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CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 15, 2007
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on January 15, 2007, with Mayor Ross Rountree presiding. Council present were Holly Harper, Douglas Marr, Michael Huddleston, Ken Bratton, Paul Oliver, Mike Rawlings, Robert Griffith and Roger Chrislip. Also present: City Manager Bill Keefer, Assistant to the City Manager JJ Allen, City Attorney David All, City Clerk Erica Jones and Public Works Director Wes Starnes. Visitors present were: Michael McDermott and Willis Wilson.
Prayer: Pastor Larry Snodgrass, Haverhill Christian Church gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the January 2, 2007 council meeting were reviewed. Marr made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2007 council meeting. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
December (12B): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $641,997.22. Huddleston inquired about the payment to American Control for in the amount of $1,200.00. Starnes stated that the payment was for the SCADA system for the wastewater collection department. Oliver stated that the payment to Kriz Davis seemed higher than usual. Keefer stated that the purchases were mostly day to day equipment but that some budgeted capital equipment purchases were made at the end of the year. Oliver asked what the payment to LaFarge was for. Keefer stated that it was for the purchase of sand and salt. Harper asked about the payment to Lee Matthews Equipment in the amount of $21,925.00. Starnes stated that it was for the purchase of the Godwin Pump for the wastewater collection system that was approved in December. Griffith inquired about the payment to PT Plus. Keefer stated that PT Plus conducts the City’s employment physicals and drug screenings. Chrislip inquired about the payment to H & K Hauling for Santa Fe Lake. Keefer stated that part of it was for the delivery of sand to Santa Fe Lake for the beach and for the purchase of 2000 feet of poly pipe. Marr asked what Sharp Rentals properties received reimbursements from the sidewalk replacement program. Keefer stated 427 E Broadway, 422 E Broadway, 452 E Broadway, 454 E Broadway and 456 E Broadway. Huddleston asked if Santa Fe Lake has rural water yet. Keefer stated that the line to the house has not been set yet. Huddleston stated that he would like the rural water payments to indicate what rural water district they are for. Griffith made a motion to approve Ordinance 12B totaling $641,997.22. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
December (12C): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $120,001.00. Marr made a motion to approve Ordinance 12C in the amount of $120,001.00. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
January (1): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $371,245.14. Marr asked about the payment to Badge-A-Minit. Keefer stated that the payment was for supplies for the Bugs Bunny Program. Chrislip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1 in the amount of $371,245.14. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Rountree took a moment to express his thanks to the Councilmembers, staff and city personnel for the love and generosity they showed him and his family during the recent loss of his father. Rountree stated that he appreciated everything that was done and that although his father was not originally from Augusta, he was glad to call this community his home.
New Business:
EPA Grant Application: Council considered approval of an EPA Grant Application in the amount of $433,700 to be used to replace a portion of the raw water line through the Frontier refinery. Griffith asked if Frontier had definitely committed funds to the project. Wilson stated that Frontier should hear back from their corporate office this week. Griffith asked if we should wait on moving forward until there is a definite commitment from Frontier. Keefer stated that we have to get the ball rolling for the grant. Allen stated that the EPA will take a few weeks to review the application and grant the reward. All stated that being awarded the grant does not commit the City to move forward if the commitment from Frontier does not come through. Rawlings made a motion to approve an EPA Grant Application in the amount of $433,700 and authorizing the City Manager to sign and submit the application and all documents related to securing the grant funds. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Aqua Tech Engineering: Council then considered approval of an Engineering Services Agreement with Aqua Tech Engineering for design and construction inspection services for several sewer collection system projects. Keefer reminded the Council that they had Aqua Tech Engineering conduct studies last summer at the direction of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Keefer stated that the Phase I and Phase II engineering design will get the ball running and there are funds in the budget for this purpose as well as Phase I construction. Marr asked if any of the construction on the sewer collection system on Osage will conflict with the proposed 2007 Street Sales Tax project. Wilson stated that it will not be known until the plans come back for the project. Keefer stated that it would be a good idea to keep an eye on this for Phase II of the project. Marr made a motion to approve an Engineering Services Agreement with Aqua Tech Engineering for design and construction inspection services for several sewer collection system projects. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Fire Truck bids: Council considered bids for a new pickup for the Fire Division of the Public Safety Department and authorizing the transfer of the vehicle proposed for the trade in to the Inspection Department. Marr asked if the new vehicle would be decked out with all of the safety equipment or if that would have to be purchased separately. Keefer stated that there are funds in the budget for the light bar and topper and that the rest of the emergency equipment would be transferred from the old vehicle. Keefer stated that all emergency equipment would be removed from the old vehicle prior to it being transferred to the Inspection Department. Marr made a motion to accept the bid from Rusty Eck Ford in the amount of $20,258 and authorize the transfer of the vehicle proposed for the trade in to the Inspection Department. Harper seconded the motion. Motion Carried without opposition.
Environmental Use Agreement: Council considered approval of an Environmental Use Control Agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for the salvage yard property that was purchased by the City in 2006. Marr asked how this agreement benefits the City. Keefer stated that it is a means to restrict the use of this property so KDHE will not have to come in and test the soil and require a clean-up. Keefer stated that the restrictions are that the property cannot be used as a park or residence. Marr asked if the property could be used as a parking lot in the future to handle the overflow from the Downtown if needed. Keefer stated that the agreement would not restrict the use of the property as a parking lot. Keefer reminded the Council that this agreement only applies to the old salvage yard proper. Chrislip made a motion to approve an Environmental Use Control Agreement with KDHE for the salvage yard property that was purchased by the City in 2006. Griffith seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Audit: Council considered approval of a proposal from Edward B. Stephenson & Company for audit services for the 2006 and 2007 budget years. Rawlings made a motion to approve the proposal from Edward B. Stephenson & Company for audit services for the 2006 and 2007 budget years. Griffith seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Emergency Water Supply Plan: Council then considered approval of an Emergency Water Supply Plan as required by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). Marr asked about the reference in the memo to the existing water conservation ordinance being updated. Starnes stated that the water conservation ordinances should be updated every five years or so and the City’s is dated in the late 1990’s. Marr stated that the water conservation ordinance should be coming before the Council in the future then. Keefer agreed. Oliver made a motion to approve the Emergency Water Supply Plan as required by KDHE. Bratton seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
REAP: Council considered approval of the 2007 annual assessments for the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP). Bratton made a motion to approve the 2007 annual assessment for REAP in the amount of $1,552.00. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Rawlings – Rawlings asked about vehicles parked along the side of the road on the snow routes. Keefer stated that the ordinance states that the City would have to determine it an emergency and contact the owners to move the vehicles. Keefer stated that since it was not designated as an emergency, the vehicles could be parked on the street.
Rountree – Rountree commended the city employees that worked on clearing the streets. Rountree stated that they have done a great job and are continuing to work on the streets late tonight.
Oliver – Oliver stated that he too wanted to commend the city employees for their work at clearing the streets.
Marr – Marr thanked Staff for providing the year end totals for the Inspection Department. Marr stated that the valuations have decreased. Keefer stated that the single family dwelling valuations have decreased over the last couple of years. Marr asked when Redwood’s valuation would be included in the totals. Keefer stated that those numbers will be reflected this summer. Marr asked if new utility bills had been ordered reflecting the recent rate changes. Jones stated that the new bills were ordered last week. Marr asked if the Safety Department had purchased the firearms discussed in the previous meeting. Keefer stated that they had been purchased.
Harper – Harper referred to the condition of the sidewalks in the older parts of town. Harper stated that she understood that the maintenance of the sidewalks is the property owner’s responsibility but asked if there are safety issues, how those are addressed. Keefer stated that this is why the city has the Sidewalk Replacement program to help with the cost of replacing the sidewalks. Keefer stated that if the City is addressing other concerns on the property, the condition of the sidewalk would be addressed if it is determined to be unsafe. Keefer stated that it would also be addressed if a complaint were received. Marr asked if there was any difference whether it was an owner occupancy or rental property. Keefer stated that there is not a difference; the property owner is responsible for the condition of the sidewalk.
Adjourn: Harper made a motion to adjourn. Bratton seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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