CITY COUNCIL MEETING

September 10, 2007

5:15 P.M.

The city council met in adjourned session from the meeting of August 29, 2007 with the following present:  Mayor Jack E. Rowden; Councilmen Gary Baughman, Mike Eshbaugh, Greg Gill, Kim Harper, and Bob Mason.

 Others present were Outside Utilities Supervisor Dean Banker, City Clerk Thomas G. Hicks, Municipal Judge Sherri Leonard, Chief of Police Steve Lewis, City Inspector Tony Martin, Electric System Supervisor Gary Rowden, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, Barry Crane, and Ruthie Winget.

 Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided. 

The minutes of the meetings of August 6, 2007 ; August 14, 2007 ; and August 29, 2007 were approved as mailed.

 Councilman Mike Eshbaugh arrived at 5:18 p.m.

 Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of municipal judge Sherri Leonard’s report for the month of August, showing 18 new cases brought before the court and $4,663.00 remitted to the city.

 CITY INSPECTOR

City Inspector Tony Martin provided a monthly activities report.

 MUNICIPAL COURT

Municipal Judge Sherri Leonard recommended the city’s fine schedule for offenders in her court be increased to levels more in line with the State of Kansas maximums.  Motion by Councilman Kim Harper, seconded by Councilman Gary Baughman, that the city adopt the proposed fine schedule, dated September 10, 2007 .  Motion carried.

 EQUIPMENT

Motion by Kim Harper, seconded by Mike Eshbaugh, to purchase a copier for the municipal judge at a cost not to exceed $800.00.  Motion carried.

 SEWER

Barry Crane, who resides at 629 South Monroe , needs to replace his sewer line.  The sewer line currently runs underneath the building (Pigs R Us at 110 East Seventh Street ) behind his residence.  Because the alley access from his property is blocked, Mr. Crane asked for guidance on the best route for him to take to replace the sewer line.  There is a narrow right-of-way along the north side of Seventh Street , but putting the sewer in that area would require tearing up and replacing the sidewalk which would involve the Pigs R Us business entrance.  The better alternative from access and cost standpoints would be to get an easement from the adjoining property owner to the north.  City Inspector Tony Martin offered to help Mr. Crane talk to Ann Spikes to see if she would agree to grant an easement across the Ann’s Port property.  

Councilman Greg Gill arrived at 5:45 p.m.

 EQUIPMENT

Bids were opened for the sale of a 1993 Ford pickup.

     Gabriel Baeza, Sr.                            $1,511.00

      Larry Carpenter                                    900.00

     Jim Ghumm                                       1,515.00

     Joe Holcomb                                         655.00

     Floyd Knox                                           610.00

     Wesley Regensberg                           1,500.00

Motion by Councilman Harper, seconded by Councilman Mason, to accept the bid of Jim Ghumm.  Motion carried.

 MEETINGS

The annual convention of the League of Kansas Municipalities will be October 6-9, 2007 in Overland Park .  No voting delegates were elected.  

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The city’s software provider, Infinitec, Inc., is offering a municipal disaster recovery agreement, at a cost of $600.0 per year, to provide a backup service and a temporary computer in the event of a disaster that would destroy the city’s records.  No action was taken.  

BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS

Motion by Harper, seconded by Gill, to accept Don Trentham’s resignation as a member of the board of zoning appeals and the building trades board.  Motion carried.

 Claims against the city were presented and audited.  Motion by Gill, seconded by Baughman, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 1845 and 1846 be passed.  Motion carried.

 Motion by Mason, seconded by Baughman, that the meeting go into executive session in regard to personnel matters.  Motion carried.  Mayor Rowden called the meeting into executive session at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting to reconvene in open session at 6:50 p.m.

 The meeting reconvened in open session at 6:55 p.m.

 Motion by Harper, seconded by Mason, that the meeting go into executive session in regard to personnel matters.  Motion carried.  Rowden called the meeting into executive session at 6:55 p.m. with the meeting to reconvene in open session at 7:25 p.m.

 The meeting reconvened in open session at 7:25 p.m.

PERSONNEL

Motion by Harper, seconded by Mason, to raise the wages of Blane Grogan to $15.38 hr., Pat Hall to $16.78 hr., Roy Jackson to $16.28 hr., Mike Knox to $14.26 hr., Tony Martin to $17.00 hr., and Paul Nordyke to $18.00 hr., all effective September 10, 2007.  In favor of the motion:  Councilmen Eshbaugh, Harper, and Mason.  Opposed:  Councilmen Baughman and Gill.  Motion carried.

 POLICE

Chief of Police Steve Lewis brought up for a discussion a bill he has been presented from Stevens County for the city’s share of software training for the dis pat chers.  Lewis and Councilman Harper will meet with the county commissioners to discuss the issue.  The city has only agreed to pay a share of the dis pat chers’ wages and fringe benefits.

 PERSONNEL

Motion by Harper, seconded by Mason, to raise the monthly wage of Municipal Judge Sherri Leonard to $1,200.00 per month, effective September 10, 2007 .  Motion carried.

 SEWER

Motion by Bob Mason, seconded by Gary Baughman to reimburse Bill DeCamp $607.79 for the services of a plumber and carpet damages due to a sewer backup in his residence at 912 S. Trindle.  In favor of the motion:  Baughman and Mason.  Opposed:  Eshbaugh, Gill, and Harper.  Motion defeated.

 Motion by Harper, seconded by Baughman that the meeting go into executive session in regard to personnel matters.  Motion carried.  Rowden called the meeting into executive session at 8:20 p.m. with the meeting to reconvene in open session at 8:50 p.m.

 The meeting reconvened in open session at 8:58 p.m.

 Motion by Mason, seconded by Gill, that the meeting be adjourned to Tuesday, October 9, 2007 at 5:15 p.m.   Motion carried.