August 5, 2002

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 5, 2002. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Council-members present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Officer Shane Smith; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Barbara Shoate, Asst. Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent.

2003 BUDGET HEARING

Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of: July 1, 2002, regular meeting, July 15, 2002, and August 1, 2002, special meeting minutes, August Pay Ordinance totaling $78,898.70, and Corporate Resolution for purchase of $20,000.00 Certificate of Deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 1 0, 2002. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

Storm Drainage Ditch on Tilden Wilson Property - No action taken as other repairs were made to the ditch.

Applications for Assistant City Clerk - Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session at 7:19 PM for 30 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Clerk Evans and Attorney Heim were invited to attend the session. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Council returned to open meeting at 7:49 and Councilmember Mueller¹ Wallis moved to offer the assistant city clerk position to Lynn Heskett. Starting pay offered is $7.25 per hour and the position is subject to a 90-day probationary period. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Property Ownership - Resolution 02-04 - Clerk Evans advised the Council that the property at 140 W. Randolph had been sold. The Attorney advised the Council that the property was sold after condemnation proceedings began and change of ownership did not affect the condemnation process. The Council agreed the resolution should be published as adopted July 1St.

Charter Ordinance 6 - Municipal Court Fees - Councilmember Johnson moved Attorney Bret Heim prepare Charter Ordinance 6 increasing court cost to $20.00 per citation and misdemeanor fines to $35.00. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Ambulance Director - Director Roberts requested Council approval to secure a credit card for purchasing fuel while on out of town runs and after hours at local businesses. The Council suggested securing a MasterCard or Visa fleet fuel card. Director Roberts will research additional information regarding the credit cards and the request will be reviewed at the September meeting.

Assistant Director Shoate asked for permission to use five to seven days of personal sick leave as family medical leave. The Council discussed the situation and agreed to honor her request.

Police Department - Officer Smith spoke with the Council about the number of abandoned or inoperable vehicles located on private property. He advised he could issue warnings based on safety factors and visual eyesores, but wanted to discuss who should receive the warnings. Following discussion, the Council agreed that anyone found to be in violation of Chapter 8, Article 3 of the City Code should receive a warning citation.

Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session with Officer Smith and Attorney Heim at 8:32 PM for ten minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 8:39 PM and Councilmember Mueller moved that the Council meet with Chief Jason Prock at 6:30 PM on Monday August 1 9, 2002 to discuss the status of his employment with the City. Additionally, Chief Prock will be suspended without pay until the Council has the opportunity to meet with him on the 19th Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Superintendent - Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of July:

• Established temporary electric services for the funeral home and senior center.
• Repaired ditches at 31 2 N. Chestnut and 1 44 W. First.
• Trimmed edges off roads in preparation for chip and seal.
• Installed fuel tanks at city shop.
• Repaired water leaks at 308 W. Randolph, 204 S. Cedar, and the 500 block of North Locust.

Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that two tires on the backhoe needed replaced and offered pricing from two suppliers, Moran Tire (10 ply @ $377.00) and Johnston Farm Tire (12 ply @ $365.00). Discussion followed with Councilmember Mueller moving to purchase the tires locally from Moran Tire. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Superintendent Stodgell requested permission to attend a free Small Water Safety Class sponsored by Kansas Rural Water Association. Classes will be held August 28th at Madison, KS and six hours credit will be earned towards water recertification. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the request; Ginn seconded the motion and the motion passed with all approving.

City Clerk - The Clerk reported the following income for the month of July:

The Council discussed residential concerns regarding mosquito control and the use of alternative methods of control such as mosquito traps. After considerable discussion, the Council agreed that the City's current mosquito management policy is sufficient for the need.

NEW BUSINESS

Use of Ball field Lights - Councilmember Wallis moved to approve a request from Dana Endicott to allow the women's ball league to use the lights for three ball games. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Appointment of Public Officer - Mayor Merkel appointed Mike Stodgell as Public Officer. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the appointment with Mueller seconding the motion. Motion passed with all approving.

RECESS

The Council returned to the regular meeting at 6:30 PM on Monday, August 19, 2002. Present were: Mayor Phillip Merkel and Councilmembers Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim; City Attorney; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Officer Shane Smith.

Councilmember Mueller moved to purchase an Alcohol Breathalyzer for the police department. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Mueller moved to meet in executive session at 6:39 PM for 20 minutes to discussed non-elected personnel matters. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 7:00 PM with Councilmember Mueller moving to accept Jason Prock's written resignation as Police Chief effective immediately. Prock will be given one week of vacation pay as he accrued one year of service with the City. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with Holman and Johnson approving and Ginn against.

The Council discussed revising the title of Police Chief to City Marshall. No action was taken. The Council then spoke with Officer Smith and asked if he would be interested in applying for the vacant position with the Police department. Officer Smith said he would be interested but indicated his concern with the lack of health insurance benefits and the type of pay offered. Officer Smith said he would prefer the position be paid hourly rather than a salaried position.

Attorney Heim asked Officer Smith if he would be willing to continue working part time for the City for 30-45 days until the Council can review the Police Chief position. Smith said he did not foresee any problems and will continue working 10-25 hours per week.

Officer Smith informed the Council that a number of individuals have been congregating at Cork-n-Dale's Landmark parking lot after closing hours and asked how the Council would like to handle the situation. Attorney Heim suggested the Landmark owners post "Parking Lot Closed at 12:00 AM" signs. The Council requested the Clerk send a letter to the Landmark owners offering this suggestion.

ADJOURNMENT

¹Corrected to read Wallis

||city main page|| council members|| council minutes|| city codes|| city information||