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CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 19, 2008
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on February 19, 2008, with Mayor Kristey Williams presiding. Council present were Douglas Marr, Michael Huddleston, Michael Wallace, Tom Leffler, Mike Rawlings, Robert Griffith, and Roger Chrislip. Council absent was Holly Harper. 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, Kevin Cowan, Bill Eastman, and Dave Malone.
Prayer: Reverend Curtis Cadenhead, First United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
Minutes Council: Minutes of the February 4, 2008 council meeting were reviewed. Chrislip made a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 4, 2008 council meeting. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
February (2): Council considered appropriations in the amount of $640,270.69. Griffith inquired about the payment to Sunflower RC&D in the amount of $1,000.00. Keefer stated that $1,000.00 was budgeted in the Special Parks fund to assist in the re-forestation of Greensburg. Griffith inquired about the payment to Victor L. Phillips Co. Keefer stated that $8,000.00 of the expense was for the rental of equipment needed for the cleanup of the dump site. Keefer stated that the expense will be reimbursed by the grant. Chrislip stated that the payment to Ferrell Gas seemed high. Keefer stated that the payment was for the Airport only, but that it covered the winter months and that it has been very cold. Chrislip inquired about the payment to Kerry Unrein Painting in the amount of $1,568.00. Keefer stated that it was for metal markers that the Electric Department will be posting on the City’s electric poles around town for identification purposes. Griffith made a motion to approve Ordinance 2 in the amount of $640,270.69. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
Public Hearing: Council conducted a Public Hearing to take input on proposed special assessments for internal improvements to Lakepoint 6th Addition, Augusta Heights Addition and the USD 402 Bus Barn. The Public Hearing was closed with no public comments.
Council considered approval of an ordinance levying special assessments on certain property to pay the costs of internal improvements in the City of Augusta. Chrislip made a motion to approve Ordinance 1958 levying special assessments on certain property to pay the costs of internal improvements in the City of Augusta. Griffith seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Schedule Public Hearing: Council considered scheduling a Public Hearing for 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2008 to take input on a proposed Economic Development Revolving Loan for STM, Inc. Griffith made a motion to schedule a Public Hearing for 7:30 p.m., Monday, March 3, 2008 to take input on a proposed Economic Development Revolving Loan for STM, Inc. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Zoning Classification: Council considered approval of an ordinance changing the zoning classification for 1425, 1443, 1445 and 1447 Custer Lane from R-5 to R-1A. Huddleston commented on the City requesting the zoning change. Keefer stated that the surrounding properties are all single family dwellings with the exception of one property west on Kelly. Huddleston asked if a single family dwelling is allowed in R5 zoning. Keefer stated that it is but in groups. Keefer stated that the R5 zoning is hard to explain. Huddleston asked if it would be better to zone the property for R2 or R3 so a property wouldn’t have to come to the City to have it rezoned if they chose to put a duplex or other multi-unit dwelling on the property. Keefer stated that if Council chose to do that they could, but that there would be protests from the neighborhood if it were to be zoned as R2 or R3. Marr stated that it is part of an initiative over the last four or five years to take existing neighborhoods and bring the zoning up to date for property or neighborhood’s most current use. Huddleston asked if there is a plan in place to review the zoning throughout town. Keefer stated that in this particular area it made sense to change it to R1A to reflect what is in that particular location. Rawlings made a motion to approve Ordinance 1959 changing the zoning classification for 1425, 1443, 1445 and 1447 Custer Lane from R-5 to R-1A. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Job Classification and Pay Plan: Council considered approval of a Resolution implementing a Job Classification and Pay Plan for City Employees. Rawlings made a motion to approve Resolution 2008-01 implementing a Job Classification and Pay Plan for City Employees. Marr seconded the motion. Wallace stated that there is no mention in section three of the resolution that an employee can be promoted or receive an increase in pay based on their performance evaluations. Allen stated that the purpose of section three is to get our midpoints to match the market. Allen stated that merit raises are separate from that and are good to reward those employees that do well. Allen stated that the resolution is about getting our wages to where they need to be to be competitive. Huddleston asked if the market midpoint is a fixed number. Allen stated that it is fixed based on the salary survey that was completed, but that it is a moving target based on the market. Allen suggested doing a survey every five years or so to make sure the City is staying competitive. Wallace stated that the wording in section three bothers him and asked if this is going to be ongoing. Allen stated that we know what the market midpoint is and that ours is set $0.71 lower because of the value of our insurance benefit. Allen stated that he would recommend chipping away at that difference over the next couple of years. Allen stated that if we completed another salary survey and saw that we are at the market, then those increases could cease. Huddleston stated that he would like to see the resolution amended to include a statement that a salary survey will be completed every five years. Rawlings made a motion to amend the motion to include a section that states a salary survey will be completed as needed, but no less than every five years. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion to amend the original motion was approved without opposition. The motion to approve Resolution 2008-01 carried without opposition.
Cox Communications: Council considered approval of an amendment of a land lease with Cox Communications. Griffith made a motion to approve an amendment of a land lease with Cox Communications. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
State Firefighters’ Relief Fund: Council considered authorizing the Mayor to execute a document declaring the City’s ability to participate in the State’s Firefighters’ Relief Fund for 2008. Marr made a motion to approve authorizing the Mayor to execute a document declaring the City’s ability to participate in the State’s Firefighters’ Relief Fund for 2008. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Airport Master Plan: Council considered the recommendation from the Airport Advisory Committee on the selection of a consultant for the Airport Master Plan Update. Griffith asked if there is a contract or if the cost is known. Allen stated that the FAA expects the cost of the project to be $100,000 and that 95% of the project will be funded by the FAA. Allen stated that the City budgeted its cost for the project to be $5,000.00. Keefer stated that the contract will be brought back to the Council for final approval. Marr made a motion to approve the recommendation from the Airport Advisory Committee to select BWR as the consultant for the Airport Master Plan Update. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Airport Capital Improvement Program: Council considered approval of the update to the City of Augusta’s Airport Capital Improvement Program. Rawlings made a motion to approve the update to the Airport Capital Improvement Program. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Work Session: Council considered scheduling a work session for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2008 to review information regarding the concept of a Community Center. Marr requested that prior to the review that the committees notify Staff of their comprehensive plan and how the plan fits into the City’s comprehensive plans. Chrislip made a motion to approve scheduling a work session for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2008 to review information regarding the concept of a Community Center. Marr seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Huddleston – Huddleston stated that he would like to periodically see a list of what property the City owns and what it is rented for and to whom. Huddleston stated that one of the backhoes working on the downtown waterline has a broken window that obscures visibility.
Williams – Williams stated that the Augusta Chamber of Commerce is going to the State Capital on February 26th and has invited the Council to attend. They will be leaving the Chamber Office at 7 a.m. Williams stated that the Council might consider a time this spring to meet with the School Board. Williams thanked those that attended the Visioning meetings and stated that surveys about the vision statement could be completed online on the Chamber’s website. Williams stated that she was contacted by Tom Bishop with Brookside Cottages asking that their refuse rates be changed from multi unit dwelling charges to commercial charges.
Wallace – Wallace stated that if by signing a new contract with Cox Communications the City’s expense would decrease by 40%, he didn’t see where there was any choice other than approving signing a new contract. Wallace stated that there is a lot of hydraulic fluid leaking from the equipment working on the downtown waterline project. Wallace stated that he had been contacted by a business in town about the City making its payments late and not paying the late fees, but that the City charges its customers late fees. Jones stated that there are times that the appropriation ordinance is not approved in time for the payments to be received by the due dates. Jones stated that an attempt is made to contact business owners about the late fees and see if there is enough time allowed for those payments to be made.
Marr – Marr stated that the Inspection Department’s monthly report shows $1.4 million in Industrial permits and that it looks a little high. Keefer stated that he would double check those figures and include an update in the informational memorandum for the next meeting. Marr stated that he would like feedback from Staff about including the performance evaluation forms and the pay plan in the employee handbook. Marr asked if the City is working with the Gas Company to see that they are out of there before the work on the Streetscape Project is started. Keefer stated that they understand there is a deadline and will be getting with the City Engineer to review the plans and schedule. Marr asked about the plans for city crews to complete the waterline project prior to the Streetscape work. Keefer stated that they are aware of the deadlines for their work to be completed. Keefer stated that Staff is still looking at letting bids for the Streetscape work late this spring.
Adjourn: Marr made a motion to adjourn. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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