February 2, 2004

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 2, 2004. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, 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. Ambulance Director Loretta Roberts and Assistant Ambulance Director Barbara Shoate arrived later in the meeting.

Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the February 2004 consent agenda consisting of: January regular council meeting minutes, February pay ordinance totaling $69,377.23, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing February 13th. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Uniform Building Code Updates - Clerk Evans was asked to get pricing for the various code books. Topic was continued until the March council meeting.

KEMTA Conference - Councilmember Mueller moved to approve sending six EMT's to the annual KEMTA conference in March. Johnson seconded the motion. Motion passed with Mueller, Johnson Holman and Wallis approving, Ginn abstained from the vote.

NEW BUSINESS

Use of Water Reserve Funds - The Council discussed spending or transferring money from the Water Reserve Fund for use in building new water lines. Clerk Evans will contact the City's accountants to review budget concerns while Attorney Heim will review legal concerns with use of the money. No action was taken.

Dog Tag Vaccination Clinic - Councilmember Mueller moved the City sponsor the annual dog vaccination clinic in March. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Ambulance Director - Not present.

Police Chief - Chief Smith notified the Council that he and the Future Career and Community Leaders of America Club would conduct a seatbelt safety check on February 10th.

Chief Smith expressed his concern with an ongoing problem of automobile traffic not stopping for children crossing at the school cross walk. He asked for and received approval to purchase new "Stop for Pedestrian in Crosswalk" signs. The Council suggested looking into the possibility of grant funding for new crosswalk signs or lights.

Chief Smith presented tire pricing for the patrol car as show below;
East Side Tire and Battery   $207.00 each
Moran Tire                         $109.00 each
Johnston Tire                      $ 69.00 each

Councilmember Mueller moved to purchase the tires from Johnston Tire. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Chief Smith will have the vehicle aligned after the new tires are mounted.

Chief Smith presented a training proposal offered by the Regional Training Center of the Sioux City, Iowa Police Department. The Center has received grant funds that allows the Center to offer training to law enforcement agencies at basically no cost to the agency. The only costs for the City should be fuel and employee wages. Councilmember Mueller moved that Chief Smith check class availability. Mueller also suggested he check with area agencies to see if they might be sending an officer and offer to pay fuel costs if Chief Smith could share the ride. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Chief Smith advised the Council that O&B Police Supply would allow $300.00 trade for the City's 45 caliber handgun towards the purchase of the 40 caliber handgun. Net cost to the City would be $114.00 for the gun, the holster for the 45 should sell for around $50.00. All together the gun and new holster should run around $200.00. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the purchase of the gun and holster. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

City Superintendent - Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of January:

• Installed electric underground & meter mask at 308 N. High Street
• Changed out 10 electric meters
• Replaced blown fuse (squirrel) in alley behind 340 N. Pine
• Trimmed trees at N. Linn Street
• Ran underground electric to garage at 423 N. Linn St.
• Repaired water leak on 4" cast iron and service tap at 720 N. Cedar
• Repaired water leak on 4" cast iron at Randolph & Locust
• Flushed sewer; manholes, mains; 57,000 gallons water used in flushing
• Rocked school alley
• Removed and hauled away curbing at the corner of Locust & Randolph
• Cleaned out culverts in ditch areas
• Burned brush pile south of town; will clean up at a later date
• Working on many shop maintenance projects
• Completed Christmas lights and decorations
• Painted racks and bumper on gray truck
• Painted picnic tables and trash cans

City Clerk - Clerk Evans read a thank you note from Glen Terrill. She then reported income for the month of January as follows:

Clerk Evans informed the Council that the State of Kansas had not made the 2004 Low to Moderate Income information available so the Clerk's office was not able to send out the LMI surveys with the February 1 utility bills. The surveys will be sent as soon as the information is made available.

Ambulance Director - Director Roberts requested approval to purchase new uniform pants for EMTI's Lee Roberts and Sheri Smith. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the request. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Director Roberts also advised the Council that the Humboldt EMS has notified her that the old unit needs the wheels aligned. As the Humboldt crew have just taken possession of the unit they feel Moran should bear the cost of the repairs. The Council suggested Loretta have Jack's Wheel Alignment align the wheels and ask Mr. Croghan to submit an itemized bill detailing any repairs made.

Councilman Wallis moved the meeting adjourn at 8: 29 PM. With Ginn seconding the motion, the motion passed with unanimous approval.

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