This page was prepared
June, 2001
May 7, 2001The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 7, 2001. Mayor Jerry Wallis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Dan Bruner, Mark Barnett, Mike Holman, Harvey Collins, and Bob Houk. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Phil Merkel, Fire Chief; Shane Smith, Police Officer; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Lee Roberts, Robin Boyer, Carrie Boyer, Harold Balding, Larry Lillard, Richard Luken, Jim Mueller, and Debra Merkel were visitors attending the meeting. Councilman Houk moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held April 2, 2001. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilman Collins moved to approve the April pay ordinance totaling $71,051.74. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSHoward Balding told the Council that he has a problem mowing his property behind his home abutting the natural drainage ditch. He said that he landscaped this property a number of years ago by bringing in several loads of dirt and reshaping the slope of the drainage ditch. After the work was completed, Mr. Balding said the City cleaned the drainage ditch and moved the dirt he brought in and placed it on the opposite side of the ditch. Additionally, he claims the City removed dirt in front of his home around the drainage pipe diverting water under Highway 59 and he can no longer mow that section of his property. Mayor Wallis said he would have the city crew investigate his complaints. Larry Lillard informed the Council that he had purchased a building permit early in April to build a new garage at 404 N. Pine. He said the building permit did not list the easement for Pine Street, so he asked a City employee about the easement for Pine Street and was told the street easement was 60 feet. The employee suggested he measure 30 feet from the center of the road and he should be off the easement. Mr. Lillard took the advice and measured a total of 34 feet from the center of Pine and poured the foundation for the garage. On April 19th or 20th Mr. Lillard said he was notified by the City to stop construction as he was building on the street easement. Mr. Lillard said he was forced to pour an additional 7-˝ feet of concrete to enlarge the foundation and move the building off the easement. Mayor Wallis asked Mr. Lillard which city employee told him the street easement was 60 feet; he said he could not remember which employee gave him the information. Mr. Lillard asked when the Council would meet in June and he was advised the next meeting would be June 4th. No action was taken regarding this claim.
OLD BUSINESSAgreement with Nautilus Commercial Data – Robin Boyer told the Council that he would like to place his antenna on the water tower around May 12th with their approval. Mr. Boyer said the internet service would require testing and should be available to the public within two to three weeks. Installation for the cards, antennas, and wiring should run between $350.00 to 520.00 per computer. In additional to equipment cost, unlimited monthly access will be $30.00 per month. Councilman Collins moved Mayor Wallis sign the agreement allowing Nautilus to install the antenna on the City’s water tower. Houk seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Bids for Building Repairs – The Council reviewed bids from Structo and Mid-Continent to make repairs to the North wall of the Fire Department. After discussing the bids with Chief Merkel, Councilman Bruner moved to contract with Structo to make the repairs. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Summer Employee Applications – The Council reviewed applications submitted for the City’s advertised summer positions. Discussion followed regarding the City’s policy of hiring applicants related to Councilmembers or city employees. Councilman Collins moved to offer the summer positions to Curt Drake, William Clausen, and Brett Bruner. The temporary employees will be offered minimum wage and work 20 hours a week from June 4th through August 3rd. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with Collins, Holman, and Barnett approving. Houk voted against the motion, Bruner abstained from voting.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Nothing further to report. Ambulance Director – Director Roberts advised the Council that the ambulance had brake problems and would be repaired Tuesday. Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of April:
City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of April;
The Council received the proposed budget for the Moran Library. Also, the Council was presented with travel brochures published by Jordan Ventures Unlimited promoting Kansas tourism. Dr. Jordan sent a cover letter with each brochure offering the City the opportunity to advertise in his summer publication for Southeast Kansas. No action was taken. The City Clerk informed the Council that a number of residents in the City have not registered their dogs as required by City Code. The Council asked the Clerk to send letters to these residents advising them of the Code related to the purchase of dog tags. Dog owners who have not purchased tags by June 4th will be issued citations to appear before Moran Municipal Court. The Clerk asked the Council to consider releasing the 1% retainage fee held against Tom Adams so the State of Kansas could finalize the City’s Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Fund (KWPCRL) loan through the Department of Health and Environment. The Council agreed the job site should be inspected and the Council will review this matter at the June meeting. The Clerk told the Council that the City needs to purchase ammunition for Officer Smith to use during training at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) academy. The Council agreed to purchase the ammunition from Wal Mart. Police Department – Officer Shane Smith informed the Council that he would be attending the part time academy May 14 through May 25. Additionally, he gave the Council a monthly report of call outs and citations written. Officer Smith asked the Council if they would approve purchase of a pager and cell phone for the Police Department so that 911 and local residents would be able to contact him if he was not available by phone. Officer Smith said he has been using his personal cell phone to contact dispatch and for other police related calls. Councilman Houk said he thought the City should purchase a phone for police use or pay for the police related calls on Officer Smith’s personal cell phone. Officer Smith discussed the following with the Council:
As the Ambulance Department has been using the Police Department cell phone and pager to save the department unnecessary expenses, the Council asked that the Director if she had a problem returning the cell phone and pager to the Police department. Director Roberts said it would be no problem to return the phone and pager to the Police Department. Harvey Collins thanked Mayor Jerry Wallis and Councilman Bob Houk for their service to the city. Mr. Wallis and Mr. Houk said their farewell to the Council and city employees.
NEW BUSINESSOath of Office for Mayor and Council- Phillip Merkel took the oath of office as Mayor and James Mueller took the oath of office for Council. Mayoral Appointments - Mayor Merkel made the following appointments:
Bret Heim told Mayor Merkel that he should be aware of potential claims of conflict of interest in appointing himself as Fire Chief. He said he does not see a problem with holding dual positions, but the Council should be aware of budgetary concerns as the Fire Department (Chief) is under the fiscal and administrative authority of the City (Mayor). Councilman Collins moved to approve the appointments as read. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Election of President of Council – Councilman Bruner nominated Mark Barnett as President of the Council, Collins seconded the motion. Motion passed with Bruner, Collins, Holman and Mueller approving while Barnett abstained from voting. Connect Fees for New Residents – Mayor Merkel expressed his concern with the City’s policy for utility connect fees and requiring additional connect fees for residents who move away from the City for one year or more. He suggested the Council consider allowing residents to move away from the community and return within a 5-year period without having to pay connect fees again. The Council agreed to waive the connect fees for former residents who move back to the City within a five year time period and have left the City with a good credit history. Councilman Barnett moved Bret Heim draft an ordinance adopting these changes. Bruner seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Notification of Utility Outages - The Council discussed advising commercial utility customers in the event of anticipated utility outages. The Council will review a sample letter offering this service at the next Council meeting. If the Council approves the content of the letter, the Clerk will send the letter to all business owners. Additionally, the Clerk will put a note in the June newsletter offering the same notification to residents dependent upon medical equipment that requires electric and/or water service. Police Chief Applicants - Councilman Bruner moved the Council meet in executive session for 30 minutes at 9:20 to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to regular session at 9:49 PM and Councilman Collins moved to offer Jason Prock a chance to interview with the Council at 6:30 PM on June 4, 2001. Bruner seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Corporate Resolution CD 3009706 - Councilman Barnett moved to approve the corporate resolution for CD No. 3009706. Mueller seconded the motion, motion, passed with all approving.
OTHERMayor Merkel suggested the City Crew speak with Howard Balding to find out what the exact problems are with the drainage ditch behind his home. Additionally, when the City Crew has time, it was suggested the City remove the abandoned cable boxes left above ground when Galaxy Cable discontinued cable service to Moran. The Council discussed and agreed to purchase a United States flag and State of Kansas flag and flagpoles for the Council Room. Councilman Bruner moved the meeting adjourn at 10:15PM. Barnett seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
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This page was prepared June, 2001
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