September, 2004
August 2, 2004The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 2, 2004. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director, Barbara Shoate, Asst. Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Lee Roberts was a visitor attending the meeting.
2005 BUDGET APPROVALMayor Merkel asked for comments or discussion with regards to the published budget for 2005. No comments were raised. Councilmember Ginn moved to formally adopt the budget as published. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of: July 2004 regular and special council meeting minutes, August pay ordinance totaling $82,812.08 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 11, 2004. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSNo visitors present.
OLD BUSINESSChanges and Review of Moran City Code Book - Mayor Merkel suggested the Council review one or more chapters of the City Code at each meeting to make certain that the Codes are current and express the intent of the Council. The Council will begin with reviewing Chapter 1. Administration at the next Council meeting.Clerk Evans read the title of Ordinance 1086, "An Ordinance Repealing Chapter One (1) Article Ten (10) Of The City Code Of The City Of Moran, Kansas, Relating To Health Insurance Of City Employees". Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the ordinance as written, Mueller seconded the motion. Motion passed with Johnson, Mueller, Holman, and Jackman approving and Ginn opposed.
NEW BUSINESSIncrease in Cat Population - The Council discussed an increase in complaints regarding the number of stray cats running loose in town. Chief Smith suggested the City purchase live traps and allow residents to borrow the traps if the residents sign a release form when they take the traps. He also noted other area communities have Codes regulating running at large laws for both dogs and cats but do not strictly enforce the Code covering cats because of costs associated with capturing, boarding, and destroying stray cats. The Council discussed modifying the City Code to remove all references to cats. Another suggestion was made to leave the wording pertaining to cats in the Code and the City would enforce the Code as best as possible. After a lengthy discussion the Council chose to take no action at the present time but will reconsider the City's options when the Council reviews the Chapter 2. Animal Control and Regulation.Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code - The Council discussed the costs and the needs for adopting the 2004 Standard Traffic Ordinance (STO) and Uniform Public Offense Codes (UPOC). Clerk Evans read the title of Ordinance 1084, "An Ordinance Regulating Traffic Within The Corporate Limits Of The City Of Moran, Kansas Incorporating By Reference The "Standard Traffic Ordinance For Kansas Cities," Edition Of 2004, Providing Certain Penalties And Repealing Ordinance(s) Numbered 1066 " and Ordinance 1085, "An Ordinance Regulating Public Offenses Within The Corporate Limits Of The City Of Moran, Kansas; Incorporating By Reference The "Uniform Public Offense Code For Kansas Cities," Edition Of 2004, And Repealing Ordinance(s) Number 1067". Councilmember Johnson moved to adopt ordinances 1084 and 1085. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Appointment to Moran Public Library Board - Mayor Merkel appointed Patty Miklos to replace Diana Ross on the Library Board. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the Mayor's appointment. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief - Chief Merkel expressed his concern with the reported time lapse between the time 911 received the call reporting the fire at the Moran Locker and the time the fire department was dispatched. According to the individual reporting the fire, the 911 dispatcher would not page the fire department until the address of the Locker was verified. The Council discussed the situation and instructed the Clerk to send a letter to 911 requesting the dispatch logs for the fire and to ask that the fire department be dispatched for all fire calls at the time the fire call is received. The Moran fire department will take all responsibility of verifying the calls.Chief Merkel reported the department has installed the new pump unit on the rural truck and has conducted preliminary testing of the unit. On another note, Chief Merkel said he will request that ISO, a fire protection rating service, review the improvements and the Moran Fire Department's ratings to see if the City's fire ratings could be increased following completion of the water line replacement in the southeast area of town. Ambulance Director - Director Roberts left earlier in the meeting to take an ambulance run. Police Chief - Chief Smith reported equipment problems with both his portable radio and transmitter for the patrol car's video camera. The radio has been sent to Hall's Communication for a repair estimate and Stalker replaced the transmitter under warranty. Chief Smith informed the Council that he has spoken with Chuck Yokely of the KS Highway Patrol and that the Highway Patrol will be bringing the crash simulator and hopefully the seat belt enforcer for Moran Days. Superintendent - Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following report for the month of July:
Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that the City's bucket trucks have been inspected by Protective Equipment Testing (PET) and passed inspection. The inspectors did note a few items of concern, but the City crew has made the recommended repairs. He also noted the County crew will be in town August 5th to chip and seal the east and west streets and Birch Street. The Council asked the Clerk to send a letter to the owner of the property at 303 E. First to inquire about their plans for cleaning up the property. City Clerk - Clerk Evans reported income for the month of July as follows:
OTHERThe Council asked each of the department heads to speak with employees and ask if they would prefer the City provide a single insurance plan for each employee or if they would rather continue receiving a monthly insurance stipend. The Council asked that employees be made aware that if the City were to provide a single insurance policy that the employee will effectively see a decrease in monthly take home pay as the insurance stipend will no longer be paid to the employee.Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meeting in executive session at 9:45 PM for 20 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open session at 10:05 PM and the Council discussed the costs of providing insurance coverage for City employees. No action was taken. Councilmember Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:27 PM. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
September, 2004
|