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CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 15, 2009
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on June 15, 2009, with Mayor Kristey Williams presiding. Council present were Matt Childers, Michael Huddleston, Michael Wallace, Tom Leffler, Robert Griffith, and Ronald Reavis. Council members Holly Harper and Mike Rawlings were absent. Also present: City Manager Bill Keefer, City Attorney David All, Assistant to the City Manager Josh Shaw, and City Clerk Erica Jones. Visitors present were: Mike McDermott, Martin Goedecke, Eric Christinat, Sharon Sudduth, and Trent Schell.
Prayer: Father Michael Schemm, St. James Catholic Church, gave the invocation.
Minutes: Huddleston stated the first sentence in the bid discussion should state “…with a more detailed scope of services”. Huddleston made a motion to approve the amended Minutes of the June 1, 2009 council meeting. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
June (6): Wallace made a motion to approve Ordinance 6 in the amount of $862,051.90. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Visitors:
Eric Christinat, Executive Director for Downtown Augusta, Inc. (DAI), made an annual request for funding assistance for the 2010 budget at the current 2009 level of $13,500. Christinat stated the Grasshopper Festival was a success and thanked the council for their support. Wallace made a motion to approve funding assistance for DAI’s 2010 budget in the amount of $13,500. Keefer recommended the council take the request under advisement and discuss it further during the budget work sessions. Wallace withdrew the motion.
Trent Schell, President of Augusta Progress, Inc. (API), presented a request for funding support in the 2010 budget in the amount of $20,000. Griffith asked what these funds would be used for. Schell stated there is not a specific plan for the funds except to provide for future opportunities. Huddleston stated he likes the idea of partnering, but is not sure about giving money to an organization that is already sitting on funds. Leffler asked if the current capital was a result of selling property recently. Schell stated it is. Williams stated that some cities set aside one mil for economic development, such as El Dorado. Childers asked if this is the first time API has requested funding. Schell stated API started in 1992 and at that time they were receiving funding from the city; however, they have not received funding in the last ten years. Keefer stated that sometime after the flood the city deeded property at the Industrial Park to API in lieu of a cash payment. Williams stated the council would take the request for funding under advisement.
Old Business:
Septic System Bids: Leffler made a motion to approve the bid from Lashbrook and Son Excavating in the amount of $12,500. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act: Leffler made a motion to authorize the funds for design engineering for repairs and improvements to 7th Street as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
Appointments: Leffler made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointments to various boards and committees. Reavis seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
CTB Grant Application: Reavis made a motion to approve a new grant application for the Convention and Tourism Bureau. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Work Sessions: Reavis made a motion to schedule budget work sessions for July 13 and July 27. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Access Agreement: Wallace made a motion to approve the amendment to the access agreement with Williams Petroleum. Reavis seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Griffith stated a realtor asked him if the floodplains will be changing in the near future and then changing again later. Keefer stated that the City’s PAL Agreement expires in July which will cause the remapping of the floodplain, a process which could take two years. Keefer stated if the levee is not re-certified by the time the remapping is complete, some areas could be placed in the floodplain requiring them to purchase flood insurance. Kristey stated that city staff and REAP is working to see what can be done to assist those cities whose PAL agreements have or will be expiring before their levees are re-certified.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Huddleston – Huddleston asked if staff could provide a list of those areas that will be monitored and treated by the Park Department for mosquitoes. Keefer stated that is an unreasonable request as there are many areas all over town that we treat, many of which change from one rain event to the next. Keefer stated the Park Department monitors for water standing in pot holes, ditches, culverts, and other low lying areas all over town. Huddleston asked who citizens should contact to report standing water. Keefer stated they should contact the Park Department or City Hall. Huddleston asked if that only applies to public property. Keefer stated that we usually only treat public property, but that we will assist and direct private property owners on how to address mosquito problems.
Final Comments:
Keefer gave an update on the cleanup at 3117 Susan Street. Keefer stated that all of the appliances, trash, and debris has been cleaned up and removed. Mr. All stated the tenant is set for trial in municipal court tomorrow.
Williams – Williams stated that because there is not a sponsor for the 4th of July fireworks display, there will not be one at the city lake this year. Williams stated that Santa Fe Lake will have a fireworks display on July 3rd and the cost will be $5 per vehicle if you do not have an annual permit.
Williams thanked John Tomlin for giving part of the council a tour of the NIAR facility. Williams asked staff if all of the storm sirens are operating. Keefer stated that they are.
Leffler – Leffler thanked the Mayor for her letter to the paper about the levee project.
Adjourn: At 8:24 p.m. Wallace made a motion to adjourn. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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