June 7, 2004

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 7, 2004. 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; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Barbara Shoate, Asst. Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent and Daryl Eagon of Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, Jarred, and Bledsloe. Lee Roberts, Ronald Bohland, Carla Hasenaur and Alice Adams were visitors attending the meeting.

Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the June 2004 consent agenda consisting of: May 2004 regular council meeting minutes, pay ordinance totaling $62,806.41, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing June 11, 2004. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

2003 AUDIT REPORT

Daryl Eagon of Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, Jarred & Bledsloe presented the 2003 audit report to the Council. He reported the City funds look good overall and the ending balances are up in comparison to 2002 year end totals. He did point out the City had one incident that violated the Kansas Statues. At the close of the year on December 31, 2003, the City’s funds totaled $611,836.62. Of this amount only $604,984.61 was covered by FDIC insured deposits and pledged securities leaving $6,852.01 uninsured. He recommended the City contact our local bank to ensure the proper dollar amounts of pledged securities are maintained.

Mr. Eagon also noted the City has a number of reserve funds that seem to be redundant and suggested the Council to consider merging similar funds. Councilmember Mueller moved to accept the audit as prepared. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Ronald Bohland asked if the City has had any problems with power surges in the southeast area of town as he has sporadic problems of low voltage to his home. Superintendent Stodgell said he was unaware of any problems but will check his service as soon as possible.

Jason Botts asked for approval to use the ball lights for approximately one hour on Sunday evenings when the men’s softball league holds their games. He said the games will start at either 5:00 PM or 7:00 PM on Sundays and their season will run until August 15th. The Council agreed they had no problems with his request as long as the lights are shut off following each game.

Alice Adams requested the Council limit traffic to one way in the alley between the 300 block of Linn & Birch. This is the alley directly behind her property and she is concerned with a number of vehicles exiting the alley at a high rate of speed onto Franklin Street. Alice told the Council that her granddaughters cross the alley to play with neighborhood children and she is concerned for their safety. She suggested traffic be allowed to enter the alley off Franklin Street and exit south on to Randolph Street. The Council discussed the request and noted various concerns such as neighbors gaining access to their garages if traffic was made one way and the fact that the south end of the alley is not rocked. The Council agreed the City should contact property owners along the alley to ask their opinion if the City was to make the alley one way traffic only. The Council will review the request at the July meeting.

Alice also reported a problem she is having with her neighbor’s dogs coming onto her property and acting aggressively towards her. Chief Smith advised Alice to contact him at any time when she has a problem with the dog and he will come down and investigate the problem.

OLD BUSINESS

Ambulance Operations and Staffing – Director Roberts advised Sheri Smith has not been released by the doctor to return to work on the ambulance. The topic was tabled until July.

Tree Removal at 408 N. Birch – The Council tabled the topic until the July meeting.

Small Mine Safety Classes for 2005 – Due to lack of information the Council tabled the topic until the July meeting.

City Sign – Clerk Evans presented information from Stewart Signs. A 4’ X 5’ unlighted traditional sign with marquee and changeable information area would cost $3,298.00. Discussion followed with the Council tabling any action until the September Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution 2004-01 – Councilmember Mueller moved to adopt resolution 2004-01. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Meeting Date for 2005 Budget Preparation – The Council agreed to hold a special meeting at 6:30 PM on either July 8th or July 13th to prepare the budget.

Rural Development – Clerk Evans was asked to contact Rural Development and let them know that the City will not be applying for a loan for the water project.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel brought the Council up to date regarding the status of the new rural unit. After receipt of the skid unit, fire department found that WS Darley had installed a different engine than originally requested for the unit. Asst. Chief Miller spoke with Jim Darley about the error and after discussing the problem Mr. Darley agreed to replace the engine and pay for return shipping at no charge to the rural department.

Ambulance Director – Director Roberts said they have the new A/C adapter for the Life Pack and it is working well.

Police Chief – Chief Smith informed the Council that he sent a letter to the UP Railroad giving them ten days to repair the sink hole developing under the railroad south of the depot. He also notified the Council that the inoperable vehicle had not been moved from the property at 516 N. Birch. The Council directed Chief Smith to issue a citation to the property owners.

Chief Smith notified the Council that the City had been asked to contribute $600 to renew the contract with Global Software. He said Chief Womack had asked if the City could make the funds available before November 14, 2004. Chief Smith said he had invited Chief Womack to attend a Council meeting to discuss use of the Global software and yearly costs.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted his report of monthly activities for May:

  • Repaired or replaced electric loops at 6 services
  • Inspected ball park lights
  • Doug Lewis of Union Pacific railroad notified the City of an area of standing water on the west side of the railroad tracks. Mr. Lewis said there is an offensive odor to the water, and that local children are playing in the water. Closer inspection revealed a blockage in the culvert under the railroad tracks, which is causing water to back-up and form a stagnant pool.
  • Hauled 8 loads of dirt to the landfill, returning each time with rock
  • Began to mow and weed at the City Park and at the lagoons
  • Repaired the mail bolt on the brush hog
  • Replaced flywheel and starter on ’97 GMC truck
  • Serviced all equipment with oil changes, new blades, etc.
  • A resident on S. Elm complained that their water was milky. Explained that this is caused by air in the lines from the work on the water project; proceeded to flush the line. Need to flush hydrant on that end as well.
  • State water samples passed inspection
  • Used cold patch to fill in pot holes around town
  • Filled in dirt around water project
  • City Wide clean up 5/18/04
  • Sprayed town for mosquitoes for second time
  • 5-5-04; First & Elm tied in 4” PVC to 6” PVC line
  • 5-6-04; Two house services installed, and laid 80’ PVC water main, crossed many services
  • 5-10-04; Two house services installed, and laid 40’ PVC water main, crossed many services
  • 5-11-04; Elm & Second installed new Mueller fire hydrant 2-way 4”, cleaned up around culvert, one house service, and laid 60’ 4” water main; hydrant 58 GPM
  • 5-12-04; Going north to Front on west side of Elm, laid 280’ 4” water main, many services to cross, worked in light mist
  • 5-18-04; Front & Locust, installed temporary valve so we can install house services, flushed main, one house service
  • 5-20-04; Sycamore & Second going west on north side of Second to Maple, laid 100’ water main (wet)
  • 5-21-04; Second to Maple from Sycamore, had to repair blue poly that ran from house service at 217 Second; laid 120’ of water main, crossed many utilities (wet)
  • 5-24-04; Three house services tied to new main
  • 5-28-04; Corner of Chestnut & Randolph, installed tee in 6” & 4” water main line on new PVC; old 4” valve going bad, almost to blow off; Also tied in on new main at corner of Front & Locust.
Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that Chad Brooks is tearing down and cleaning up the house at 303 E. First for the new property owner, Monica Fraker. Chad has asked the City if he could use the dump truck and have the City haul away the lumber. After discussing the request the Council agreed that Chad is in effect acting as a contractor as he is paid to clean up the property and the City dump truck is provided for residential use only.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported net income of $66,795.06 for the month of May as shown below:

General Fund    Water Fund
Charges For Services 17.50    Sales To Customers 8,483.40
Dog Tag 32.00    Penalties 326.09
Court Fines/Dog Tag Penalty 2,613.00    Water Protection Fee 45.87
Building Permit 10.00    Bulk Water Sales 316.51
KS Sales Tax 2,959.67    Reimb Exp-Water 6.31
Reimb Exp-General 158.63    Connect Fees-Water 75.00
Rent 45.00    Sewer Fund
Setoff Collections 13.16    Sales To Customers 4,866.87
NSF Check Redemption 150.02    Reimb Exp-Sewer 50.00
Interest Earned Checking/CD 535.19    Ambulance Fund
Electric Fund    Charges for services 9,148.12
Sales To Customers 30,505.76    Sales Tax Fund 1,001.78
Fuel Adjustment 560.65    Refuse Fund      1,184.70
Connect Fees-Electric 147.78    Gross Receipts 66,973.15
Lieap Payments 17.56    Lieap Credit 127.86
Overpaid-Electric 21.02    Setoff Collection Fees 2.42
Special Highway    Credits      47.81
State Payments 3,681.56    Net Receipts      66,795.06

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Ginn moved the meeting adjourn at 9:34 PM. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

July, 2004