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CITY COUNCIL MEETING

July 11, 2011

5:15 P.M.

The city council met in adjourned session from the meeting of June 21, 2011 with the following present:  Mayor Jack E. Rowden, Councilmen Mike Eshbaugh, Greg Gill, and Bob Mason.  Absent:  Councilmen Gary Baughman and Kim Harper.

Others present were Outside Utilities Supervisor Dean Banker, City Clerk Thomas G. Hicks, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, City Inspector Tony Martin, Electric System Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, Jason Edwards, Marc Kliewer, Jan Leonard, and Ruthie Winget.

Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided.

The minutes of the meetings of June 6, 2011 and June 21, 2011 were approved as mailed.

Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Sherri Leonard’s report for the months of May and June, showing 18 new cases brought before the court and $2,598.00 remitted to the city in May and 31 new cases brought before the court and $6,142.50 remitted to the city in June.

INSPECTOR

City Inspector Tony Martin presented his monthly activities report. 

INSPECTOR

Martin also reported on a conversation he had with Target Logistics about setting up a mobile home city for the workers during the construction of the Abengoa ethanol and power plants.  Finding a location for such a large endeavor, providing utilities, and meeting zoning restrictions were discussed.

CHARGE OFFS

Motion by Mike Eshbaugh, seconded by Greg Gill, that uncollectible utility accounts in the amount of 2,198.65 be charged off with every effort made to collect the accounts.  Motion carried.

IMPROVEMENTS

Jan Leonard reported on the proposed “Hike and Bike Trail”.  The total cost of the project is anticipated to be $240,000.00.  If the county could be convinced to share in the cost of the improvement, each entity’s share would be $42,000.00 plus the engineering fees to file the application with the State.  Motion by Bob Mason, seconded by Greg Gill, that the city council commit to up to $42,000.00 if the county agrees to share in the cost of the project and if the fair board agrees to the proposed route.  In favor of the motion:  Gill and Mason.  Opposed:  Eshbaugh.  Motion carried.

TRAFFIC

Marc Kliewer and Jason Edwards, with United Prairie Ag, gave an update on the signage to warn traffic coming into town from the west about the unit train blocking the streets.  A more detailed report will be provided at the next regular city council meeting.

CITY PROPERTY

City Attorney Wayne R. Tate reviewed the proposed lease agreement with Verizon Wireless to locate a cell phone tower on a 40 ft. by 50 ft. tract of city property south of the linemen’s shed at 411 S. Monroe.  The city will receive $6,000.00 a year in rent with a three percent escalator compounding each year.  The term of the lease is for an initial five-year term and automatically extends for three additional five-year terms unless the lessee decides to terminate the lease at the end of the current term.

CITY PROPERTY

Motion by Eshbaugh, seconded by Gill, to authorize the execution of the land lease agreement with Verizon Wireless.  Motion carried.

CITY PROPERTY

Motion by Gill, seconded by Eshbaugh, to authorize the execution of the memorandum of land lease agreement with Verizon Wireless.  Motion carried.

CITY PROPERTY

Motion by Mason, seconded by Gill, to authorize the mayor to approve the proposed engineering drawings.  Motion carried.

CITY CODES

Motion by Gill, seconded by Eshbaugh, that Ordinance No. 778, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING REGULATIONS FOR SMALL WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS LOCATED WITHIN THE ELECTRIC SERVICE TERRITORY UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS, be passed.  Vote:  Councilman Eshbaugh, yes; Councilman Gill, yes; and Councilman Mason, yes.  Motion carried.

ANNEXATION

Motion by Mason, seconded by Gill, that Ordinance No. 779, AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING CERTAIN LANDS TO THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS, IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF K.S.A. 12-520, AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, be passed.  Vote:  Eshbaugh, yes; Gill, yes; and Mason, yes.  Motion carried.

FINANCE

City Clerk Thomas G. Hicks reviewed the proposed 2012 budget.  Motion by Councilman Gill, seconded by Councilman Mason, to publish the 2012 budget as presented.  Motion carried.  The document establishes a tax levy rate of 36.00 mills, an increase of 2.62 mills from the 2011 budget.

Claims against the city were presented and audited.  Motion by Eshbaugh, seconded by Gill, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 1737 and 1738 be passed.  Motion carried.

CONSULTANTS

Electric System Supervisor Gary Rowden again asked the council to enter into an agreement with Shafer, Kline & Warren, Inc. for engineering services for the design of catalytic converters to enable the engines at the south power plant to be in compliance with Maximum Achievable Control Technology for pollution from Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines.  Councilman Greg Gill once again made a motion to enter into the agreement.  The motion again died for the lack of a second.

PARKS

Parks Supervisor Gary Rowden asked the council to commit to the installation of an automatic sprinkler system next year in the Raydene Park block bounded by Monroe and Madison and Thirteenth and Fourteenth.  If he could get such a commitment, Rowden would apply to the Roy and Myrtle Parsons Trust for funds to complete the remaining two blocks of Raydene Park.  Members of the city council expressed reservations about hiring a contractor when the city crew should be able to install the sprinkler system.

TAX ABATEMENT

Motion by Gill, seconded by Mason, that Ordinance No. 780, AN ORDINANCE EXEMPTING CERTAIN PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PURPOSES, be passed.  In favor of the motion:  Eshbaugh, yes; Gill, yes; and Mason, yes.  Motion carried.

POLICE

Chief of Police Courtney Leslie reported the “National Night Out” activities are set for August 2, 2011.

Motion by Gill, seconded by Eshbaugh, that the meeting be adjourned to August 8, 2011 at 5:15 p.m.  Motion carried.     

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