REGULAR MEETING
Monday, April 9, 2007 – 7:00 p.m.
The governing body of the City of Coldwater met in regular session with the following present: Mayor Ethan Hauptman, presiding, Council members Penny Bruckner, Chuck Salisbury, Tony Smith, Tiffany Sowa and Richard Thompson, Public Works Director Danny Shaw, Water Operator, Joe Ceballos, City Attorney Skip Herd, City Clerk, Kristal Sherman, Lake Manager, Ron White and City Marshal Doug Storie.
Guests included Linda Hart.
Mayor Hauptman called the meeting to order and led the flag salute.
Minutes were approved as written, motion by Penny Bruckner, seconded by Richard Thompson. Motion carried.
Linda Hart voiced her concern about the closing of the tree dump by the KDHE and visited with the council about possible alternatives. Mayor Hauptman told Linda that he is currently working with the county commissioners about the problem and the county has agreed to open the landfill on Saturdays to better accommodate people with their lawn clippings, branches, etc. Linda also told the council she is concerned about finding activities for the youth in town, discussing the fact they can not run their motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles in town because of the noise. She would like to find a place where they could run their vehicles without disturbing the peace.
Marshal Doug Storie gave a report of his activities for the past month. He told the council about the maintenance he has had done on the patrol car which totaled $1,012.00, and also the car will need a tune up very soon, it has 109,000 miles on it. Doug also told the council he has ordered prisoner restraints for $130.00 and 75% of that amount will be reimbursed with grant money from the State. Doug also showed the council a flier he will be passing out on traffic stops, to educate drivers of the importance and current law regarding the wearing of child seatbelts and use of child safety seats. He will use the fliers in place of a citation until July 1, 2007 when the statewide education/warning period ends. He is also going to be working with Protection Chief of Police, Darren Konrade, on a child seat restraint demonstration in the near future.
City Attorney Skip Herd reported the condemnation hearing on Roseann Sullivan’s trailer has been continued until April 10th.
Water Operator Joe Ceballos reported he has received a bid from Layne Western of Wichita, KS in the amount of $9,606.00 to turn a well head and install new pipes at one of the city water wells or $500.00 to pick up the head and turn 180 degrees only. After discussion Chuck Salisbury made a motion to go with the $500.00 bid to turn the well head only, the motion was seconded by Tony Smith and the motion carried. Joe also reported that all the new water hydrants had been installed at the lake and he only has a couple of meters left to install. Joe also told the council he is going to try and flush the fire hydrants some time next week. Mayor Hauptman reported he is still in the process of contacting everyone who has antennas on top of the old water tower.
Public Works Supervisor, Danny Shaw reported he had talked with Comanche County Fire Chief Larry Ellis regarding the city tree dump, and the lack of a burning permit for the dump. Danny also told the council he is going to schedule a city-wide clean up day for leaves/limbs and appliances/furniture. Danny also reported that the 1-year extension given to Robin Keith for the house at 301 N. Topeka will be up on April 18, 2007, he asked the council how they want to proceed on the matter. After discussion, the council told Danny to wait until April 18th, but then if the clean up wasn’t completed, to go ahead with the original condemnation plans. Danny also told the council that if the “rails to trails” becomes reality, they will need to build the tressle with dirt, after discussing the matter, the council suggested he just store the dirt there until it is decided a trail will be made. Danny handed out bids for new pickups he had received and told of the possibility of trading off one or more of the city maintenance pickups.
Tiffany Sowa made a motion to go into executive session for fifteen minutes with Danny Shaw regarding personnel, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried. No action was taken after returning to open session.
Lake Manager, Ron White, reported he had a lake host meeting on March 24th with 11 lake hosts attending. He reported he has hired Bud Clark to fill in when needed at the gate and to pick up trash at least one hour per day, the storm shelters have all been cleaned out and he has asked Danny Shaw to spray the shelters for spiders at a price between $45.00 and $60.00. Ron then asked the council about the golf cart permits at the lake and how they want to proceed to allow them at the lake. After a lengthy discussion, Penny Bruckner made a motion that all golf carts at the lake need to have a permit, and to sell the permits for $10.00 at the gate, the leftover 2006 lake permits will be used as the 2007 golf cart permits. The motion was seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried. Ron then requested that the lake hosts be able to start working at the gate April 15th, instead of the May 1st date originally set. After discussion, he was told by the council to stay with the original date of May 1st for the lake hosts to start. Tony Smith made a motion the council go into executive session for fifteen minutes with Ron White to discuss personnel matters, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried. No action was taken after returning to open session.
Mayor Ethan Hauptman explained about the City’s tree dump being shut down by the KDHE. According to the KDHE, there can not be two dump sites so close together as the landfill and the City’s tree dump, and the City’s is not permitted by the State. Mayor Hauptman told the council, he is working with the county commissioners on the matter and discussing different options with them.
Mayor Hauptman asked the council for permission to look elsewhere for a code enforcer, he has not been happy with the work that Leonard Kiehl has been doing for Coldwater. The council agreed.
Two golf cart permits were brought before the council for approval. After discussing the criteria for allowing citizens to drive golf carts in the city, Tony Smith made a motion to approve the application for Pam Bowling, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried. The application for Clarence Gillet was tabled until a doctor’s permit noting his disability was received by the council. City Clerk, Kristal Sherman will let Marshal Storie know the outcome of the applications and have him contact Clarence Gillet.
The position of pool manager was discussed, and the council is in agreement to stay with the current policy that the pool manager needs to be lifeguard certified. Council member, Tiffany Sowa will be checking with people she knows in Greensburg to see about certification classes.
Bills in the amount of $68,197.58 were presented for payment. Tony Smith moved to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Penny Bruckner. Motion carried.
The council discussed and compared bids for the new pickup requested by Danny Shaw, they agreed to have City Clerk, Kristal Sherman, ask the auditors if it will be feasible to purchase a pickup with the 2007 budget.
Council member, Chuck Salisbury, reported that his neighborhood has poor water pressure and the ¾ inch line they have, supplies five houses. He noted that when the new water system was put in a few years ago, that section of town was cut from the project due to budget restraints. The council recommended he talk to Joe to see if he could solve the problem.
No further business was presented. Tiffany Sowa moved the meeting adjourned, seconded by Tony Smith. Motion carried.
April 16, 2007: Mayor Ethan Hauptman turned in his letter of resignation effective immediately. President of the council, Tony Smith, was sworn in as Mayor by City Clerk, Kristal Sherman.