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CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19, 2009
7:30 P.M.
The Council of the City of Augusta, Kansas met in regular session on January 19, 2009, with Mayor Kristey Williams presiding. Council present were Holly Harper, Michael Huddleston, Michael Wallace, Tom Leffler, Mike Rawlings, Robert Griffith, and Roger Chrislip. Also present: City Manager Bill Keefer, City Attorney David All, Assistant City Manager JJ Allen, Director of Electric Utility Bill Webster, Electric Production Superintendent Jim Sutton, City Inspector Dan Allen, Public Works Superintendent Cy Ricker, Airport Manager Tyler Setchell, Public Works Secretary Shirley Kirkpatrick and City Clerk Erica Jones. Visitors present were: Michael McDermott, Dave Bisagno, Launa Volkman, Rick Rawlings, Shirley Jacobs-Burleson, Martin Goedecke, Sharon Sudduth, and Mike Mead.
Prayer: Councilman Mike Rawlings gave the invocation.
Minutes: Wallace made a motion to approve the Minutes of the January 5, 2009 council meeting. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Appropriations:
December (12B): Griffith inquired about the payment to McCollom Construction in the amount of $11,900. Keefer stated it was for the entrance signage. Keefer stated the checks were cut so the funds could be paid out of the 2008 budget, but they are being held until the work is completed. Griffith inquired about the payment to Water Protection Fee. Keefer stated it is a payment we make to the State based on our water sales. Keefer stated it started when we applied to be exempted from paying sales tax on purchases made for use with water or by the water departments. Huddleston asked if this is the water protection fee listed on the utility bills. Keefer stated it is. Harper inquired about the payment to UCI Utility Consultants for employee testing. Keefer stated UCI conducts mandated random drug screenings for CDL license holders. Huddleston asked if this is the same testing that is done when an employee is hired. Keefer stated that new hires take a physical exam conducted by PT Plus. Keefer stated UCI drug screens specifically for CDL license holders and that we pay an annual fee for the program and an individual fee for each screening conducted. Huddleston inquired about the payment to Goedecke Engineering in the amount of $48,084.25. Keefer stated $20,000 was for the KLINK design and $17,000 was for inspection of the Streetscape project. Wallace asked if this was in addition to what was included in the agreement for the Streetscape project. Keefer stated this amount was included in the agreement. Keefer stated the remaining amount on the invoice was to close out the 2008 street work and services pertaining to the Belmont Addition. Huddleston inquired about the payment to GPM Services for library repairs. Keefer stated the city helped the library with the cost of painting and caulking. Keefer stated this was paid for out of Capital Improvement funds. Huddleston inquired about the payment to Law Offices of M. S. Keefer stated it was for court appointed attorney services. Huddleston inquired about the payment to Kansas Power Pool in the amount of $378,218 and asked when we generated power. Sutton stated we generated approximately 400,000 kilowatts in October, but that was the only month where it was cheaper for us to generate power instead of purchasing it. Chrislip made a motion to approve Ordinance 12B in the amount of $538,925.45. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
December (12C): Griffith inquired about the payment made to Danny Strobbe for education. Keefer stated city policy says we will reimburse education by 50 percent up to $500 annually for college courses that are relevant to the employee’s job. Griffith inquired about the purchase of propane from Propane Central. Keefer stated there were several shipments of propane to the Airport. Griffith asked if that amount has gone up or down. JJ Allen stated we have recently changed to a less expensive propane vendor, but that the Airport uses a lot of propane. Jones confirmed the $5,614.39 amount was just for purchases made in December. Griffith made a motion to approve Ordinance 12C in the amount of $130,666.70. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
January (1): Huddleston inquired about the payment to Computers Plus in the amount of $4,281. Keefer stated it was for three replacement computers for the water plant. Huddleston asked what is done with the old computers. Keefer stated he would have to pose that question to John Ball. Huddleston inquired about the payment to UCI. Keefer stated it was for employee screening for CDL license holders. Wallace made a motion to approve Ordinance 1 in the amount of $649,174.84. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
New Business:
Public Hearing: Council conducted a public hearing to take input on whether a building (garage) located at 654 Santa Fe should be declared a dangerous and unsafe structure. Inspector Allen stated no progress has been made and that the owner was notified of the public hearing. Huddleston asked if the property owner intends to demolish the building. Allen stated he does intend to, but has not started doing so. The public hearing was closed with no other comments.
Wallace made a motion to approve Resolution 2009-01 declaring a building located at 654 Santa Fe to be a dangerous and unsafe structure and ordering removed. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
2009 Street Repair Program: Council considered approval of the recommendations from the Street Sales Tax Committee for the 2009 Street Repair Program. Rick Rawlings reviewed the recommended projects and the two alternates. Dave Bisagno stated Martin Goedecke provided the Committee with a list of upcoming projects and repairs that will be made by Kansas Gas Company.
Huddleston asked why the section of 12th between Dearborn and Euclid is not included in the project list. Keefer stated that was one of the areas where the gas company would be making repairs in 2009. Rick Rawlings stated it is on the list of recommended projects for 2010.
Griffith asked if the city will be doing our part of the repairs to the 400 block of Osage. Keefer stated the city will be taking care of the bypass sewers and storm sewers, and the street sales tax project will take care of the repairs to the road after that is completed. Griffith asked if there is funding available for the city’s portion of the work. Keefer stated those repairs were budgeted for in the 2009 budget.
Griffith stated Carter Zerbe inquired about repairs in the Knebler Addition during the public meeting. Rick Rawlings agreed and stated those type of repairs will be included in the funds available for maintenance crack sealing and patching. Keefer stated that Knebler Addition streets will need to be replaced in the future.
Griffith made a motion to approve the recommendations from the Street Sales Tax Committee for the 2009 Street Repair Program. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition. Rick Rawlings stated this is the 20th year for this program.
Bids: Rawlings made a motion to accept a bid from Wesco Supply in the amount of $26,000 for two circuit breakers for Power Plant #2. Leffler seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Leffler made a motion to accept a bid from Ford of Augusta in the amount of $30,786.24 for a truck cab and chassis for the City Mechanic. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Leffler made a motion to accept a bid from Kansas Truck and Equipment in the amount of $9,876 for a utility body for the City Mechanic. Huddleston seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
FAA Grant: Council considered a grant application to the FAA for relocation of the Parallel Taxiway. Wallace asked why the parallel taxiway has to be relocated. Tyler Setchell stated there have been several requirements of the FAA that have changed over the years, one of which is a requirement that the runway and taxiway be separated by 240’, but that it needs major reconstruction anyway. Chrislip asked if it is a matter of us using the funding or losing it. JJ Allen stated that is correct. Wallace made a motion approve a grant application to the FAA for relocation of the Parallel Taxiway. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Engineering Agreement: Wallace made a motion to approve an engineering design agreement with BWR for the construction of a new parallel taxiway at the Municipal Airport, subject to FAA approval. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
REAP: Council considered approval of the City’s 2009 membership in the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP). Williams stated that REAP membership has grown to 35 members, and they have been doing some good work. Chrislip asked if the cost of the membership is the same as 2008. Keefer stated it is based on population, so it increased a little. Harper made a motion to approve the City’s 2009 membership in the Regional Economic Area Partnership (REAP). Wallace seconded the motion.
Huddleston asked how REAP feels about Augusta’s participation in the study for a Douglass Reservoir or looking at other types of water resources. Williams stated that Augusta’s water issues are very different than other communities’. Williams stated that REAP is aware of our issues, but we are not paying dues to the Water Resources Committee at this time. Williams stated that water issues are a part of REAP, but the only water item on the agenda at this time is the aqueous beds.
Motion carried without opposition.
Council Appointment: Williams thanked Marr for his contribution to the council. Williams stated she would like to look to the remaining 1st Ward council member (Harper) to see if she has a recommendation of who to appoint to fulfill Marr’s unexpired term. Harper said she is privileged to recommend someone for the position that she has known for years. Harper recommended Matt Childers, and stated he is a fair individual who would be willing to serve the public. Harper then made a motion to appoint Matt Childers to the city Council to fulfill the unexpired term of former 1st Ward Councilman Doug Marr. Leffler seconded the motion. Huddleston asked if someone has spoken to him about this and if he is interested. Harper stated she spoke to Childers and he is interested. Motion carried without opposition.
Informational Memorandum & Questions:
Wallace – Wallace said the letter the council received from William Morris stated the final design of the water fountain/terrace gardens as bid was different than what was presented at the last council meeting. Keefer stated there was a difference in size from what was presented in drawings compared to what was actually presented to the council at the last meeting. Williams stated that Morris also misspoke, as the design will not include the dividers he said it would include at the last meeting.
Huddleston – Huddleston stated there is a stake in the bowling alley parking lot approximately ten feet back from the sidewalk that has “roundabout” printed on it. Goedecke stated he didn’t know for sure what it was for, but it was probably a survey marker. Rawlings stated it is probably a survey point of reference.
Final Comments:
Harper – Harper asked staff if they have an to answer to Marr’s question at the last meeting about the red donation boxes. Keefer stated he did, but not in time to include it in the informational memorandum. Keefer stated there is a website that can be referenced about the boxes and that he would provide the address to the council. Harper stated while she is excited to have Childers join the council, she appreciates Marr’s service to the council and he will be missed.
Wallace – Wallace congratulated the Volunteer Firefighter of the year.
Williams – Williams stated she provided a mayor’s report to staff and the governing body. She stated she will be cheering on Emily Deaver at the Miss America competition in Las Vegas. Williams thanked all of the volunteer firefighters for their service. Williams stated City Hall Day is coming up and if any of the governing body is interested in attending, to let her know. Williams stated she has spoken with Ty Masterson and he is very interested in the Augusta community and our issues.
Williams stated the Vision meetings will begin soon as they start to share the finished vision with the public and different organizations. Williams stated she will attend a Mayor’s dinner this Wednesday. Williams stated she just attended a joint School/City lunch and they discussed having a joint public meeting after the election to introduce themselves to the public. Williams stated a representative from Park City visited city hall to review Channel 7 and our video equipment to give us ideas on how we can improve it and use it to our advantage.
Huddleston – Huddleston stated the KLINK project on 7th Street will not be funded by the State until 2011, but there is work that needs to be done that cannot wait that long. Keefer stated KDOT will be making some of the repairs to the overpass. Keefer stated the east side of the overpass is scheduled for the State’s 2010 budget, which actually starts in July 2009. Keefer further stated we will be taking on some of the worst spots on the overpass by the end of this week if weather permits.
Huddleston stated nice new sidewalks have been installed in the 500 and 600 blocks of State Street, and now there is bright blue paint being used on them to locate utilities. Huddleston asked if a different kind of paint could be used that would fade quicker and not permanently discolor the new sidewalks. Keefer stated he would look into that.
Executive Session: At 8:25 p.m. Rawlings made a motion to go into an executive session for 30 minutes to consult with an attorney on matters that would be deemed privileged in an attorney-client relationship. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
At 8:55 p.m. Rawlings made a motion to exit executive session with no action being taken. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
At 8:56 p.m. Rawlings made a motion to go into an executive session for 15 minutes to consult with an attorney on matters that would be deemed privileged in an attorney-client relationship. Harper seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
At 9:14 p.m. Wallace made a motion to exit executive session with no action being taken. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
Adjourn: At 9:15 p.m. Wallace made a motion to adjourn. Chrislip seconded the motion. Motion carried without opposition.
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