Draft Copy Not Official Until Approved by CouncilELLIS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

June 18, 2018

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Susan Eaton, Jolene Niernberger, and Bob Redger.  Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, Incoming Assistant City Clerk Verda Flinn, Police Chief Taft Yates, Fire Chief Dustin Vine, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Dena Patee and City Clerk Amy Burton were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

Glen Keller, Charlene Weber, Myles Vine, Darin Myers, Teri Klitzke, Katlin Senst, Sophia Sanders, and Chad Pritchett. 

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on June 4, 2018, Bills Ordinance #2047, and the April Manual Journal Entries.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

PRESENTATIONS OF AWARDS, PROCLAMATIONS, REQUESTS & PETITIONS (HEARINGS)

General Government: Financial – Budget Request

Chad Pritchett presented the 2019 budget request from the Walter P. Chrysler Boyhood Home & Museum.  The Chrysler Museum requested $17,500, an increase of $2,500 to help support operations.  The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation.

General Government: Financial – Budget Request

Glen Keller, Chairman of the Ellis Railroad Museum, presented the 2019 budget request of $16,000 for consideration, the same amount as last year.  The Council took no action and will consider the request during budget preparation. 

SPECIAL ORDER

General Government: Financial

Katlin Senst and Sophia Sanders, Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, Chtd., presented the City’s 2017 audit report.  The City received a “clean” opinion, meaning that the 2017 financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects.  There were also no cash or budget violations cited.  The report will be considered for approval at the next Council meeting.

Fire: Report

Fire Chief Dustin Vine presented his monthly report.  The 1998 Freightliner has been repaired but Chief Vine hasn’t received the invoice yet from Hays Fire & Equipment.  The Department is currently down four firefighters; however, members conducted an interview at the last meeting.

General Government: Special Project

Darin Myers, Ellis County Emergency Manager, updated Council on the county-wide storm siren project.  Council reviewed a bid from ASC Mass Notification Solutions for two types of siren systems.  One system is for three new sirens; while the other system is for two sirens.  Both systems offer similar storm notification coverage.  Chief Myers hopes to obtain an additional bid from a company out of Kansas City.  It was the consensus of Council to continue forward with the project and instructed Chief Myers to include the City in the Request for Proposal. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

General Government: City Code

Current City Code allows residents five days to comply with tree trimming regulations.  Council reviewed a proposed ordinance extending that time to fifteen days.  Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1430 amending the time allowance to remedy tree trimming violations to fifteen days.  Council member Bob Redger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Campground/Swimming Pool: Repair/Maintenance

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for materials to install metal roofs at the Lakeside Campground and the Swimming Pool.   Council member Bret Andries moved to accept the low bid from Trio Home Center for metal material in the total amount of $5,213.21, with $3,637.91 to be charged to the General-Swimming Pool fund and $1,575.30 to be charged to the Campground fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Economic Development: Accounting/Billing

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the Application for Local Incentives for Shear Heaven Beauty Nook.  Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Special Parks: Acquisition

At the May 7, 2018 Council meeting, Council approved the purchase of 175-ton of pea gravel for Creekside and Playworld Parks in the amount of $7,000.  The actual amount purchased was 182.37 ton at a total cost of $7,313.03.  Council member Bret Andries moved and Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded a motion to ratify the additional $313.03 with the overage to be split between the General-Parks and Special Parks funds.  The motion carried 5-0.

Sanitation: Acquisition

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented two bids for the purchase of tires for the International trash truck.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the low bid from Golden Belt Coop in the amount of $1,578.13 with funds to come from the Sanitation fund.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Streets: Acquisition

Council member Bret Andries moved to approve the purchase of asphalt not to exceed $10,000, with funds to come from the Capital Improvement-Street fund.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Campground: Policy

A tour group has requested a reservation for seven campsites in the Lakeside Campground from July 19 – 21st.  Current City policy is to not allow reservations since the City does not have an attendant on site.  After further discussion, it was the consensus of Council to adhere to current policy and not allow the reservation.  

Clerk: Disposal

Council reviewed a list of records to be destroyed according to the City’s record retention policy.  Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to approve the Certificate of Destruction of Public Records as presented.  The motion carried 5-0.

Economic Development: Committee

Mayor David McDaniel recommended Jeff Geschwentner to fill the vacancy on the Ellis Industrial Development Corporation.  Council member Bob Redger moved to approve the appointment of Mr. Geschwentner as the City’s representative on the EIDC.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0. 

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reported that several of the Department’s vehicles and equipment have broken down over the last few weeks and required numerous repairs. 

Street: Special Project

Door knockers will be distributed to affected residents with the County’s asphalt project.  The project scope is Washington Street from 3rd Street to the Bridge and is expected to last from June 25th to July 6th.  

Personnel: Entry

Joe Day has been hired for the temporary recycling position effective June 18, 2018 at the probationary rate of $12.83 per hour.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates reported the Department is still accepting applications for the open position. 

City Clerk

Council reviewed the Health Insurance Savings Report for May and the April Financial Statements, consisting of the Statement of Accounts, the Treasurer’s Report, and the Security Deposit Worksheet. 

Sanitation: Accounting/Billing

Last year, Council agreed to waive sanitation fees for grass pickup for the Ellis Recreation Commission.  Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Bret Andries seconded a motion to continue to waive the dumpster pickup fees for the Commission for once a week pickups during the grass season.  The motion carried 5-0.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported the City is awaiting response on a proposed settlement on a case with the City.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel noted from the City Clerk’s memo that the valuation estimates have been received from the County, and the City’s valuation has decreased approximately $300 per mill.

Council member Jolene Niernberger would like Mayor McDaniel to invite Mike Downing, the City’s representative on the Ellis County Coalition, to explain why the Coalition changed its name to Grow HAYS.  

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner reported the Community Block Party was a great success with many positive comments. 

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Bob Redger moved and Council member Holly Aschenbrenner seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 9:27 p.m.

 

         

 

                                                          ___________________________________

                                                          Mayor

 

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City Clerk