City of Augusta Kansas

CITY COUNCIL

APRIL 16, 2007

7:30 P.M.

The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on April 16, 2007, with Mayor Ross Rountree presiding.  Council present were Holly Harper, Douglas Marr, Michael Huddleston, Ken Bratton, Paul Oliver, Mike Rawlings, Robert Griffith, Roger Chrislip, and newly elected Mayor Kristey Williams and newly elected Councilmember Tom Leffler.  Also present:  City Manager Bill Keefer, Assistant to the City Manager JJ Allen, City Attorney David All, and City Clerk Erica Jones.  Visitors present were: Michael McDermott, Willis Wilson, Myrna Rogers, Gary Rogers, Shirlene Burleson, Patty Leffler, Charley Havice, Martin Goedecke, Ben Lawrence, Chuck Knapp, Chelle Knapp, Joe Williams, Jeff Bridges, Eric Grooms, and Linda Ralston.

Prayer:  Reverend Terry Deaver, First Baptist Church gave the invocation.

Minutes Council:     Minutes of the April 2, 2007 council meeting were reviewed.  Harper made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2007 council meeting.  Marr seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.

Appropriations:                         

April (4):     Council considered appropriations in the amount of $597,375.29.  Oliver inquired about the payment to Augusta White Eagle Credit Union.  Jones stated that it was for employee payroll deductions.  Griffith inquired about the payment to Butler County Treasurer from the Electric Administration fund.  Keefer stated that it was payment for the primary election.  Griffith inquired about the payment to Cecil Petterson.  Keefer stated that it was for a garnishment.  Griffith asked if the payment to Cox was for service for the Parks Department.  Keefer stated that it was for three month’s of service at the Parks Department building on Ohio.  Griffith inquired about the payment to Flashover Inc.  Keefer stated that it was for light bars for the two new Safety Department vehicles.  Griffith inquired about the payment to NTS Mikedon, LLC.  Keefer stated that it was for shoring equipment.  Chrislip inquired about the payment to Kansas Gas Service for the Animal Clinic.  Keefer stated that it is part of the City’s agreement with the Animal Clinic that we pay for the gas for the cremator.  Marr inquired about the payment to American Control.  Keefer stated that funds were budgeted to make purchases for the SCADA system for the lift station.  Huddleston asked if customers at the Airport are being billed for their portion of the Rural Water District based on their usage.  Allen stated that they are.  Marr made a motion to approve Ordinance 4 in the amount of $597,375.29.  Huddleston seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.

Visitors:

City of Andover:     Ben Lawrence, Mayor of Andover, presented Rountree with an award of appreciation for his service as Mayor.  Lawrence stated that Augusta, Andover, and Butler County as a whole have benefited from Rountree’s service.  Rountree thanked Lawrence and stated that it has been a pleasure to work with him and wished him and his city good luck in their future endeavors.

S.C.A.R.F.:     Linda Ralston was present to thank the Council for their help with the Children’s Advocacy Center.  Ralston stated that the goal is to build a children’s home in Butler County so children from our County and others out east will not have to go to Wichita’s Children’s Home.  Ralston then invited the Council and public to attend the Buckaroo Ball on April 28^th, at Terradyne Country Club.  Ralston stated that anyone interested in attending the fundraiser can purchase tickets for $50 a piece.  She also stated that she would appreciate seeing a representative of the City of Augusta at the fundraiser.  Rountree thanked Ralston for her invitation and stated that she represents a very worthwhile cause.

New Business:

Oath of Office:     The newly elected Mayor and newly elected and re-elected Councilmembers then received the oath of office from City Clerk.  Those members were Kristey Williams, Douglas Marr, Tom Leffler and Robert Griffith. 

The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, staff and entire community, thanked outgoing Councilmembers Ken Bratton and Paul Oliver for their years of service on the City Council and presented them each with a plaque.  The Mayor, on behalf of the Council, staff and entire community, then thanked outgoing Mayor Ross Rountree.  Rountree stated that it has been an honor to serve this community and he is proud of the progress that has occurred.  He stated that he hoped he has made those that elected him into office proud.  Rountree stated that nothing that occurred during his years of service as Mayor could have happen without the support of the Council, both present and past, Staff, and especially City Manager Keefer.  Rountree stated that Keefer has helped him a great deal through his terms as Mayor and that Keefer has done so much for this community.  Rountree stated that he hopes the community sees and appreciates all that Keefer has done for our City.   He then wished the Council good luck.

            The Council then considered the election of the Council President.  Chrislip made a motion to appoint Griffith as the Council President.  Rawlings seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.    

Lakepoint 6^th Addition:     Council considered a request from Augusta Developers LLC for a six month extension on the Temporary Notes for internal improvements within the Lakepoint 6^th Addition.  Chrislip made a motion to approve a six month extension on the Temporary Notes for Lakepoint 6^th Addition.   Griffith seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.   

KLINK III:       Council considered bids for the KLINK Phase 3 project along 7^th Street between Cliff Drive and the west City limits.  Marr asked why there was such a variation between the engineer’s estimate and the bid prices.  Goedecke explained that when the estimate was calculated a higher increase in the cost of asphalt was expected.  Goedecke also explained that the bids often depend on how the contractor views the project.  Marr inquired about the high variance between the contractors on mobilization.  Goedecke explained that APAC is just west of Augusta, so it will cost them significantly less to mobilize their equipment to Augusta than it would a company out of Wichita.  Marr asked Goedecke if he foresees any changes in the scope of work to be completed for the project.  Goedecke stated no.  Marr made a motion to accept the low bid from APAC-Kansas, Inc., Shears Division in the amount of $133,243.82.  Harper seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.

Engineering Agreement:     Council then considered an agreement with Goedecke Engineering for Construction Engineering Services for the KLINK Phase 3 project.  Rawlings made a motion to approve an agreement with Goedecke Engineering for Construction Engineering Services for the KLINK Phase 3 project.  Chrislip seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.

FAA Grant:       Council considered approval of the FAA Grant Application for funding of the Apron Rehabilitation and Taxi Lane replacement project.  Rawlings made a motion to approve the FAA Grant Application for funding of the Apron Rehabilitation and Taxi Lane replacement project.  Huddleston seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.  Keefer stated that an amended application would be presented to the Council after the bids have been taken. 

Augusta Housing Authority:     Council considered the reappointment of Jane Richardson to the Augusta Housing Authority.  Griffith made a motion to reappoint Jane Richardson to the Augusta Housing Authority.  Marr seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.

El Dorado Raw Water Line:       Council considered the appointment of two members of the Governing Body to serve on the Engineering Services selection committee for the El Dorado Raw Water Line project.  Chrislip made a motion to appoint Councilmember Marr and Councilmember Rawlings to serve on the Engineering Services selection committee for the El Dorado Raw Water Line project.  Harper seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.             

Informational Memorandum & Questions:

Huddleston – Huddleston stated that he is very pleased with the improvements that have been made at the Airport.  He stated that Allen is doing a great job.  Huddleston also stated that he had received a couple of calls from citizens about the weather during Spring Cleanup and asking if the cleanup time will be extended.  Keefer stated that he would speak to the Street Superintendent to see what can be done.  Marr stated that he had received comments about people rummaging through and salvaging items at the cleanup dump site, and stated that he thought there were rules against that type of activity.  Harper stated that she had heard that too and that the personnel she spoke to was not aware of any rules against it.  Keefer stated that it is a rule and that he will have to check into the issue.  Griffith asked if the City is hiring any outside hauling.  Keefer stated that we may hire H & K Hauling to help haul the garbage to the Butler County Dump during their two week Spring Cleanup.

Chrislip – Chrislip stated that he noticed Westar had been in contact with the City.  Chrislip asked if the City was not happy with OPPD.  Keefer stated that we are happy with OPPD and are under contract with them for seven years with a termination clause after three years, but that Staff is always looking for competitive rates.  Keefer stated that Westar has contacted the City and shown interest in providing power to the City.  Keefer stated that the Power Pool is also looking into ways to lower costs.

Rawlings – welcomed the new Mayor and Councilmember to the Governing Body.

Marr – Marr stated his appreciation for the landscape work that was done along 7^th Street where the new traffic control signals were installed.  Keefer stated that the work was completed by the contractor.  Marr asked if new letterhead will be ordered.  Keefer stated that the current supply of letterhead is almost out, and that letterhead will be ordered to reflect the changes to the Governing Body.  Marr asked about the waterworks on Broadway.  Keefer stated that he is aware of the area Marr is referring to and that it is on the list of several leaks to be addressed.  Marr asked about the leak in the 300 block of Broadway.  Keefer stated that he will have to look in to that.  Marr stated that he noticed permits had been issued for multi-family dwellings and asked Staff to provide the address in the next Council packet.  Keefer stated that he believed it was for duplexes on Summit, but that he would have to verify that and report back to the Council.

Harper – Harper stated that it has been an honor to serve on the Council with Rountree, Oliver, and Bratton.  Harper also welcomed the new members of the Governing Body.

Adjourn:            At 8:10 p.m.  Harper made a motion to adjourn.     Marr seconded the motion.  Motion carried without opposition.