|
|
November 5, 2001
The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, November 5, 2001. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM. Councilmembers present were Mark Barnett, Mike Holman, Debbie Sager, and Jim Mueller. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Loretta Roberts, Ambulance Director; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Visitors attending the meeting were: Richard Luken, Jack Mick, Marilyn Bahney, Drew Willie, Courtney Frame, Austin Lord, Bryant Fiegener, Daniel Thompson, Scott Davis, Brittany Fiegener, Matt Lucero, Kevin Davis, Mitch Lucero, Joshua Deer, Briana Heistand, Jordanna Ensminger, Kenna McWhirter, Dezera Jones, and Isaac Bahney. Bill McAdam arrived at 7:35 PM and Lee Roberts arrived at 10:25 PM.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY AWARENESS WEEK-
NOVEMBER 11-17, 2001
Clerk Evans read the proclamation declaring the week of November 11-17 as National Geography Awareness Week. Councilman Barnett moved the mayor sign the proclamation as written, Sager seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
CONSENT AGENDA
Councilman Mueller moved to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2001 regular council meeting, October 8, 2001 special council meeting, November pay ordinance totaling $60,153.70, and the Corporate Resolution to renew a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit maturing Nov. 13, 2001. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with approving.
VISITORS
Jack Mick from Arkansas Electric displayed a new type of surge protector that offers protection for home “white” appliances for the Council’s review. The Home Surge Protector protects homes at the electric service entrance against power surges up to 300,000 amps. Mr. Mick noted the surge protector has a 15-year warranty and carries a $25,000.00 electro-mechanical warranty in the event the unit should fail or a lightning surge more powerful than the rated protection enters your home through the electric service entrance. Arkansas Electric will offer these surge protectors to the City for $90.95 each.
The Council discussed and agreed to offer the surge protectors for sale at 99.95 installed or for rent at $3.00 per month. The Council agreed that surge protectors purchased for a specific building would remain a permanent fixture of that building unless the customer moves to another residence within the city limits. In this situation the surge protector can be moved with the customer.
OLD BUSINESS
Jason Prock Probation Period – Barnett moved that Jason Prock be taken off probation and be given all the benefits of a regular full time employee. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
Library Board Appointment Ordinance – City Attorney Heim read Charter Ordinance No. 5. Councilman Mueller moved to adopt the ordinance, which allows the Moran Public Library to appoint up to two board members who live outside the city limits. Sager seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
Review of Holman Electric Claim – Tabled until later in the meeting.
Public Hearing Results – Attorney Heim advised the Council that four of the six landowners with property cited for Code violations appeared for a formal hearing prior to the Council meeting. Heim offered the owners of property located at 527 N. Pine, 204 N. Spruce, 140 W. Randolph, and 111 S. Sycamore an additional 30 days to bring their property into compliance with City Codes subject to final approval by the City Council. Councilman Mueller moved to proceed with the next step in condemnation of the two properties, 522 N. Locust and 115 E. Hill, as the landowners did not attend the formal hearing as required and to allow the landowners who appeared an additional 30 days to bring the properties into compliance. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Clerk was asked to add this topic to the December agenda.
Review of Holman Electric Claim (cont.) – The Council reviewed the second claim denial letter from Employers Mutual pertaining to the Holman claim. Councilmember Barnett asked Mike Holman for the total dollar loss in damages. Mike advised the Council that his estimated loss was $250.00, which is equal to the amount of his homeowner’s deductible. Mayor Merkel called for a motion regarding the claim with discussion following. Councilman Barnett moved to approve paying the loss of $250.00 only due to the fact that the City crew had upgraded the electric main serving the 700 block of Cedar in the week before the damage occurred at the Holman residence. Additionally, the Holman’s will be asked to sign a waiver of liability for future damage due to this incident. Sager seconded the motion, motion passed with Mueller and Holman abstaining.
Dog Pound Operations – Council discussed pound operations and hiring a kennel coordinator. Following which, Councilmember Sager moved that Loretta Roberts be appointed kennel coordinator and she will receive $5.00 per dog for each day she cares for the dog. Daily impoundment fees will be increased to $10.00 per day. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.
Senior Center Update - Council reviewed a letter received from Allen County Commissioner Dick Works. No action was taken.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Fire Chief – Chief Merkel advised the Council that he had purchased hose and floor tiles estimated to cost $250.00 for the fire department. Councilmember Barnett asked Chief Merkel if the City was still interested in installing awnings over the back entrances of the fire and ambulance departments. If so, he recommend the city check with Mallory’s in Carthage, MO, about products and pricing. Councilmember Barnett will call with the phone number or City Hall will check with him.
Ambulance Director – Director Roberts demonstrated the new Stryker stretcher recently purchased by Allen County Commissioners.
Police Chief – Chief Prock reported no specific problems over the Halloween holiday. Chief Prock noted he would have pricing for different cell phone rates for the December council meeting.
City Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell reported the following activities for the month of October:
- Replaced 1” water main serving Moran Mini Mart.
- Replaced electric service to Dave’s Barber Shop.
- Rehabilitated the old water plant to use for storage.
- Winterized water meter pits.
- Upgraded electric service in the 700-800 block of Cedar from 2400 to 7200.
- Tree trimming project continued.
- New electric service built for Keith Hobart.
Superintendent Stodgell told the Council that he and Mayor Merkel have talked with Rex Bowen and Linda Zornes, property owners; about cleaning the natural drainage ditches flowing from the south edge of the city limits to the intersection of Nebraska road. The property owners indicated they did not have a problem with the City cleaning the ditch. Tucker Dozier was contacted about the project and he estimated the cost to be around $900.00. Councilmember Barnett moved to approve cleaning the ditch with Tucker Dozer doing the work. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Attorney Heim suggested the city ask the property owners to sign a release authorizing the City to do the work.
City Clerk – The Clerk reported the following income for the month of October:
| GENERAL | |
| CHARGES FOR SERVICES
| 23.72 |
| RENT
| 100.00 |
| COURT FINES
| 2,136.00 |
| DOG TAG
| 25.00 |
| VIN INSPECTION
| 0.00 |
| NSF CHECKS
| 309.48 |
| BUILDING PERMIT
| 8.00 |
| REIMB EXP-GENERAL
| 7.88 |
| TAX DISBURSEMENT
| 4,757.30 |
| INTEREST ON INVESTMENTS
| 1,001.19 |
| ELECTRIC FUND |
| SALES TO CUSTOMERS
| 41,168.96 |
| REIMB EXP-ELECTRIC
| 7.22 |
| CONNECT FEES-ELECTRIC
| 150.00 |
| OVERPAID-ELECTRIC
| 12.74 |
| EMPLOYEE BENEFITS FUND |
| TAX DISBURSEMENT
| 860.96 |
| LIBRARY FUND |
| TAX DISBURSEMENT
| 411.45 |
| WATER FUND |
| SALES TO CUSTOMERS
| 9,872.22 |
| CONNECT FEES-WATER
| 150.00 |
| REIMB EXP-WATER
| 62.90 |
| SEWER FUND |
| SEWER SALES TO CUSTOMERS
| 4,423.18 |
| REIMB EXP-SEWER
| 148.59 |
| AMBULANCE |
| CHARGES FOR SERVICES
| 6,541.65 |
| SALES TAX | 1,073.83 |
| REFUSE FUND
| 1,151.62 |
| GROSS RECEIPTS
| 74,413.89 |
| LIEAP CREDIT
| 49.62 |
| REFUSE CREDIT
| 1.50 |
| CREDITS
| 65.80 |
| NET RECEIPTS | 74,296.97 |
Emergency 911 Dispatching – The Council discussed concerns raised by 911 employees regarding call out procedures for the Moran Police Department. The Council agreed that emergency and accident calls warrant calling out off duty officers. Chief Prock said he would try to notify 911 staff when he will be unavailable for calls.
NEW BUSINESS
Council Vacancy – Mayor Merkel nominated Warren Johnson to fill the vacancy on the Council. Councilman Barnett moved to approve the nomination. Holman seconded to motion, motion passed with all approving.
Rereading Inaccessible Utility Meters – The Council agreed all utility customers must make their utility meters available to city employees between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday. Any meter found to be inaccessible would be moved at the property owner’s expense.
Annual Christmas Party – The City’s Annual Christmas party will be held Thursday December 6, 2001 at 6:30 PM. Invitations will be sent to each employee inviting the employee and one guest to a catered dinner. The Clerk’s office will contact Starvin' Marvin’s, Moran Locker, Lynn Garner, Chicken Shack, and Landmark for catering prices, with Mayor Merkel making the final decision. Employees will be asked to RSVP no later than Monday, November 19th.
Changes to Utility Billing Format – Council discussed using a letter format utility bill versus post card billing. The topic was tabled until a later date with no action taken
Councilman Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session to discuss employer/employee personnel matters for 7 minutes at 11:45 PM. Sager seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Council returned to open meeting at 11:53 PM with no action taken.
Councilman Barnett moved the meeting adjourn at 11:53 PM. Mike Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.
||city main page||
council members||
council minutes||
city codes||
city information||
pictures||
|
