REGULAR MEETING
Monday, May 11, 2009
The governing body of the City of Coldwater met in regular session with the following present: Mayor Tony Smith , presiding, Council members Brian Adams, Penny Bruckner , Charles Salisbury, Tiffany Sowa , and Richard Thompson , Public Works Director Danny Shaw , Water Operator Chad Mull , City Attorney Skip Herd, City Marshal John Schmeidler , Lake Manager Pat Puderbaugh , and City Clerk , Kristal Sherman.
Guests included Chris McDaniel, Jess Garetson & wife, Don Moore and wife Thelba, Kim Lauffer and Beverly Clark
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order and led the flag salute.
Minutes from the March meeting were approved as written, motion by Richard Thompson , seconded by Tiffany Sowa. Motion carried.
Jess Garetson explained to the council he is a cousin to Carolyn Brass, and his family has been coming to the lake since1987 for a family reunion over Labor Day weekend and has come every year since. His sister always mails a check after the first of the year to reserve the small shelter and campsites they need. This April she received a call from lake manager, Pat Puderbaugh explaining they could no longer reserve the small shelter since the lake committee decided they would just be on a first-come, first-served basis. After a lengthy discussion, Pat explained since they have 3 campsites reserved, they could come early and make sure they get the shelter before anyone else does and it would be theirs for the 3 days they are camping.
Don Moore presented the council with another golf cart permit application and asked the council to reconsider their decision from last month’s meeting when they denied him a golf cart permit. He explained he is unable to walk any distance due to his health, but it is good for him to be outdoors in the fresh air in an attempt to improve his health and feels the golf cart would be the way to do that. He presented letters from doctors in Hutchinson and Dr. Showengerdt from Coldwater. Council member Richard Thompson said he worries about the safety of the person(s) in the golf cart on City streets even though they have the necessary safety measures taken. He told Don he would rather he not drive the golf cart on Main Street since it is such a busy street. After discussion, Penny Bruckner and Brian Adams both made a motion to approve the golf cart permit, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried with Richard Thompson voting against the motion.
County Appraiser Kim Lauffer met with the council to answer any questions they may have about the new 911 addresses going into effect. She also explained if anyone in the City has a problem with their address change after the Sheriff’s office mails out the letters, they should be directed to her and she will explain why their address needs to change.
Beverly Clark, as co-chairman of the City’s 125th Birthday Celebration, asked the council if they want to purchase t-shirts now for sale or take orders for them and purchase them as they are ordered. After discussion the council agreed it would be in the best interest of the City to order some now for sale and if need be order more later. Beverly also went through the tentative schedule of events for the 3-day celebration and pointed out the events are listed on the City’s website.
Lake Manager , Pat Puderbaugh read a letter he had received from a couple that live in Denver , CO who had stopped and driven around the lake and said they were so impressed with the upkeep of the lake, they plan to return to spend some time there. Pat explained he has checked into a different company than we have used in the past, for the portable toilets to set at the lake for holiday weekends. The company told him most of the expense is in delivering and picking the toilets up, and has given a price of $2,518.56 to leave them at the lake from May 20th through Labor Day weekend and they will come and service them 5 times between those dates. After discussion, Richard Thompson made a motion the City contract with the Nisley Company from Hutchinson , KS for $2,518.56 for 8 portable toilets from May 20th through Labor Day weekend with 5 scheduled service dates. The motion was seconded by Brian Adams and the motion carried. Pat reported the new dump station at the north end of the lake has been completed, he has given out 17 golf cart permits so far, and repairs are needed on 2 of the boat ramps. Pat also reported the lake committee had a meeting and talked about adding a silt trap at the north end of the lake in next year’s budget at a cost of $34,000.00. He would also like to see an additional storm shelter added to the west side of the lake with the extra hookups that have been added. He estimated the cost to be $10,000.00 or less if they put in a gravel floor instead of concrete. Pat also had an idea of enclosing one of the small shelters on the west side of the lake and turning it into a two-room rental cabin that would sleep six people, he estimated the cost of that to be $6,500.00 plus labor costs.
Praire Plaza Manager, Darlene Caraway asked the council to consider a storm shelter be installed across the alley east of the apartments, accessible to Prairie plaza residents as well as others in the neighborhood who may need shelter. In the past they have gone across the street to the Comanche Motel basement, but said she feels a shelter is needed closer to the apartments. After discussion, the council told Darlene they would get cost figures and look further into the matter.
City Marshal, John Schmeidler reported he was going to begin a zero tolerance policy on speeding (6 mph or more over the posted speed limit), stop sign violations and turn signal violations, problems he feels are continuing to grow and wants to get them stopped. John also reported he wants to move the taser class from Saturday the 16th to Sunday the 17th at 1:00 due to high school graduation on Saturday, he invited the council to come watch the taser demonstration. John told the council he has been wondering what to do about Chris McDaniel a vehicle when he’s on duty. He has been checking with the area departments to see if there is a vehicle for sale. Clark County has a 2005 Dodge Durango they wanted to sell for $15,000.00 and Greensburg has a 2004 Crown Victoria they will sell to us for $2,500.00. After discussion, the council told John they would discuss the matter further at the end of the meeting and let him know. Richard Thompson made a motion the council go into executive session for personnel reasons with John Schmeidler for 10 minutes, seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried. After returning to open session, no action was taken from executive session.
City Attorney, Skip Herd reported he has sent Teresa Brooks a letter regarding her sewer overflowing. Skip told the council after the county tax sale, the county had ended up with ownership of three properties in Coldwater.
Water Operator, Chad Mull reported the cost of two cell phones for the water/sewer dialers from Alltel is $19.99 after a $200.00 rebate. The question was asked if two more lines can be added to the current City account with Alltel. City Clerk, Kristal Sherman will call Alltel and report back. Chad also reported a citizen had turned on his water himself after it had been shut off for nonpayment and is using it. After discussion, the council agreed to contact the City Attorney and instruct him to write a letter to the citizen explaining he is in violation of theft of services and he needs to pay his past due water bill or he will be prosecuted. Chad also asked what the policy is on a business owner that has moved out of the business, but still owes a sizeable amount on their water bill, can we shut their water off at their house? Council member Richard Thompson said he would talk to the business owner himself and try to get the matter resolved.
Public Works Director, Danny Shaw reported the shop needs major work done to the roof, he just installed a new wood floor in his office and doesn’t want it to be ruined by the leaky roof and also wanted to inform the council a new heater system will be needed at the shop before next winter, the cost is estimated to be $3,800.00. After discussion, the council suggested he turn the roof into insurance to see if the city can get some compensation for it. Danny also reported the 2-way radio narrow banding policy will be put into effect the end of 2010 and most of the hand-held radios as well as the mobile units will need to be replaced. The council instructed Danny to get prices on replacing the radios and look at the possibility of purchasing one radio a month so there isn’t a big cost all at once. Danny said he has been asked by the City of Protection if we could provide water to them in case of a disaster. The council agreed. Danny also said he needs to have a number of sewer manholes replaced and has received an estimate of $5,000.00 to drop the old water tower to the ground, or $12,000.00 to drop it, cut it up and haul it off. Danny reported a letter has been received from our insurance company mandating the pool get drain covers for the drains. He had found some for $200.00 a piece, but does not believe they will work. The ones he found that will work are $2,000.00 a piece. Mayor Smith told Danny to check further and see if he can find covers that will work for less than $2,000.00 a piece. Danny asked the council to go into executive session. Richard Thompson made a motion the council go into executive session for personnel reasons for 15 minutes, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried. After returning to open session, no action was taken from executive session.
Motion was made by Tiffany Sowa and seconded by Brian Adams to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage License application for Hubs Corner. Motion carried, with Chuck Salisbury abstaining.
Tiffany Sowa explained to the council Adele Lopez has been working at the pool on an hourly basis before the season starts and Tiffany recommends she be paid minimum wage for the hours she works. Tiffany Sowa made a motion Adele Lopez be paid minimum wage of $6.55, seconded by Brian Adams and the motion carried. Since Adele could not be present at the meeting, she left a report and asked that 3 umbrellas be purchased at a cost of $72.00 and a lifeguard chair be purchased at a cost of $568.00. Tiffany said she will do research and try to find more sturdy umbrellas and a cheaper chair.
City Clerk, Kristal Sherman asked the council to review the pool manual with a few revisions made. After review, Richard Thompson made a motion the 2009 pool manual be approved, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried. Kristal also presented the council with new health insurance rates effective July 1, 2009, for approval. After discussion of the rates Tiffany Sowa made a motion the new health insurance rates be approved as follows: employee - $306.44 (was $297.77); employee/child(ren) - $592.53 (was $575.42); employee/spouse - $657.91 (was $639.31); family - $943.99 (was $916.96), the motion was seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried.
The official appointments were brought before the council:
Official banks: Peoples Bank and Coldwater Native Bank
Official paper: The Western Star
Municipal Judge: LeRoy Zielke
City Treasurer: Jerry Allen
City Clerk : Kristal Sherman
City Attorney: James “Skip” Herd, based on requirement to attend regular council meetings
Building inspector: Danny Shaw
City Marshal: John Schmeidler
Meeting time: second Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the City Office
Mileage reimbursement rate: 55 cents per mile
Tiffany Sowa made a motion to approve all official appointments, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried.
Bills in the amount of $115,347.34 were presented for payment. Penny Bruckner made a motion to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Brian Adams and the motion carried.
Under unfinished business, the refund requested by Greg Vanderree for towing his truck for $125.00 was discussed. After a lengthy discussion, Penny Bruckner made a motion that if Greg keeps the right-of-way mowed and cleaned up, the City will let him use the right-of-way and refund his towing charge, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried with Tiffany Sowa voting against the motion.
The council further discussed the purchase of an additional patrol car. After discussion, Tiffany Sowa made a motion the City purchase the 2005 Crown Victoria car from the City of Greensburg at a price of $2,500.00, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried.
No further business was presented. Penny Bruckner moved the meeting adjourned, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried.