January, 2009 Minutes

January 12, 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, John Whitmer, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.  Council member Alan Stefek was absent

 

            Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham-Michael Engineers; Brad Waller, Jen Rahne and Jen Hancock, HWS Consulting; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and members of the Airport Advisory Board.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the December 8 and 22, 2008 meetings and Claims Ordinance #A01-1208.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  Cole Worrell questioned the phone bill for the Pool.  Mr. Mitchell will if the phone service at the pool is still connected.  Mr. Mitchell then clarified revenue/expenditures for the TDD (65) and WWTP Funds (91).  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Jon Halbgewachs provided the Council with Kirkham-Michael Engineers’ written recommendation for award of the WWTP construction.  Cole Worrell motioned to accept the bid from APAC, Inc. Kansas – Hutchinson in the amount of $1,562,195.00 for the WWTP Project.  Mary Wires seconded the motion.  When put to vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Brad Waller, HWS Consulting, addressed Council with information concerning progress being made at the Municipal Airport.  HWS has been engaged as the 5-year consultant for the City of Ellsworth Municipal Airport.  Mr. Waller reviewed the need to upgrade to the runway and funding available for that purpose.  A Public Hearing to allow interested parties an opportunity to gather information on the proposed action and provide parties with a forum to comment on potential economic, social, and environmental effects was then held.  Mr. Waller reviewed information required for the Public Hearing.  The Mayor then closed the Public Hearing.

 

            Irene Pacey motioned to authorize the City Clerk to sign a Letter of Engagement with Clubine & Rettele, Chartered to audit the City of Ellsworth 2008 financial records.  John Whitmer seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            John Whitmer then motioned to adopt the Ellsworth Police Department purposed Stalking Policy as required by State Statute.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Chief Smith notified the Council his department had been issuing written warnings at the corner of Kunkle and Elizabeth Drives.  They are currently issuing tickets for stop sign violations at that corner.

 

            John Whitmer requested the street sweeper be utilized on Douglas Avenue.  Mr. Mitchell will pass the request on to the Street Superintendent.

 

            Mr. Mitchell presented information gathered from other cities as to the requirements for to change the speed limit in residential areas of the City.  Mr. Mitchell also reported on a structure change with Celebrations.  Events will be organized by sub-committees.  More information will be available at a later date.

 

            Mr. Mitchell reported 21 resumes had been received for the City Administrator position.  Copies of the resumes will be available at the Council meeting on January 26^th.

 

            Mr. Mitchell requested Council guidance should the question of a Recreation Commission fail if placed on an upcoming ballot.  Following discussion Council recommended the Master Plan Task Force continue to work to inform the public of the benefits of creating a Recreation Commission.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was recessed until January 26, 2009 at 7:00 P.M.

 

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk

 

 

January 26, 2009

 

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

 

In the absence of Mayor Robert Homolka, Council President Alan Stefek called the meeting to order.  Council members present were Irene Pacey, John Whitmer, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.

 

Also in attendance were Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator; Greg Hoffman, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent and Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            There were no customers in attendance to request an extension for Water/Sewer terminations.

 

            John Whitmer motioned to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the minutes from the January 12, 2009 meeting.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put vote all vote aye.

 

            During a review of the Project Board, Jonathan Mitchell, City Administrator reported he and John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent would be traveling to Augusta to meet with the Streetscape Architect to determine placement of water lines within the enhancement area.  Additional information provided by Mr. Mitchell is a petition for Special Assessments within the project area has started and should be available for the next Council meeting.

 

            Council reviewed possible signage for the TDD Project.  Of the 7 available designs Council directed the City Administrator to prepare 3 of them with more detail for further review.

 

            Mr. Mitchell also gave an update on test drilling to supply additional water resources for the City.  Water was found at 4 of the 5 test sites.  The City is now awaiting water quality results.  John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent is expecting a Pre-construction meeting for the WWTP to occur in the near future.

 

            Ronnie Tenbrink, Recreation Director, continues to promote a Recreation Commission with USD #327.

 

            Irene Pacey motioned to approve the following resolution:

 

            A RESOLUTION ENDORSING TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CITY OF ELLSWORTH, KANSAS CONCERNING THE ENACTMENT BY KANSAS LEGISLATURE OF A NEW STATE WIDE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.

 

            Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.  The resolution was then numbered 26-0109A.

 

            John Whitmer motioned Council enter into Executive Session with the City Administrator and Attorney at 7:13 P.M. for the purpose of discussing matters involving consultation with an attorney for the Council which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship and the Council return to the open meeting at 7:20 P.M.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion. The executive session is required to protect the attorney-client privilege and the public interest.  When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried. 

 

Council entered Executive Session at 7:13 P.M and returned to recessed session at 7:20 P.M.  No action was taken.

 

            Mr. Mitchell informed Council a meeting with KDOT, Blackwolf Development and the Assembly of God Church will be held February 6^th to discuss Highway access for Golden Drive.

 

            Mr. Mitchell reported Delvin Bettenbrock has accepted the position of Equipment Operator and will begin work on January 27^th.  Mr. Bettenbrock is filling a vacant position following the retirement of Richard Foran.

 

            There have been 32 resumes received to date for the City Administrator’s position.

 

            Irene Pacey motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator at 7:25 P.M. for the purpose of discussing personnel matters for non-elected personnel and the Council return to the open session at 8:10 P.M.  John Whitmer seconded the motion. The executive session is required to protect the privacy interests of identifiable individuals.  When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.

 

            Council entered in Executive Session at 7:25 P.M. and returned to recessed meeting at 8:10 P.M.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve a merit increase of 1 step for the Pro-Shop Manager/Events Coordinator.  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 adjourned.

 

 

                        Patti L. Booher

                        City Clerk