March, 2009

March 9, 2009

 

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, Alan Stefek, John Whitmer, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.

 

            Also in attendance were Timothy Vandall, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; John Kerschener, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Jam Zamrzla, Street Superintendent; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and Sharon Haverkamp.

 

            Alan Stefek motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the February 23, 2009 meeting and Claims Ordinance #A02-0109.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, had no updates for items on the Project Board.

 

            The Clerk next presented a resolution replacing Jonathan Mitchell, previous Administrator with Timothy Vandall, current Administrator on the City Depository signature card.  Irene Pacey motioned to approve the resolution.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  The resolution was numbered 09-0309A.

 

            Jim Zamrzla, Street Superintendent requested Council guidance for the proposed Chip and Seal Project for 2009.  Due to cut backs at the State level the City may not receive the all the funding budgeted for the fiscal year.  Mr. Zamrzla requested the program be postponed for one year and the funds received each year be budgeted the following year.

 

            The Mayor indicated crack sealing would have to become a priority if the streets were not going to receive Chip and Seal in 2009.  No formal action was taken.

 

            David Smith, Chief of Police invited all Council members to an informational session on the prospect of starting a Crime Stoppers program for the County and cities within the County.  The meeting will be held Tuesday March 17^th at 7:00 P.M. in Council Chambers.

 

            Irene Pacey inquired if the previous administrator had informed Mr. Vandall of an alley in Blake’s Addition to the City that is open but has no access.  Mr. Vandall was unaware of the issue, but will be seeking further information.

 

            Alan Stefek requested the Police Department verify all structures within the City have the assigned number prominently displayed per ordinance #2945.  The Chief will remind the officers to watch for non-numbered buildings.

 

            Carey Hipp, City Attorney, informed Council she has been involved with the possible creation of a Crime Stoppers Program and has been working with the Chief of Police and other Law Enforcement Officials within the County.

 

            Mr. Vandall reported he is becoming more educated on projects currently under way in the City.  A pre-construction meeting for the WWTP is scheduled for March 11^th and he will be conversing with Bill Morris in reference to the Downtown Streetscape.  Mr. Vandall also reported progress continues to be made for the signage in the Transportation Development District.

 

            John Whitmer motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator, Clerk and Street Superintendant at 7:33 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and the Council return to the open session at 7:43 P.M.  Alan Stefek 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 in Executive Session at 7:33 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 7:43 P.M.  Alan Stefek motioned to move the Inmate Detail Supervisor from a step 3 to a step 4 on the approved City of Ellsworth Pay Scale.  John Whitmer 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 March 23, 2009 at 7: P.M.

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk

 

 

March 23, 2009

 

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, Alan Stefek, John Whitmer, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.

 

            Also in attendance were Timothy Vandall, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            One utility costumer was present and the Clerk presented a request for another for a time extension on their pending water/sewer terminations.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the requests.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            The Clerk informed Council new (used) curtains for the stage in the gym were made available from the High School.  The Clerk asked for Council approval to replace the current curtains with those from the school.  Council indicated the curtains should be replaced.

 

                        There were no items on the consent agenda.

 

            A review of the Project Board included Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, informing Council work continues on the test wells and is progressing well.  Mr. Vandall inquired if any Council members had any recommendations for additional/different uses for the Recreation Center.  It is currently used for storage.

 

            Mr. Vandall next reported construction should commence soon on the WWTP and should be complete in May, 2010 and he is continuing to work on the signage and fencing in the Transportation District.  Mr. Vandall is also working with William Morris on the Downtown Streetscape Project.  Mr. Vandall will work to have more information on the project available at the meeting on April 13^th.         

 

            The next item on the agenda was the City of Ellsworth Identity Theft Prevention Program.  The Clerk explained the program is required by the FTC and is designed to protect utility customers.  Irene Pacey motioned to approve the Program.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            A resolution authorizing Timothy Vandall as the designated official of the City of Ellsworth for the KDH&E State Revolving Loan for the Waste Water Treatment Plant improvements was presented for Council action.  John Whitmer motioned to approve the resolution.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  The resolution was then numbered 23-0309A.

 

            Irene Pacey then motioned to authorize Timothy Vandall as Certifying Official for all current FAA Grants.  John Whitmer seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            David Smith, Chief or Police then gave Council an update on the formation of the Crime Stoppers Program.  The Chief requested the funds pledged as a reward for information and conviction in the recent fires be pledged as seed money for Crime Stoppers.  No action was taken.

 

            Irene Pacey reminded the Administrator and Chief of Police there would be an upcoming Substance Abuse Program Meeting.

 

            Mr. Vandall reported he had attended a Municipal Finance Program presented by the League of Kansas Municipalities and he will begin distributing budget request sheets to department heads in order to start preparing the 2010 Budget.  Mr. Vandall is also considering an inventory of City property be conducted.  The inventory will serve as an indication of needs for the 2010 and following years’ budgets.

 

            Mr. Vandall also informed Council he has been working diligently to complete paperwork for all grants currently awarded to the City.  The Disc Golf Course should be completed sometime in May and a review of damage from last year’s hail storm is being completed to determine insurance proceeds are applied appropriately.  Also reported by Mr. Vandall was a request from Jim Zamrzla to postpone chip-seal this year with a concentration on crack sealing instead.

 

            Preliminary plans have been received for the apron at the airport and are being reviewed.  In other airport information Mr. Vandall reported a spill kit has been purchased and is in place near the fuel pump.

 

            Irene Pacey motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator and Attorney at 7:30 P.M. for the purpose of discussing preliminary matters relating to the acquisition of real property and the Council return to the open session at 7:45 P.M.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.. The executive session is required to protect the City’s financial interest and bargaining position.  When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.

 

            Council entered in Executive Session at 7:30 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 7:45 P.M.  John Whitmer motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at and City Attorney at 7:45 P.M. for the purpose of discussing preliminary matters relating to the acquisition of real property and the Council return to the open session at 7:50 P.M.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion. The executive session is required to protect the City’s financial interest and bargaining position.  When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.

 

            Council entered in Executive Session at 7:45 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 7:50 P.M.  No action was taken.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was adjourned until April 13, 2009.

 

 

 

                                                            Patti L. Booher

                                                                                    City Clerk