July 1, 2002

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 1, 2002. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, Jim Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Officer Shane Smith; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Craig Miller, Assistant City Superintendent; Daryl Eagon, City Auditor and Richard Luken, Iola Register. Debbie Sager arrived as a visitor later in the meeting.

Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the June consent agenda consisting of: June 3, 2002, regular council meeting minutes, July pay ordinance totaling $63,308.64, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing July 16, 2002. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

2001 AUDIT REPORT

Daryl Eagon presented the audit report for the council's review. Mr. Eagon did note the city was unable to make year-end transfers as budgeted, but the transfers are not fiscal requirements of the budget. He reported there were no budget violations for the year.

VISITORS

None present.

OLD BUSINESS

Ambulance Equipment Purchase - Councilmember Wallis moved to approve purchase of a Stryker cot, three stage IV pole, and under cot storage net for $3,624.00. Muller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Property Condemnations-Resolution 02-04 - Councilmember Wallis moved to adopt and publish Resolution 02-04. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Employee Reviews - Topic was tabled until later in the meeting.

2003 Budget Preparation - Topic was tabled until later in the meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief - Nothing to report.

Ambulance Director - Nothing to report.

Police Department - Officer Smith was on a call.

Assistant City Superintendent - Asst. Superintendent Miller informed the Council that the City has received a number of complaints from the residents of the Marmaton Village about the sidewalk between Stub's Market and the Marmaton Village being uneven. The residents have requested the City replace the sidewalk on the south side of Randolph between Pine Street and Stubs Grocery Store. He estimated the cost to replace the sidewalk to be around $600.00. Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the request to replace the sidewalk. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

The Asst. Superintendent submitted a second request to install approximately 130' of 18" galvanized culvert on the north side of First Street between Cedar St. and the alley to the west. He estimated costs to install the culvert and bands to be $1,036.90. Councilmember Wallis voiced his concern that installing a culvert at this location would cause problems with the flow of rainwater on properties to the west. The request was tabled until the August council meeting.

Asst. City Superintendent Miller reported the following activities by the City Crew for the month of June:

  • Replaced batteries in the bucket truck and 66-fire truck.
  • Repaired potholes throughout town in preparation for the chip and seal project.
  • Spread screenings on tar seeping through city streets.
  • Sprayed for weeds in the downtown area and City Park.
  • Repaired a water leak at Oak and Locust Streets.
  • Replaced the water dock hose.
  • Repaired various streetlights damaged by the ice storm.
  • Trimmed trees at City Park.
In addition to the monthly activities, the Asst. Superintendent advised the Council that the water tower has been running over quite frequently during the month of June. The Clerk noted that there had been a marked increase in water loss for the period in comparison to water use billed to customers. The Clerk was asked to prepare a letter from the Mayor to send to Public Wholesale Supply noting the Council's concern with the tower over-flowing.

VISITORS

(continued) Debbie Sager asked the Council if the City had any plans to mow the property at 140 W. Randolph. Asst. Superintendent Miller said the City crew would mow the property on Friday, July 5th if the property is not mowed by that date.

City Clerk - Clerk Evans reported the income for the month of July:

GENERAL FUND
WATER FUND
Dog Tag 139.00 Sales To Customers7,735.35
Charges For Services 33.15 Penalties 218.10
Rent 100.00 Water Protection Fee 41.53
Court Fines 3,072.00 Bulk Water Sales 79.48
Building Permit 145.98 Connect Fees-Water 73.89
Vin Inspection 10.00 Reimb Exp-Water 61.64
Ks Sales Tax 2,759.72 Overpaid 0.17
Nsf Checks 312.41 SEWER FUND
Reimb Exp-General 573.29 Sales To Customers 4,783.03
Dog Pickup Charge 60.00 Reimb Exp-Sewer 48.59
Franchise Fee 100.00 REFUSE FUND 1,178.90
ELECTRIC FUND AMBULANCE FUND   8,646.90
Sales To Customers 26,132.37 GROSS RECEIPTS 66,091.33
Fuel Adjustment 1,804.27 Refuse Credit 1.50
Reimb Exp-Electric 6,962.66 Lieap Credit 44.04
Connect Fees-Electric 147.78 Water Overcharge Credits 713.63
Overpaid-Electric 66.84 Electric Overcharge Credits 3,099.22
SALES TAX FUND 804.28 CREDITS    153.46
NET RECEIPTS    62,079.48
The Council asked the Clerk to send letters to all ball team captains asking that they help make sure that all equipment and park bathrooms are secured after games are over and to please check that the field lights are turned off after the final game.

Police Department Officer Smith advised the Council that he had issued a number of warning citations to dog owners who have not licenses their pets. The majority of the owners have complied with the warnings and court citation will be issued for those who do not comply with the warnings.

NEW BUSINESS

State Increase of Court Fees Assessments The Council discussed the recent increase of court fees assessed by the State of Kansas. Attorney Heim advised the Council that the City could only increase municipal court fees by passage of a charter ordinance. Councilmember Wallis moved to increase the municipal court fees to $20.00 per citation and to increase misdemeanor fines to $35.00. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Attorney Heim will prepare the charter ordinance for adoption at the August meeting.

Councilmember Wallis moved to meet in executive session at 9:24 PM to discuss non-elected personnel matters for 15 minutes. Officer Smith was invited to attend the executive session. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 9:39 PM. Councilmember Wallis moved to return to executive session for an additional 40 minutes and invited Attorney Heim and Assistant Superintendent Miller to attend the session as the Council continued discussion of non-elected personnel matters. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council went to executive session at 9:43 PM and returned at 10:25 PM. Upon return, Councilmember Johnson moved to return to executive session for 30 minutes to continue discussion of non-elected personnel matters. Ambulance Director Roberts and Clerk Evans were asked to attend the session at staggered intervals. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 10:56 PM.

Councilmember Mueller moved to accept Sheri Smith's resignation as assistant city clerk for the City of Moran and to actively seek applications to fill the vacancy. Salary will be based on experience and applications will be accepted until July 12, 2002. Mueller continued his motion to rehire Sheri Smith on a temporary basis to work 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM daily at her previous rate of pay, no benefits will be offered for the temporary position. The term of employment will expire when the assistant clerk position is filled. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Ginn moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:26PM. Wallis seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

August, 2002