|
CITY COUNCIL
JULY 16, 2007
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on July 16, 2007, with Mayor Kristey Williams presiding. Council present were Holly Harper, Douglas Marr, Michael Huddleston, Michael Wallace, Tom Leffler, Mike Rawlings, Robert Griffith, and Roger Chrislip. 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, Gerry Lipscomb, and Linda Williams.
Prayer: Scott Rosin from the Christ Lutheran Church gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the July 2, 2007 council meeting were reviewed. Marr stated on page 4 of the minutes, the response to his commit that wording should be omitted was that the wording could not be omitted. Chrislip made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2007 council meeting. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
July (7): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $835,234.24. Marr stated that there appeared to be several pool party refunds. Keefer stated that the majority of refunds were weather related. Griffith made a motion to approve Ordinance 7 in the amount of $835,234.24. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
Public Hearing: Council considered scheduling the Public Hearing and adoption of the proposed 2008 Budget for 7 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2007 at City Hall. Rawlings made a motion to schedule the Public Hearing and adoption of the proposed 2008 Budget for 7 p.m., Monday, August 13, 2007 at City Hall. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Letter of Understanding: Council considered approval of a Letter of Understanding with the owners of Pro Coaters for the repayment of the City’s Revolving Loan. Wallace asked if Pro Coaters is current with their payments so far. Allen stated that in 2007 they have made the equivalent of eight monthly payments; however, they have been severely delinquent over the course of the loan repayment schedule. Allen stated that this payment plan is more feasible for them and that it is what they said would work for them. Wallace asked how Staff felt about this arrangement. Allen stated that he is cautiously optimistic, and feels that it is a step forward as opposed to leaving the situation as it is. Wallace stated that it is better to work with businesses when we can. Wallace made a motion to approve a Letter of Understanding with Pro Coaters for the repayment of the City’s Revolving Loan. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Planning Commission: Council then considered approval of recommendations from the Planning Commission. The first item considered was an Ordinance amending the zoning classification from Agricultural to Residential 6A for a tract of property located in the City’s Growth Area. Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 1944 amending the zoning classification from Agricultural to Residential 6A for a tract of property located in the City’s Growth Area. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Council then considered approval of the Final Plat for Lipscomb Acres 2nd Addition. Chrislip made a motion to approve the Final Plat for Lipscomb Acres 2nd Addition. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Council considered the Final Plat for Heritage Twin Homes Addition. Wallace inquired about whether the property was originally requested by McCollum Construction to be zoned for senior housing and why they have now changed their minds. Keefer stated that they are still homes that are aimed towards seniors, but that they are now going to be sold rather then rented as originally thought. Keefer stated that the property is zoned correctly, but that to sell the homes they have to be platted into four lots with each twin home on a lot and then each lot could be split once and reflect that on the legal description. Wallace asked what prompted McCollum Construction to change their mind and asked that the discussion be tabled until he is able to review all of the information and history further. Keefer stated that the property is zoned properly for multifamily housing, that the only issue now is the difference between whether the property is sold or rented. Huddleston asked how many units were originally allowed. Keefer stated that there were four twin homes originally approved and that is what is to be built. Rawlings stated that the neighbors are actually more pleased that the properties will be sold rather than rented. Rawlings stated that McCollum Construction had a difficult time selling the twin homes built on 13th Street, so that had originally prompted them to consider renting these properties. Rawlings stated that since breaking ground on these twin homes, McCollum has received a lot of interest from people about buying the property. Wallace thanked Rawlings for the clarification. Wallace made a motion to approve the Final Plat for Heritage Twin Homes Addition. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
State Set Off: Council considered authorizing the submittal of 114 past due utility accounts to the State Set-Off Program for Collection. Huddleston stated that it seemed the Council had just approved the submittal of past due accounts to the State Set-Off Program. Jones stated that past due utility accounts are submitted to the State every six months, and that they Council did approve accounts to be submitted in December. Huddleston asked if there were 114 new past due accounts since December. Jones stated that there were. Huddleston asked if the State is very successful at collecting. Jones stated that as long as the account holders file taxes in the State of Kansas and have a tax refund due, the State deducts our collection amounts from those refunds. Huddleston asked if the City is receiving all of those funds. Jones stated that the City is receiving the amount collected minus the approximate 18% collection fee the State charges. Huddleston made a motion to authorize the submittal of 114 past due utility accounts in the amount of $39,591.77 to the State Set-Off Program for Collection. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Agreements of Clarification: Council considered approval of Agreements of Clarification with the State of Kansas and FEMA for 1709 Highland Drive and 1710 Highland Drive. Huddleston asked what the agreement clarifies. Keefer stated that it clarifies the City’s ability to put a flood control levee/flood wall on these two lots. Keefer stated that FEMA is requesting that the City use this document to amend the deed restrictions. Rawlings made a motion to approve the Agreement for Clarification with the State of Kansas and FEMA for Lot 19, Block 1, Meadowview Acres Addition, 1709 Highland Drive. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition. Rawlings then made a motion to approve the Agreement for Clarification with the State of Kansas and FEMA for Lot 8, Block 5, Meadowview Acres, 1710 Highland Drive. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Leffler – Leffler asked for clarification on the new striping and signage on North Ohio. Keefer stated that over the last couple of years there has been and increased number of issues with drivers using the paved shoulder to pass vehicles on the right. Keefer stated that this is a high traffic area for pedestrians heading to and from the Play Park and that there have been several incidents where vehicles have almost struck pedestrians. Keefer stated that before the Safety Department can respond to those concerns, the act of using the paved shoulder as a driving lane has to be prohibited.
Williams – Williams stated that the resurfacing of 7th Street was done efficiently and looks great.
Marr – Marr stated that he wants it documented that the curb cut in the 400 block of State Street is supposed to be removed as part of the Streetscape Project. Rawlings asked what happens if the lot remains vacant for twenty years because the Council would not allow a parking lot to go in or the curb cut to remain. Marr stated that he just wanted to clarify that it would require special permits to put a parking lot in. Rawlings stated that it said in the memo that it would require a conditional use permit from the Planning Commission for the lot to be used as a parking lot. Marr stated that he just wanted it known that the Main Street Program has some limits on that area and that it is not a given that a parking lot will be allowed. Williams stated that she wants to commend the purchaser of the property for what she is taking on. Williams stated that the owner has already purchased three other lots downtown. Marr stated that the Main Street Committee will present a problem for a parking lot to be put in at that location and that the rules cannot be ignored. Marr inquired about the notice to proceed and performance bond for the work to be completed on the downtown waterline by Alan’s Excavating. Keefer stated that the performance bond has been received and the notice to proceed has been issued. Marr stated that he received a call about improvements to the 300 block of Columbia using the Street Sales Tax fund. Marr stated that he wants to clarify that the traffic counts do not constitute making those repairs at this time. Keefer stated that the block is on the list for streets to be repaired using the Street Sales Tax funds, but that there are other streets ahead of that one on the list. Marr stated that Staff should look at the drainage on Edgewood near the soccer fields to see if the drainage area is plugged up. Marr also inquired about the concerns of water infiltration into the sewer system. Keefer stated that significant work has already been done to the man holes and that personnel will begin doing camera work to identify areas that need work. Marr stated that there is a drainage issue on Helen. Keefer stated that the area is so flat it cannot drain. Marr stated that Staff needs to speak to personnel operating City vehicles about adhering to speed limits. Marr asked if the environmental inspector is aware of concerns with the property at 607 Frisco. Keefer stated that he is. Marr stated that the NE corner of the intersection at Broadway and Dearborn has dirt and mud that has settled and is blocking the water from draining. Marr stated that he gave Keefer a list of recommendations for re-wording the zoning issue that was tabled at the last meeting. Keefer encouraged additional comments from the rest of the Council and stated that the suggestions will be taken to the Planning Commission for further discussion and then their recommendations will be brought back to the Council. Keefer stated that it will be presented to the Council again probably at the second meeting in August.
Harper – Harper stated that she was contacted about a young man who was cited for parking at the base of the spillway in Garvin Park and that there is no signage prohibiting parking in that area. Keefer stated that there are signs prohibiting parking on the grass anywhere in the park and that during ball games, several tickets could be issued. Rawlings stated that in this instance, the person was not parked at the base of the spillway but on the dam and that the person got stuck and left ruts on the dam. Rawlings stated that the driver passed a sign 50 feet from where he parked that states vehicles are not to leave the road. Harper asked Keefer to address whether spraying for mosquitoes is occurring. Keefer stated that the City does have a fogger and that they are spraying, but that several conditions must be met before they can spray. Keefer stated that it has to be dusk and that the wind cannot be blowing more than five mile per hour. Keefer stated that there are also briquettes that are placed in standing water that will take care of the mosquito larvae.
Adjourn: At 8:15 p.m. Harper made a motion to adjourn. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
|
.jpg)
