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CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 20, 2007
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on February 20, 2007, with Council President Robert Griffith presiding. Council present were Holly Harper, Douglas Marr, Michael Huddleston, Ken Bratton, Paul Oliver, Mike Rawlings, and Roger Chrislip. Mayor Ross Rountree was not in attendance. Also present: City Manager Bill Keefer, Assistant to the City Manager JJ Allen, City Attorney David All, City Clerk Erica Jones, Electric Utility Director Bill Webster and Electric Distribution Supervisor Tim Davis. Visitors present were: Michael McDermott, Scott Cheslic, Martin Goedecke and Kevin Unrein.
Prayer: Reverend Curtis Cadenhead, First United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the February 5, 2007 council meeting were reviewed. Chrislip made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2007 council meeting. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
February (2): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $1,353,258.85. Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 2 totaling $1,353,258.85. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Old Business:
Transformer Fees: Council considered approval of an ordinance amending the transformer and Service fees for the Electric Utility. Keefer stated that Webster and Davis reviewed the numbers in the previous ordinance and found that the costs for upgrades were less than originally thought. Marr asked what the reason was for the reductions. Webster stated that he and Davis looked for ways to reduce the cost without reducing safety or service. Webster stated that the reasons for the reduction in costs include a cheaper meter and meter can for 400 amp service and the fact that the service wire is only replaced 25% of the time. Keefer stated that some things were modified and clarified in the new ordinance and that after Staff spoke to local electricians, changes were made in the wording as well. Rawlings made a motion to accept the ordinance with the following changes: 400 amps Overhead Service on New Development will be reduced from $1945 to $1718, 400 amps Underground Service on New Development will be reduced from $2285 to $2115, and 400 amps Overhead Service on Existing Service will be reduced from $1035 to $862. Oliver seconded the motion. Ordinance 1941 was approved without opposition.
New Business:
Traffic Signal Project: Council considered approval of Change Order No. 1 and Change Order No. 2 for the KDOT Traffic Signal Project. Rawlings asked if the traffic control costs were for the software. Keefer stated that the traffic control costs included signs, cones and safety control. Griffith inquired about how the project progressing. Webster stated that all traffic signals and crosswalks were completed today and that the system should be powered up on Friday. Webster stated that the sidewalk and curbing will be poured on Thursday if the weather permits it. Webster stated that the striping will be completed at a later date. Rawlings made a motion to approve a change order in the amount of $5,293 for expenses related to the relocation of a signal pole and a change order in the amount of $4,400 to accommodate an increase in expenses related to traffic control. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Court Appointed Attny: Council then considered approval of a proposal from the Law Offices of Cami Baker to provide indigent attorney services for the Augusta Municipal Court. Keefer stated that there is an ongoing effort to control the City’s costs associated with the Municipal Court. Keefer stated that this proposal gives the opportunity to set a flat rate for Cami Baker’s office’s services. Keefer stated that the average cost per case in the past has been $185 and Baker agreed to that per case fee regardless of the number of hours spent on the case. Huddleston asked what would happen if Baker’s office has a conflict of interest with a specific case. Keefer stated that the Court will assign another attorney to the case and the judge should make the attorney aware that the City pays a per case fee of $185 for all court appointed attorneys. Bratton asked if based on the court’s history if this deal will benefit the City. Keefer stated that based on historical data it would. Marr clarified that the proposal was for 2007 and 2008 and includes an increase to $200 per case in 2008. Bratton made a motion to approve an agreement with the Law Offices of Cami Baker to provide indigent attorney services for the Augusta Municipal Court in the amount of $185 per case in 2007 and $200 per case in 2008. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Belmont Place Third Addition: Council considered approval of the petitions for internal improvements for 13 lots within Belmont Place Third Addition. Keefer stated that the request is for improvements and for temporary notes to be issued for three years. Keefer stated that temporary notes are usually issued for two years but have been extended upon the request of the developers. Chrislip stated that the Council has never turned down a request for extension in the past and that he really didn’t care for the threatening nature of the letter that was sent. Chrislip stated that that is not how you go about getting your way and therefore recommended temporary notes for only two years. Kevin Unrein stated that there is too much risk and cost to develop in Augusta if the specials are not spread out. Unrein stated that as developers, they do small areas so that the property is turned over quicker and the cost to the developers is lower. Unrein stated that he didn’t believe that Eric Grooms meant to be threatening in his letter, but he wanted to get his point across that this is important. Unrein apologized if the letter was taken as threatening, as it was not meant that way. Unrein stated that he read an article in the Wichita Business Journal that Newton is now offering longer term special assessments. Griffith stated that he certainly does not want to see Augusta Developers quitting to develop in our community, but that the City can not afford to give the improvements away either. Griffith asked Keefer what effect twenty year specials would have on our community. Keefer stated that it allows for a longer period of time for the property owners to pay back the debt and that the annual payments are smaller. Keefer stated that if lots are not sold, the developer continues to pay the special assessments until they are sold. Huddleston asked if Augusta Developers guarantee the payment of the specials. Keefer stated only on the property they own. Griffith asked if Augusta Developers were accepting of the temporary notes being extended to three years instead of extending special assessments to twenty years. Keefer stated that Augusta Developers prefer the extension of the temporary notes because it allows for the improvements to be completed and gives them a chance to sell the lots before the specials are spread to the property. Marr asked if there are any other lots available in town in this same targeted market range. Keefer stated that there is not. Keefer stated that the lots that are available are more costly. Huddleston asked about the cost of the fire hydrants being the City’s responsibility. Keefer stated that the City has always paid for the costs of fire hydrants, and that those costs are paid up front and are not bonded. Bratton asked Staff to bring information to the Council on what other cities are doing with special assessments. Keefer stated that Wichita will spread specials for twenty years on a case by case basis. Keefer stated that no other communities in Butler County extend specials for more than fifteen years. Keefer stated that based on the article in the Wichita Business Journal that Unrein referred to; Newton is now spreading specials out twenty years.
Marr made a motion to approve the petition for Water System Improvements in the Belmont Place Third Addition and extend temporary notes for three years. Oliver seconded the motion. Motion carried with Chrislip opposing.
Oliver made a motion to approve the petition for Sewer System Improvements in the Belmont Place Third Addition and extend temporary notes for three years. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried with Chrislip opposing.
Oliver made a motion to approve the petition or Street and Storm Sewer Improvements in the Belmont Place Third Addition and extend temporary notes for three years. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried with Chrislip opposing.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Chrislip – Chrislip stated that he would like the City to stay on top of the sidewalk issue at Country Club Towers. Keefer stated that he will. Rawlings asked if it was KDOT who had turned the City down for Safe Routes to School program funds for a sidewalk program with the school. Allen stated that it was, and that the City would be able to apply for that funding again. Rawlings stated that by cleaning up the sidewalks around town the City will be much more attractive.
Bratton – Bratton asked if Staff had heard anything back from the Corps about the PCA moratorium. Keefer stated that he had not. Bratton stated that he had heard the moratoriums are going to be lifted. Bratton asked what could be done to the road on the west side of the lake entering the park. Keefer stated that it would cost somewhere around $50,000 to pave that section of road. Keefer stated that re-grind has been used on it in the past. Bratton stated that he had contact with a wind farm entity that the City may have an opportunity to purchase power from in the future. Bratton stated that the project is only in the environmental stage right now.
Huddleston – Huddleston asked why the numbers are so far apart on the Airport reports. Allen stated that one set of figures include some past dues and the other reports the actuals. Huddleston asked if the City sells fuel on credit. Allen stated yes. Griffith asked if there had been any progress on finding a new Airport Manager. Allen stated that he would be meeting with the Airport Board to determine if replacing the Airport Manager is the right thing to do or if they should explore other options. Bratton stated that it is good to see the Airport moving forward in a positive way. Huddleston asked what effect de-commissioning the helicopter pad will have at the Airport. Allen stated that he met with Schreiber and he would like a new helicopter pad to be built in the future. Keefer stated that the helicopter pad to be de-commissioned is at the south end of the Airport and is old and rarely used. Keefer stated that there is a helicopter pad at the north end of the Airport that is near his current location.
Oliver – Oliver stated that the recent ice storms have left pot holes at several locations, especially at the area of State and Kelly Streets. Keefer stated that as the roads dry up, those will be addressed.
Adjourn: At 8:30 p.m. Harper made a motion to adjourn. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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