CITY COUNCIL MEETING
July 6, 2020
5:15 P.M.
The city council met in regular session with the following present: Mayor Jack E. Rowden; Councilman Dean Banker, Dan Corpening, Brad Niehues, Jason Teeter, and Frankie Thomas.
Others present were City Clerk Carrie Baeza, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, Electric & Parks Supervisor Logan Frederick, City Attorney Wayne Tate, and Ruthie Winget.
Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided.
Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to approve the minutes of the meeting of June 8, 2020 as delivered. Motion carried.
Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s report for the month of May, showing 30 new cases brought before the court and $3,797.62 remitted to the city. Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to accept the report. Motion carried.
CITY INSPECTOR
City Inspector Josh Grubbs provided his monthly activities report.
CHARGE OFFS
Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, that uncollectible utility accounts in the amount of $987.50 be charged off with every effort made to collect the accounts. Motion carried.
TRANSIENT GUEST TAX
Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to approve the following expenditures from the Convention and Tourism fund:
Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce $65.94
Jan Leonard $48.02
Pheasant Heaven Charities Golf $100.00
W-H Rendezvous $1000.00
Hugoton Area Chamber of Commerce $1000.00
High Plains Music Fest $1000.00
High Plains BBQ Bash $1000.00
Motion carried.
FINANCE
The city clerk review the proposed 2021 budget. The city’s valuation has risen from $20,145,667 to $20,462,520. The budget will be published with a tax levy rate of 47.937 mils.
FINANCE
The city clerk reviewed the 2019 breakdown for the electric department and target balances for the operating and reserve funds.
BUILDING
City Attorney Wayne Tate advised the council that after considering the proposed change to the fence regulations in the fire limits that was tabled from the June council meeting, he recommends that the ordinance stay as written and variances would need to be applied for to request a fencing structure.
Claims against the city were presented and audited. Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 2153 and 2154 be passed. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, that the meeting go into executive session regarding non-elected personnel K.S.A. 75-4319 (1), with the meeting to reconvene at 6:45 p.m. Motion carried.
The meeting reconvened at 6:45 p.m.
Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to allow City Clerk Carrie Baeza to hire the best possible candidate to fill a recent vacancy as Office Clerk at the rate of $15.00 per hour. Motion carried.
Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, that the meeting adjourn. Motion carried.