February 11, 2008 -  7:00 p.m.

The governing body of the City of Coldwater met in regular session with the following present: Mayor Tony Smith , presiding, Council members Penny Bruckner , Klete Hackney , Charles Salisbury, Tiffany Sowa and Richard Thompson , Public Works Director Danny Shaw , Water Operator, Joe Ceballos, City Attorney Skip Herd, City Clerk , Kristal Sherman, and City Marshal, Doug Storie.

            Guests included Dave Timmons and Michelle Prue

Mayor Smith called the meeting to order and led the flag salute. 

            Minutes were approved as written, motion by Tiffany Sowa, seconded by Charles Salisbury.  Motion carried.

            Michelle Prue asked the council for permission to sell fireworks over the July 4^th holiday.  Klete Hackney told her it was nothing personal, but is against anyone else selling fireworks because the SCHS cheerleaders make it their annual fund raiser.  Tiffany said she didn’t see a problem with someone else selling especially when a former councilman, Dave Snook sold them from his home.  After discussing the matter further, Tiffany Sowa made a motion to allow Michelle Prue to sell fireworks, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried 2 yes votes and 1 no vote, Richard Thompson and Chuck Salisbury abstained.

            Marshal Doug Storie gave a report of his activities for the past month.   He told the council he hit a deer with the patrol car on his way to Topeka for a training class and also reported he’s having battery problems with the car.  He told the council he is in the process of replacing worn out uniform items and will pay 50% of the cost of new boots since he wears them off duty.    Doug also informed the council he will be replacing batteries for the two walkie-talkies and the radio over the next two months.   

            Dave Timmons addressed the council about the patrol car, he asked what the council intends to do about purchasing another vehicle and recommended that they address the matter as soon as possible.  Dave also recommended that they purchase either a four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive vehicle, saying Doug has gotten stuck on numerous occasions in the snow.  He told the council he felt something needed to be done because of the high mileage of the car and the fact that it has recently been wrecked.  Klete Hackney asked Dave why Doug was helping transport county prisoners and he explained that five prisoners had to be transported separately, all at the same time and that both Coldwater and Protection law enforcement helped transport prisoners at that time, he said the county officers will help out the City when they are in need.  Richard Thompson asked Dave what it would take for Dave (the county) to take over the law enforcement for the City as has been done in the past, Dave suggested he talk to the county commissioners about the matter.

            City Attorney, Skip Herd added to the Sheriff’s explanation of why Doug transports county prisoners.  He said there are times the case is one that has originated as a city case, but under the circumstances, becomes a county case, and the city officer is still involved in handling it.  Skip also reported that they are in the process of condemning the “ Crowley house” at 203 S. Boston .

            Water Operator Joe Ceballos reported that the new water tower needs to be inspected every 3 years and 2008 is the year to have it done.  He has received bids from Central Tank and Coating of $1,100.00, Cunningham Sandblasting & Painting of $940.00 and Utility Service Co. of $850.00.  Richard Thompson made a motion to accept the bid of Utility Service for $850.00, seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried.  Joe also reported that water well #4 needs pulled & serviced, the estimated cost of that is $23,136.00 from Layne Western Co. which he informed the council $25,000 was budgeted in 2008 for that purpose.  Richard made a motion that well #4 be pulled & serviced, seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried.  Joe informed the council that the rural water conference is coming up March 25, 26 and 27 and he will need to attend to get his annual 10 hours of recertification.  He asked the council for permission to purchase 25 meters at the water conference for $750.00.  Richard Thompson made the motion to allow Joe to purchase 25 meters at the cost of $750.00, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried.  Joe also informed the council that 4 inch water lines were originally installed at the Comanche Estates and he has already experienced leak problems with them, he said he would recommend they be replaced with 6 inch lines before people start building out there or he foresees many problems with leaks.  The cost to replace the 4 inch lines with new, heavier 4 inches lines would cost $9,877.00 for 2,300 feet of water line, Joe thought the 6 inch lines would cost about $6,000.00 more.  After the council discussed the situation, Richard Thompson made a motion to replace the 4 inch lines with 2,300 feet of 6 inch water lines at the Comanche Estates, seconded by Klete Hackney and the motion carried.    Joe also wants to replace the water line from the locust grove to the bathrooms at the lake with a 2 inch water line and move the line out of the road, no action was taken by the council.  Tiffany Sowa informed the council that Kyle Hoffman told her Pixius is interested in purchasing the old water tower, but wanted more details.  The council instructed Joe to contact Kyle with the information he was wanting.  The council also discussed possibilities besides demolition or sale of the old water tower, including retaining ownership of the tower and renting space on it for the communication antennas.   Klete Hackney told the council he had spoke to Jack Sooter and Jack wants to know if the council is going to continue to hire him to take care of the parks.  After discussing the matter, they came to a conclusion that Jack will work 20 hours a week from April 1^st to October 1^st, and they are willing to let him pick up the downed tree limbs at the park before April 1^st.  They instructed Joe to be in charge of Jack’s hours.

            Public Works Director, Danny Shaw told the council he had a meeting with Susan Nuss, a representative with AT&T, and she recommends getting the revised map of Comanche Estates filed at the Register of Deeds office.  Skip Herd said it would be cheaper and still work for the utility companies to just amend the current map and refile it, the council agreed.  Danny told the council the maintenance employees, including himself would all be attending portions of the upcoming rural water conference March 25, 26 and 27.  Danny asked the council how they want to handle code enforcement letters sent to individuals.  He is currently sending them by certified mail and it costs $5.21 per letter and could get expensive.  After discussion, the council instructed Danny to give his letters to Marshal Doug Storie and he will hand deliver them.  Danny informed the council the 2008 budget includes $8,000.00 for trading the lake mower, the price Kiowa New Holland gave him was $8,250.00.  The council instructed Danny to try and get the price lowered to the $8,000.00 that is budgeted.  Tiffany made a motion to purchase the lake mower for $8,250.00, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried.  Discussion was held regarding the gun range, Danny told the council the only major thing left to do in order to have the hunters safety course at the gun range, would be to build the fence around the gun range and sewer lagoons, with the estimated cost to be $6,000.00.  Tiffany Sowa made a motion to build the fence around the gun range/sewer lagoons at a cost of $6,000.00, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried.

            The welcome to Coldwater sign at the north edge of town was discussed, Greg Vanderee has his vehicles covering up the sign to where you can not read it until you’re right up on it.  Richard Thompson said he would take care of the situation.

            Council member, Tiffany Sowa said a citizen approached her and asked her if the City would be interested in obtaining an empty lot she is willing to give, she would like to stay anonymous.  After discussion, the council declined the offer.

            Tiffany also asked the council to reconsider the policy of requiring the pool manager be Red Cross certified.  She explained that the lifeguards should remain Red Cross certified, but in order to get someone of “managerial age” to pass the required course, is almost physically impossible.  Penny Bruckner made the motion that the pool policy change to read the pool manager is not required to be red cross certified, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried.

            City Clerk, Kristal Sherman wanted the council to clarify charging church groups at the lake, she found out from campers at the lake that none of the groups were charged to come in to the lake as well as were exempt from renting shelters and the campers didn’t think that was right.  After discussing the matter, they agreed that everyone should be charged unless they had special permission from the council to waive the charge.

            A letter was presented from the Sunflower RC&D asking for their annual donation.  Richard Thompson made a motion to donate $200.00 to the Sunflower RC&D, seconded by Klete Hackney, and the motion carried.

            Richard Thompson reported that the old emergency generator from the Comanche County Hospital has been given to the Protection Valley Manor, instead of to the City of Coldwater , as was requested.  Richard said he was not satisfied with the explanations from the hospital administrator and from hospital board members he spoke to, as to why the City was not given at least the opportunity to bid on the generator. 

            Bills in the amount of $49,176.77 were presented for payment.   Tiffany Sowa made a motion to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Penny Bruckner.  Motion carried. 

            Applications for Lake Manager were passed around for the council to review, it was agreed to interview 2 applicants, Jim Herd and Debbi Affeldt.  The lake committee, consisting of Penny Bruckner and Chuck Salisbury, will conduct the interviews and report back to the council on a recommendation for Lake Manager .

Under unfinished business, the council discussed buying a new patrol vehicle and several options were given, but no action was taken.   Mayor Smith asked the council to reconsider their decision to have the Marshal pay for a portion of the bills that were not approved at the January meeting.  After he went around the room for a revote,  Klete, Richard, Tiffany, Penny and Chuck all voted to keep the vote the same, he needs to pay for the bills that were not approved.  Mayor Smith asked the council to go into executive session for a few minutes for personnel reasons.  Penny Bruckner made a motion the council go into executive session for a few minutes, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried, after returning to open session, no action was taken.

No further business was presented.  Penny Bruckner moved the meeting adjourned, seconded by Tiffany Sowa.  Motion carried.

February 27, 2008:  Interviews were held for lake manager by the lake committee, consisting of Penny Bruckner and Charles Salisbury.  After the interviews were conducted, the committee asked City Clerk, Kristal Sherman to do a call-around to the council for a vote to hire Jim Herd as Lake Manager .    All the council members were contacted and all voted yes to hire Jim Herd to start March 3, 2008.