lights should be padlocked and only the coaches of the older ball teams should be given keys and instructions how to operate the lights.City Hall/Library Painting Bids - The Clerk reported that no new bids had been received. Following discussion, the topic was tabled until a later date. Marmaton Rural Fire Department Truck – Chief Merkel said he hadn’t had time to check on pricing for the equipment. Topic was tabled until May meeting. Property Status at 111 S. Sycamore and 408 N. Birch – The Council discussed the status of each property and asked the Clerk to draft a letter to the property owner of 408 N. Birch requesting additional information concerning their remodeling plans. Action on the property at 111 S. Sycamore was tabled until later in the meeting. Summer Employment – The Council reviewed four applications for the advertised position. Following which, Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session for 10 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters, Johnson seconded, motion passed with all approving. Session began at 8:27 PM and the Council returned to open meeting at 8:37 PM. Councilmember Mueller moved to offer the position to William Clawson at $6.00 per hour with the position working 25 hours per week. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Property at 111 S. Sycamore (cont) – Attorney Heim read Resolution 03-01 condemning the property at 111 S. Sycamore. Councilmember Mueller moved the Council adopt the resolution, Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Mayor advised the Council that Virgil Tucker had submitted an offer of $2,500.00 to demolish the property. Councilmember Mueller moved that Virgil Tucker demolish the property as soon as possible. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Low to Moderate Income Survey Results – Topic was tabled until May meeting to allow additional time to receive and compile information from the surveys.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Chief Merkel told the Council that he would be attending a 911 advisory board meeting Tuesday, April 8, 2003.Ambulance Director – Director Roberts advised the Council that Med Tech had made repairs to the ambulance. Discussion resumed regarding meal expenditures for the ambulance department. Councilmember Mueller suggested the Council reconsider this issue at the September meeting. No action was taken. The Council continued discussion of the grant opportunity extended by the Iola Police Department. Councilmember Ginn moved the City submit their intent to participate in the grant process. Final approval will be given at a later date. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell thanked the Council for allowing him and Craig Miller to attend the Kansas Rural Water Association Conference.
City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported the following income for the month of March
The Council discussed the closing of the Klein Tools facility and water service to Mrs. Dorothy Strong. No action was taken. The Council gave approval to allow employees to purchase Aflac insurance policies through payroll deductions.
NEW BUSINESSAnnual Clean Up Day – The Council agreed to sponsor a City Wide Clean Up Day whenever convenient.Mayoral Appointments to Library Board – Mayor Merkel nominated Pam Mueller to serve on the Library Board. Motion passed with Councilmember Wallis approving and Holman seconding. Motion passed with Ginn and Johnson approving, Mueller abstained from voting. Councilman Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 9:39 PM. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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This page was prepared May, 2003
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