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CITY COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on September 8, 2009, with Council President Robert Griffith presiding. Council present were Holly Harper, Matt Childers, Michael Huddleston, Michael Wallace, Tom Leffler, Mike Rawlings, and Ronald Reavis. Mayor Kristey Williams was absent. Also present: City Manager Bill Keefer, City Attorney David All, Assistant to the City Manager Josh Shaw, Airport Manager Tyler Setchell, Public Safety Department Major Ray Marbut, and City Clerk Erica Jones. Visitors present were: Mike McDermott, Jim Neese, Aaron Iverson, Martin Goedecke, and Eric Christinat.
Prayer: Pastor Penny Goldberg, First Christian Church, gave the invocation.
Minutes: Harper made a motion to approve the Minutes of the August 17, 2009 council. Reavis seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
August (8A): Huddleston asked if the purchase from Andover Lawn Equipment could have been made locally. Keefer stated that Rod Davis, Santa Fe Lake Caretaker, purchased these based on his previous experience with this purchase. Huddleston asked if the payment for Cox Communications out of the Cemetery fund was for internet service and Keefer stated it was. Huddleston inquired about the payment to JSC. Keefer stated it was for the purchase of ammunition. Reavis inquired about the payment to Executive Management and Keefer stated it is the monthly charge for janitorial services at the Safety Department. Wallace stated the payment to Randy Johnson in the amount of $500 made him want to remind the public that the City will share the cost of sidewalk replacement. Reavis made a motion to approve Ordinance 8A in the amount of $1,345,293.05. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
September (9): Wallace made a motion to approve Ordinance 9 in the amount of $362,455.95. Leffler seconded the motion. Huddleston asked if the payment to Bryant & Bryant in the amount of $96,921.51 is the final payment. Keefer stated there will be more payments totaling around $150,000 to $180,000. Motion carried without opposition.
Old Business:
Airport: Wallace made a motion to approve an amended Policy Handbook of Rules and Regulations for the Augusta Municipal Airport. Harper seconded the motion. After questions by Reavis about sections 100.3, 200.1, and 300.5, Wallace made a motion to amend section 200.1 A to read “…shall possess an applicable equipment operators license.” Huddleston seconded the amendment. Motion carried to amend section 200.1 A. Motion carried to approve the amended Policy Handbook of Rules and Regulations with the amendment to section 200.1 A.
Downtown Parking: Harper made a motion to support the recommendation by Downtown Augusta Inc. to prepare an ordinance repealing Section 13-209 of the Code of Ordinances. Wallace seconded the motion. Huddleston inquired about the new snow emergency signs and concerns about no parking if the snow is higher than two inches. Keefer agreed and Goedecke stated these are the new signs in the Uniform Traffic Control, but that he is looking into the location of the old signs and whether or not they could be put back up. Wallace called the question. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
2008 Audit: Aaron Iverson presented the year end 2008 Audit to the Council. Wallace inquired about the small difference at the Airport. Iverson stated for audit purposes the amount was insignificant, but Wallace asked Iverson to provide him with the exact amount it was out of balance. Wallace inquired about the balancing of the court bonds. Jones stated she is receiving the bond list monthly along with the reconciliation. Childers asked Jones what is being done to ensure deposits are being adequately secured. Jones stated she is working with Emprise Bank and emailing if any deposits are made in excess of $100,000. Jones also stated she is spot checking the pledged securities at various times throughout the month. Huddleston stated the Certificates of Participation on page 52 need to be deleted and Iverson agreed that those were listed in error. Wallace made a motion to approve the 2008 Audit. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition. Huddleston stated that the majority of the audit falls under Jones’ jurisdiction and stated that she is doing a great job.
Revolving Loan: Council considered approval of a request from STM, Inc. to make interest only payments for six months on their revolving loan. Griffith stated STM has had a good payment record and the Economic Development Board felt that this was a legitimate request that would help the business be more successful. Leffler made a motion to approve the request from STM, Inc. to make interest only payments for six months on their revolving loan. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Memorandum of Understanding: Jim Neese presented a Memorandum of Understanding with Butler County on the proposed countywide 800 MHz Radio Communications System. Keefer stated that Butler County has approved placing a $0.25 sales tax increase on a mail-in ballot to fund the new program. Huddleston voiced concerns regarding how it would be paid for if the sales tax does not pass, and whether the City would be expected to assist in the funding of the program. Neese indicated that in all likelihood if the sales tax did not pass, it would be funded through an increase in the County mil levy. Keefer stated the agreement is requesting that City support the concept of the plan. Keefer stated that down the road the City may have to pay for replacement equipment. Griffith asked how the new system would affect citizens. Neese stated it would allow first responders to communicate more effectively. Griffith inquired about the life of the system and Neese stated the life of the infrastructure is 20 years. Huddleston asked for clarification of Section 13 and the statement that the City agrees to adhere to the terms of vendor contracts executed by the County. Neese stated the County will enter into an agreement with KDOT and it is expected there will be one maintenance provider that will be voted on by the official user group. The City will be expected to adhere to the contract with that maintenance provider. Griffith inquired about the timetable and Neese stated he expects it to be completed in 2012. Leffler made a motion to approve a Memorandum of Understanding with Butler County on the proposed countywide 800 MHz Radio Communications System. Rawlings seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
KLINK: Reavis made a motion to approve the bid from Cornejo & Sons in the amount of $219,455.20 for the 7th Street KLINK project that will repair 7th Street (Highway 54) between the east side of the overpass bridge decking and the east city limits. Childers seconded the motion. Wallace inquired about the timeframe. Goedecke stated he hopes it will start this fall. Motion carried without opposition.
Hazard Mitigation Plan: Jones explained the purpose of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. Huddleston made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-14 adopting the new Butler County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Escrow Trust: Rawlings made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-15 authorizing the execution of an Escrow Trust Agreement for the defeasance of the debt for the Augusta Heights Waterline (Redwood Development). Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Work Session: Harper made a motion to schedule a work session for Monday, September 28th at 7 p.m. to review and discuss the proposed changes to the City’s Zoning Regulations as it pertains to signage. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Voting Delegates: Childers made a motion to appoint Williams, Huddleston, and Leffler as the City’s three voting delegates and Childers, Wallace, and Reavis as alternates for the League of Kansas Municipalities conference on October 4-6 in Topeka. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Huddleston – Huddleston inquired about the Administration departmental budget in the General Fund and that the expenses in the monthly financials are only 15% of the budgeted amount. Keefer stated that $600,000 of that is the reserve, and that even though only a portion of it will actually be expended the auditor stated it all has to be budgeted as an expenditure.
Harper – Harper asked if DAI sent invitations for the Streetscape Celebration to previous council members that were involved in this project. Keefer stated he didn’t know, but that he would check into it.
Griffith – Griffith stated there is a Streetscape Celebration scheduled for 2 PM on Sunday, September 20th adjacent to the roundabout.
Keefer – Keefer stated that staff has been working hard on identifying a solution so we can begin accepting plastics again for recycling. Keefer stated that there are vendors that will accept the plastics from us, but they have to be baled in a certain manner. Keefer stated staff has located used balers for approximately $5,000 that can partially be funding by the remaining KDHE grant monies available (around $1,9000) and the rest of the funding will come from the recycling line item in the Sanitation Budget. Keefer stated we would also see additional revenue coming in from the recycling of the plastic. Keefer stated staff will move forward with this unless otherwise directed by the Council. Leffler asked if anything else could be baled with those balers. Keefer stated it could.
Executive Session: Childers made a motion at 9:00 p.m. to go into executive session for ten minutes. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition. At 9:10 p.m. Harper made a motion to exit executive session with no action being taken. Wallace seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
1708 Highland Drive: Rawlings made a motion to approve the purchase of 1708 Highland Drive from the Marie K. Ludlow Trust in the amount of $115,000 and payment of relocation expenses per the Corps of Engineers and to authorize Staff to prepare the necessary documents for closing. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
316 Osage: Leffler made a motion to approve the purchase of 316 Osage in the amount of $33,000 and authorize Staff to prepare the necessary documents for closing. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Final Comments:
Huddleston – Huddleston inquired about the codification. Jones stated that the League is planning the upcoming conference at the first of October, so a work session will be scheduled sometime after that.
Rawlings – Rawlings stated that staff has been on top of watching the river levels with all the rain that we have received.
Harper – Harper inquired about the delivery of the new street sweeper and when it will begin being used. Keefer stated it will be delivered the first part of October and we will start using it right away. Harper asked if it would be possible to paint a center line down Custer Lane north of Kelly to Belmont. Keefer stated he would have to look into that.
Leffler – Leffler stated he appreciated the Inspection Department providing more information regarding the situation with Mr. Kasting and the signs that were removed. Leffler stated in his opinion, in the future the council should refrain from directing city staff to do things and to address problems or concerns with Keefer. Keefer will then direct staff to take the appropriate actions.
Wallace – Wallace thanked city staff and the council for their sympathy and support during the recent loss of his mother.
Adjourn: At 9:17 p.m. Wallace made a motion to adjourn. Childers seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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