April, 2008 Minutes

April 14, 2008

 

The Ellsworth City Council met in regular session on the above date at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

Mayor Robert Homolka called the meeting to order.  Council members present were Alan Stefek, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  Council member Irene Pacey was absent and one Council seat is vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; John Kerschner, W/S Superintendent; Clarissa Cunningham, Clubhouse and Event Coordinator; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and Sharon Haverkamp.

 

            Alan Stefek motioned to approve the consent agenda.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote and all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Patrick Hoffman was not in attendance to present a grant from Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation for the Junior Golf Program.

 

            Cole Worrell then made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the Neighborhood Revitalization Interlocal Agreement.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, review the Project Board by giving the following updates.  BWR has requested a public meeting be held to review changes per Council direction.  Mr. Mitchell will schedule the meeting and inform Council of the date, time and location.  Mr. Mitchell then updated the TDD Project projected starting date, change orders and state approval of temporary access during the construction.  Mr. Mitchell also explained the City is responsible for the maintenance and barricades in the area.

 

            Council tabled the proposed Financial Policies and Procedures for further review.

 

            Cole Worrell inquired if the Administrator had reviewed the proposed site change for the cart sheds Tom Renard is erecting.  Mr. Mitchell responded he had not, but will contact Mr. Renard in the near future.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then reviewed Ellsworth Municipal Code 12.16.080 referencing Memorials and Markers in the City cemeteries.  A request has been made to allow flanges at the Memorial Cemetery.  The Cemetery Sexton and the local monument producer/installer recommend the Council not change the code.  Council took no action.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next reported the State Street project should begin in May.  City Plumbing will be installing the new water lines and Kyler and Sons will complete the actual street portion of the project.  The majority of the residents affected by the project have been informed of the dates.  Efforts will continue to be made to contact the remaining residents.

 

            Mr. Mitchell also informed Council Spring Clean-Up is set for April 21 – 26.  Tires from any County resident will be accepted.  A grant has been received for disposal of the tires.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then reported Shawn Harding, EMC Insurance Adjustor is working with Mrs. Rosalie Ranker to settle claims arising from a sewer backup.  Mr. Mitchell will report any further information as it becomes available.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then requested Council guidance in reference to Trail Fees at the Golf Course.  After discussion Council determined the Trail Fee is required to be paid per cart, not per member using the cart.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then recommended the City acquire a plaque to recognize citizens donating trees to be placed throughout the City.  Council felt the action is appropriate.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next reported, after speaking with the President of the U.S.D. #327 Board of Directors, the board is willing to hold a joint meeting to receive additional information on Recreation Commissions.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next asked for direction regarding the Homolka Sub-division and the Ellsworth County New Resident Incentive Plan adopted by Resolution #28-0703A.  The Administrator and Clerk will review the resolution and report back to Council as soon as possible.

 

            The last item Mr. Mitchell inquired about was the intentions of the Council to restore water to the Recreation Center for the summer.  After discussion Council advised the water not be restored to the building.  Council also recommended the Administrator contact the County and School Board to request funding to assist with maintenance costs of the facility.

 

                        There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed until April 28, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk

April 28, 2008

 

            The Ellsworth City Council met in recessed session on the above date at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

            In the absence of Mayor Robert Homolka, Council President Alan Stefek called the meeting to order.  Council members present were Irene Pacey, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  There remains one vacancy on the Council.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; Mark Parsons, Parsons Industries, Pat Hoffman, Smoky Hill Charitable Trust; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and Sharon Haverkamp.

 

            There were no customers in attendance to request an extension for Water/Sewer terminations.  The Clerk presented extension requests until May 2^nd for Richard Watson and David Alexander.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the extensions.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned to approve the Consent Agenda.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  Mr. Worrell noted Ms. Pacey was not in attendance at the previous meeting and the record should be changed to reflect her absence.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Pat Hoffman, Smoky Hill Charitable Trust then presented a check for $500.00 for the purchase of golf club sets for the Junior Golf Program.  Mr. Hoffman also informed Council work is currently being completed to include the City of Ellsworth in the Trust.

 

            During a review of the Project Board it was noted the TDD Project has been delayed approximately 2 weeks due to wet conditions and the mailboxes for Chisolm Trails will be moved to a new location.  Progress continues to be made on State Street between Ninth and Tenth Streets.

 

            Mark Parsons, Parsons Industries, addressed Council concerning Municipal Code 12.16.080 relating to the placing of memorials in City cemeteries.  Code currently does not allow flanges to be placed in the cemeteries.  Mr. Parsons explained what a flange is and his opinion as to why the City would not want to begin allowing flanges in the cemeteries.  After discussion Cole Worrell motioned to leave Municipal Code 12.16.080 as is.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

The Financial Policies & Procedures was tabled until the following meeting.

 

Alan Stefek motioned to approve the revised City of Ellsworth Mission and Vision Statements.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Alan Stefek next motioned to authorize the City Administrator to accept a bid submitted by APAC Kansas, Inc. in the amount of $94,235.20 and to sign all paperwork associated with the airport parking lot rehabilitation project.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned to authorize the City Administrator to sign a grant agreement with KDOT for an AWOS Internet System for the airport.  Alan Stefek seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned to authorize the City Administrator to sign a grant agreement with KDOT for a Self-Serve Fueling System for the airport.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            David Smith, Chief of Police reported he has been released to work half days.  He will have a nuisance report available for the next meeting.  Alan Stefek recommended officers watch for grass clippings being deposited in the streets.

 

            Mr. Stefek then requested an additional “Children Playing” sign be placed at 3^rd and Webb Streets.  The Administrator will pass the request on to the Street Superintendent.

 

            Cole Worrell inquired if the Administrator had reviewed the proposed site change for the cart sheds Tom Renard is erecting.  Mr. Mitchell responded he had not, but will contact Mr. Renard in the near future.

 

            Mr. Worrell then requested Don Lyne be given an additional 60 days to complete demolition of a house located on Missouri Avenue.  Mr. Worrell then inquired if Eleventh Street between Spring Street and Colorado Avenue could be returned to a two-way street.  The Chief of Police explained it is safer for children at the pool to keep the street a one-way.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, then presented change order #1 for the TDD Project in an amount of $27,166.25.  This change will add an additional inch of concrete to the streets in the project.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve change order #1.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then reviewed the current schedule for the Golf Course including closing of the clubhouse during the months of December and January and requested the structure continue.  Mr. Worrell recommended the restrooms be open if weather permits golf play during those months.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then reported the nuisance properties owned by Shane Bloom had been sold and the new owners intend to demolish the structures located on the lots.  Mr. Mitchell also reported the “Spring Clean-up” was a success.

 

            Mr. Mitchell informed Council Great Plains Manufacturing is working on a plan to move the truck access point for their building from Webb Street to Eighth Street.  The company is requesting the City help to fund the improvement in an amount of $15,000.  The request will be considered at a later meeting.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next reported the Recreation Director has been working to determine the need to inspect the water slide at the pool.  The information he has received indicated slides need to be inspected bi-annually and an estimate of the cost is $2,500.  The Clerk will inquire as to what other cities are doing.

 

            Mr. Mitchell then requested the next Council meeting be moved from May 26^th (Memorial Day) to May 22^nd and it include a public presentation by BWR of the proposed Recreation Master Plan.  Council agreed to the request.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at 7:50 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and that the Council return to open meeting at 7:55 P.M.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  The executive session is required to protect the privacy interests of an identifiable individual.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Council entered into Executive Session at 8:50 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:55 P.M.  No action was taken.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was adjourned until May 12, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk