November, 2009
November 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 Stephen Bahan 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; Ron Tenbrink, Recreation Director; Harold Waymaster, Water/Sewer Department; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter; and Don Cikanek.
Cole Worrell questioned the electric bill at the pool and the telephone bill for the airport. The Clerk explained the airport has 2 lines and the Recreation Director noted the pumps are still running at the pool. Cole Worrell then motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of Claims Ordinance #A01-1009 and minutes of the October 26, 2009 meeting. John Whitmer seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Don Cikanek requested an extension to remove inoperable vehicles and motor boats from his property. Following discussion Cole Worrell motioned to approve a 60 day extension. Alan Stefek seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, reported the Downtown Streetscape project continues to make good progress. The contractor has begun placing bricks in the project. There is a possibility the trees that have been planted are not within the specifications of Ordinance #3005. This concern will be raised at the Streetscape meeting to be held on November 10th. Mr.Vandall assured the Council the fencing at the Elementary School will be financed by U.S.D. #327. Also several accidents have occurred in the downtown area. All incidents have been forwarded to Heartstone, Inc. Mr. Vandall requested he be contacted if a safety issue arises.
Alan Stefek inquired what affect road salt and de-icer would have on the trees and bushes. Mr. Vandall with contact the Street Superintendent for information regarding the concern. Cole Worrell inquired of the ramp on W. Second Street. Mr. Vandall informed Council the ramp was in the original plans but listed as a ramp only. The plans did not have length, height or grade included. The ramp will be constructed and the cost will be assessed to the City in a change order.
The Wastewater treatment plant continues to make progress. There has been no resolution to the lack of access at the lift station. The contractor continues to stay on schedule. Mr. Vandall also requested Council review the proposed Comprehensive Plan. The proposed plan is more detailed than the current ordinance.
Alan Stefek motioned to approve Pay Request #5 from APAC-Kansas, Inc., Shears Division. Irene Pacey second the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Council next reviewed the current fee schedule as approved by Resolution 22-1208A. Mr. Vandall is not proposing any changes other than raising the cost of diversions. Carey Hipp, City Attorney responded her fees are covered by the current diversion fees and she would not recommend the amount be raised. Cole Worrell inquired if the Golf Advisory Board recommended an increase in fees for 2010. A golf advisory board meeting is scheduled for November 10th and more information will be available following the meeting.
Mayor Bahan reported he enjoyed the League of Kansas Municipalities Regional Supper. Mayor Bahan the supper with Council members Pacey and Whitmer.
Ron Tenbrink, Recreation Director addressed Council requesting the insurance money received for damage to the Recreation Center roof due to a hail storm be diverted to improvements on the ball fields. Mr. Tenbrink informed Council the roof had been leaking prior to the storm. Many of the lights do not work and the facility either needs a great deal of maintenance or should be removed. Council instructed Mr. Vandall to get estimates to repair the roof.
Mr. Tenbrink also inquired what would be done with the old street lighting from the downtown area. A citizen recommended the lights be placed on Evans Street.
Carey Hipp, City Attorney, reported the FAA has given permission to pursue the purchase the land that has been previously discussed for the improvement plan at the airport. Ms Hipp will be contacting appraisers to appraise the 2 tracts of land.
Mr. Vandall informed Council the Clerk’s Office has had new cabinets installed. The floor of the meeting room at the golf course is beginning to show wear. Alternate flooring is being considered. Also, Mr. Vandall reported the Golf Course Superintendent is pricing new mowers and the Water/Sewer Department has been testing a used Jetvac truck.
Mr. Vandall recognized the Fire Department for helping with the Opera House fire in Wilson. He then inquired if the City would consider donating a portion of Homolka Subdivision for a daycare center. Council would entertain the idea when more information is available.
Also Mr. Vandall asked if the Council wishes to hold an employee dinner in December. The dinner was scheduled for December 18th.
Alan Stefek motioned Council enter Executive Session with the City Administrator and City Attorney at 8:02 P.M. for the purpose of discussing non-elected personnel and the Council return to the regular meeting at 8:07 P.M. Mary Wires seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Council entered Executive Session at 8:02 P.M. and returned to the regular meeting at 8:07 P.M. No action was taken.
There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was regular until November 23, 2009.
Patti L. Booher
City Clerk
November 28, 2009
The Ellsworth City Council met in recessed session on the above date at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Mayor Stephen Bahan 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 Timothy Vandall, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; David Smith, Chief of Police; John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent; Harold Waymaster, Water/Sewer Department; Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter; Jon Halbgewachs and David Cranston, Kirkham Michael Engineers and students from EHS Government class.
The Clerk presented 3 requests for extensions of scheduled Water/Sewer terminations. Cole Worrell motioned to approve the requests. John Whitmer seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Irene Pacey motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting Claims Ordinance #01-1009 and minutes of the November 14th, 2009 meeting. Cole Worrell seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
John Halbgewachs and David Cranston presented an update on the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The project should be completed by the end of the year. Previously reported issues are being addressed. Several change orders for other items will be required.
Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, then reviewed the Project Board. Street lights for the downtown project should be delivered approximately December 15th. Several of the trees planted in the area were not approved species. The issue has been resolved. Mr. Vandall reported salt usage within the project should be kept to a minimum. The area east of Lyons State Bank has not been included in the work completed to date. Mr. Vandall is researching to determine why the section was not included.
Irene Pacey motioned to waive the facility user fee for use of the gymnasium and donate $300 to the Afterprom Committee. John Whitmer seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Carey Hipp, City Attorney, explained the need for the Revised Scope and Fee to Provide Engineering Services for the Ellsworth Municipal Airport Land Acquisition Process. Although the City has entered into a 5-year agreement with HWS, the FAA has additional requirements to continue with land acquisition. John Whitmer motioned to approve the document. Cole Worrell seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Mayor Bahan noted property owners should be notified prior to tree removal on their property.
John Kerschner, Water/Sewer Superintendent, next approached the Council seeking approval for the purchase of a jet/vac truck. Mr. Kerschner reviewed information for two trucks. The Water/Sewer Department has been putting money into the Municipal Equipment Fund for several years to allow funding for the purchase. After discussion Mr. Kerschner recommended purchasing the truck from Key Equipment. Mr. Kerschner then reported his intention to retire December 31, 2009. John Whitmer motioned to approve the purchase of a jet/vac truck from Key Equipment not to exceed $110,000. Irene Pacey seconded the motion. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Chief Smith reported his department is no longer considering the purchase of a 4-wheel drive vehicle for this fiscal year. Mr. Smith also informed the Council the County Attorney has agreed to purchase cameras for the squad cars. Light bars are still needed to replace the older models on the cars. The Chief is pricing the units through the State Contract.
Mr. Vandall assured Council trees will not be removed without first contacting property owners. Mr. Vandall also reported the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter will be donating funds to the Cats in Action Program.
The Golf Course Advisory Board has recommended two options as possible resolutions to the ownership of cart sheds on City owned land. Both options were discussed at length. Cole Worrell motioned to approve Option 1 as recommended by the Golf Course Advisory Board. Irene Pacey seconded the motion. Money will need to be set aside in future budgets for the purchase of the sheds per the approval of Option #1. When put to vote all vote aye. Motion carried.
Mr. Vandall then reported 1 bid has been received for repair to the roof on the Recreation Center. Review of the Administrator’s recommendation for a new City Pay Plan was next discussed along with a Cost of Living Allowance for employees. The Council agreed to allow employees Christmas Eve day as a paid holiday in lieu of the 2010 COLA.
There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was adjourned until December 14, 2009.
Patti L. Booher
