February, 2011

February 14, 2011

 

The Ellsworth City Council met in regular session on the above date at 7:00 P.M. in 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; James Zamrzla, Street Superintendent; Mary Schmidt, Ben Anderson, Randy Moon and Daniel Buchholz, Good Samaritan Village; Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham Michael & Associates, Inc. and Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            Cole Worrell inquired if the fairway mower could be purchased through Carrico Implement.  Mr. Vandall replied they did not sell the mower, but would be able to service it.  Mr. Worrell also asked if the Golf Course would be required to follow “Red Flag Rules”.  Mr. Vandall reported the salesman of the credit card machine did not know of the rules.  The Clerk reported she had researched the rules and they did not apply to the Golf Course.  Mr. Worrell then motioned to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of minutes from the January 24, 2011 meeting and Claims Ordinance #01-0111.  John Whitmer seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mary Schmidt and Randy Moon, Good Samaritan Village addressed Council.  The water usage at the facility continues to be high.  Their concern is the meter may be registering more water than actually being used.  Mr. Vandall reported Kansas Rural Water Association had been contacted and would be testing the meter later in the week.  Certain weather conditions needed to be met before testing could be conducted.  Council agreed to write-off the penalty on the account and allow payment arrangements to be made.

 

            Pastor Billy Kryger, Smoky Hill Baptist Church, informed Council the congregation of the church will keep the City in their thoughts and prayers.

 

            Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham Michael Associates, Inc., presented a GIS map of sewer lines in the City.  The water map continues to be worked on.  Mr. Halbgewachs also informed Council of a KDOT Safe Routes to School Grant.  The grant is 100% for construction but engineering is not eligible.  Mr. Halbgewachs offered their services as a service to the community.

 

            Only 1 item was discussed in reference to the Project Board.  Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, reported an aircraft owner, recently having moved to the City, would like to build a new hangar at no expense to the City.  He is currently seeking information concerning requirements or restrictions with the FAA.

 

            Mr. Vandall next explained the need for formal adoption of the CIP and ME Plans.  Mr. Worrell inquired if implementation a TIF District for Carrico Implement’s property was still being considered.  Mr. Vandall confirmed it is still an option but other avenues such as IRB’s are being considered to finance the project.  At that time Alan Stefek motioned to approve the CIP and ME Plans 2010 – 2015.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Jim Zamrzla, Street Superintendent, gave details of new federal mandates for street signs.  Compliance is required by 2012.  Currently all regulatory signs have been replaced.  Mr. Zamrzla and Mr. Vandall have developed a replacement plan for the remaining signs.  Cole Worrell motioned to approve the Street Sign Replacement Plan.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mayor Bahan requested the ordinance regulating curfew in City parks be amended to include cemeteries.  Review of the code book indicated no one may be in the cemeteries after dark unless visiting the grave of a relative.  Mayor Bahan requested signs be posted with the restriction.

 

            Mr. Zamrzla requested something be done to encourage residents to move vehicles to off street parking during snow storms.  It is difficult to plow streets with the vehicles parked on them and the vehicles may be blocked in by the plowed snow especially during heavy snow fall.

 

            Irene Pacey expressed that she was impressed with the Street Department’s response to the recent snow storm.  Mrs. Pacey thanked the Superintendent for the excellent work of his department.

 

            Mr. Vandall requested the Council resume discussion from the previous meeting and give direction concerning health insurance expense.  Mr. Whitmer shared his calculations of the rising expense to the City over the next 5 years.  Mr. Vandall distributed a copy of the premiums for the State Health Insurance Plan.  Following lengthy discussion and considering various options including changing the percentage of employee contributions or setting a cap on employer contributions, raising deductibles and researching other plans Mr. Whitmer motioned to increase the employees share of health insurance coverage from 10% - 12%.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mr. Vandall reported a Pine Wilt inventory has been completed throughout the City.  Property owners having trees with the disease will be contacted.  Several options to help owners cover the expense of removing the trees were discussed.

 

            Mr. Vandall reported the results of the proposals from engineers for the E. No. Main Street Project.  Mr. Vandall reviewed funding options for the project.  Cole Worrell inquired if the City is nearing the indebtedness maximum.  Following discussion of the top two proposals Alan Stefek motioned to authorize the City Administrator and Attorney to negotiate with the engineering firm the committee recommended.  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 until February 28, 2011.

 

 

                                                            Patti L. Booher

                                                                                    City Clerk

 

February 28, 2011

 

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, Alan Stefek, John Whitmer, Mary Wires and Cole Worrell.

 

            Also in attendance were Timothy Vandall, City Administrator; Carey Hipp, City Attorney; Chief of Police David Smith; Pastor Billy Kryger, Smoky Hill Baptist Church and Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

            The Clerk presented 2 requests for the extension of the water/sewer disconnection date.  John Whitmer motioned to approve the requests.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the consent agenda consisting of the minutes of the February 14, 2011 meeting.  John Whitmer seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Timothy Vandall, City Administrator, reported the credit card machine for the Golf Course had been purchased has been installed.  Funding of the restoration of E. No. Main Street, the 10” waterline extension to include a lift station for the Carrico property and expansion of the runway at the airport were discussed.  Mr. Vandall indicated the City should have the resources for each of these improvements.

 

            John Whitmer motioned to approve the 2011 Tourism Committee disbursement recommendations.  Cole Worrell seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Irene Pacey motioned to adopt a Bullet Proof Vest Policy.  The policy is required to be eligible for Justice Department funding for the purchase of new bullet proof vests.  Alan Stefek seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Cole Worrell motioned to approve the budgeted funds for the Ellsworth County Council on Aging, Inc. be disbursed.  John Whitmer seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Mayor Bahan stated he had spoken with Jim Zamrzla, Street Superintendent, concerning the cemetery ordinance.  Currently the ordinance allows relatives to visit their family members at any time.  Carey Hipp, City Attorney will draft an ordinance amending the hours the cemeteries are open.

 

            Chief of Police David Smith reported his department would like to purchase assault riffles for each vehicle.  Several officers have attended First Responder Training and the remaining officers will be attending the training soon.  Chief Smith reviewed funding sources for the purchase.  Council agreed the purchase of the riffles was imperative.

 

            Mr. Vandall then spoke referencing a contract with Gilmore Solutions, Inc. for IT services.  The current company is not meeting the needs of the City and is rarely on-site to rectify problems.  After hearing the issues regarding IT services John Whitmer motioned to approve the contract.  Irene Pacey seconded the motion.  When put to vote all vote aye.  Motion carried.

 

            Council reviewed the letter the K-State Extension Officer will be sending to residents having Pine Wilt disease on their trees.  Cole Worrell inquired if the County was taking measures to ensure trees in the County are being taken down also.  The Administrator is currently considering options to help offset the cost of removing trees for homeowners.  No determination has been made as to whether the City will be able to assist owners with the expense.

 

            The final item Mr. Vandall brought to Council’s attention was requests to vacate the north/south alley between S. Douglas and Kansas Avenues and the east/west ally between Blake Street and Crestview Drive.  Utility easements would remain intact.  Mr. Vandall will set Public Hearings as required.  If the vacating of the alleys is not contested Mr. Vandall will present an ordinance to Council approving the requests.

 

            Irene Pacey inquired if a cover had been ordered for a pole on Douglas Ave.  Mr. Vandall replied the parts had been ordered.  Mayor Bahan inquired if a contract for the City Administrator had been prepared.  Mr. Vandall will have a rough draft of the contract for the March 14^th meeting.

 

            There being no further business on proper motion the meeting was adjourned until March 14, 2011.

 

                                                            Patti L. Booher

                                                                                    City Clerk