February 4, 2008

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, February 4th, 2008. 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.

Councilmember Holman moved to approve the February 2008 consent agenda consisting of: January regular Council meeting minutes, February pay ordinance totaling $67,285.22, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing February 14, 2008. Councilmember Jackman moved to second the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

Playground Equipment for City Park – Topic was tabled until March.

Appointment of City Representative to Senior Center Advisory Board – Mayor Merkel appointed Bonnie McAdam to represent the City on the advisory Board. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the Mayor’s appointment, Holman seconding the motion. Motion passed with all approving.

Agreement with Westar-Bill Birnel – Topic was tabled until later in the meeting

Homes Damaged by Fires – Clerk Evans reported the Council had received no response for the letters sent to the landowners of 122 E. Oak and 512 N. Spruce. Discussion followed with Mueller moving the City proceed with condemnation of the properties. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving

Employment Applications – Mueller moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes at 7:20 p.m. to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Holman seconded motion, motion passed with all approving. Clerk Evans and Superintendent Stodgell were invited to attend the session. The Council returned to open session at 7:30 p.m. Councilmember Mueller moved to offer Josh Maley the position at $9.00 per hour, with the position subject to a 90 day probation period. If Mr. Maley declines the offer, Stodgell can offer the position to Mike Jones. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Agreement with Westar (cont) – Mr. Birnel presented a revised agreement for the Council’s review. Councilmember Mueller asked Mr. Birnel if he had a summary of changes for the agreement. Mr. Birnel said he did not have a detailed summary of changes but did have a revised rate analysis. Attorney Heim asked Mr. Birnel if FERC had approved the agreement. Mr. Birnel said FERC has not approved the agreement at present but Westar has high hopes they will approve the agreement soon. Mr. Birnel said the City will continue to be billed under the current agreement until FERC approves the agreement. He asked the Council to approve the agreement at the March meeting. The Council asked Clerk Evans to check with Suzanne Pullman to see if the distribution charges used on the analysis were current and accurate. The Council will review the topic at the March Council meeting.

Generator Pricing for City Hall – Superintendent Stodgell presented a bid from Hoffmeier Electric to install a 20kWH natural gas single phase generator to power City Hall. Turnkey pricing for the generator and two years warranty and maintenance would be $12,000. This price may be lowered if the City crew assists with the installation. Councilmember Mueller said he thought installing a generator at City Hall was a good idea. The Council discussed the benefits of a gas fired portable generator versus a hard wired permanent generator. Stodgell said the air conditioner would have to be moved about five feet before the generator could be installed. The Council discussed financing options and agreed the cost should be split evenly between the electric, fire, and capital improvement funds. Mueller moved to accept Hoffmeier’s bid, Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Fraud Risk Assessment-Debit Card Policy – The Council discussed implementing a Debit Card Policy pertaining to the use of debit cards by City employees and reviewed a proposed policy. Councilmember Mueller asked the Clerk to include a copy of all debit card receipts with the monthly petty cash reports. Holman moved the Council adopt the proposed debit card policy. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council agreed the policy should be included in the revised City Code as Chapter 1, Section 1001.

Termite Inspection for City Buildings – Clerk Evans informed the Council that Mr. Pruitt would inspect the City buildings on February 7th at 9:30 a.m.

City Code Revisions – Councilmember Mueller moved the City proceed with publishing the Code as revised by Attorney Heim and Clerk Evans. Councilmember Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

NEW BUSINESS

KDHE Public Water Supply 2008 Capacity Development Survey – The Council reviewed the survey and made no changes.

Residents Using Ditches as Driveways – The Council discussed residents who are using the City maintained ditches as private drives and subsequent damage to the ditches. Following discussion, the Council asked Chief Smith to cite violators before the City Court held in March.

Dog Tag Clinic – Council approved holding a dog vaccination/tag clinic in March.

KS Rural Water Association Conference– Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that he would like to make a daily drive to Wichita on Wednesday March 26th and Thursday March 27th to attend the conference. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the request. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Clerks Conference March 11-14 – Councilmember Johnson moved to approve either Clerk Evans or Asst. Clerk Heskett attending the annual Clerks Conference in Wichita. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Police Chief – Chief Merkel informed the Council that he would participate in the STEP Campaign 2/11-2/14 promoting Child Seat Belt Awareness. He also noted he would attend an Intoxilyzer 8000 training class at 1:00 p.m. in Iola on February 6th. The chief also noted he had cited property owners with junk/abandoned cars on their property to Court.

Chief Smith discussed problems he has been having with cell phone reception using Alltel. The Council approved switching providers to US Cellular or Sprint and approved paying the provider early if needed.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of February 2008:
• Cut tree limbs out of primary lines at Ag Choice
• Took down Christmas lights and made repairs
• Cleaned out back part of Library to facilitate remodeling of workroom
• Repaired many security lights
• Trimmed trees behind 227 N. Cedar
• Trimmed trees between Pine and Cedar Streets
• Checked out pad mount at Pump-n-Pete’s for Jeff Cook, everything good
• Spoke with Jeff Cook on information about City Hall generator
• 304 S. Elm water leak, exercised pit valve, plug inside house
• Water line froze in house at 144 W. First, repaired broken water valve in pit
• Water leak at 744 N. Cedar - in house
• Water leak at 308 N. Locust – in house
• Worked on sewer rod, placing old rod with new
• Replaced 3/8 air line on #2 low lift, cleaned drip bowl
• Sewer back up in alley of 644 N. Spruce
• New outlet installed on generator
• Installed new batteries and bulbs in flashlights
• Library walls up and wrecked out old
• Checked plugs and replaced fuel filter on 1995 GMC
• Helped P.R.O. Line Construction working south of town, thawed out VAC Tron

Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that he and Asst. Superintendent Miller will attend mine safety training at Allen County on Friday, February 8th.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of February 2008 as follows:

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:00 PM. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

Close this page to return to the previous page