September 5, 2006

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 5, 2006. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 6:45 PM. Councilmembers present were Mike Holman, Jerry Jackman, 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. Steve Crume and Shawn Turner were visitors attending the meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING

CONSENT AGENDA

VISITORS

OLD BUSINESS

Water Loss Update – Superintendent Stodgell informed the Council that the City crew had replaced the internal register on the water meter serving South Moran Water District and water loss has dropped to 15% compared to 20% in July. He noted the City crew will replace the meters for Rural 12 Water District and Moran Manor as they are due for replacement.

Minimum Water Purchase from Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5 – The Council discussed lowering the City’s monthly minimum water purchase commitment from Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5. Councilmember Johnson moved to request the City’s monthly minimum commitment be lowered from 1,917,000 to 1,850,000. Holman seconded the motion. Motion passed with Jackman and Ginn approving and Mueller voting against.

Water Rationing Procedures – The Council requested the Clerk contact Public Wholesale Water Supply No. 5 and see if they have implemented a water conservation plan. Topic was tabled until the October council meeting.

Property Condition 505 S. Cedar – The Council requested Chief Smith take photographs of the property and send a letter and copy of the photos to the Allen County Commissioners to see if they could offer any assistance in cleaning up the property. Topic was tabled until the October meeting.

Review Ordinance 1062/1064 – The Council reviewed a sampling of mobile/manufactured home regulations from other communities. The Council discussed restricting the placement of older mobile/manufactured homes within the City limits and removing the residential approval restriction. City Attorney Heim will draft an ordinance for the next Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Property Condition at 222 W. Franklin – The Council requested the Public Officer begin condemnation proceedings on the property.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Police Chief – Chief Smith spoke with the Council about an ongoing problem with ground hogs near the intersection of Cedar and Second Streets. He said he had spoken with the Dept. of Wildlife and Parks and they have said that he could put down the animals as they are considered to be rodents.

Chief Smith informed the Council that the department was awarded $3,385.00 for participating in the Click-It-or-Ticket campaign in May. He said he would like to replace the switch box in the car for $350.00. The Council said that purchase was within his purchase authority. He also noted he would like to purchase new lights for the front of the car. He estimated costs for the lights between $799.00 and $999.00. Councilmember Johnson moved to approve the purchase of the lights, Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

City Superintendent– Superintendent Stodgell submitted the following activity report for the month of August:
• Wired storm siren at the school complex
• Trim trees out of electric primary between the 100 block of S. Birch and Linn
• Replaced/repaired a number of security lights
• Trim trees at Church and Cedar Streets
• Stand by and inspect electric lines during and after Westar’s planned outage
• Replace transformer at Ag Choice
• Continued inspecting water lines for leaks
• Spoke with Larry from PWWS and requested they replace their master meter with a Read-O-Matic
• Inspected water meters and lines looking for leaks with Gary Armentrout of Kansas Rural Water Association
• Sampled two water tests, both passed
• Repaired leak on 4” cast iron water line at Locust and Franklin Streets
• Replaced South Moran Water District’s 2” water meter
• Repaired leak on 4” cast iron water line at Second and Pine Streets
• Received and unloaded 8” PVC pipe for water project
• Applied hot patch on Birch between Randolph and First Streets, near the manhole at First and Cedar, and near Church and Linn Street intersection with Mr. Mann’s assistance
• Replaced blown tire on dump truck
• Swept pot holes on Front Street and applied cold patch
• With SeKan Asphalts assistance, swept all streets
• Cleaned up and hauled away tree limbs downed by strong winds at Park
• Trim trees in various alleys
• Clean back shop and washed trucks
• Painted gates at lagoon and in-take
• Tested the City’s old street sweeper, sweeper is no good
• Spray weeds in down town area
• Repaired mud flap bracket on dump truck
• Replaced battery in dump truck
• Maintenance on lift station #1

The Council discussed increasing the height of the fence around the electric substation on Chestnut near the intersection of Franklin Street. The Council agreed that it would be better to replace the existing chain link fence with a 9’ or 10’ wooden fence.

City Clerk – Clerk Evans reported income for the month of August as follows:

The Council requested the Clerk solicit bids from area banks for two $50,000.00 certificates of deposits with 180 day maturity date. The Council will review the bids during the October Council meeting.

Councilmember Ginn moved to send Clerk Evans to the KPERS Designated Agent Meeting in Chanute on October 5, 2006. Jackman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Jackman approved a request* from employees to work the Veteran’s Day holiday in exchange for recognizing December 26th as a holiday. Ginn seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilmember Jackman relayed a request from the owner of Main Street Styles asking if the City would remove the ramp from the sidewalk at 219 N. Cedar. The Council agreed the decision to remove the ramp would fall to the land-owner. The Council suggested the two owners discuss the matter and agreed the City would tear out the ramp if the owner would replace the concrete.

There being no further business to come before the Council, Councilmember Johnson moved the meeting adjourn at 10:42 PM. With Jackman seconding the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

* Corrected to read …Jackman moved to approve a request

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