February 4, 2002

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 4, 2002. President of the Council Mark Barnett called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Debbie Sager, Mike Holman, James Mueller, and Warren Johnson. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Ron Gill and Bob Johnson were visitors.

CONSENT AGENDA

Councilmember Sager moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held January 7, 2002, the February 2002 pay ordinance totaling $58,775.76, and the Corporate Resolution for purchasing a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit in early March. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Ron Gill approached the Council with a request that he be allowed to transfer utility service at 119 S. Cedar to his name without being assessed the $150.00 connect fees as required when establishing utility service. Mr. Gill told the Council that he purchased the property in 1997, but lived out of state at the time. To begin remodeling of the property, his father-in-law, Ben Gillham, had utilities established in his name. As Mr. Gillham had existing utility service in Moran he was not required to make the $90.00 security deposit that was assessed at the time. The Gill’s eventually moved to Moran, but never paid the security deposit to switch utilities to their name. Assessment of security deposits for utilities was discontinued in mid-2000 when the City began charging a non-refundable utility connection fee.

The Council asked the Clerk to provide dates when the account was established and asked Mr. Gill to attend the March council meeting for further discussion of the request.

President of the Council Barnett voiced his appreciation and commendation to the City crew for their efforts in repairing and restoring electric service during the ice storm that occurred January 29th-Feburary 1st.

OLD BUSINESS

Agreement with Marmaton Osage Fire Department – Councilman Mueller said that he has checked with the City’s insurer, Employer’s Mutual, and they do not foresee any increase in the City’s insurance policy in liability or workman compensation rates if the City decides to enter into a contract to provide fire protection to the townships. Clerk Evans relayed a suggestion from Mayor Merkel that the Council consider purchasing a new fire truck and internally finance the sale of the truck to the Marmaton/Osage townships. The Clerk noted the City had not received the financial documents as requested from the townships. The agenda item was tabled until the documents were available for review.

Charter Ordinance for Moran Library Board – Attorney Heim said he had reviewed the wording of the ordinance and that the wording was somewhat ambiguous, but did establish the total number of appointed board members and the option to appoint up to two board members who live outside the city limits. The Council chose to make no changes to the ordinance at this time.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Not present.

Ambulance Director – Director Roberts advised the Council that the new ambulance was now in service.

Director Roberts requested the Council’s approval for six EMT’s to attend the Kansas Emergency Medical Technician Association (KEMTA) Conference in April. The conference will be help in Garden City with lodging, meals, and mileage estimated to be around $2,500.00. After discussing training and certification requirements and past attendance of the conference, Councilman Mueller moved to approve the request. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Police Chief – Chief Prock asked for approval to purchase training ammo for the Police Department. The Council did not have any problem with purchasing ammo for the purpose requested. Chief Prock advised the Council that he would be assisting with a seat belt safety traffic stop sponsored by the Future Community Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) from Marmaton Valley High School on February 11th.

The Chief asked the Council to consider establishing an equipment reserve fund to be used for purchasing or replacing police equipment. The Council agreed to review this request when the 2003 budget is proposed in July of this year.

City Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the city crew during the month of January:

  • Continued insulating and remodeling the fire bay behind the Library.
  • Completed all new utility construction to Keith Hobart’s new home.
  • Purchased a new Stihl chain saw to replace one that had been damaged during heavy use due to the ice storm.
  • Contracted with Virgil Tucker to clear brush from city streets.
Superintendent Stodgell requested approval for he and Assistant City Superintendent Miller to attend the Kansas Rural Water Association (KRWA) Conference in Wichita March 26th through March 28th. Both employees attended the conference in May 1998 and the training was very beneficial. The conference registration cost is $70.00 each, additional costs will include meals and lodging. Councilman Mueller moved to approve the request. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council he had information regarding a company that would test and purchase transformers meeting certain PCB limits. Item tabled until the next regular Council meeting.

City Clerk – City Clerk Lori Evans presented the following income for the month of January.

General
Water Fund
Dog Tags106.00 Sales To Customers 8,119.30
Charges For Services 21.45 Bulk Water Sales 198.50
Rent100.00 Reimb Exp-Water 60.00
Court Fines 4,942.50 Water Protection Fee 43.10
Solicitor's License 25.00 Penalties 193.21
Ks Sales Tax 2,766.62 Connect Fees 148.89
Building Permit 50.00 Electric Fund
Dog Pickup 20.00 Sales To Customers 30,680.28
Council Filing Fees 20.00 Reimb Exp-Electric 226.73
Reimb Exp-General 12.75 Connect Fees-Electric 148.89
Vin Inspection 10.00 Overpaid-Electric 43.87
Tax Disbursement 12,293.98 Library
Interest Earned Checking/CD 591.94 Tax Disbursement 1,318.19
Employee Benefits Sewer Fund
Tax Disbursement 2,640.75 Sales To Customers 4,820.43
Ambulance Reimb Exp-Sewer      148.59
Charges For Services 5,867.32 Gross Receipts 86,617.21
Allen County Subsidy 4,425.00 Refuse Credit 1.50
State Highway Receipts 4,551.04 Fuel Exemption 518.43
Sales Tax 846.88 Credits      664.31
Refuse 1,176.00 Net Receipts     85,432.97

Councilman Mueller moved to approve a request from Sprint Telephone to trench across city right-of-way and replace the pedestal at the phone office. Sager seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Sager moved to sponsor a pet vaccination clinic on either March 16th or 23rd, depending on the veterinary’s schedule. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

The Council discussed attending the Kansas Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) meeting to be held in Iola on February 6th. The invitation suggested two representatives from the City attend the meeting. After some discussion, it was agreed that Councilmember Holman and the Clerk Evans would attend the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

KEMTA Conference for Ambulance Crew – Topic was addressed earlier in the meeting.

City Clerks & Municipal Finance Officer Conference - Councilmember Sager moved to approve a request from the Clerk to attend the annual Municipal Clerks Conference in Wichita on March 6th through March 9th. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session for 15 minutes at 8:29 PM to discuss employee personnel matters. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 8:44 PM with no action taken.

OTHER

The Clerk reported to the Council that both Mike Stodgell and Craig Miller suffered physically from the long hours worked during the past ice storm. Miller contracted a cold and Stodgell has poison sumac from cutting trees during the ice storm. After discussion, the Council thought Stodgell’s claim would be covered by a workman’s compensation, but that Miller’s doctors visit may not be covered. Councilmember Mueller will do some checking with the city’s insurance carrier and report back next month.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Sager moved the meeting adjourn at 8:55 PM. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

March, 2002