May, 2007
April 2, 2007The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, April 2nd , 2007. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Chryll Ginn, Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, and Warren Johnson. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent; and Lynn Heskett, Assistant City Clerk. Jack McBride and Debbie Jones were visitors attending the meeting. Councilmember Johnson noted that the April 2007 Pay Ordinance be corrected so that check number 18071 read Chryll Ginn, not Chryll Gill. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the April 2007 consent agenda consisting of: the March 2007 regular Council meeting minutes, the April 2007 pay ordinance totaling $73,536.07, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing April 20, 2007. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSJack McBride attended the meeting at the Council’s request. Council presented Jack with a retirement plaque and gift honoring his eleven years of service to the City and community.OLD BUSINESSNew Water Line Construction – Nothing to report.Court Software – Topic was tabled until May 2007 meeting. Shelter House Committee Report – Committee members Mueller and Johnson reported that they had reviewed conditions at City Park, shelter house, ball fields, and Troxel Park. They noted some equipment at City Park, such as swings, need minor repairs. Most repairs needed are routine maintenance situations. The shelter house showed signs that the support poles were deteriorating at ground level. The Council discussed possible repairs or replacement of the support poles. The committee also noted that some nails need replaced on the roof, and the electrical service on the west end needs reworked. The committee reported that the concession stand and work on the new dugouts and fencing looked good. They also suggested the need for safety caps to cover some ball field fence “T” posts, which have poked through the plastic safety tubing. They suggested that the City install two more basketball goals at the tennis court as it is used mainly for basketball and that a security light be installed near the court. They noted the shelter house at Troxel Park is in good repair, however, the bench at the park needs new wood. After some discussion, Council requested Superintendent Stodgell remove the water fountain outlet and cap the water line at Troxel Park. Councilmember Ginn, former Moran Days Chairperson, informed the Council that there is funding available through the Moran Days Committee for Park improvements. Westar – Topic was tabled until May. NEW BUSINESSLibrary Board Appointments – Mayor Merkel appointed Travis Harrison to the Moran Library Board. Mueller moved to accept the Mayor’s appointment. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed unanimously.Request by Moran Day’s Committee to close Randolph Street between Cedar St. and Spruce St. - Debbie Jones, Moran Day Committee Chair, requested permission to close this section of Randolph Street from 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. to accommodate the Moran Days Bike Show, and parking for visiting motorcyclists. The Bike Show will be held in the vacant lots to the south of Moran Library, and all other bikes will park on Randolph Street between the barricades. This would allow a designated parking area for cycles, and several parking lot security monitors would be on site to patrol the area. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the street closing as requested. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Jones also requested up to two 120-volt outlets be installed at the Park to accommodate three pieces of inflatable play equipment for Moran Days. Johnson moved to approve the request and asked the City crew to install underground electric service and outlets. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Signage for Moran Days – Mrs. Jones advised the Council that she had a contact name of James Pickett, KDOT Area Engineer, regarding rerouting Highway 59 for the Moran Days Parade. Jones asked the Council if she should make the necessary signage arrangements, or if the City would do so. Council advised the City would coordinate with KDOT for signage. Playground Equipment – Mayor Merkel presented some playground equipment catalogues to the Council for review and discussed the need for new equipment geared toward smaller children ages five and under. No action was taken at this time, and the topic will be reviewed at the May meeting. Position Vacancy – Councilmember Holman moved the City advertise a general laborers position in the Iola Register to replace Jack McBride. The advertisement should run for one week, and should state that the position works directly with the City Superintendent, in all departments. Starting salary will be $7.50/hour and wage will depend on qualifications. Applications may be obtained at City Hall, and must be received by April 30th, 2007. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Council agreed that during the interview process, Superintendent Stodgell may inform candidates that if hired, a CDL would be required within 6 months. Topic will be on the May agenda. City Hall Roof Leak – After discussion of the situation, Council advised Superintendent Stodgell to contact the original roofing contractor, Alert Roofing of Erie, Kansas. Wholesale Customer Disconnects for Non-Payment – The Council discussed possible options for disconnecting wholesale customers for non-payment, and whether or not the City has the authority to disconnect. Attorney Heim suggested contacting Public Wholesale Water Supply (PWWS) for clarification of who is authorized to disconnect customers and to ask that PWWS provide the City with written documentation stating such. Heim will also contact PWWS to request they provide the City with meter reading billing information in a timely manner, preferably by the 25th of each month. Spring Clean-up – Superintendent Stodgell suggested possible dates for clean-up were the weeks of June 1st -8th or June 8th -15th depending on Dual County’s schedule. Stodgell will contact Dual County to confirm the dates. The Council requested that residents be notified of the clean-up dates on the May and June utility bills.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Nothing to report.Police Chief – Officer Smith stated that the fire reports had been completed and submitted. He also reviewed with the Council the City Codes for Housing Standards, as some residents were living in homes in which utilities had been disconnected for non-payment. Council agreed to allow residents a seven-day allowance to reconnect utilities after which a citation would be issued. He also noted that he will issue citations to the residents at 223 W. First Street and 322 W. First Street on issues of blight. Also, residents who haven’t yet purchased dog tags by May 1st will be issued citations. Smith reminded the Council that he will be attending training in Springfield, MO, and therefore unable to attend the May Council meeting. He also stated that the STEP program of “Click it or Ticket” would be activated again in May, and that the program will reimburse for overtime hours worked.
Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of March 2007: Stodgell reported that Galen Bigelow, President of the Moran Ball Association, had requested the City install underground electric service at the smaller ball field to allow for use of a pitching machine. This could be accomplished by tapping the service at the batting cage. Another request was the possibility of putting lights at said ball field, at which Council asked Stodgell to get pricing for lights. Council suggested Mr. Bigelow appear before the Council to discuss the lighting request. Stodgell also relayed concerns the Ball Association noted with the City building a playground in the grassy area between the two fields. First, safety could be an issue, as many fowl-tips from the baseball field travel in that direction. Second, the area in question is currently used for pre-game warm-ups. Mayor Merkel stated that he and Stodgell had discussed ways to deter traffic in that area, and agreed that a solution would be for the City to purchase four additional concrete barricades from Builder’s Choice. These barricades will be placed at both ends of the grassy area, with cables attached to deter anyone driving through that area. It was agreed to leave enough space at one end of the cable, near the perimeter field fencing, to allow for the passage of mowers. Superintendent Stodgell reported the new utility truck should be completed in four weeks. Council discussed options for disposal of the ’86 Ford, no action taken at this time. City Clerk – Assistant Clerk Heskett reported that City Clerk Evans was working to compile the March 2007 cash and budget summary. However, there was outstanding information that the Clerk’s Office had yet to receive in order to be able to accurately report to the Council. Income for the month of March 2007 was reported as follows:
Heskett stated that Evans had spoken with Mark Henry, Copy Products, Inc., regarding the purchase of a new copier. Council reviewed Henry’s quote, and after brief discussion tabled the topic until May. Heskett reminded the Council that Red Barn Veterinary Clinic would conduct the annual City Dog Tag Clinic at Moran City Hall on March 31, 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Ginn moved the meeting adjourn at 10:03 PM. Mueller seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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May, 2007
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