January 7, 2002

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, January 7, 2002. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Warren Johnson, Mike Holman, Mark Barnett, and Jim Mueller. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Howard Balding and Richard Luken were visitors attending the meeting.

Councilman Mueller moved to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of

December 3rd minutes of the regular council meeting,
January pay ordinance of $59,457.61,
Corporate Resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit.

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

• Possible increase in the City’s insurance rates.
• Condition and age of Marmaton/Osage equipment.
• Costs to purchase a new fire truck.

Christmas Eve Holiday Pay – Councilman Johnson moved city employees receive one-half day paid holiday for December 24, 2001. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Awnings for City Hall and Tarp for Scoreboard – The Council reviewed a bid of $2,290.00 to build awnings over the back doors of City Hall, Ambulance Bay, and Fire Department. The Council decided to have the City crew build one awning as a sample to see if the awning would protect the door from the weather. Additionally, Councilman Barnet moved to spend $200.00 to purchase a tarp to cover the park scoreboard.

Senior Center – The Council was advised that the Allen Commissioners have asked Mayor Merkel to attend the Commissioners Meeting on January 8 to discuss the building of a senior center. No other action was taken.

Court Fine Increases – Councilman Johnson moved the City increase the Court’s fine schedule to the limits allowed by recent action taken by the Kansas Legislature. The new fine schedule will become effective for court dates following March 1, 2002. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Firework Ordinance – Agenda topic was tabled until the March council meeting.

KPERS Option Group Life Insurance – Councilman Mueller moved Mayor Merkel sign resolution 02-01 which offers eligible employees the opportunity to purchase optional group life insurance under the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Moran Public Library – The Council discussed the wording of Charter Ordinance No. 5 establishing the number of board members for the Moran Public Library. Concern had been voiced regarding the wording of Section 1 and Section 2. Attorney Bret Heim will review the wording of the ordinance for discussion at the February council meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Ambulance Director –Director Roberts asked for approval to purchase a new radio for installation in the new ambulance unit. She discussed two specific models, a Motorola and Kenwood, both in the $500.00 to $520.00 price range. Councilman Barnett moved to allow Director Roberts to choose and purchase whichever radio she feels would suit their needs. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Police Chief – Chief Prock asked the Council how they would like him to handle chase procedures for incidents through Moran. He advised the Council that the department does not have stop sticks to use in the event of a chase and asked if he should purchase stop sticks. The Council advised the Chief to relay information to larger police departments and the local Sheriff’s departments if a chase happened through Moran, but not to pursue the suspects due to lack of backup support.

Chief Prock asked for approval to attend Basic Supervision for First Line Supervisor’s training in Hutchinson through January 22-23 and the Kansas Narcotics Officer’s Association conference in Topeka March 25th – 28th. Chief Prock said that he had friends and family that he could stay with in both Hutchinson and Topeka to help save on costs. Councilman Mueller moved to approve the requests with Johnson seconding the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Chief Prock was asked to check with Officer Smith to see if he could patrol of an evening while Chief Prock was attending training.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities by the city crew for the month of December:

• Environmental Laboratories began quarterly testing of the sewer lagoons as QWAL Labs have gone out of business.
• Tapped new sewer services for Moran Mini Mart and Keith Hobart’s home.
• Maintenance repairs to the lift station on Front Street.
• Electric pole set for Moran Mini Mart, transformers on order.
• Installation of a propane tank and heater for the city shop.
• Investigated a complaint of low water pressure from residents in the 300 block of West Randolph with no problems found on the City’s mains.
• Repair street lighting at the junction of Highways 54 and 59.
• Continued clearing and cleaning the abandoned railroad right of way south of the City Park.
• Building walls and insulating at the City shop.

  City Clerk – Clerk Evans updated the November income to $68,178.92 to reflect $1,034.07 in interest income for the month. December income was reported as follows:
  

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  General		Water Fund
  VIN Inspection	10.00	Sales To Customers	8,530.85
  Charges For Services	4.35	Bulk Water Sales	127.07
  Rent	100.00	Reimb Exp-Water	341.94
  Court Fines	3,311.00	Water Protection Fee	47.38
  Ks Sales Tax	2,662.07	Penalties	276.31
  NSF Checks	175.29	Sewer Fund
  City/Cty Revenue Sharing	2,143.69	Sales To Customers	4,899.05
  Reimb Exp-General	1.60	Reimb Exp-Sewer	563.09
  Tax Disbursement	1,230.49	Ambulance
  Cereal Malt Beverage License	205.00	Charges For Services	11,076.55
  Building Permits	5.00	Sales Tax	710.43
  Interest Earned Checking/CD	1,036.16	Refuse	1,180.60
  Electric Fund		Employee Benefits
  Sales To Customers	26,964.17	Tax Disbursement	266.43
  Reimb Exp-Electric	330.27	Gross Receipts	66,440.51
  Connect Fees-Electric	75.00	Lieap	26.67
  Overpaid-Electric	40.61	Refuse Credit	1.50
  Library		Credits	275.24
  Tax Disbursement	126.11	Net Receipts	66,137.10

  The Clerk presented the Council with an offer to rejoin the Kansas League of Municipalities. The Council declined the offer for the year 2002.

  Councilman Barnett moved the mayor sign a request from Sprint Telephone to install a buried telephone main on City right of way on the east side of the 800 block of N. Cedar. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

  The Clerk noted that because of monetary constraints, the only budget transfer that could be made for 2001 was from the General Fund to the Fire Equipment Reserve. The Council acknowledged the lack of funds to make the remaining transfers.

  NEW BUSINESS

  Radio Purchase for New Ambulance – Discussed earlier in the meeting.

  OTHER

  Mayor Merkel relayed a suggestion from Elvis Fisher, a resident living near the park, that the City consider putting up flagpole at the City Park. Mr. Fisher had suggested that a large boulder removed from Keith Hobart’s property would make a nice base for a flagpole. The Council agreed to speak with Mr. Hobart and pursue the suggestion. No other action was taken.

  Mayor Merkel advised the Council that he would be on vacation during the February council meeting and asked President of the Council, Mark Barnett to chair the meeting.

  Councilman Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 9:46 PM. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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