|
CITY COUNCIL
APRIL 7, 2008
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on April 7, 2008, 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, Electric Utility Director Bill Webster, Electric Production Superintendent Jim Sutton, Inspector Dan Allen, City Attorney David All and City Clerk Erica Jones. Visitors present were: Michael McDermott, Kevin Cowan, Dave Malone, Craig Sharp, and Martin Goedecke.
Prayer: Councilman Marr gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the March 17, 2008 council meeting were reviewed. Chrislip made a motion to approve the Minutes of the March 17, 2008 council meeting. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
March (3A): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $629,842.66. Marr inquired about there being a payment to Butler County Landfill in both ordinances. Keefer stated that it was a matter of timing. Marr asked for clarification of the reason for the payment to the Kansas Power Pool. Keefer stated that is who the City purchases its wholesale power through. Griffith made a motion to approve Ordinance 3A in the amount of $629,842.66. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
April (4): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $377,537.91. Marr made a motion to approve Ordinance 4 in the amount of $377,537.91. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
Sale of Bonds: Council considered approval of an Ordinance Authorizing and providing for the issuance of $655,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series A, 2008; and $780,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series B, 2008; providing for the levy and collection of taxes to pay for the bonds and the authorization and execution of related documents. Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 1960 authorizing and providing for the issuance of $655,000 in General Obligation Bonds, Series A, 2008; and $780,000 in General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series B, 2008; providing for the levy and collection of taxes to pay for the bonds and the authorization and execution of related documents. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Council considered a Resolution authorizing and directing the issuance, sale and deliverance of $655,000 in General Obligation Bonds Series A, 2008; and General Obligation Refunding bonds, Series B, 2008; and authorization of related documents. Rawlings made a motion to approve Resolution 2008-03 authorizing and directing the issuance, sale and deliverance of $655,000 in General Obligation Bonds Series A, 2008; and General Obligation Refunding bonds, Series B, 2008; and authorization of related documents. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Zoning & Final Plat: Council considered approval of an Ordinance changing the zoning classification for a tract of land along Custer Lane from Assembly to R-1 Residential Single Family. Huddleston asked if the minutes from the Planning Commission could be included in the packet for review. Keefer stated that the minutes will not have been approved by the Planning Commission, so they would not be the official minutes. Huddleston asked if it is always a rush to approve these issues. Keefer stated that there is a two week protest period between the Planning Commission meeting and when it is brought before the council. Huddleston asked if it is of the utmost importance for the council to take action before the minutes are approved. Keefer stated that the purpose has been to try to make decisions in a timely manner. Keefer stated that the unapproved minutes could be included in the packet for the council’s reference. Marr inquired about what would happen if something comes up during the two week protest period that would cause the Planning Commission to reverse their opinion. Keefer stated that any issue that came up during the protest period that would cause the Planning Commission to reverse their opinion would be included in the council packet. Marr made a motion to approve Ordinance 1961 changing the zoning classification for a tract of land along Custer Lane from Assembly to R-1 Residential Single Family. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Council considered approval of the Final Plat for the Custer Lane Addition. Leffler made a motion to approve the Final Plat for the Custer Lane Addition. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Airport: Council considered approval of an Agreement with BWR for planning services for a Runway Feasibility Study and Airport Layout Plan updates. Wallace made a motion to table this agenda item. Motion failed for lack of a second. Marr asked why Wallace wanted to table this item. Wallace stated that he was not finished investigating this issue. Williams stated that the only thing at hand is a request to approve BWR’s services for providing a study and that there is 95% of the cost of this already set aside for this. Wallace stated that this is not an urgent matter and he would like another two weeks to investigate.
Chrislip made a motion to approve an Agreement with BWR for planning services for a Runway Feasibility Study and Airport Layout Plan updates. Rawlings seconded the motion. Huddleston stated that in the memo it mentioned that the Council had previously approved or implemented planning for the Airport Master Plan. JJ Allen stated that at the February 19, 2008 meeting the Council selected BWR for services including an update to the Airport Master Plan and as well as other planning services. Huddleston asked if this is approved, should the Council negate the previous plan for an update to the Master Plan. David All stated that it would not be necessary. Allen further stated that the Council approved BWR as a consultant, but not specifically or only for the Airport Master Plan. Wallace stated that the City is constantly paying for studies to be done and he wants to make sure they are necessary. Keefer stated that the FAA requires these studies are done and if the City wants to continue to receive FAA funding, it would have to conduct those studies as required. Huddleston again stated his concern that the Council had previously approved BWR to update the Airport Master Plan. Williams asked when the last update occurred. Allen stated that the Airport Master Plan was last updated in 2002 or 2003. Leffler made a motion to call for the previous question. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried with Huddleston opposing.
Council voted on the previous motion made by Chrislip and seconded by Rawlings to approve an Agreement with BWR for planning services for a Runway Feasibility Study and Airport Layout Plan updates. Motion carried with Huddleston and Wallace opposing.
Council considered a Grant Application to the Federal Aviation Administration for funding assistance of the Runway Feasibility Study and Airport Layout Plan updates. Wallace asked if this is the 95% funding for the study that was reference earlier. JJ Allen stated that the FAA awards $150,000 to the City of Augusta annually. Allen stated that once the FAA approves the project, which they have in this case then the funds are ours. Allen stated that filling out the grant application is basically only semantics. Marr stated that it appears the process needs to be evaluated. Wallace stated that this goes back to the Council having the information earlier so these issues can be addressed. Rawlings made a motion to hire a staff member to take care of the agenda and council packet. Motion died for lack of a second. Rawlings stated that we keep asking staff to do more and more things for the council packet, so much so that they are not able to do the jobs they are supposed to do. Williams stated that the Council has a commitment to the community to address issues as they come up in a timely manner and that it isn’t in the best interests of the community to not consider certain issues that come up just because they are past the deadline for the agenda. Wallace stated that there is nothing life or death that has to be addressed in two weeks. Wallace stated that we are not serving the community by making decisions without having all of the information. Chrislip made a motion to approve a Grant Application to the Federal Aviation Administration for funding assistance of the Runway Feasibility Study and Airport Layout Plan updates. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Airport Liability Ins.: Council considered approval of the Airport Liability Insurance policy for April 19, 2008 through April 18, 2009. Huddleston asked if there would be policy changes with regard to a decision to have self fueling. JJ Allen stated that it could lead to a reduction in the premium. Marr made a motion to approve the Airport Liability Insurance policy for April 19, 2008 through April 18, 2009. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Change Order: Council considered approval of Change Order #2 for the 2007 Street Maintenance Program for asphalt patching work. Huddleston asked what “VG” stood for. Goedecke stated that it stands for Valley Gutter. Marr asked if it is chipping out. Goedecke stated that it is. Wallace made a motion to approve Change Order #2 for the 2007 Street Maintenance Program for asphalt patching work. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Bids: Council considered bids for an ABB Circuit Breaker for the Electric Utility. Rawlings made a motion to accept the bid from Wesco Supply in the amount of $12,852. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Cereal Malt Beverage: Council considered approval of a Cereal Malt Beverage license for Pizza Hut. Huddleston inquired about the listing of Pizza Hut of SE Kansas, Inc. as the applicant at the beginning of the memo and Crescent Stores Corporation at the end. Jones stated that this was a typographical error and the applicant is Pizza Hut of SE Kansas, Inc. Wallace made a motion to approve a Cereal Malt Beverage license for Pizza Hut. Leffler seconded. Motion carried with Rawlings opposing.
Work Sessions: Council considered approval of a work session on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 6:30 pm to review and discuss a proposal for a self-service aviation fuel depot at the Municipal Airport. Marr asked if the airport manager and advisory board will be at the meeting. JJ Allen stated that the airport manager would be present at the work session. Huddleston asked if the advisory board has looked over the proposal. Allen stated that they are aware of it, but that he would give them the information for their review. Marr made a motion to schedule a work session on Monday, April 21, 2008 at 6:30 pm to review and discuss a proposal for a self-service aviation fuel depot at the Municipal Airport. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Council considered approval of a work session on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7 pm to review and discuss the Downtown Streetscape Project. Marr made a motion to schedule a work session on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 7 pm to review and discuss the Downtown Streetscape Project. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Huddleston – Huddleston inquired about the Fly-In. JJ Allen stated that the turnout was a little disappointing as there were only ten planes that flew in. Huddleston asked if the weather was a factor. Allen stated that there was hail around that time. Allen stated that there were approximately 40 people that came out to the Airport for the Fly-In. Marr asked if staff received any feedback from those in attendance. Allen stated that there were several good remarks about how the Airport looks, especially the lobby. Allen stated that all in all it went well. Williams stated that three out of the five board members were present for the fly-in. Huddleston asked Staff if they would be ready to make their response to KDHE by May 1st as noted in the Informational Memorandum. Keefer stated that they would. Huddleston inquired about the codification and now that it has been received for proofing, how long it will be before it is completed. Jones stated that staff has scheduled meetings to review the proof, but that it will have to be looked at page by page like the proof of the previous document. Huddleston asked if it would be completed by the end of May. Jones stated that it would probably not be completed that early. Keefer stated that the previous code draft provided by Municode Corporation was a copyrighted document and that the League could not use it for reference when preparing the current draft. Keefer stated that there were several changes and recommendations made with the previous draft that the League was not aware of for that reason. Keefer stated that the whole process had to restart from the beginning. Huddleston asked why the first draft could not be used if the City paid for it. David All stated that because it was copyrighted, Municode Corporation required that the draft be returned to them. Jones stated that the League’s attorneys refused to use the draft as reference due to copyright concerns. Huddleston stated that he would like the Council to revisit the acquisition of the railroad to the east. Huddleston stated that he feels we might be missing out on an opportunity.
Wallace – Wallace inquired about the status of the water leak on the Mulvane line near the wastewater treatment plant. JJ Allen stated that the Superintendent has been aware of the leak for quite a while. Allen stated that they are waiting on a saddle to be delivered, but that other things have come up that have taken priority. Keefer stated that he understood the part would be delivered and the repairs would be made by the end of this week. Huddleston asked if it is known how much water is being wasted. Allen stated that it is not known.
Marr – Marr stated that he would like to have a plan of action for moving forward with extension of Lulu Street to 6th Street. Keefer stated that he would need direction from the Council. Williams asked Marr what he was trying to connect to or help access. Marr stated that Dike Road will have to be addressed in the future. Marr stated that connecting Lulu to 6th Street would allow for a heavy truck route and give drivers on Thunder Road an opportunity to turn north and access 7th Street without having to drive all the way to Walnut first. Marr stated that there would be a lot of positive reasons to connect the west side of town, such as the walking path. Griffith stated that with the levee project we are going to have to do something with Dike Road anyway, and asked why we couldn’t take that money and put it into a new road. Williams asked if there would be any funding available for this type of project, such as sales tax. Keefer stated that sales tax monies could not be used for this type of project, that Capital Improvement funds would have to be used or debt would have to be issued. Williams stated that she thinks this is something worth revisiting when looking at the 7th Street corridor and the Capital Improvement Plan. Marr stated that the he feels the right next step is a one page summary from staff on what the steps for proceeding would be. Marr stated that he received a request for the city-wide cleanup to be extended for an additional weekend. Huddleston asked what determines when the cleanup is scheduled. Keefer stated that we try to overlap and coordinate with the County’s cleanup weeks, so we can take advantage of the lower cost for the City to haul those items off to the Butler County Landfill. Keefer stated that we also try to coordinate it with the growing season, when most people are trying to get their lawns cleaned up. Keefer further stated that it is scheduled so that it is completed before summer, when there are typically big projects scheduled. Huddleston stated that the cleanup should be just for local citizens but that on occasion he has seen large dump trucks, possibly commercial ones, unloading items. Keefer stated that staff is supposed to be monitoring to make sure they are local residents and not commercial vehicles dumping items; however, there are several local residents bringing in very large loads. Huddleston asked if there are any limits on how much can be dumped. Keefer stated that there is not. Marr stated that the only restriction is that you cannot take limbs to the compost site that are more than six inches around. Marr stated that he has received feedback from citizens about several vehicles parking on easements or in yards. Marr stated that he would like staff to provide clarification on what is or is not allowed with regard to parking vehicles on easements and in yards in the next informational memorandum.
Harper – Harper asked if letters are sent to residents when there will be invasive street work in their area. Goedecke stated that the contractors deliver flyers to the properties where they will be working. Goedecke stated that he had received some calls inquiring about the work being by the gas company. Goedecke stated that if Harper is referring to the work being done on the retaining wall at 12th and Dearborn, he personally spoke to the each of the two residents on the north and south side of 12th Street at the intersection. Harper asked if the property is a rental whether notice is given to the resident or the owner of the property. Goedecke stated that the notice is delivered to the person at that address where the work is being completed. Huddleston stated that there has been a discussion about an ordinance requiring utility companies to obtain permits. Keefer stated that the ordinance is on the long list of things to do. Keefer stated that the gas company did obtain a permit. Huddleston stated that if utility companies are required to obtain permits, the City could then notify the residents of work being done in there vicinity through the Gazette or Channel 7.
Marr closed the meeting with a prayer for KU to be successful in tonight’s NCAA Championship game.
Adjourn: At 8:20 p.m. Marr made a motion to adjourn. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
|
.jpg)
