August , 2008
July 7, 2008The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, July 7, 2008. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Elected Officials Present: Phillip L. Merkel, Mayor; Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and James Cole, Councilmembers. City Staff Present: Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Visitors Present: Larry Lillard, Bill McAdam, Ken McWhirter, Patricia Miklos, Nancy Meyers, Judy Knight, Brenda Swanson, and Steve Crume. Jackie Luken and Travis King arrived later in the evening. CONSENT AGENDACouncilmember Cole moved to approve the June consent agenda consisting of: June 2008 regular Council meeting minutes, June 2008 pay ordinance totaling $189,573.91, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $30,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing July 18, 2008. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.VISITORSLarry Lillard asked the Council if the property clean up at 122 E. Oak meets the with Council’s approval. The Council voiced their approval of Mr. Lillard’s efforts in cleaning up the property. Mr. Lillard said he has plans to finish removing the floor and haul off the metal soon. Mr. Lillard also asked the Council if the City crew could help him trim back two trees that are located on city easement. The Council asked if there were any electric lines located near the trees, Mr. Lillard said there were no electric lines near the trees. The Council voiced concern about taking business away from contractors, but asked Superintendent Stodgell to review the request before the August meeting.Bill McAdam informed the Council that Gavin Cole, a MVHS Senior, has been invited to participate in the Kansas Shrine Bowl and asked the Council allow the Mayor to sign a proclamation recognizing July 26, 2008 as KS All Star Football Shrine Bowl Day. Steve Crume asked the Council for approval to block Franklin Street between Spruce and Locust Street to hold a street dance between 8:00 PM and midnight on Saturday, September 20th in conjunction with the Moran Day’s festivities. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the request as long as the street was barricaded properly. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. OLD BUSINESSParking Issues in the 100 Block of West Oak – Mayor Merkel explained the Council’s concern with the school busses causing damage to the south edge of Oak Street. Mayor Merkel said the Council believed the damage was caused when the busses had to make wide turns on Oak Street when larger vehicles were parked in front of the Superintendents Office. The Mayor said these concerns have led to the Council discussing the possibility of doing away with parking in front of the Superintendents office, but the Council wanted to speak with School representatives before they took such action.Superintendent Meyer’s said she might have another solution and suggested the busses park in the alley to the east of the Superintendent’s office facing north. Busses would load and unload passengers from this location, and exit the school property east on Walnut Street to US Hwy 59. Discussion followed with the Council agreeing this should alleviate damage to City streets. The Council spoke with School representatives about a request from the Ball Association that the City install lights on the west ball field. Mayor Merkel asked Superintendent Meyer’s if the School felt that lights were needed on the west field. Project costs were discussed and Superintendent Meyer’s said she would like a written estimate for the cost to install ball lights. No action taken on the subject. Property Condition at 512 N. Spruce – Councilmember Cole moved to continue Condemnation proceedings as approved at the March 3, 2008 meeting. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council set a final hearing date at 6:45 PM on October 6th. Superintendent Meyers asked the Council if the City would be able to chip and seal the alley the buses would be using to load students. The Council reviewed the request and agreed that chipping and sealing the alley in the current condition would not be feasible as the alley needed to be dug up and repacked. No action was taken. Request for Sewer Service at 211 N. Pine – Clerk Evans asked for clarification of the Council’s decision for the property owner as he does not believe he needs to purchase a building permit. The Council agreed their intent was the sewer would not be tapped without the purchase of a building permit and that no RV connection could be made to the City sewer. No other action was taken. Burn Permits – The Council again discussed the possibility of issuing written burn permits for residents wishing to burn. Chief Merkel suggested logging burn permits with firefighters over the radio and asked the Clerk’s office to give notice of burn permits over the radio when the office is open. No action was taken. Water Project Update – Superintendent Stodgell reported Breit Construction only has 3 more service taps and valve boxes to install and then they would be ready to change the valve at the tower. After that, they will begin the project extensions if the Council approves the proposed extensions. Stodgell presented a bid sheet listing a total of $71,000.00 for Breit to install 930’ of line from the intersection of First Street and Hwy 59 South to the City limits and 380’ of line in the 300 and 400 blocks of North Chestnut. Stodgell said the material costs would be around $12,000.00. Discussion followed as to bore under driveway and obtaining KDOT permits. Councilmember Mueller moved to approved replacing the lines subject to Shawn Turner, TranSystems, approval. Jackie Walls told the Council that Wendy Ballinger was living at 118 S. Elm without any utilities and asked how long she could live there without utilities. Chief Smith said he had spoken with Ms. Ballinger earlier in the evening and told her she had to establish utility service and informed her he would issue a citation to her for every day she stays there without utilities. Library Remodeling – No plans submitted, topic was tabled until the Library board returns or submits plans. Request to Increase Library Appropriation – Councilmember Mueller moved the City increase the Library appropriation from $3,000.00 to $3,500.00. Cole seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving. 2009 Budget – Special Meeting July 14, 2008 – Councilmember Cole asked the Council to consider obligating funds specifically to use as matching funds for road and utility grants. NEW BUSINESSWater Service from Public Wholesale Water Supply – Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that the City is only receiving 120 gallons per minute of water as Public Wholesale Water Supply 5’s (PWWS5) valve at the tower is not working properly and is currently partially shut. Stodgell said the City was getting 320 gallons per minute when he first began working with the City. Councilmember Mueller moved the Clerk send a letter detailing the City’s concern to PWWS5 Board members and to Daryl Drake, the City’s representative on the PWWS5 board. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.Drug Testing Policy – The Council discussed the various types of drug testing and asked Attorney Heim if instant testing is as accurate as laboratory testing. Attorney Heim said each were accurate but the instant test just indicates the presence of marijuana while the laboratory test indicates the presence and levels present in the urine at the time of testing. The Council asked Clerk Evans to contact Allen County Hospital and Quest Laboratories to inquire about their drug testing protocols and testing levels. Travis King informed the Council that the large slide at the park is broken and should be roped off. The Council thanked Mr. King for bringing this to their attention. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Chief Merkel reported the department set off the fireworks for the display at Moran Manor.Police Chief – Chief Smith said he had made contact with Darin Petrowski and that Mr. Petrowski is checking into the City’s request to move the west speed sign at the south City limits. Chief Smith reported no accidents that he was aware of for the July 4th holiday but he did have some problems with fireworks being shot after midnight and that he confiscated fireworks from those offenders he encountered. Chief Smith reported the windshield wipers on the patrol car will not shut off and he has just been pulling the wiper fuse until repairs can be made to the car. He also reported the camera transmitter has quit working and that he has ordered a new transmitter. Smith also reminded the Council that he would be away July 21-25 for training at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of July 2008:
Stodgell asked the Council what to do about the delineators pulled out of the alley south of the City shop. The Council advised Stodgell to replace the delineators when the City crew has time. Stodgell said he planned to meet with Buddy Mann to discuss resurfacing Front Street but said he thinks the City should not make any repairs to Franklin Street until the street has time to settle. The Council suggested checking with Shawn Turner to see if the State would let them retain some of the loan funds to repair the street next year. Mayor Merkel asked Superintendent Stodgell if he has considered rocking the whole area around the water tower so they did not have to mow the area. The Council also discussed the height of fencing to install around the tower. City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of July 2008 as follows:
There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:30 PM. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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August , 2008
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