September 4, 2001

The Moran City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, September 4th, 2001. Mayor Phillip Merkel called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmembers present were Mark Barnett, Mike Holman, Harvey Collins, and Jim Mueller. Also present were Bret Heim, City Attorney; Jason Prock, Police Chief; Lori Evans, City Clerk; and Mike Stodgell, City Superintendent. Debbie Sager, Richard Luken, Bill Barlow, Keith Hobart, Noreen Hobart, Joe Chalker and Joe Sinnett were visitors attending the meeting. Nick Gonzalez arrived at 7:35 PM.

Councilman Collins moved to approve the minutes of the regular council meeting held August 6, 2001. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilman Mueller moved to approve the September pay ordinance totaling $108,480.41for August payables. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Councilman Collins moved the Mayor and Clerk sign the resolution required by Emprise Bank to purchase an additional $20,000.00 certificate of deposit. Barnett seconded the motion, which passed with all approving.

Mayor Merkel gave the oath of office to Debbie Sager and welcomed her to the Council.

Joe Sinnett, representative for KS Gas Service read the title of the ordinance 1077. Councilman Barnett moved to approve the ordinance as read. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Mr. Sinnett will have the ordinance published and properly filed.

VISITORS

None present with new business for the Council.

OLD BUSINESS

Request To Close a Portion of West Street -Bill Barlow, Joe Chalker, Keith Hobart and Noreen Hobart were present to support the closing of West Street. The Council discussed vacating the street and the need to reserve a 20-foot utility easement due to the location of the sewer main. After which, Bret Heim read the title of Ordinance 1078 vacating West Street and Councilman Collins moved the Mayor sign ordinance as written. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Councilman Barnett moved that Bret Heim draft an ordinance reserving a 20-foot utility easement for the area vacated. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

Court Fines - Chief Prock and Bret Heim will prepare a new fine schedule increasing fines $10.00 per violation and submit the schedule for Judge Westgate’s approval.

Utility Rates – The Council discussed raising taxes to increase City revenues as opposed to increasing utility rates. After being informed that a one-mill increase in taxes will only raise $1,100.00, the Council agreed raising utility rates would be the only realistic approach to increase revenues. Councilman Collins moved to draft an ordinance increasing water rates by 15%, electric rates by 15% with a provision to recoup or rebate fuel adjustment costs, and sewer rates by 25%. The increase will apply to rates only; monthly service charges will remain unchanged. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Bret Heim will prepare the ordinance for the October council meeting.

Nick Gonzalez spoke with the Council about his concerns with activities taking place in his neighborhood. He reported that someone fired gunshots near his home Labor Day evening and that they are having recurring problems with vehicles racing east on Front Street from the intersection of Cedar Street. At times, two vehicles will race with one using Front Street and another using First Street, both racing from Cedar Street to the east city limits. Nick asked the Council if they would consider placing stop signs on these two roads stopping east and west bound traffic at the intersection of Sycamore Street. The Council asked Chief Prock to monitor traffic to see if stop signs are warranted. Chief Prock said that he had already made plans to increase police patrol in that area of town. On another note, Nick told the Council that he was trying to re-establish the Boy Scouts program in Moran and would welcome any volunteers.

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS

Fire Chief – Chief Merkel asked the Council to consider purchasing 200 feet of fire hose. Approval and purchase will take place closer to the year-end at the request of the Chief.

Ambulance Director – Not present. Chief Merkel advised the Council that the Allen County Commissioners have approved the purchase of a new ambulance for the Moran Department.

Police Chief – Chief Prock asked the Council to consider posting an ‘End of School Zone’ sign in the 500 block of North Cedar Street for the benefit of southbound traffic. He also asked if the Council would have a problem if he were to ask the Kansas Department of Transportation to place additional ‘30 MPH Speed Zone’ signs along Cedar south to the city limits. The Council had no problems with the requests and agreed to purchase the ‘End of School Zone’ sign if the State will not provide the sign.

Chief Prock relayed a request from Officer Shane Smith to choose when and whether to work his approved hours each week. Officer Smith believes that he could use those hours more wisely instead of just working a straight block of 10 hours. The Council agreed to Officer Smith’s request.

Chief Prock informed the Council that the County has offered to send him to Intoxylizer 5000 training on September 12, 2001. Training will be 8 hours and take place in Olathe, Kansas. The Council did not see a problem with the chief attending the training as offered.

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

• Utility construction to Pete’s convenience store is completed.
• City Crew assisted in setting the new Conoco sign.
• Repaired defective oil switch controlling the ballpark lights.
• Planning new electric line construction to be built east of the 700 and 800 blocks of North Cedar.
• Repaired Oak Street in front of school complex in preparation for chip and seal.
• Painted school crosswalks on Cedar Street.

Superintendent Stodgell reported that the County should be able to help chip and seal the city streets sometime between the end of September and the first part of October. Additionally, he told the Council that the City is now metering the water used to water the football field. The meter alone cost $600.00, however the meter is mounted to a fire hydrant and may be used for other purposes when not in use by the school.

The Council discussed Gratz Peter’s request for the City to move the fire hydrant near the new convenience store and who should pay for the charges. Councilman Barnett moved that Pete’s be charged for one valve box and the labor cost to move the fire hydrant. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving. Superintendent Stodgell noted that the City did not have any additional fire hydrants in stock. Councilman Mueller moved the City purchase one new fire hydrant for stock. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

City Clerk – Lori Evans reported the following income for the month of August:

Clerk Evans told the Council that Bill King contacted City Hall and expressed his concern with the amount of trash lost along county roads when residents haul trash and debris to the landfill. He has requested any assistance the Council can offer in helping to keep the roads to the landfill free of trash. He suggested the County may enact regulations requiring all trash or debris taken to the Landfill be tied down or secured with a tarp to prevent the loss of any trash along the roadway and encouraged the City to adopt similar regulations. The Clerk advised the Council that the current City Code already imposes restrictions on hauling debris over City streets. No additional action was taken at this time.

The Council discussed the proper use of the consent agenda. Bret Heim reviewed the voting procedure for the consent agenda and the possibility of including the monthly resolution for purchase of certificates of deposits as a part of the consent agenda. The Council agreed to use the Consent Agenda for a few months and will review the topic at a later date.

Clerk Evans submitted an offer from the Bronson Police Department asking the City of Moran to share the cost of purchasing a bulletproof vest to be used by Shane Smith while working for the Moran and Bronson Police Departments. After discussion, the Council agreed it would be better for each department to provide a vest for Officer Smith’s use.

Councilman Barnett moved the Mayor sign an agreement providing for Diehl, Banwart, Jarred and Bledsoe to perform the 2001 audit and assist in the preparation of the 2002 budget. Audit fees will not exceed $2,370.00 with budget assistance not to exceed $615.00, plus travel and out of pocket expenses. Collins seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

NEW BUSINESS

Request to make Oak Street A Two Way Street – The Council discussed a request from Dotson Bradbury, USD 256 Superintendent, that the City open Oak Street to two-way traffic between Cedar Street and the alley to the west. Following discussion, the Council agreed they did not feel they could comply with the request at the present time. Chief Prock and Councilman Mueller will meet with Mr. Bradbury to discuss the situation.

Appointment to Library Board – Discussion was held regarding passing a charter ordinance allowing residents outside the City limits to serve on the library board. Bret Heim will look into preparing the ordinance and the topic was tabled until the October council meeting.

Repairs to ’86 Ford Truck – Councilman Mueller moved to approve spending up to $1000.00 to purchase tires, tie rod ends, and perform other miscellaneous repairs to the 1986 Ford utility truck. Barnett seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

Electrical Damage to Mike Holman’s Property – Superintendent Stodgell reported an electrical incident where the two legs serving Mike Holman’s home fused together and caused damage to some appliances. A claim was submitted to the City’s insurer, who declined to honor the claim. Councilman Mueller said he would review the claim with Loren Korte and the topic was tabled until October.

Mutual Aid Agreement with City of Iola Fire Department – Councilman Mueller moved to approve the Mayor sign the agreement between the Moran Fire Department and the Iola Fire Department. Holman seconded the motion, motion passed with all approving.

The Council discussed the purchase of a domain name and building a web site for the City of Moran. The subject was tabled until a later date.

The Council reviewed the proposed improvements and costs for Public Wholesale Water Supply to rehabilitate their water main between Moran and Elsmore. The Council or city staff will talk with Daryl Drake about the project.

Councilman Collins moved the meeting adjourn at 10:45 PM. Mueller seconded the motion, motion passed with unanimous approval.

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