Draft Copy Not Official Until Approved by CouncilELLIS CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

Minutes

January 6, 2020

 

CALL TO ORDER

Mayor David McDaniel called the regular meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Present were Council members Martin LaBarge, Jolene Niernberger, Sam Polifka, Tricia Pritchett, and John Walz.  Also present were Public Works Director John Leiker, City Clerk Amy Burton, Police Chief Chris Krom, and City Attorney Olavee Raub.  Council member Steve Ferland was absent. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PRESENT

James Bell, Glen Keller, Verda Flinn, Blake Matzke, Cameron Moeder, and Nickole Byers (arrived at 7:37 p.m.)

CONSENT AGENDA

Council member Martin LaBarge moved to approve the consent agenda containing the Minutes from the Regular Meeting on December 16, 2019, Minutes from the Special Meeting on December 19, 2019, and Bills Ordinance #2084.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion. The Council approved the consent agenda 5-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Glen Keller, representing the Tourism Committee, reported that six of the new “Welcome” banners were lost in the August windstorm.  The remaining banners will be put back up when the Christmas stars are taken down.  The Committee will ask for funds in the near future to replace the lost banners.

Blake Matzke asked for Council to revisit the ordinance establishing setbacks for tree lines on residential property. 

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

None

SPECIAL ORDER

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS

General Government: Financial

Council member John Walz moved to approve Resolution No. 565 waiving Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for financial statement reporting for 2020.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Policy

Annually, the Council designates the official newspapers and official banks for the City to use.  Council member Martin LaBarge moved to designate the Hays Daily News and Ellis Review as official newspapers; Equity Bank and Golden Belt Bank as official banks within the City limits; and Emprise Bank and Commerce Bank as the official banks outside the City limits.  Council member Tricia Pritchett seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: Financial

Council member Sam Polifka moved to approve Resolution No. 566 authorizing employees and City officials to use the City’s credit card.  Council member Jolene Niernberger seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

General Government: City Code

At Council’s request, City Attorney Olavee Raub presented a proposed revision to the current ordinance regarding noisy animals.  Currently, pet owners are held responsible for loud, frequent and habitually noisy animals.  The revision adds “without clear provocation”, which affords the pet owner an affirmative defense if cited under the ordinance.  Council member Martin LaBarge moved to adopt Ordinance No. 1444 as presented amending the provision regarding noisy animals.  Council member John Walz seconded the motion for purposes of discussion.  Mr. Walz then requested Council consider this a first reading of the ordinance in order to allow the public to have input on the proposed revision.  Upon a call for the vote, the motion failed 0-5.  The ordinance will be considered for approval at the January 20th Council meeting. 

Water: Acquisition

Council member Martin LaBarge moved to approve the purchase of chlorine from Brenntag for the Water Treatment Plant in the amount of $1,276.50, with funds to come from the Water Utility Fund.  Council member John Walz seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Sewer: Acquisition

Council member Sam Polifka moved to approve the purchase of aluminum chlorohydrate from Brenntag for the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the amount of $1,350.00, with funds to come from the Sewer Utility Fund.  Council member Martin LaBarge seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

Police: Acquisition

Police Chief Chris Krom presented bids for a 2020 Dodge Charger and police equipment to outfit the vehicle.  Chief Krom explained that four dealerships were contacted to bid the vehicle; however, Lewis Chrysler was the only dealership to submit a bid.  As a government entity, the City is eligible for fleet pricing, which is standard pricing throughout the dealerships.  K-Comm has provided and installed equipment for the last several patrol vehicles, but after several safety concerns noted with the Explorer, the Department instead solicited a bid from JR Audio in Garden City.  L.A.W.S. will provide the graphics package and D&B Body Shop will install the graphics.  The Dodge Charger will replace the 2016 Ford Taurus as a patrol vehicle. The 2016 Ford Taurus will then replace the 2009 Ford Crown Victoria as the supervisor vehicle.  The 2009 Ford Crown Victoria will be sold at a later time on the Purple Wave auction site.  Council member Sam Polifka moved to approve the purchase of the 2020 Dodge Charger from Lewis Chrysler in the amount of $27,266.00, with funds to come from the Special Machinery fund.  Council member Tricia Pritchett seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.        

Council member Sam Polifka then moved to approve the bid from JR Audio to outfit the 2020 Dodge Charger in the amount of $15,125.00, with funds to come from the Special Machinery Fund.  Council member John Walz seconded the motion.  The motion carried 5-0.

REPORTS FROM CITY OFFICIALS

Public Works

Public Works Director John Leiker presented the Comparative Water Report for October 10th to November 10th.  Only 80% of the water pumped is being accounted for and Mr. Leiker believes there are several large leaks underground that haven’t surfaced.

Mr. Leiker plans to contact an engineer to determine a course of action for 13th Street. The street continues to sink in multiple places and with the retaining wall in place; an engineer will need to be involved to determine the best way to repair.  

Police

Police Chief Chris Krom presented the Monthly Activity Report for December and the January Staff Calendar.  The Department has started advertising for the vacant position, with a deadline of February 28th for applications.

Council member Jolene Niernberger inquired about cats-at-large.  Chief Krom explained that the City does not have a licensed facility for cats and City Attorney Olavee Raub added that any communities that have adopted a cat ordinance have regretted it because it is nearly impossible to enforce.

City Clerk

City Clerk Amy Burton reported that the Kansas Department of Agriculture has approved a 12-month extension for the City’s water exploration project.  The next Swimming Pool fundraising event will be January 17th with a soup supper and gun raffle.  The event will be held from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall.  The City recently received $4,000 from the Tebo Family Foundation for the Swimming Pool Project.

Attorney

Mayor Update and Announcements

Mayor David McDaniel reminded Council of the League’s Local Government Day on January 22nd in Topeka.  He challenged Council members to write down four things they would like to accomplish in 2020 to discuss at the next meeting.  

ADJOURNMENT

Council member  Martin LaBarge moved and Council member Sam Polifka seconded a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried 5-0.  The meeting adjourned at 8:39 p.m.

 

         

 

                                                          ___________________________________

                                                          Mayor

 

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City Clerk