February 6, 2006

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 6, 2006. 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, Ronald Bohland, Carla Bohland, and Derek Wagner were visitors attending the meeting.

Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the February 2006 consent agenda consisting of: January regular council meeting minutes, February pay ordinance totaling $127,146.74 and corporate resolution for purchase of a $25,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing February 14, 2006. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Steve Crume asked the Council when the City planned to install the whistle in the alley to the east of his property. The Council asked Mr. Crume when he planned to build his garage. Mr. Crume said his plans have changed and he is not building a garage but is planning to open a restaurant. Superintendent Stodgell said he believes the City crew could install the whistle within the next week or two. Mr. Crume also asked the Council if the City would be willing to extend the whistle to 30 feet and he will pay for the additional cost. The Council agreed that extending the whistle to 30 feet might cause drainage problems.

Derek Wagner, Ronald Bohland, and Carla Bohland said they were just present to observe the meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

Concession Stand Update – Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that Mr. Robertson had finished laying the blocks for the concession stand. Stodgell submitted two bids to build the roof for the concession stand for the Council’s review. Allan Terrell bid $6,275.63 to build the roof using metal for the interior ceilings. R. & R. Builders bid $5,832.00 to build the roof using drywall for the interior ceilings. Discussion followed with Councilmember Ginn moving to accept Allan Terrell’s bid for the work. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Additional discussion followed with the Council agreeing to match the building colors to City Hall, to install an electric meter to monitor electric usage, install lighting under the front canopy, and install a dual sliding serving window.

Building Incentives for New Construction – The Council asked the Clerk and City Superintendent to calculate the value of the services the City provides to residents building new homes in Moran. The topic was tabled until the March meeting.

Funding for Franklin Street Water Project – The Council asked the Clerk to contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to check on the current interest rates of their loans and to estimate the annual loan repayment that would be required. The Clerk is also to estimate the average increase to monthly sewer rates that would be needed to meet the annual loan repayment.

Review Chapter 2 of the Moran City Code – The Council agreed to make the following revisions to the Code:
Article 2 Remove all references to cats
2-103(c) Remove reference to use of firearms to destroy
2-105(c, d) Delete sections
2-108(f) Delete section
2-109(a) Increase lot requirements to 40,000 square feet, delete reference to age
2-110 Correct wording; injure instead of injury
2-116 Remove reference to fowl
2-117(a) Remove reference to fowl
2-211 Add Rottweiler to section as per ordinance 1071

NEW BUSINESS

2006 KRWA Conference – Councilmember Ginn moved to send Superintendent Stodgell to the conference and to cover lodging and meal expenses.

Imposing Failure to Appear Charges for the Court – The Council agreed the Municipal Court should assess a failure to appear charge on each citation when the defendant does not appear for their Court date or contact the Court.

Senior Community Service Employment Program – The Council discussed employing a part time senior employee through the Employment Program and decided not to take on the responsibility of additional employees at the present time.

Audit/Budget Contract with Diehl, Banwart, Bolton – The Council reviewed the contract submitted for the 2006 audit and 2007 budget expenses and noted an increase of $625.00 in total fees. The Council requested the Clerk contact Jarred, Gilmore & Phillips to see if they would be interested in bidding for the contract. The topic was tabled until the March meeting.

Councilmember Jackman reported the curbing to the south of Emprise Bank is crumbing and needing repairs. The Council asked Superintendent Stodgell to review the damage and see what repairs are needed.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel informed the Council that the fire department conducted a walk through inspection of the Moran Locker at their last meeting. Additionally, the department will conduct a walk through inspection of the USD #256 buildings at their March meeting. Chief Merkel said the inspections would aid the department in fighting fires should the need arise. Derek Wagner asked Chief Merkel if the department could offer more hands on training for the new members. Chief Merkel said he would check to see if training could be obtained locally.

Police Chief – Chief Smith informed the Council that the annual license fee for Global Software would be coming due in October. He said the fee would be $600.00 but he does not feel the software is meeting the department’s needs and recommends the City not renew the license fee.

Chief Smith informed the Council that he would be attending a training session on Tuesday and training session the fourth week of March. Chief Smith also requested approval to purchase a new carrier for his bullet proof vest, he estimated the cost to be 99.00. The Council approved the request.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following report for the month of January:

• Resident at 523 N. Birch complained of flickering lights; replaced split bolt at house and utility pole
• Pulled fuses at AgChoice so they could make repairs
• Trimmed trees in alley behind 308 W. Franklin
• Worked on 7200 project ally at Park Info & ready to finish
• Checked water drainage at Park
• Repaired water leak at 140 W. Church, as the Gas company hit the Ύ” water service
• Repaired water leak on 8” main at Chestnut & Franklin; took out old Ύ” lead service
• Back-fill around Snack Shack
• Galen Bigelow donated air conditioner for Snack Shack; discussed information for blocks
• Trimmed trees around tennis court
• Began painting dugouts
• Spoke with Shorty Wools about Snack Shack bid
• Cleaned main water ditch north east of old water plant by railroad tracks
• Snow removal
• Took down Christmas decorations and placed in storage
• Cleaned and painted park bleachers
• Repaired 019 chainsaw, replacing oil hose and pump
• Installed radiator support rubbers on dump truck
• Installed water pump and hoses on dump truck
• Rake and clean up shop area
• Inspect sewer drains at City Park
• Repaired sewer service at 306 E. Second Street
• Exposed sewer main at 219 E. First so resident could replace sewer service to home
• Rodded sewer main at School

**GOALS FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH**
• Complete plumbing, electric, paint and frame work at Concession Stand
• Complete 7200 project at Park Street alley
• Tree Trimming on alley electric primary lines
• Work on “to-do” list

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

General Fund   Water Fund
Charges For Services 14.90   Sales To Customers 7,914.20
Refuse 1,222.50  Bulk Water Sales 124.86
Court Fine 4,352.00   Water Protection Fee 43.62
Reimbursed Expense 60.00   Connect Fees 150.00
NSF Checks 80.00   Penalties 351.08
KS Sales Tax 3,285.30  Ambulance
Tax Disbursement 15,184.44   Reimbursed Expense 804.46
Interest Earned Checking/CDL 768.69   Sewer Fund
Dog Tags/Kennel Fees 62.00   Sales To Customers 4,808.74
Miscellaneous Receipts 0.05   Employee Benefit Fund
Electric Fund   Tax Disbursement 1,551.62
Sales To Customers 32,789.88   Library Fund
Fuel Adjustment 58.30   Tax Disbursement 4,583.78
Overpaid-Electric 114.90   Gross Receipts 79,368.72
Connect Fee 147.78   eBusniess Fee 5.95
Sales Tax 895.62   Credits 327.20
Net Receipts 79,035.57

Clerk Evans requested approval to schedule the annual pet vaccination and tag clinic in March. The Council approved the request.

The Council agreed to set the annual mileage reimbursement at .445 cents per mile.

Clerk Evans requested approval to attend the 2006 Clerks Conference in Wichita March 8-10. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the request with the City covering lodging, mileage, and meal expenses. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve sending Asst. Clerk Heskett to the 2006 Court Clerk’s Conference on April 6-7 in Salina if she is interested. Meals, lodging, and mileage will be reimbursed by the State. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:50PM. With Ginn seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

March, 2006