June, 2004
May 3 and May 10, 2004The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, May 3, 2004. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Wallis, James Mueller, Warren Johnson and Jerry Jackman, Councilmember-elect. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Barbara Shoate, Assistant Ambulance Director and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Lee Roberts, Sheri Smith, Daniel Barackman, and Richard Luken were visitors attending the meeting. Jeanne Harles arrived later in the meeting.* Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the May 2004 consent agenda consisting of: April regular council meeting minutes, April pay ordinance totaling $66,464.38, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing May 19, 2004. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
VISITORSSheri Smith spoke with the Council about questions and concerns she has with operations of the Moran Ambulance. First is a question of training runs and the second is the lack of opportunity to work on the ambulance. Sheri said her schooling was paid by the Allen County Commissioners and she passed her EMT certifications in early 2002. In return for the County paying for her schooling Sheri said she made an agreement to work for the Moran Ambulance for one year. After receiving her certification, Director Roberts advised Sheri that she would need to work ten ambulance runs without pay as a part of her training. Sheri told the Council that she was not advised of this in advance and after talking with Don Leaphart, Allen County EMS Director, she does not feel she should have had to work the runs without receiving pay. She then asked if other EMT’s employed by the Moran unit were required to work the ten runs without pay. Director Roberts replied that it was ambulance policy to work training runs without pay and the policy has been in effect since she began working for the ambulance.Sheri also noted a concern with the lack of runs being offered to her. She said she has made numerous runs between January and March, but hasn’t been offered any on call time since the end of March. She said she wants to work for an ambulance service, preferably Moran, but would have to look else where if she wasn’t able to work any runs. Mayor Merkel said he didn’t know if the Council would have any answers for Sheri this meeting, but the Council would keep the topics on the agenda until her questions were answered. He said the only way to verify that all new hired EMT’s worked runs without pay would be to compare the run records with payroll records. Discussion followed with the Council agreeing that it would be best to discuss these matters at a later date after researching the payroll records. The Council also agreed to extend an invitation to the Allen County Commissioners and Allen County EMS Director Don Leaphart to address these matters and the general operations of the Moran ambulance. Clerk Evans was asked to extend invitations to the Commissioners and EMS Director to meet with the Council on Monday, May 10th at 7:00 PM.
OLD BUSINESSProperty Review of 408 N. Birch – Mayor Merkel asked Daniel Barackman if they still have plans to continue remodeling the property. Mr. Barackman said he wants to continue with remodeling but has experienced a financial setback that would delay the completion of remodeling until September 2004. Councilmember Mueller moved to grant Mr. Barackman until September 7, 2004 to continue remodeling the property. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Superintendent Stodgell advised Mr. Barackman that he should cut down a split tree at the rear of his property before the trees falls and damages a neighboring home. Mr. Barackman asked if the City would cut down the tree and bill him for the labor. The Council advised the City could not cut down the tree due to liability restrictions. The Council agreed to review the topic at the June meeting.Small Mine Safety Classes for 2005 – Superintendent Stodgell told the Council that the City could hold the mining safety classes but the hosting city is assessed all mileage costs. The hosting city can share the mileage costs between other city’s and entities attending the training, but there is no guarantee that they would choose to attend training classes in Moran. The Council directed Clerk Evans to contact Dan Leslie to see if the City of Iola would be hosting classes next year and if so, could our employees attend the class. The topic was tabled until the June meeting. Signing for City Hall/Emergency Complex – The Council reviewed various message signs with prices ranging from $250.00 to $4,000.00. Councilmember Wallis moved to purchase a single sided sign from Elite Signs for $765.00. The title bar of the sign will read “City of Moran”. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Request to Close Second Street – The Council declined the request to close Second street but approved placing a “Dead End” sign in front of the residence at 206 S. Linn.
NEW BUSINESSOath of Office – Mayor Merkel gave the oath of office to Councilmembers Holman and Jackman.Election of President of the Council – Councilmember Mueller moved to appoint Warren Johnson as President of the Council. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with Jackman approving. Councilmember Johnson abstained from the vote.
Mayoral Appointments – Mayor Merkel made the following appointments:
Councilmember Mueller moved to approve Mayor Merkel’s appointments. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Library Budget – The Council reviewed the proposed budget for 2004. No questions were raised or comments made. City Cleanup Guidelines – Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that some residents have begun stacking large piles of limbs by the roadside for the City crew to pick up on Cleanup Day. Stodgell told the Council that the City crew did pick up limbs following the ice storm of 2002 but that was an emergency situation. He asked the Council if the City crew should continue to pick up large piles of tree limbs. The Council discussed the wording on the note sent with utility bills which said “…Break or cut wood and brush items into 4’ lengths and bundle together…”. The Council informed Superitendent Stodgell that he has the discretion as to decide whether or not to pick up lumber and branches. Computer Repairs or Purchase – Clerk Evans told the Council that a software problem has arose and one of the older computers in the City office is no longer able to run the City’s Asyst fund accounting software. Clerk Evans requested approval to upgrade the hardware or purchase a new computer. Following discussion, Councilmember Johnson moved to approve spending up to $800.00 to purchase a new computer. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Mueller informed the Council that residents of the Village are not able to receive local television service from Pittsburg and Joplin since a problem occurred with the antenna and residents lost the local channels of Heartland Cable. As Heartland is no longer in service and the Village cannot install satellite dishes due to structural issues Mueller asked if the City crew could help install new aerial antennas for the residents. Councilmember Jackman moved to approve the request. Holman seconded the motion with Johnson and Mueller abstaining from the vote. Mayor Merkel approved the request, motion passed. The City crew will help with installation at their convenience.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTSFire Chief – Chief Merkel informed the Council that the new slide in unit has arrived but is not attached to the truck. Chief Merkel pointed out a line in Superintendent Stodgell’s monthly report noting water flow increased from 50 gpm to 580 gpm at the intersection of Second and Cottonwood Streets after the new water line was placed in service and a fire hydrant replaced. He suggested the City may want to request ISO insurance rating services to review the City’s fire insurance rating after the water project is completed.Ambulance Director – Director Roberts requested approval to purchase an A/C adapter to replace the rechargeable batteries in the defibrillator. Estimated costs will be $840.00 plus shipping. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the purchase, Holman seconded the motion. Motion passed with all approving. Police Chief – Chief Smith reported an incident where a swarm of bees took up residence in a tree in the 500 block of Pine Street. The tree is located in the street right of way but was not planted by the City. Due to the close proximity to the school and possible injury to the children, Chief Smith made contact with a bee keeper to see if he could help remove the swarm. The gentleman contacted advised that he could not help the City at this time. Following conversations with the Allen County Extension Agent, Superintendent Stodgell spoke with Terry of TNT Pest Control to see if he would spray the tree which he agreed to do. On Monday, May 3rd TNT sprayed the tree early in the morning. Chief Smith requested approval to attend KBI sponsored training classes on July 12th in Independence, KS and Oct. 27-28 in Great Bend, KS. The classes are free and the only costs would be meals, fuel, lodging and wages. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the Independence training request, Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the Great Bend training request. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Jeanne Harles informed the Council that they had moved one pickup and were partially through with removing the engine of another cat but all inoperable vehicles should be off her property after May 9th.* Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of April:
City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of April:
Councilman Mueller moved the meeting recess at 10:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Monday, May 10th. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval. The meeting resumed at 7:00 PM with Mayor Merkel presiding. Councilmembers present included Mike Holman, Warren Johnson, Jerry Jackman and Chyrll Ginn. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Sheri Smith; EMT-I, and Barbara Shoate, Assistant Ambulance Director. Michelle Wille, Humboldt Ambulance Director; Allen County Commissioner Dick Works, Allen County Commissioner Walt Regher, Jr., Allen County Commissioner Kent Thompson, Humboldt City Councilmember Ernestine Cheney, Humboldt City Councilmember Marylyn Davis, Humboldt City Administrator Marv Ray, Allen County EMS Director Don Leaphart, Brenda Leaphart, Brandon Andres, and Bruce Symes were visitors attending the meeting. Gloria Gill arrived at 7:45 PM. Oath of Office – Mayor Merkel administered the oath of office to Chryll Ginn. Ambulance Operations and Staffing – Mayor Merkel told the County Commissioners that the City has heard various comments about the ambulance and the Council thought that it would be beneficial to address any concerns with the Commissioners and Don Leaphart. Mr. Leaphart told the Council that the Iola Fire Department has three ambulance units, two of which are used daily and one unit maintained for a backup. Mr. Leaphart suggested the Council consider limiting the number of EMT’s sent on each run so that any available EMT’s could bring the backup ambulance to Moran and cover the area. The Council discussed the increased expenditures needed to operate two ambulances. Councilmember Mueller asked the County Commissioners their opinion of the operation of the Moran unit. Commissioner Thompson stated he thought the Moran ambulance was a good department and the Council needed to decide on what type and level of service was needed to serve the community. Mr. Leaphart reminded the Council that the Moran Ambulance is no longer a volunteer staff, but rather a paid staff. As a paid staff, it is the Moran unit’s responsibility to ensure the ambulance is fully staffed and properly covers their area of service. Michelle Willie, Humboldt EMS said Humboldt has ten EMT’s and two first responders available to take calls in Humboldt. She said Humboldt is equipping an older model police car to be used as a first responder unit to be placed in service when the Humboldt unit is on a run. Commissioner Thompson suggested Moran might consider putting together an emergency “jump kit” for ambulance staff that may be able to respond as first responders to an emergency call when the ambulance is on a run. The Commissioners advised the Council that the County would pay tuition for anyone who completes a first responder or EMT course of training. They will even cover the medical class portion of the paramedic two year degree (no tuition reimbursed for basic education classes). Mayor Merkel thanked the County Commissioners and interested parties for attending the meeting and voicing their thoughts and opinions. Councilmember Jackman asked Mayor Merkel about the pay issue raised at the previous meeting. Mayor Merkel said the issue was addressed and the matter had been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. The Council continued discussion on the need to increase staffing for the Moran unit, purchase of a jump kit, and employee staffing. No action was taken.
OTHERChief Smith notified the Council that he had been approved to attend free training at the Sioux City Iowa Training Center May 17th-23rd. The Allen County Sheriff’s department is sending a deputy to the training and they will share a ride. The only costs to the City will be meals and the shared fuel cost. Councilmember Ginn moved to advance Chief Smith $200.00 toward these costs. Chief Smith will submit qualifying receipts for meals and fuel and any remaining funds to City Hall at his return.Clerk Evans informed the Council that the pricing submitted for the sign in front of City Hall did not include the mounting posts. The cost to purchase the mounting posts is $270.00 plus shipping for the sign and posts between $150.00 to $180.00. Clerk Evans was advised not to order the sign and the check with other sources for sign pricing. The topic will be reviewed at the June meeting. Councilmember Mueller moved the meeting adjourn at 8:43 PM. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. *Addition to minutes
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June, 2004
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