August 4, 2003

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 4, 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; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Shawn Turner and Don Higinbotham were visitors in attendance.

BUDGET HEARING 2004

Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the August 2003 consent agenda consisting of: July 7, 2003 regular minutes and July 21, 2003 special council meeting minutes, August pay ordinance totaling $71,335.94 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 12, 2003. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Shawn Turner- Mr. Turner submitted cost estimates of $434,000 to replace the water lines in the southeast section of the City and $966,000 to replace older lines throughout the city. He advised the Council that the City could possibly receive up to $200,000.00 funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) if the City receives grant approval. The remaining $234,000 could be financed through bonds or loan. Mr. Turner also informed the Council that he and one or two representatives of the City would be required to attend a meeting before the Kansas Interagency Advisory Committee (KIAC) on September 9th.

Don Higinbotham - Mr. Higinbotham asked the Council to consider using Sherwin Williams's paint products rather than Tneme-Crete as specified by the painting contract. He said the Sherwin Williams product is comparable to Tneme-Crete but is $10.00 a gallon less expensive than Tneme-Crete. He offered to reduce his bid price to reflect the savings on paint. The Council agreed they did not have a problem using Sherwin Williams's products as long as they are comparable to Tneme-Crete.

Mr. Higinbotham suggested the Council consider siding the library rather than painting the exterior walls due previous problems with paint fading and peeling. Mayor Merkel asked the Council if they wanted Mr. Higinbotham to paint the library or to look into the price of siding. The Council agreed to investigate the cost to side the Library in comparison to the cost of painting. Additionally, the Council requested a copy of Mr. Higinbotham's insurance certification for the project.

7200 Electric Update - Superintendent Stodgell reviewed progress made on the primary electrical lines. He said the City crew's next project would be to replace the primary lines between Spruce and Locust from Hill to Walnut. Following this, the City crew would replace the primary service main between Locust and Chestnut between Church and Walnut.

Property Review of 408 N. Birch - The Council reviewed pictures of the property and granted a 60 day continuance for repairs as long as there is continued progress.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Ambulance Director - Director Roberts notified the Council that she would be attending the Allen County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, August 5th to discuss ambulance operations.

Police Chief - Chief Smith requested Council approval to place a stop sign at the intersection of Church and Pine streets stopping traffic on Pine. Council-member Mueller moved to approve the request, Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Superintendent Stodgell was asked to put flags on the sign post or place cones near the sign to draw motorist's attention as school will begin in the next few weeks.

Chief Smith told the Council that Mrs. Kennedy, director of the USD 256 21st Century Club, would like Shane to meet with the grade school children one Wednesday a month to discuss issues relevant to the children. Chief Smith asked if the Council had any problems with his fulfilling this request. No opposition was voiced.

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

• Virgil Tucker bladed and worked the alley in the 500 block between Cedar and Pine and repaired damaged to the street corner at Front and Locust Streets.
• Prepare for chip and seal project.
• Set cement post blocks on Front and Locust to the east side of culvert.
• Completed 7200 project in the 400 and 500 blocks between N. Cedar and N. Spruce.
• Trim trees at Spruce, Front, and Maple Streets.
• Pulled poles and trimmed trees out of power electric lines in the 300 block between S. Cedar and S. Pine.
• Changed out electric pole and three phase primary wires at Front and Maple.
• Set a new pole and ran new wire for expanded service to Moran Locker.
• Set used pole, ran secondary, set meter and can, set new water meter for Harles Haircare new building.
• Conducted Lead and Copper Tests on 7/22/03 as required by the State.
• Repaired 4" cast iron water leak at Maple and Second.
• Reported 1000 kWh used to operated the ball lights through July 14, 2003
• Inspected new Christmas decorations. With new and existing decorations, the City only lacks four ornaments from having decorations for each electric pole on Cedar between First and Oak.
• Sprayed for weeds in the down town area.
• Di-electric testing of bucket trucks and equipment. Everything passed, but Protective Equipment Testing reported that both the small bucket and large bucket trucks have cracks in the buckets.

Councilmember Mueller moved the Clerk purchase a new digital camera and accessories for use by the utilities department. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

NEW BUSINESS

The Council discussed Superintendent Stodgell's concerns but took no action at this time. The Council will reconsider the position duties and the possibility of updating the Uniform Building Code requirements at first of next year.

Water Conservation Plan (Ordinance 1082) - Councilmember Wallis moved to adopt a Municipal Water Conservation Plan for the City of Moran and Ordinance No. 1082, "An ordinance authorizing the declaration of a water watch, warning or emergency; establishing procedures and voluntary and mandatory conservation measures; authorizing the issuance of administrative regulations; and prescribing certain penalties". Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that the County crew should be available to help chip and seal city streets within the next two to three weeks.

Councilmember Ginn moved the meeting adjourn at 10:05 PM. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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