January, 2008
December 3, 2007The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, December 3rd, 2007. 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; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Steve Crume, Melvin Stewart, Carolyn Stewart, and Rodney Frye were visitors attending the meeting. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the December 2007 consent agenda consisting of: November regular Council meeting minutes, December pay ordinance totaling $46,883.63 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing December 21, 2007. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSCarolyn and Melvin Stewart, 1426 US Highway 59, approached the Council to ask if there was any way the City could help them contact the current owner of the Klein Tools/Stewart Industries building as their property deed states the owner of Klein Tools/Stewart Industries will provide free water to their property. The Council informed the Stewart’s that their water agreement was with Klein Tools/Stewart Industries and the City’s responsibility for that water line ends at the master water meter located near the golf course. The Council asked Clerk Evans to get Klein Tools phone number for the Stewart’s. No additional action was taken.Steve Crume told the Council he had heard the Council discussed some complaints regarding his business at the November Council meeting and asked the Council what complaints were specifically discussed. Attorney Heim informed Mr. Crume the only concern the Council addressed at the November meeting was the closing hour of all cereal malt beverage licensees and that the discussion was noted in the November minutes. Rodney Frye informed the Council that he was moving a new 16’ X 76’ mobile home to his property at 315 N. Park and requested approval to move his old mobile home to his back yard so he could tear down the structure. Councilmember Mueller moved that Mr. Frye be allowed to move the old mobile home to the back yard and that he be given until January 31, 2008, to tear down the structure. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Year End Review of Salaries and Benefits – Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session at 7:28 PM for 30 minutes to discuss employer-employee relations. Holman the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council invited Superintendent Stodgell and Chief Smith to speak individually with the Council. The Council returned to open meeting at 8:10 PM. Councilmember Johnson moved the Council return to executive session at 8:10 PM for 1 hour to continue discussing employer-employee relations. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Clerk Evans, Asst. Superintendent Miller, and Asst. Clerk Heskett were invited to speak individually with the Council. The Council returned to open meeting at 9:10 PM. Councilmember Mueller moved the Council return to executive session at 9:15 PM for 15 minutes to continue discussing employer-employee relations. Councilmember Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open session at 9:35 PM.
Councilmember Ginn moved the Council return to executive session at 9:35 PM for 30 minutes to continue discussing employer-employee relations. Councilmember Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 10:05 PM. Councilmember Ginn moved that all full time employees receive an increase of $100.00 per month towards their insurance stipend bringing the total insurance stipend to $300.00 per month. Ginn also moved full time employees receive a $1.75 per hour raise effective January 1, 2008, and that the Clerk compute the equivalent for salaried positions. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with Ginn, Mueller, and Jackman approving; Holman and Johnson opposed. Pay for 2008 will be as follows: OLD BUSINESSCity Code Revisions – Topic was tabled until January 2008 meeting.Library Improvements – The Council asked Superintendent Stodgell to look at the Library to see if the City crew could make the requested improvements. Topic was tabled until January 2008 meeting. Playground Equipment for City Park - Topic was tabled until January 2008 meeting.
NEW BUSINESSPurchase vs. Renewal of CD’s Maturing 12/21/07 and 1/16/08. Councilmember Mueller moved the City purchase new CD’s for December and January to replace CD’s that mature later in these months. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Clarification of Action Regarding Sale or Vacation of a Section of the Easement of Maple Street – Mayor Merkel asked the Council to explain their reason for denying his request to sell or vacate a section of the easement of Maple Street adjacent to his property. The Council offered no response to the question.
Cereal Malt Beverage Applications – The Council reviewed the following applications for Cereal Malt Beverage Licenses received by the Clerk’s office:
Appointment of City Representative on Senior Center Advisory Board - Topic was tabled until January 2008 meeting. 2008 Council Calendar – The Council reviewed the 2008 meeting calendar with the following dates noted:
Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the meeting, council pay, and holiday closing dates listed. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Ginn moved the City give a $25.00 Christmas gift certificate to Mike Stodgell, Craig Miller, Lynn Heskett, Lori Evans, and Shane Smith to be used at participating local business. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS Fire Chief – Nothing to report. Police Chief – Chief Smith requested approval to participate in a Highway Interdiction Program with the SEK Drug Task Force December 16th through the 18th. He also requested approval to loan the unused radar gun and breathalyzer to local departments should they have a need. The Council agreed to loan the equipment as long as the borrowing department agrees to repair or replace the equipment if it is broken while in their use. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve Chief Smith’s participation in the Highway Interdiction Program. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell requested approve to order 300’ of rod for the sewer rodder, 6” and 8” saws and two wrenches to install the saws on the rodder. He estimated the price purchase these items to be $1263.00. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve purchase of these items with sewer funds. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Stodgell also informed the Council about a resident at 218 E. First that built a privacy fence and attached the fence to the City’s electric pole a number of years ago. Stodgell said he advised the resident that the fence needed to be built away from the electric pole when the fence was being built but the resident chose not to follow his instructions. Stodgell said he has not taken any action in the past to request the fence be moved, but the City crew needs to move access to the pole in question and the resident is going to have to move the fence off the pole. Stodgell asked Councilmember Jackman to talk with the resident to see if they would move the fence off the pole. Jackman agreed to talk to the resident. No action was taken.
Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of November 2007: City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of November as follows:
Clerk Evans requested approval to purchase a new desk for Asst. Clerk Heskett. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve spending up to 500.00 for a new desk. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 11:00 PM. With Johnson seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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January, 2008
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