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CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 5, 2007
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on February 5, 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, Chief of Police Tyler Brewer and Park Department Superintendent Cy Ricker. Visitors present were: Michael McDermott, William Morris, Martin Goedecke, Galen Nelson, Chad McDaniel, Tom Leffler, Kristey Williams, Don Duncan, Troy Palmer and Malissa Nesmith.
Prayer: Reverend Curtis Cadenhead, First United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the January 15, 2007 council meeting were reviewed. Marr made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 15, 2007 council meeting. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
January (1A): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $538,354.71. Huddleston inquired about the payment to the Law Offices of M. S in the amount of $351.18. Keefer stated that the payment was to the Law Offices of M. Steven Wagle for a court appointed attorney fee. Huddleston asked if the judge has the discretion to assign any attorney as a court appointed attorney. Keefer stated that he does. Keefer stated that 85% of the time an attorney from Cami Baker’s office is appointed. All stated that sometimes an attorney may have a conflict of interest and cannot be appointed; therefore, the judge must appoint someone else. Keefer stated that he has been working with Cami Baker on an agreement for her office to provide court appointed attorneys for a set amount to help keep those cost down. Huddleston inquired about the payment to UCI Utility Consultants for employee testing. Keefer stated that the payment was for the City’s annual membership agreement. Keefer further explained that the testing is random drug testing for employees who operate city owned vehicles. Huddleston asked if Great Plains Communication is the company that is installing the security system at the power plant. Keefer stated that it is. Chrislip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1A totaling $538,354.71. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Rountree stated that the City of Augusta and Downtown Augusta Inc. are proud to announce a donation of $50,000 from the Male family for the Downtown Streetscape project. The donation has been designated to help with the restoration of the old Prairie State Bank clock. Rountree thanked Shari and Kristen Male for their donation and their help in restoring an important landmark for downtown Augusta.
New Business:
Downtown Streetscape: Council considered approval of an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for a Transportation Enhancement Grant for the Downtown Streetscape Project. Keefer stated that the changes in the agreement are project specific as it relates to the Streetscape project. Keefer stated that the agreement spells out KDOT’s commitment to reimburse the City up to 80 percent of the cost of the project up to a total project cost of $1,875,000 and how they will assist the City in acquiring right of ways and easements. Keefer stated that the City would be responsible for the relocation of utilities, but that the waterline project will address the waterlines and the overhead electrical lines will be moved underground as part of the Streetscape project. Huddleston stated that the agreement refers to the City’s audit report and asked if this was the City’s regular audit or a special audit. Keefer stated that the agreement is referring to the City’s regular annual audit and that the City’s auditor will forward a copy of the audit to the appropriate agencies. Marr stated that he would like the engineer and architect to give a brief review of the curb cuts required and the water meter covers that had been discussed in a previous Council meeting. Goedecke stated that he has not yet determined where driveway cuts will be and stated that he is currently in the process of working on the plans that will show that information. Goedecke stated that there had been an issue with a driveway in the 400 block of State Street but that the Council had already closed that issue. He also stated that there will be curbs added at the Train Depot and that there are some driveways north of 6th Street that have not yet been addressed. Keefer stated that there had been some interest in the purchase of the lot in the 400 block of State Street to use it as a parking lot. But, Keefer stated, unless the ordinance is changed it would have to be paved or hard surfaced to use it as a parking lot. Rawlings asked why the Council would want to restrict someone from using the space as a parking lot when no one is willing to spend two or three million dollars to put a building there. Marr asked what a historically accurate parking lot would look like. Goedecke stated that there are several more steps left to take before addressing these issues and that there will be several more opportunities to address them. Chrislip asked if once the plans were complete if they would be presented to the Council for a final okay. Keefer said that once Goedecke had completed his plans, he would need feedback from the Council before the final plans could be completed. Keefer stated that there will be several opportunities to address concerns or issues before the plans are finalized. Marr asked what it is that the Council is being asked to agree to tonight. Keefer stated that the agreement is with KDOT so that we have an official project. Keefer stated that it does not set forth any plans, it only addressees the project, funding, and criteria that need to be met. Bratton stated that he is sure Morris will keep the historical accuracy in mind when working on the plans. Morris suggested that the Council let the engineer and architect work on the plans and bring their suggestions to the Council for their approval or denial. Marr stated that he wants to be overly cautious about the schedule. Bratton asked Goedecke and Morris if they would be providing a construction schedule when the design plans are completed. All stated that the agreement is a standard construction contract and that there is not final design plans right now; therefore, they could not be provided as part of this agreement. Morris stated that this agreement is much like the one signed at the beginning of the Bike Path Project. Marr asked when the engineer and architect would be back before the Council presenting the design plans. Goedecke stated that he believes the field check plans will be complete in the late spring or early summer and they will then be submitted to KDOT for review. Goedecke stated that the KDOT review could take up to three months then any necessary corrections would need to be made. Goedecke stated that the plans would then be submitted to the Council for their approval before construction would begin. Goedecke stated that there are four different options available for the water boxes. He further stated that he still needs to speak with the Utility and Water departments about the options and after that he would make his recommendations to Staff and the Council. Marr made a motion to approve an agreement with the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) for a Transportation Enhancement Grant for the Downtown Streetscape Project. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Airport Lease: Council then considered approval of a lease agreement with Global Parts, Inc. for office and storage space at the Municipal Airport. Huddleston stated that he wanted to make sure the City is not limiting itself on the amount of the rent that can be charged after the first five years. Allen stated that after the first five years the $215 discount no longer applies and the rent amount can be changed. Allen further stated that there is no limit on the amount the City can increase the rent after the first five years. Bratton and Marr both commended Staff for their efforts at moving forward with the Airport. Bratton made a motion to approve a lease agreement with Global Parts, Inc. for office and storage space at the Municipal Airport. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Firefighters Relief Program: Council considered authorizing the Mayor to execute a document approving the Augusta Safety Department and Volunteer Fire Department to participate in the state’s Firefighters Relief Program. Rawlings made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute a document approving the Augusta Safety Department and Volunteer Fire Department to participate in the state’s Firefighters Relief Program. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Official Bank Depository: Council considered designating Emprise Bank as the City’s official bank depository. Marr made a motion to designate Emprise Bank as the City’s official bank depository. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Skid Steer: Council considered authorizing the purchase of the recovered skid steer from the insurance company. Bratton made a motion to authorize the purchase of the recovered skid steer from the insurance company in the amount of $19,555. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Equipment/Vehicle Bids: Council then considered bids for the purchase of two patrol vehicles for the Safety Department. Bratton made a motion to approve the purchase of two Crown Victoria patrol cars from Rusty Eck Ford with trade-ins, for a total of $32,074. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Next, the council considered bids for the purchase of two mowers for the Park Department. Bratton made a motion to approve the purchase of a Hustler 72” Super Z and a Hustler 12’ Rangewing from Hale’s Sales & Service for a total amount of $36,100. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Chrislip – Chrislip stated that several citizens had expressed to him their appreciation of the City’s snow removal efforts.
Rawlings – Rawlings stated that he had been asked about adding T-hangers at the Airport as an additional revenue source for the City. Allen stated that there is a waiting list for the current T-hangers and that there has been for some time. Allen stated that this would be a significant project, but is something that could be considered in the future. Allen stated that with the current staffing changes at the Airport, several things are being considered.
Bratton – Bratton stated that he too had heard from several citizens commending the City for the snow removal.
Huddleston – Huddleston asked if U-turns are allowed at the intersection of State and 4th Street. Keefer stated that since Huddleston lasted posed that question to him, he had received feedback that since there is not a sign there, U-turns are allowed. All stated that 20 to 30 years ago a sign prohibiting U-turns was placed at that intersection and there was an outcry from the citizens as that intersection has traditionally been considered a turn-around spot for those who were “cruising”. All stated that the sign was removed at that time and if there is no sign stating that U-turns are not allowed, then U-turns are legal.
Adjourn: At 8:10 p.m. Harper made a motion to adjourn. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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