October 6, 2003

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Monday, October 6, 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; Shane Smith, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Ambulance Director Loretta Roberts and Asst. Director Barbara Shoate arrived at 10:15 PM.

Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the October 2003 consent agenda consisting of: September regular council meeting minutes, October pay ordinance totaling $72,093.19, and corporate resolution for purchase of a $20,000.00 certificate of deposit (CD) to replace a CD maturing October 24, 2003. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

Property Review of 115 E. Hill – The Council discussed clean up of the property and agreed to continue any action until the November meeting.

KIAC Meeting update – Mayor Merkel reported that he, Superintendent Stodgell, and Clerk Evans met with the KIAC advisory board on September 9th. Mayor Merkel informed the Council that the advisory board had come to an agreement that they did not believe the project would be eligible for funding as the project benefited residents outside the scope of the LMI study. The advisory board suggested the City could use Rural Development funding for the project in lieu of Community Block Development Grant (CBDG) funds. Clerk Evans reported the City has been placed on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s (KDHE) Intended Use Plan and has approval to apply for a KDHE loan. With this in place, the City could conduct a city wide LMI survey and apply for 2004 CDBG. The Council also discussed doing the project with no outside funding as an alternative plan of action; no action was taken at this time.

NEW BUSINESS

Flu Shots For Employees – Councilmember Mueller moved to approve paying for flu shots for City employees. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with Holman and Johnson approving and Ginn opposing.

Mobile Home Permit Fees – The Council discussed the increased cost for legal publications and postage associated with processing a mobile home permit. Following which, Councilmember Mueller moved the mobile home permit fee be increased from $35.00 to $100.00. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with Wallis and Holman approving and Johnson opposing.

Water Runoff from Johnson Kunkel Mortuary – The Council was informed that Johnson Kunkel mortuary was draining water from their sump pump and allowing the water to drain across the sidewalk in front of the mortuary. Clerk Evans informed the Council that a letter was sent to the mortuary management asking that they reroute the water drainage at their earliest convenience. Superintendent Stodgell noted his concern that the standing water could allow moss to grow on the sidewalk which could cause the cement to become slippery and dangerous. The Council advised the Superintendent to place barricades on the north and south ends of the sidewalk to block pedestrian traffic in front of the mortuary and to monitor the effects of the water flow.

Traffic Review of the Intersection of Randolph and Spruce – Mayor Merkel notified the Council that Doug Lewis had approached him with concerns over the lack of traffic control at Randolph and Spruce streets. Superintendent Stodgell and Clerk Evans also reported receiving numerous complaints from residents regarding this being a blind corner. Discussion followed with Councilmember Mueller moving the City install stop signs to stop the north and southbound traffic on Spruce Street. Wallis seconded the motion, Motion passed with all approving.

Preliminary Discussion of Annual Employee Reviews – The topic was tabled until later in meeting.

Annual Christmas Party – The Council discussed catering the Christmas dinner versus dining at a restaurant. Various suggestions were made including asking the FHA to prepare and serve the dinner. Councilmember Ginn volunteered to contact the FHA sponsor regarding the possibility of their club preparing the dinner. Further discussion was tabled until the November meeting.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Ambulance Director – Not present.

Police Chief – Chief Smith reported earning $87.00 from the dunk tank at Moran Day’s and noted the funds will be donated to a school related activity. Chief Smith notified the Council that he would be receiving 5 days of training in operations of the new records management software and hardware. He then asked the Council if they had any concerns regarding the Halloween holiday they feel he should address. The Council voiced no concerns.

Chief Smith requested approval to begin the Hepatitis B series of immunizations. Councilmember Mueller moved to approve the request. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Chief Smith submitted estimates ranging between $1,000.00 and $1,300.00 to repair existing damage to the exterior of the patrol car. The Council suggested getting additional estimates, no action was taken.

Superintendent – Superintendent Stodgell submitted his monthly report:

• Made cold patch repairs at 54 & Cedar St., and Cottonwood & First Streets
• Installed new electric service at 304 First Street
• Electrical outage at Randolph & Linn due to squirrel, replaced fuse
• Continued with the electric project; removed trees and set poles in the alley between Park & High Streets
• Installed new three phase electric service at Ag Choice
• Repaired water leak at 613 N. Locust and replaced tap
• Spoke with Mr. Bradbury about new hydrant for school. He agreed to split the cost, with the school and the City each paying half
• Measured 8” cast iron water main from water tower to Chestnut St. on Franklin
• Inquired of prices on water hardware from Water Products
• Working on water leak south of Moran Manor on 6” main; locates pending
• Flushed hydrants
• Removed generator from low lift #2 and installed on trailer; running well
• Installed new sewer tap at 312 N. Birch
• Winterized trucks and Park bathrooms, and covered scoreboard
• Reported State inspection of the dog pound, inspector said the pound looked very good.

Councilmember Johnson moved to grant the Mayor authority to close Elm Street for a Halloween party if area residents request. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Clerk Evans advised the Council that Ambulance Director Roberts had planned to request approval to purchase new turtlenecks for the crew as winter is approaching. The Council agreed to approve purchase of three turtlenecks for Loretta and Barbara and one each for Lee and Sheri.

The Council agreed to send flowers in memorial of former City Clerk Clare Knight.

Water Project (cont) – Superintendent Stodgell told the Council that he thought that he, the assistant superintendent, and one other employee could replace the 8” water main from the water tower to Chestnut St. with out contracting the project. Superintendent Stodgell said he believed the line replacement from the tower to Cedar Street shouldn’t pose a problem, but for he stretch from Cedar to Chestnut the crew may need a jackhammer to prepare the bedding for the line. He projected $32,493 in costs to replace the line between the tower and Chestnut Street. Superintendent Stodgell advised the Council that the City would have to acquire a highway bore permit from the State of Kansas to cross Cedar (Hwy 59) and that McAdam Construction estimated costs of $2,500.00 to bore under the highway. Additionally, Virgil Tucker has offered to rent a Bobcat to the City for $20 an hour.

Superintendent Stodgell told the Council he would like to purchase material to replace two blocks of water line and a vertical air compressor from Northern Tools to use on the project. He estimated costs to be $10,000 for materials and $1,500 for the air compressor, hose, and tools. Councilmember Ginn moved to approve the request. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilmember Mueller moved to hire one temporary employee to assist with the project. The position will pay up to $8.00 per hour, overtime approved, with no other benefits. Wallis seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Director Roberts requested to amend the purchase of turtlenecks to four turtlenecks for herself and Asst. Director Shoate, three for Lee and two for Sheri. Councilmember Wallis moved to approve the request. Johnson seconded the motion, motion passed with Holman and Ginn approving and Mueller opposing.

Preliminary Discussion of Annual Employee Reviews (cont) - Councilmember Mueller moved the Council meet in executive session at 10:28 PM for 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel matters. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. The Council returned to open meeting 10:43 PM with no action taken.

Councilman Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:45 PM. Holman seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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