August 1, 2005

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 1, 2005. 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, Steve Crume, Ben Hardman, Sharon Hardman, Mike Lewis, and Mike Endicott were visitors attending the meeting.

2006 BUDGET HEARING

Mayor Merkel opened the budget hearing and called for questions or comments regarding the published budget. No questions or comments were raised. Councilmember Mueller moved to adopt the budget as published. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the August 2005 consent agenda consisting of: July 2005 regular council meeting minutes, pay ordinance totaling $92,188.15 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $25,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing August 11, 2005. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Mike Lewis, Case representative, presented the Council with a brochure and pricing for a 2005 backhoe. Mr. Lewis said the price for a new backhoe would be $62,300.00 which includes a 4-in-1 front bucket and three rear buckets. Adding 4 wheel drive would increase the price by $3,000.00, adding the extend-a-boom would increase the price by $3,000.00. Councilmember Mueller asked what would be the trade value of the City’s current backhoe. Mr. Lewis said Case would allow approximately $15,000.00 in trade for the City’s backhoe but he thought the City could get up to $20,000.00 if the City were to take bids. He noted the City could sign an intent to purchase which would lock in the 2005 prices without having to purchase the backhoe until after the first of the year. Additionally, Mr. Lewis noted the price included a two year warranty and 0% financing. No action was taken

Ben Hardman, owner of the landmark, requested approval to hold a street dance on Moran Day’s as they have done in years past. Chief Smith advised the Council that no problems were reported with last years dance. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve their request, Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

OLD BUSINESS

Ambulance Agreement with Allen County – Topic was tabled until later in the meeting.

Request for Whistle at 211 E. Franklin – The Council expressed concern with possible drainage problems if a whistle is installed in the alley as the property does not have a conventional ditch for drainage. Councilmember Jackman suggested approving the request with the understanding that the property may need to be ditched if problems occur. Superintendent Stodgell noted the City’s policy when installing a whistle is for the City to provide installation and one load of rock to cover the whistle. The property owner is responsible for the cost of the whistle and must provide all additional rock. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve installing the whistle with the understanding that additional ditch work to the property may be required if problems occur with drainage. Jackman seconded the motion. Motion passed with Holman and Johnson approving and Ginn opposed.

Update on Concession Stand Repairs – The Council agreed to have the porta potty’s picked up from the park. Councilmembers Ginn and Johnson volunteered to visit concession stands in surrounding communities to get ideas on how the City might improve the concession stand. The Council will then try to put together a rough sketch and contact two block layers for job estimates. Mike Endicott asked if there was any way to save the existing roof on the concession stand so the roof could be mounted on poles and used for shade in front of the new concession stand. The topic was tabled until the September council meeting. Superintendent Stodgell noted the shelter house at the park needed repairs and new poles and wire were needed for the ball field backstop. No action was taken.

Request from Pete’s Corporation to Allow Sunday Cereal Malt Beverage Sales10:58 PM 9/12/2005 – Councilmember Mueller moved to approve adopting Ordinance 1088 as drafted with the addition of excepting sales when the Christmas holiday falls on a Sunday. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with Jackman and Johnson approving and Ginn opposing.

Agreement with Nautilus Data Communications – Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the Mayor signing the agreement as drafted by Attorney Heim. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Ambulance Agreement with Allen County (cont) – The Council tabled the topic until the September meeting.

Review Chapters 14 and 15 of Moran City Code – The Council reviewed the chapters and recommended the following changes:

  • Change section 14-103 to reflect adoption of a fine schedule every five years.
  • Add section 14-104 to reference adoption of Standard Traffic Ordinance and Uniform Public Offense Code.
  • Change section15-103(b) to reflect the utility due date as the 20th.
  • Change section 15-104(b, 4) to reflect reconnect fees of $75.00 per utility.
  • Rename section 15-106 Connect Fees, (a & b) fees are $75.00; delete (c & d).
  • Change section 15-216 to include section for request for adjustment due to leak.
  • Change section 15-217 to reflect fees of $75.00 per utility.
  • Show section 15-218 as deleted, ordinance 1055.
  • Change section 15-226/15-227/15-228 water/tank rates to be reviewed annually by the Council and are subject to change upon Council approval.
  • Change section 15-406 refuse removal charges to be reviewed annually by the Council and are subject to change upon Council approval.
  • Change section 15-502 electric rates to be reviewed annually by the Council and are subject to change upon Council approval.
  • Change section 15-504 to reflect reconnect fee of $75.00.
  • Expand electric section to be as comprehensive as the water section.

NEW BUSINESS

Service Agreement with Dual County – Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the Mayor signing the updated agreement with Dual County. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Siren Warning System – Fire Chief Merkel advised the Council that he would like to change the storm siren policy and have the fire department sound the siren for one 3 minute warning as a notice when a tornado has been sighted by deputies of the Sheriff’s Department, trained weather spotters, or Allen County has been placed in a tornado warning by NOAA. Once a tornado or funnel cloud has been confirmed to be a threat to the community the siren will sound for 3 minutes continually with a 30 second break between each sounding until the threat has passed through the city. The Council agreed to changing the warning system. Clerk Evans was asked to publish this information in the City newsletter and to send flyers to local businesses, USD 256, and residents of the Marmaton Village.

Mayor Merkel relayed a request from the family of a young man killed in an accident in the 100 block of south Cedar asking permission to post a memorial sign on a City electric pole. Discussion followed with the Council agreeing they could not approve the request.

Radio Purchase for City Crew – Superintendent Stodgell requested approval to purchase two new radios and one headset for the City crew. He estimated the radios to cost $692.00 and the headset between $35.00 and $75.00. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve spending up to $800.00 to purchase the requested equipment. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel informed the Council that he planned to begin ordering supplies for the department as the year comes to an end. He also noted the department conducted hydrant practice at their last meeting.

Ambulance Director – Director Roberts had previously left on a run.

Police Chief – Chief Smith advised the Council that he had sent a letter to the parents of students attending the summer driver’s education class clarifying driving restrictions on underage drivers. Chief Smith requested approval to take one week’s vacation in pay. The Council approved the request. Chief Smith requested approval to send Derik McVey to the part time law enforcement academy in October. He said the City would be responsible for two weeks salary of approximately $1,100.00 and mileage to and from the academy. The Council agreed to hold a spot at the academy but tabled the decision until a later date.

City Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of July:

  • Repaired 5 security lights
  • Change electric meter and upgrade service at 303 N. Birch
  • Change electric meter and upgrade service at 313 S. Elm
  • Bucket trucks inspected by Protective Equipment, all passed inspection
  • Repaired water leak on the 8” line on Randolph
  • Took two water tests which both reported good
  • Repaired leak at the junction of Hwy’s 54/59
  • Repaired water leak at Walnut and Cedar Streets
  • Clean out whistle and curb guttering at 203 N Spruce
  • Completed street repair project with Mann Construction
  • Continued spraying for mosquitoes
  • Installed concrete pad for school crossing signs
  • Trucked in two loads of black sand from LaCygne
  • Tilled various ditches
  • Spread screenings on streets with oil bleed through
  • Exposed sewer main and repaired customer service line at 322 N. Gas
  • Picked up brush pile at 408 E. Second
  • Replaced blower motor on backhoe
Superintendent Stodgell reported the school crossing light project was progressing and should be completed before school begins. He also noted the City crew had exposed the sewer tap for the resident at 322 N. Gas and the problem was found to be on the resident’s service line. Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that a Caterpillar backhoe would be demonstrated to the City crew later in the month. The Council tabled any action regarding a backhoe purchase until the September meeting.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of July:

General Fund   Water Fund
Charges For Services 22.55   Sales To Customers 8,420.65
Court Fines 2,971.00  Penalties 474.02
Ks Sales Tax 3,436.47  Water Protection Fee 45.13
Franchise Fee 100.00   Bulk Water Sales 109.76
Dog Board 40.00  Reimb Exp-Water 225.58
Reimb Exp-General 190.43   Connect Fees-Water 300.00
Dog Tags 4.00  Sales Tax Fund 1,057.82
Interest Earned Checking/Cd 538.27   Electric Fund
Ambulance Fund   Sales To Customers 36,286.26
Charges For Services 19,634.75   Fuel Adjustments 565.01
Subsidy 2,212.50   Connect Fees-Electric 218.00
Special Highway  Lieap Payments 156.29
State Receipts 3,126.80   Overpaid-Electric 79.30
Sewer Fund  Gross Receipts 86,148.29
Sales To Customers 4,712.07   Lieap Credits 66.23
Reimb Exp-Sewer 23.53   Credits 64.60
Refuse Fund 1,198.10   Net Receipts 86,017.46
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 11:26 PM. With Holman seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

September, 2005