This page was prepared
September, 2001
August 6, 2001The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, August 6, 2001. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mark Barnett, Mike Holman, Harvey Collins, and James Mueller. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Shane Smith, Part Time Officer; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Rex Taylor, Rex Bowen, and Jerry Wallis were visitors attending the meeting. Councilman Barnett moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held July 2, 2001, and the minutes of the special meeting held July 16, 2001. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilman Mueller moved to approve the August pay ordinance for July payables totaling $86,453.75. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSMayor Phillip Merkel recognized former Mayor Jerry Wallis by presenting him with a plaque and two $25.00 gift certificates in acknowledgment of his service to the City of Moran as Mayor. Rex Bowen asked the Council if they could help in reopening the Moran Senior Center. Mr. Bowen said that he felt the senior center just needed minor repairs and the building was certainly useable. Mayor Merkel said he understood Mr. Bowen’s concerns and that the Council would address the closing of the Senior Center later on the meetings agenda. Mayor Merkel invited Mr. Bowen to stay until the topic was discussed. Rex Taylor introduced himself to the Mayor and Council as Police Chief and 911 Director for the City of Iola. Chief Taylor explained how the City of Iola contracts with Allen County to provide 911 dispatching for the County. He advised the Council that every resident in Allen County with land based phone service supports 911 through a monthly service tax. This tax is used to purchase new equipment for the 911 agencies; police, ambulance, and fire departments, etc. Currently, the City of Iola and Allen County share the costs of operating the emergency dispatch center. Chief Taylor told the Council that the 911 emergency dispatch center is available to the residents of Moran and Allen County 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Mayor Merkel thanked Chief Taylor for taking the time to apprise the Council of the services provided by 911. Joe Sinnett, KG&E representative arrived at 7:50 PM.
OLD BUSINESSKansas Gas Service Franchise Renewal – Joe Sinnett read the heading of the proposed Franchise Ordinance between the City of Moran and Kansas Gas Service as required for a second reading. Councilman Holman moved to accept the reading with Mueller seconding the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Mr. Sinnett will return for the third and final reading Tuesday, September 4, 2001. Court Fine Schedule – Bret Heim suggested the Council consider raising each court fine a flat $10.00 per violation rather than increasing the fines as allowed by the passage of recent Kansas legislature. After discussion, the Council agreed to have the Judge draft the new fine schedule and they will review the schedule at September’s meeting. Council Vacancy – Mayor Merkel appointed Debbie Sager fill to the vacant Council position. Councilman Collins moved to approve the appointment. Muller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. City Code Regarding Sale of Fireworks – Bret Heim reviewed State and City laws regarding the sale of fireworks. Councilman Collins moved the current City Code be changed to allow sales and discharge of fireworks between June 27th and July 5th yearly. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Bret Heim will draft an ordinance for the September Council meeting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Nothing to report. Ambulance Director – Director Roberts asked for approval to purchase candy to be distributed during the Moran Day’s Parade. Councilman Mueller moved to approve spending up to $225.00 to purchase candy. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Police Chief – Chief Prock notified the Council that the Moran Police Department is once again certified to perform VIN inspections. Additionally, he advised the Council that he would be moving to Moran September 1st. Mayor Merkel informed the Council that Shane Smith approached him asking if the Council would have a problem with Shane working part time for the Bronson Police Department. Mayor Merkel said he told Shane that he didn’t foresee any problems, but the request should be submitted to the Council for approval. The Council discussed the request and agreed there should not be a problem with Shane working part time for Bronson. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of July:
City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported the following income for the month of July:
The Clerk notified the Council that the City had received a request to close the 300 block of West Street. (West Street is one block west of Gas Street and is plotted but undeveloped.) The Council asked the Clerk to notify landowners adjacent to the area of the request and invite them to attend the September Council meeting to discuss closing the street. Topic tabled until the September meeting. The Council discussed a revised Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (KWPCRF) loan agreement submitted by the Department of Health and Environment. The only revision is a reduction of the semi-annual loan payment from $15,207.45 to $11,701.52. Councilman Barnett moved the Mayor sign the loan agreement, Collins second the motion. Motion passed with unanimous approval. Councilman Mueller moved to reimburse the City of Iola $1,500.00 in three monthly payments of $500.00 for Jason Prock’s tuition reimbursement as allowed under KSA 74-5609a. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
NEW BUSINESSWater Provided to USD 256 for Watering the Football Field - The Council reviewed the City’s past practice of providing water free of charge to USD 256 to soften the football field before practice and games. The Clerk advised the Council that the City must pay $1.85 for each 1000 gallons of water ran through the City’s master water meter, regardless of how the water is used. After much discussion, Councilman Holman moved that a meter be placed on the fire hydrant used to water the field and USD 256 be charged the actual cost for water used. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Proposed Ambulance Agreement between the City and Allen County – Councilman Barnett moved the Mayor sign and execute the Ambulance Operation Agreement as submitted by the Allen County Commissioners. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Mayor Merkel appointed Loretta Roberts as Training Director for the Moran Ambulance; her term will begin immediately with the position reappointed in May 2002. Councilman Collins moved the Council approve the appointment. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Waiver / Resolution 01-01 – Councilman Collins moved the Mayor sign Resolution 01-01as written. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Sales Tax on Purchases made for the Water Department – The Council discussed Kansas Senate Bill (SB) 332 regarding the collection and reporting of sales tax on goods used in water distribution systems. The bill allows municipalities to pay a flat fee of .03 cents per 1000 gallons of water sold at retail in lieu of paying sales tax on goods purchased for the water department. The State has offered municipalities a one time irrevocable choice of continuing to pay sales tax or paying the flat fee. Councilman Mueller moved the City begin paying the flat fee of .03 cents per 1000 gallons of water sold as allowed under SB 332. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Corporate Resolution for CD 3009773 and CD to be purchased August 10, 2001 – Councilman Collins moved the Mayor and City Clerk sign Corporate Resolutions as required for CD 3009773 and for a CD to be purchased August 10, 2001. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Cereal Malt Beverage License Application for Moran Mini Mart - Councilman Collins moved to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage License Application submitted by Moran Mini Mart. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Closing of the Moran Senior Center – Tabled until later in the meeting. Removal of Tree at Marmaton Village – Councilman Collins moved that the City Crew be allowed to cut down a tree at the Village if the tree can be cut at the City’s convenience and the Village board agrees to sign a waiver for release of liability. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with Collins, Barnett, and Holman approving. Mueller abstained from the vote. Closing of the Moran Senior Center (continued) – The Council reviewed past usage of the Senior Center and possible uses for a new Senior Center or Community Center. Discussion followed regarding the size of building that would be needed and various amenities that could be included to benefit the residents of Moran and the surrounding community. After which, the Council decided to invite the Allen County Commissioners and concerned citizens to attend the October 1st Council meeting to discuss the situation and possible solutions. Topic was tabled until the October meeting. Superintendent Stodgell asked for approval to continue Curt Drake’s employment for three additional weeks. Councilman Barnett moved to approve the request, Holman seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Utility Rates – Superintendent Stodgell evaluated the city’s primary electric service and projected cost to complete upgrading the City’s service from 2400 to 7200 KV. The Council reviewed the current utility rates for electric, water, and sewer services. The Clerk submitted a report for Council’s consideration showing a random sampling of utility accounts using the current rates along with projected billings based on three different rate increases. The Council agreed to study the rates and possible increases and the agenda item was tabled until the September meeting. Source Water Agreement with Kansas Water Office – Councilman Mueller moved the Mayor sign an agreement for the City to collaborate with the Kansas Water Office to prepare the Source Water Report for the City of Moran. Barnett Seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilman Collins moved the meeting adjourn at 11:15 PM. Holman seconding the motion, meeting adjourned with unanimous approval.
||city main page|| council members|| council minutes|| city codes|| city information|| pictures|| |
|
|
This page was prepared September, 2001
|