December 4, 2006

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 4, 2006. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 6:45 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; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Tim Deer and spouse were present for the hearing.

PUBLIC HEARING - RESOLUTION 2006-03

Tim Deer spoke with the Council and asked if he could place a trailer on his property as his house had been demolished. Attorney Heim reviewed the mobile home permit process and City codes relating to mobile homes. Mr. Deer then asked if he could reestablish utilities at the existing mobile home on his property. The Council agreed that would not be a problem if Mr. Deer paid all outstanding utility bills and applicable connect fees. As Mr. Deer has made substantial improvement to his property the Council agreed to take no action on condemnation of the property.

Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the consent agenda consisting of: November 2006 regular Council meeting minutes, December 2006 pay ordinance totaling $59,712.40 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing December 21, 2006. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

None present

OLD BUSINESS

Year End Review of Salaries and Benefits – Councilmember Holman moved the Council meet in executive session at 7:06 PM for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council invited Clerk Evans to the session at 7:12 PM and returned to open meeting at 7:15 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved that all employees receive a thirty cent per hour raise and that the Clerk compute the equivalent for salaried positions. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with Holman and Mueller approving, and Ginn opposed. Pay for 2007 will be raised as follows:

Mike Stodgell $16.60 to $16.90 hr
Craig Miller $13.35 to $13.65 hr
Jack McBride $10.10 to $10.40 hr
Lynn Heskett $ 8.45 to $ 8.75 hr
Lori Evans $13.05 to $13.35 hr
Shane Smith $618.28 to $631.48 wk

Councilmember Johnson moved the City give a $25.00 Christmas gift certificate to Mike Stodgell, Craig Miller, Jack McBride, Lynn Heskett, Lori Evans, Shane Smith, and Loretta Roberts to be used at participating local business. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

NEW BUSINESS

Appointment to Library Board – Mayor Merkel appointed Travis Harrison to replace Linda Houk on the Library Board. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Applications for Cereal Malt Beverage Application – Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the applications of Pete’s, Stubs, the Landmark, and Play Mor. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Request for New Service Agreement from Dual County Sanitation – The Council discussed Dual County Sanitation’s new contract and took no action on the contract. Clerk Evans will send a letter advising Dual County of the Council’s response and invite a representative from Dual County to meet with the Council should they wish to review the proposed contract.

2006 Budget Amendment – Councilmember Holman moved the Council publish the Notice of Budget Amendment in the Iola Register and schedule a hearing and special meeting at 7:30 PM on December 20, 2006, to amend the 2006 budget. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Request for Setting a New Water Meter on South Cedar – Councilmember Johnson moved to approve a request from Phyllis Zornes to set a new water meter in the 500 block of S. Cedar if State permits are approved. The landowner will be responsible for all charges and applicable connect fees. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Burn Permits and Open Burning – The Council discussed problems arising from open burning and the lack of regulation in the City Code. Clerk Evans was asked to contact other City’s in Kansas to see how they regulate open burning. The topic will be discussed again at the January meeting.

2007 Council Calendar – The Council reviewed the proposed 2007 Council calendar which noted the Council would meet on the first Tuesday of January and September to accommodate New Years and Labor Day. Councilmember Ginn moved City employees be given an addition ½ day as a holiday on December 24, 2007. Johnson moved to second the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council made no further changes to the proposed calendar.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel brought the new air pack and oxygen cylinders to the meeting room to show the Council the new equipment.

Police Chief – Chief Smith informed the Council that members of the FCCLA would like to stage a mock accident scene as a community awareness project. Chief Smith said he suggested the FCCLA send letters inviting the Allen County Sheriff and EMS to take part in the project. At present, the FCCLA members are planning to stage the mock accident scene late in January or early in February.

Councilmember Johnson asked Chief Smith if Derek McVey was planning to work part time for the City. Chief Smith advised the Council that due to organizational changes within the Iola Police Department that it didn’t look like Derek would be able to work part time for the City. The Council discussed the matter and no action was taken.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of November 2006:

• Repaired security light at intersection of Hill & Pine Streets
• Repaired security light at intersection of Second & Sycamore Streets
• Repaired security light in alley at 313 S. Elm
• Repaired electric service at 512 W. Spruce
• Repaired ceiling in Moran Library’s utility room
• Removed electric service at Hampel Oil, 102 S. Cedar
• Performed Bac T water test at Stewart Manufacturing per their request; test passed
• Repaired leaking tap on 6” cast iron water main at Randolph & Cedar Streets
• Both State water tests passed
• Installed remote counter at water tower
• PWWS installed 4” water meter at water tower
• Cleaned and flushed sewer service at 412 N. Birch
• Hauled dirt to landfill and hauled rock back
• Picked up trash along Birch Street, from Church to Oak Street
• Spread rock on road at Chestnut and Randolph Street
• Hung Christmas lights
• The Ball Association cemented the dugouts; looks good
• Mowed and cleaned up City Park
• Removed picnic tables, trash barrels, and bleachers from the Park and put in storage
• Screenings to ball field
• Cleaned up back shop
• Painted trash barrels and picnic tables
• Cleaned electric tools and truck
• Service chain saws
• Repaired seat and suspension on 4310 JD
• Readied JD tractor for snow removal
• Serviced 1991 Bucket Truck
• 17 transformers loaded – T & R Electric Service
• Changed oil and filter in 1997 GMC

Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council the City crew was having problems with the clutch on the 4310 John Deere tractor. The Council discussed replacing or repairing the tractor and asked Superintendent Stodgell to get repair estimates. Councilmember Holman moved to approve spending up to $2000.00 on repairs. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of November 2006 as follows:

General Fund   Water Fund
Charges For Services 191.10   Sales To Customers 11,622.79
VIN Inspection 10.00   Connect Fees 220.22
Court Fine 3,115.00   Bulk Water Sales 210.47
Reimbursed Expense 2.37   Water Protection Fee 42.46
Cereal Malt Beverage License 50.00   Penalties 335.64
KS Sales Tax 3,651.64   Reimbursed Expense 16.30
Tax Disbursement 483.32   Sewer Fund
Interest Earned Checking/CDL 987.29   Sales To Customers 4,728.50
Step Program Reimbursement 3,244.08   Employee Benefit Fund
Refuse 1,184.91   Tax Disbursement 45.31
Electric Fund   Library Fund
Sales To Customers 32,487.17   Tax Disbursement 89.33
Overpaid-Electric 624.10   Gross Receipts 64,579.71
Connect Fee 365.78   eBusiness Fee 5.95
Sales Tax Fund  Lieap Credits 18.22
Sales Tax Collection 871.93   Credits 134.49
  Net Receipts 64,421.05

Clerk Evans informed the Council that the City had received an invitation to join the League of Kansas Municipalities. The Council took no action regarding the invitation.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Holman moved the meeting adjourn at 8:40 PM. With Jackman seconding the motion, the meeting adjourned with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

January, 2007