June 2, 2008

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, June 2, 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: Dennis Jarvis, Sharon McCauley, and Steve Crume

CONSENT AGENDA

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

Parking Issues in the 100 Block of West Church – The Council requested Clerk Evans send a letter to officials from USD 256 asking they attend the July meeting to discuss parking issues in front of the school complex.

Crossroads Wireless Agreement – Attorney Heim began reviewing the proposed agreement. Topic was tabled until later in the meeting.

Request to Rock Alley in the North 200 Block Between Spruce and Locust – The Council discussed the request with Councilmember Mueller moving to rock the alley. Cole seconded the motion. Discussion resumed. Motion failed with Cole and Jackman voting in favor and Johnson, Mueller, and Holman opposed.

Mayor Merkel called for motion to reopen the alley. Councilmember Jackman moved the alley remain closed. Mueller seconded the motion; motion passed with Johnson and Holman in favor, Cole was opposed.

Request to Repair Sidewalk over Ditch at 130 E. Franklin – Superintendent Stodgell estimated concrete cost to replace the sidewalk box culvert to be $200.00. The Council discussed the need to replace existing sidewalk box culverts when needed. Councilmember Mueller moved to replace any existing sidewalk box culverts that need replaced, but the City will not build any new box culverts. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Request for Sewer Service at 211 N. Pine – The Council discussed the request with Councilmember Cole moving to approve the request for a new sewer tap only if the landowner is building a residential home that will meet City Code and a building permit is purchased for the construction, as approved by Superintendent Stodgell. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Crossroads Wireless Agreement (cont) – Councilmember Johnson moved the Council meet in executive session with Attorney Heim at 8:05 PM for 10 minutes to discuss matters deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting at 8:15 PM. Mayor Merkel called for motion or discussion. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the agreement as submitted with a change in paragraph 3 relating to the term provision of the license. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Request to Install Lights on West Ball Field – Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that he estimated the following costs to install lights on the west ball field: lights, cross arms, and bulbs $5,980.00; poles $1,080.00; transformers $830.00; switches $200.00; underground wire $2,000.00. The Council took no action and tabled the topic until the ball association returns to discuss their original request.

Library Remodeling – Topic was tabled as the Council did not receive any drawings. The Council requested copies of the Library budget for 6 months and agreed to discuss the Library appropriation increase at the July Council meeting.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Projects – The Council agreed to continue with filing for assistance for the electric, drainage, and storm shelter projects.

NEW BUSINESS

2009 KPERS Rates – Clerk Evans informed the Council that KPERS employer rates would increase from 5.93% to 6.54% for members in 2009. Councilmember Mueller moved the clerk sign the KPERS acknowledging the 2009 rates. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Resolution 2008-05 - Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) Waiver – Councilmember Holman moved the City adopt Resolution 2008-05. Jackman seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Police Chief – Chief Smith reported he has range testing on June 5th for recertification. Smith asked the Council if they had any specific concerns about the July 4th holiday, as there would not be a meeting before that date. The Council voiced no concerns. Chief Smith notified the Council that he had been approved to attend training at Fort Dodge, Iowa July 21st through July 25th.

Councilmember Cole asked Chief Smith to contact someone at the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) to see if KDOT would move the speed limit sign for south bound traffic on the south end of town, to the south city limit.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of May 2008:
• Replaced electric pole and security light and wire feed at Church & Linn Street
• Replaced electric pole, house service, set anchors, reset primary electric pole at alley west of Church & Linn Street
• Changed out electric service, new mask, replaced #2 triplex and ground rod, cut out old service to garage at 416 W. Birch Street
• Met with Gary Ward for KDOT permit, and Mike Cooper with Westar to change out electric pole
• Received 42 new utility poles; they took good
• Replaced storm-damaged security light and trimmed tree at Second & Maple Streets
• Lining up hardware for Electric Project
• Installed underground electric at new house at 507 N. Park Street
• Electric service at house and pole at 520 N. Cedar; replaced split bolts
• Spoke with Roger Holt of Tiede’s Construction, regarding information and updates on 7200 Electric Project
• Marked out utility poles for 7200 Electric Project
• Both tests passed
• Used weed eater around water pit meters on edge of town
• Installed new water service at new house at 507 N. Park Street
• Water Project update – Breit Construction started work on 5/20/2008 at water tower going east. As of 5/28/2008, they have progressed to Birch & Franklin Streets. They have been laying pipe, installing hydrants and valves, and getting ready for switch-overs at corners. So far everything is going well. Have laid 660’ of 8” pipe, 60’ of 4” pipe, installed 2 hydrants, four 4” valves, and two 8” valves.
• Used weed eater at Lagoons
• Both tests passed
• Painted fence and gates at Lagoons
• Installed new sewer service at new house on 507 N. Park Street
• Sprayed for mosquitoes at City Shop, City Hall, downtown, old water plant, burn pile, lagoons, low lifts, City Park, Church & Chestnut 2400 pad mount area
• Replaced culvert at School
• Straightened west end of culvert at Church & Cedar Streets
• Used bush hog around town
• Put up flags for Memorial Day
• Installed new Playworld playground equipment and ground chips
• Mowed City Park and Ball Park
• Rocked parking area at Ball fields
• Set grill at City Park
• Changed hydraulic oil in 4310 John Deere
• Put new blades on bush hog

Superintendent Stodgell asked the Council to approve a hot patch project for Front Street between Cedar and Cottonwood Streets. Stodgell also requested approval to have Mann Construction provide assistance on the project. He estimated the project costs would be less that $10,000.00. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the request. Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

The Council discussed expanding the water project to include three additional sections of water line if Breit Construction has time. Areas discussed were the 8” cast iron line running 2 blocks north on Chestnut Street from Franklin, 6” cast iron line south for one block on Chestnut Street from Franklin, and 1150 feet 4” cast iron line south on Cedar Street from the intersection of First Street.

Stodgell noted he thinks the maps are incorrect when they show a 6” line on Chestnut Street between Franklin and Randolph Street, as he believes the line is actually 8”. The Council discussed the need to replace with line the same size or to make changes. Ultimately the Council decided to replace the 4” line on Cedar Street with 6” PVC and to replace the lines on Chestnut Street with like sized PVC.

The Council reviewed employment applications received from Adam Cole, Ron Daniels, Jarred Holman, and Steven Yates. Superintendent Stodgell said he would like to hire two temporary workers for the summer and suggested Adam Cole and Jarred Holman be offered these positions. Councilmember Johnson moved to approved Superintendent Stodgell’s selections and that the positions pay $8.00 per hour for up to 40 hours per week. Employment would be offered following successful drug testing with the applicants beginning work immediately. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with Johnson, Jackman, and Mueller approving. Cole and Holman abstained from the vote.

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

Clerk Evans advised the Council that Modern Copy Systems had sent two extended service contracts for the Council’s review, as the Kyocera copier warranty will expire in June. The contract for service only is $450.00 and the contract for service and toner is $585.00. Councilmember Mueller moved to City accept the contract for service only. Councilmember Cole seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 10:36 PM. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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