ELLIS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

October 7, 2019

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Bret Andries, Holly Aschenbrenner, Steve Ferland, and Jolene Niernberger. Also present were Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Taft Yates, and City Attorney Olavee Raub. Council members Martin LaBarge and Bob Redger were absent.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

James Bell, Kellie Crnkovich, Verda Flinn, Barbara Perkins, John Walz, Glen Keller, Chris Krom, Avery Smith, Cameron Moeder, and M’Lynn Swartz (arrived at 7:34 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on September 16, 2019, Bills Ordinance #2078, and the Manual Journal Entries for July and August 2019. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 4-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

Fire: Repair/Maintenance

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved to ratify the invoice from Hays Fire and Rescue Sales & Service, LLC in the amount of $1,531.88 for the annual pump tests for the fire trucks. Council member Steve Ferland seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. After discussion, it was the consensus of Council to have Fire Chief Dustin Vine obtain approval prior to contracting for the pump tests if the cost will exceed the Department Head’s spending authority.

Sewer: Acquisition

Council member Steve Ferland moved to approve the bid from Brenntag in the amount of $1,350.00 for phosphorus for the Wastewater Treatment Plant with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

General Government: Policy

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman reviewed a synopsis of the Ellis County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The entire 531-page document is reviewed every five years and the City must approve a resolution stating its commitment to comply with the Plan. The document explains the City’s desire to comply with the provisions in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS) for flood insurance premium reductions. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to adopt Resolution No. 563 adopting the Ellis County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

General Government: City Code

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that Charter Ordinance No. 25 amending the installation date of newly elected officials is now effective. The next step is to adopt an ordinance removing the additional Council meeting in January used to install the elected officials. Council member Bret Andries moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1442 repealing Ordinance No. 1395, thus removing the additional Council meeting held on the 2^nd Monday in January. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0. At the next Council meeting, Council will consider a resolution setting the date of installment for elected officials.

Water: Special Project

Mr. Scheuerman reported the City’s trihalomethane (THM) levels once again exceeded the standards set out by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. All residents will receive a letter with their next utility bill notifying them of the increased levels and possible health risks if consumed excessively over a long period of time. Mr. Scheuerman expressed concerns because the City’s THM levels have increased steadily over the last several years despite efforts of the Department to flush the lines regularly and other solutions suggested by KDHE. Mr. Scheuerman has been in contact with engineering firms to see if modifications could be made to the Water Treatment Plant that would help reduce the chemical levels as well. Mr. Scheuerman will provide the engineer’s estimates to Council once received.

Streets: Repair/Maintenance

Mr. Scheuerman reported the corner of the intersection at 2^nd Street and Madison of the north truck route needs to be replaced. Council has approved minor repairs to the area three other times, but now it’s time to fix it properly. Council member Jolene Niernberger moved to accept the low bid from Hess Services in the amount of $2,472.50 for concrete to repair the corner at 2^nd Street and Madison, with funds to come from Capital Improvement – Streets. Council member Bret Andries seconded the motion. The motion carried 4-0.

Campground: Special Project

Mr. Scheuerman continued by providing an update on the Campground Expansion Project. The water lines have been installed but the electric lines to the tent sites will need to be bored in due to debris in the foundation of the old roundhouse. Council member Steve Ferland moved to accept the quote from M&D Construction in the amount of $2,025.00 to bore the electric lines for the Campground Expansion Project. Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The motion carried 3-1, with Council member Holly Aschenbrenner opposed.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director Alan Scheuerman presented the Comparative Water Report for the period July 10^th to August 10^th.

Ellis County will host a Floodplain Open House at the Sternberg Museum on November 6^th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for all Ellis County residents to view and comment on the new floodplain maps.

Mr. Scheuerman reviewed the map of the 2019 Chip and Seal Street project. The affected area includes Monroe to Spruce from 11^th to 18^th Streets. Ellis County is scheduled to begin the work on October 8^th.

Mr. Scheuerman offered to meet with Council at a work session to discuss the status of many of the City’s ongoing capital projects and future infrastructure needs. Council agreed to hold the work session on October 21^st at 6:30 p.m.

Police

Police Chief Taft Yates presented the Department’s Monthly Activity Report for September and the October Staff Calendar. Officer Kolas is scheduled to graduate from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center on November 1^st. Officer Krom recently recertified in the installment of child safety seats and Officer Smith will attend emergency trauma training for first responders.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton presented the draft minutes from the recent Campground Committee meeting and the financial statements for July and August 2019. The Ellis Community Foundation awarded a grant in the amount of $1,000 to the Swimming Pool Improvement Project. The Clerk’s office has submitted grant applications to several other local community grants as well.

Attorney

City Attorney Olavee Raub reported that she has found some information regarding a Junior Firefighter program to share with Fire Chief Dustin Vine.

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel reported the Ellis PRIDE Committee has requested Council replace the tree in Memorial Park that was damaged in the storm. The tree has since been removed.

The Chrysler Boyhood Home has been closed since September. A board representative will be present at the next meeting to discuss the closing.

Union Pacific has requested the City notify them of scheduled parades. Mayor McDaniel will address the request with Police Chief Taft Yates.

Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the League of Kansas Municipalities Regional Supper on November 6^th in WaKeeney.

Mayor McDaniel discussed a letter received from Ellis County Administrator Phillip Smith-Hanes regarding the proposed county wide sales tax.

ADJOURNMENT

Council member Holly Aschenbrenner moved and Council member Steve Ferland seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

___________________________________

Mayor

_______________________________

City Clerk