August, 2008 Minutes

August 11, 2008

 

            The Ellsworth City Council held a Public Hearing to receive comments and answer questions regarding the 2009 Proposed Budget on the above date at 6:45 P.M. in Council Chambers at City Hall.

 

            In the absence of Mayor Robert Homolka, Council President Alan Stefek opened the hearing at 6:45 P.M.  The following Council members were present Irene Pacey, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  One Council seat remains open.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator and Sharon Haverkamp, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            There were no citizens present having questions in regards to the 2009 Budget.  The Council President closed the hearing at 6:59 P.M.

 

 

                                                            Patti L. Booher

                                                                                    City Clerk

August 11, 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.

 

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.  One Council seat is vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney and Sharon Haverkamp, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the July 28, 2008 meeting, Claims Ordinance #A01-0708 and a Cereal Malt Beverage renewal for Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote and all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator reported the State Street Project has been completed.  Preparation for the installation of the AWOS continues.  Phase I of the TDD is complete.  Phase II will begin as soon as weather permits.  The Downtown Task Force is scheduled to meet on July 12^th and will be discussing placement of trees along the Enhancement District.  Mr. Mitchell will be attending the meeting and ensuring the trees will be placed in accordance with Ordinance #2875.  Mr. Mitchell’s final item was an update on the Self-serve pump for the Airport.

 

            Appointments for the Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee were tabled until the Mayor is present.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the GAAP Waiver Resolution.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  The Resolution was numbered 11-0808A.

 

            Alan Stefek then motioned to approve the 2009 Budget.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            The following ordinance was presented for Council action:

 

            AN ORDINANCE ATTESTING TO AN INCREASE IN TAX REVENUES FOR BUDGET 2009 FOR THE CITY OF ELLSWORTH.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the ordinance.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mr. Mitchell requested and Council agreed to meet for a Special Meeting on Thursday, July 14^th at 5:15 P.M. to consider a contract with NexTech for access to and space on the water tower located at the Ellsworth Correctional Facility.  Mr. Mitchell also reviewed the results of City owned property sold thru Purplewave Auctions.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator, at 7:17 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and that the Council return to open meeting at 7:32 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 7:17 P.M. and returned to regular meeting at 7:32 P.M.  Irene Pacey motioned to approve merit increases for the Alan Waymaster to step 6, Clayton Zelenka to step 7, Tony Svaty and Richard Foran to step 8 for equipment operators on the City of Ellsworth Pay Plan.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed until August 25, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk

 

August 14, 2008

 

            The Ellsworth City Council held a Special Meeting at 5:15 P.M. on the above date for the purpose of reviewing and possibly taking action on a contract to place an antenna on the City owned water tower located at 15^th and State Streets.

 

            The following Council members present Irene Pacey, Alan Stefek Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  Mayor Homolka was absent and one Council seat remains vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator and Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, presented a revised contract from NexTech to place an antenna on a City owned water tower.  The City Attorney had reviewed the revised document and gave her approval of it.  Mr. Mitchell reviewed the modifications.  Cole Worrell motioned to authorize the Mayor to sign the contract.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed.

 

 

 

                                                            Patti L. Booher

                                                                                    City Clerk

 

 

 

August 25, 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 Irene Pacey, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  Council member Alan Stefek was absent and one Council seat is vacant.

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police, Mark Roehrman, National Drover’s Hall of Fame; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter; Sharon Haverkamp, Patricia Evans, Alan and Connie Falk.

 

            There were no customers in attendance to request an extension for Water/Sewer terminations.  The Clerk presented a written requests from Richard Watson for an extension until August 3^rd Betty Behlmer until July 29^th.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the requests.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the August 11^th and 14^th meetings and a Cereal Malt Beverage renewal for National Drover’s Hall of Fame.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote and all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Caleb Schultz presented Council with a request to install a Disc Golf Course in Krizek Park.  Mr. Schultz gave an overview of the game and the initial and recurring expense of the course.  Mr. Schultz has received commitments of approximately $9,000 and is confident the additional funds could be raised.  Concerns of KDOT Right-of-Way issues were discussed and Council instructed the Administrator to inquire with KDOT and verify the course could be incorporated with the Recreation Master Plan.

 

            Patricia Evans addressed the Council concerning her past due utility payment.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator reviewed the project board with the following updates.  Barring any further inclement weather the parking lot at the airport will be poured by mid week and the AWOS should take approximately 2 more weeks to install.  20 working days remain for the TDD Project and progress on Phase II should be noticeable within the next 2 weeks.  Mr. Mitchell then requested Council direction in reference to a request by the Downtown Beautification Task Board to plant trees on Douglas Avenue as part of future enhancements.  Council requested members of the committee attend the September 8^th meeting to discuss their concerns.

 

            Mayor Homolka then appointed the following individuals to the Recreation Master Plan Steering Task Force: Maynard Cunningham, Dina Davis, Rob Fillion, Eric Reid and Bernie Schulte.  Also to serve as members are Recreation Director Ron Tenbrink and Council member Mary Wires.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the Mayor’s appointments.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell next motioned to approve Pay Request #3 for Pavers, Inc.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  The request will be forwarded to Citizens State Bank for payment.

 

            Mr. Worrell motioned to authorize the Mayor to sign the second Amendment to the Loan Agreement with KDHE for the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  The amendment amends only the date repayment begins.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mr. Worrell next motioned to authorize the Administrator to seek bids not to exceed $15,500 for a self-fueling system for aviation fuel.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Chief Smith presented Council with a copy of the form the department is currently using to inform residents of Municipal Code 8.16.060 D relating to depositing grass clippings in the streets.  The officers with continue to use their discretion determining the time allotted to remove the clippings.

 

            Mayor Homolka then appointed John Whitmer to the vacant Council seat effective September 8^th.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the appointment.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Irene Pacey requested the Street Superintendent check the status of the “Do Not Walk” sign.  Ms. Pacey reported one direction never changes to “Walk”.  The Administrator will forward the information.

 

            Ms. Pacey also inquired if the owner of the old Ellsworth County Hospital had been contacted regarding the need to maintain the yard.  The Chief explained the circumstances surrounding the property and said a 10 day notice would be issued.

 

            Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator, reported he and the Chief of Police had recently surveyed the intersection of Evans and E. Second Streets.  The Chief recommends a stop sign be placed on Second Street.  The Administrator will notify the Street Department.

 

            Mr. Mitchell also reported a request has been received to a place horseshoe pit at Cowtown Park.  Mr. Mitchell indicated the requestor will supply all parts and labor for the pits.  Mr. Mitchell will verify the pits will not be placed in close proximity to the railroad tracks.  Mr. Mitchell then requested Council begin considering if they wish to provide an employee appreciation meal and if so what date they would prefer.

 

            Mr. Mitchell next reported the Street Superintendent requested his department repair Nebraska Street rather than having a contractor repair the street.  The repair would require the purchase of additional equipment, but the project would act as a test area for future projects.

 

            Cole Worrell then motioned Council enter Executive Session at 8:25 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and that the Council return to open meeting at 8:35 P.M.  Irene Pacey 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 8:25 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:35 P.M.  Cole Worrell then motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at 8:38 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and the Council return to open meeting at 8:43 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 8:38 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:43 P.M.  Cole Worrell motioned to enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at 8:43 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and the Council return to open meeting at 8:53 P.M.  Irene Pacey 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 8:43 P. M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:53 P.M.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve a merit increase for Officer Mickey Birney to step 9 on the City of Ellsworth Pay Plan.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed until September 8, 2008 at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk