March 3, 2003

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, March 3, 2003. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson, and Chryll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent and Shawn Turner, Turner Engineering. Ronald Bohland and Carla Hasenaur were present as visitors.

Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the March consent agenda consisting of: February regular council meeting minutes, March pay ordinance totaling $54,818.61, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing March 8, 2003. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Mr. Bohland told the Council that he and Ms. Hasenaur were just visiting.

OLD BUSINESS

Water Line Replacement-Shawn Turner – Shawn Turner addressed the Council and presented an estimate of $792,100.00 to replace all cast iron water lines within the City boundaries. Shawn said he estimated on the high side to ensure complete funding of the project. He noted the area most needing line replacement is the southeast area of the city. As this is the same area that qualified for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) in 1998, he believes the population statistics will not have changed much, but the project would require a new low to moderate income survey. Shawn suggested the City consider contacting a grant writer / administrator to help with project funding. He also suggested the City consider a bond issue as an option to securing a loan. At this time, the topic was tabled until the close of the meeting.

City Hall/Library Painting Bids – The Mayor read a bid from Don Higgenbotham of $8,345.00 to repaint City Hall and the Library. The Council asked the Clerk to contact Mr. Higgenbotham to see if his bid price included paint. The topic was then tabled until the April meeting.

Ambulance Staffing – Councilmember Mueller reviewed the City’s current insurance coverage for the Moran ambulance and the Council discussed the number of ambulance staff and their duties. Director Roberts advised the Council that one EMT drives the unit and one EMT is needed for patient care. The RN or paramedic also monitors the patient and administers medication. Two EMT’s are needed for loading and unloading patients, as most RN’s do not assist in the actual physical transport of the patient. Councilmember Mueller recommended the Council purchase an additional $500,000 of insurance to cover RN’s hired to make transfers. Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the purchase of additional insurance coverage. Ginn seconded the motion with Johnson and Holman approving. Mueller abstained from voting.

Councilmember Johnson moved the Ambulance employ only RN’s fully qualified by the State who hold valid nursing and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification. RN’s will be paid $100.00 per run. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Marmaton Rural Fire Dept – Chief Merkel reported the new fire truck chassis has been brought to Moran. The Council discussed equipment needed for the truck to be fully operational. Chief Merkel estimated the cost for a truck bed, equipment and wiring to be in the $20,000.00 range. The Council asked Chief Merkel to get firm pricing for completing the truck and report back at the April meeting.

Wells Property 111 S. Sycamore – The Council requested an estimate from Virgil Tucker to demolish the house and tabled the topic until the April meeting.

Christmas Lighting Decorations – Councilmember Ginn suggested the Moran Day Committee might be able to purchase eight new decorations to donate to the City. No action was taken.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel informed the Council that the Fire Knight helmets have been repaired and returned for use by the fire department.

Ambulance Director – No business.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of February:

  • Completed remodeling the storage area behind library.
  • Assessed termite damage to library walls and made reconstruction plans.
  • Ordered the new John Deere lawn tractor.
  • Repaired tennis court gate.
  • Snow removal as required.
  • Continued planning for the 7200 electrical project. Superintendent Stodgell estimated it would cost between $7,000-$8,000 to replace the pad mount for Moran Manor.
  • Tree trimming west alley in 200 block of Cedar Street.
  • City crew assisted with building a water line at the Allen County Landfill.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported a revised income total of $106,614.85 for the month of January to account for unreported interest income. Income for the month of February was reported as follows:

GENERAL
AMBULANCE
CHARGES FOR SERVICES 7.30 CHARGES FOR SERVICES 10,110.90
RENT 100.00 MISCELLANEOUS RECEIPTS .60
COURT FINES 3,489.00 REFUSE 1,186.52
KS SALES TAX 2,578.33 SEWER FUND
FRANCHISE FEE 100.00 SALES TO CUSTOMERS 4,757.77
REIMB EXP-GENERAL 5.50 REIMB EXP-SEWER 48.59
DOG TAGS 24.00 WATER FUND
NSF CHECKS 251.49 SALES TO CUSTOMERS 9,152.34
DOG PICKUP 20.00 BULK WATER SALES 345.34
INTEREST EARNED CHECKING/CD 630.31 WATER PROTECTION FEE 46.11
PENALTIES 53.67
ELECTRIC FUND CONNECT FEES        73.89
SALES TO CUSTOMERS 37,791.85 GROSS RECEIPTS 72,489.24
CONNECT FEES-ELECTRIC 147.78 REFUSE CREDIT 1.50
LIEAP PAYMENTS 237.00 FUEL EXEMPTION 1,235.35
OVERPAID-ELECTRIC 155.64 CREDITS       110.35
SALES TAX 1,075.31 NET RECEIPTS 71,142.04

Clerk Evans reported the refrigerator in the meeting room had stopped working. Flynn Appliance attempted to repair the refrigerator, but the unit could not be repaired. The Council agreed to replace the refrigerator with a similar model.

The Clerk talked with the Council about a problem with a delinquent utility account (122501) . The Clerk said the resident had received utility assistance in paying a portion of the account, but had not made personal payment on the January and February bills. Upon review of the account balance and payment history, Councilmember Wallis moved that the Clerk notify the account holder that all past due amounts must be paid by noon on Friday, March 7, 2003 or service will be discontinued without further notice. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with Johnson approving, Ginn and Mueller opposed the motion.

The Clerk was asked to send a letter to the Moran Ball Association asking a representative attend the April meeting to discuss operation of the new light switches and other matters related to the use of the ball field.

NEW BUSINESS

Proclamation Declaring April as Fair Housing Month – Councilmember Johnson moved the Mayor sign the proclamation as written. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Summer Youth Employment – Superintendent Stodgell asked for Council approval to solicit applications to hire one part time summer youth to work with the city crew. The Council approved to seek applications and notice will be posted at City Hall and at the High School. Applications will be reviewed at the April meeting.

Water Line Replacement (cont) – Councilmember Wallis told the Council that he doesn’t think the City can afford to replace all the water lines that needed replaced and suggested the City focus on replacing water lines in the southeast corner of the City and the 8” main that runs from the water tower east along Franklin to the city limits. Following discussion, Councilmember Ginn moved to contact SEK Regional Planning Commission to help conduct a low to moderate income survey. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:08 PM. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

April, 2003