CITY COUNCIL MEETING
October 5, 2020
5:15 P.M.
 

 

The city council met in regular session with the following present: Mayor: Jack Rowden; Councilmen Dan Corpening, Brad Niehues, and Jason Teeter.  Absent: Councilmen Dean Banker and Frankie Thomas.

 

Others present were City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, Electric and Park Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick, City Inspector Josh Grubbs, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, City Attorney Wayne Tate, and DJ Dumler, Jim Ghumm, and Ruthie Wingett.

 

Mayor Jack Rowden presided.

 

Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to approve the minutes of September 8, 2020 as mailed.  Motion carried.

 

Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s report for the month of September, showing 31 new cases brought before the court and $5,411.00 remitted to the city.  Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, to accept the report.  Motion carried.

 

CITY INSPECTOR

City Inspector Josh Grubbs presented his monthly activities report.

 

CHARGE OFFS

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, that uncollectible utility accounts in the amount of $2,541.22 be charged off with every effort made to collect the accounts.  Motion carried.

 

BIDS

Jim Ghumm with Ghumm’s Auto Center presented a bid for a replacement vehicle for the City Inspector.  A bid for a 2020 Ford F150 Ext Cab 4x4 of $46,980.00 less trade in value on a 2007 Ford F250 of $8000.00 for a total trade-in difference of $38,980.00.  An option was also given with the opportunity to acquire a 2020 Ford F150 Super Crew Cab 4x4 for the same price and trade in for a total purchase of $38,980.00.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to approve the purchase of the new vehicle for the City Inspector of either the 2020 Ford F150 Ext Cab or the 2020 Ford F150 Super Crew for $38,980.00.  Motion carried.

 

CITIZEN CONCERN

DJ Dumler addressed the council concerning the property clean-up done at his addresses of 110 E 3rd and the lot at 221 S Monroe.  Mr. Dumler did not feel that appropriate notification was given before the city hired the clean-up out.  He also stated that personal property in the form of wood, branches, and limbs that he uses to sell as well as a corner of the concrete slab was damaged.  City Inspector Josh Grubbs outlined to the council the steps that were taken to notify Mr. Dumler.  On May 12, 2020, a notice was sent to Mr. Dumler that the property was not up to city code and needed to be taken care of.  Per City Code, only one (1) letter per year is required to be sent.  On September 9, 2020, a second courtesy letter was sent that the property was again out of city code and needed to be taken care off.  This letter was returned undeliverable with no forwarding address.  Josh Grubbs had verified the address on file with the courthouse tax records before the second letter was sent.  On September 21 and 22, 2020, the city contracted out the clean-up of the property and was billed for $450.00.  After adding the administration fee plus sales tax, the total bill came to $528.65.  Mr. Dumler thought that this was an excessive bill and was asking the council to remove or lessen the charges as he maintained he was not properly notified.  After discussion with the council on the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the property without notification from the city a  motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, to leave the billing as is as the City has met its burden in notifying the landowner of the violation.  Motion carried.

 

Claims against the city were presented and audited.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 2159 and 2160 be passed.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, that the meeting go into executive session in regard to non-elected personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319 (1), with the meeting to reconvene at 6:30 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

The meeting reconvened at 6:30 p.m.

 

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, that the meeting adjourns.  Motion carried.