May 13, 2002

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 13, 2002. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, James Mueller, Mark Barnett, and Warren Johnson. Also present were Jerry Wallis, and Chryll Ginn, Councilmembers Elect; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Bret Heim, City Attorney arrived later in the meeting. Newt Bacon, Joan Morrison, and Bill McAdam were present representing the Marmaton Township. Jerry Jackman and Susie Jackman were visitors attending the meeting, Corky Lynes, visitor, arrived at 7:55 PM.

Councilman Mueller moved to approve the May consent agenda consisting of: April 2002 regular council meeting minutes, May pay ordinance totaling $84,437.02, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing May 16, 2002. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

Jerry Jackman asked the Council if the City could do anything to help improve the flow of rainwater along Randolph Franklin Street fronting their property. He said that the drainage ditch couldn’t handle the flow of heavy rain and allows his front yard to flood. Superintendent Stodgell said the city Crew had opened one drainage ditch that was partially blocked and will continue trying various remedies to solve the problem.

OLD BUSINESS

Contract with Marmaton/Osage Townships - The Council continued discussion regarding the City contracting with the Marmaton and Osage Townships to provide fire protection for the Townships. Mr. McAdam said he believes the Allen County Commissioners should consider establishing a fire district, as this would solve the townships problems. Councilman Mueller suggested the townships and City draft a letter asking the County Commissioners to establish a fire district. Mueller then moved to draft such a letter, Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

2003 Preliminary Budget Preparation – The Council discussed the various departmental budget proposals. No action was taken and the topic was tabled until the June council meeting.

VISITORS (Cont.)

Corky informed the Council that her family and friends are planning on holding a benefit to raise scholarship funds in memory of her daughter Brandy Lynes on May 17, 2002. Corky asked the Council for approval to close the 200 block of North Spruce in front of the Cork-n-Dales Landmark. She said they would be holding Karaoke contest and some food sales outside, but all alcohol sales would be inside the bar. The Council tabled any action until the City Attorney is available.

Establishing Reserve Accounts for the Electric and Water Funds – The Clerk was asked to contact Phil Jarred regarding the possibility of establishing such funds. Topic discussed and tabled.

Front Street Generator – Mayor Merkel advised the Council that the City had purchased a used trailer for $400.00 to transport the generator.

Copier Maintenance Contract - The Council reviewed proposals from Copy Products and Modern Copy Systems and agreed to table any action until a need arises.

Vest Purchase for Moran Police Department – Request tabled until later in the meeting.

Property Condemnations – Topic tabled.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel advised the Council that the fire department had received the new helmets from Veridian and that Veridian will repair the old helmets at no cost.

Ambulance Director – Not present.

Police Chief – Chief Prock asked the Council to consider purchasing a new video camera and tape recording system for the police car and put the purchase of a new vest on hold for the present time. He presented the Council with pricing from three vendors with prices ranging from $1900.00 to $4499.00. Chief Prock advised the Council that he would be away from the department during the months of June and July as he has been ordered to serve military duty in Germany for the National Guard. The Council agreed to discuss the purchase after Chief Prock returned from Germany.

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

  • Picked up electric poles not used by the City of LaHarpe.
  • Continued with FEMA projects.
  • Installed new exterior lights on City Hall/Emergency Complex.
  • Purchased new tamper.
  • Repaired a 2” water leak in the 500 block of North Locust.
  • Installation of the new sewer lift station on West Franklin.
  • Receipt of two waste water system awards from the Kansas Water Environment Association and Kansas Water Pollution Association.
  • Completed construction and installation of awnings over the back doors of City Hall.
  • Employees Craig Miller and Jack McBride have completed Mine Safety training as a prerequisite required by Allen County to haul rock from the county landfill.
  • Replaced a fire hydrant in the 300 block of south Cedar. The City will need to purchase two additional hydrants, one needed for another replacement and one reserve.

City Clerk – The City Clerk reported general and miscellaneous income for the month of April as follows:

GENERAL FUND
REFUSE FUND 1,207.90
      CHARGES FOR SERVICES79.99 SEWER FUND
     RENT 125.00       SALES TO CUSTOMERS 4,929.92
     COURT FINES 2,910.00       FEMA REIMBURSEMENT-SEWER 2469.13
     DOG TAGS 87.00       REIMB EXP-SEWER 113.96
      KS SALES TAX 5,153.47 WATER FUND
      REIMB EXP-MOWING 450.00       SALES TO CUSTOMERS 8,383.52
      REIMB EXP-DOG PICKUP/BOARD 95.00       PENALTIES 209.21
      DOG TAG LATE FEES 5.00       WATER PROTECTION FEE 42.06
      INTEREST EARNED CHECKING/CD 865.98       BULK WATER SALES 184.93
ELECTRIC FUND       REIMB EXP-WATER 8.10
      SALES TO CUSTOMERS 30,799.02 SALES TAX FUND 863.55
      OVERPAID-ELECTRIC 93.59 AMBULANCE FUND 7,907.78
      FEMA REIMBURSEMENT-ELECTRIC 18725.37 GROSS RECEIPTS 93,820.50
      REIMB EXP-ELECTRIC 1,002.31       BANK CODING ERROR 100.00
      FUEL ADJUSTMENT 31.75       LIEAP CREDIT 109.26
SPECIAL HIGHWAY FUND       WATER CREDITS 14.58
      FEMA REIMBURSEMENT-BRUSH 3,437.50       CREDITS 242.30
      STATE RECEIPTS 3,639.46 NET RECEIPTS 93,354.36

The Mayor and Council thanked Mark Barnett for his years of service as Councilmember for the City of Moran

NEW BUSINESS

Oath of Office for New Councilmembers – Mayor Merkel gave the oath of office to Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, and Chryll Ginn and they assumed their seats on the Council.

Election of President of the Council – Mike Holman nominated Jim Mueller for President of the Council. Jim Mueller nominated Mike Holman for President of the Council. Mayor Merkel called for a vote with the following results:

    Mueller and Ginn voting for Mike Holman
    Holman, Johnson, Wallis voting for Jim Mueller
Jim Mueller was elected President of the Council after receiving the majority of votes.

Mayoral Appointments – Mayor Merkel made the following appointments:

City Treasurer Debra Merkel
Municipal Judge Mark Westgate
Chief of Police Jason Prock
City Clerk Lori Evans
Asst. City Clerk Sheri Smith
City Attorney Bret Heim
Public Officer Jason Prock
Fire Chief Phillip Merkel
Firemen Craig Miller
Dewey Stotler
Larry Reed
John Booth
Curt Drake
Justin Mills
Shane Smith
Hal Wray
Derek Wagner
Loretta Roberts

Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the appointments as read. Seconded by Johnson, the motion passed with Holman and Mueller approving and Wallis against.

2002 Library Budget – The Council reviewed the Library budget and discussed increasing the City’s appropriation for 2003 from $2500.00 to $3000.00. No action was taken.

Kansas Rural Water Association Membership Renewal – Councilmember Wallis moved to renew the City’s membership with the Kansas Rural Water Association. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Lynes Benefit (cont) – The Council continued discussion of the Lynes request. After considerable discussion, Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the request. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Property Condemnations (cont)– Bret Heim advised publishing a resolution condemning the two properties and scheduling the hearing for the July council meeting.

OTHER

Councilmember Mueller spoke of a letter he received from Heartland Television advising Moran residents that Heartland would be discontinuing wireless cable service effective June 17, 2002. Clerk Evans also noted City Hall had received a number of comments from residents, some asking if the City could help find another cable provider. The Council asked the Clerk to contact Cox Cable in Iola to see if they may have future plans to expand their service. No other action was taken.

Councilman Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:50 PM. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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This page was prepared

June, 2002