REGULAR MEETING
Monday, November 12, 2007 – 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 Lisa Gales and Dave Timmons.
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order and led the flag salute.
Minutes were approved as written, motion by Penny Bruckner, seconded by Charles Salisbury. Motion carried.
Lisa Gales asked the council for a variance on the lots she has purchased across the street from her home at 305 N. New York. She explained to the council she is planning on constructing a building on the property and plans include building up to nine feet from the property line and the zoning ordinance sets out 15 feet as a minimum setback from the property line. After discussing the situation with Lisa, Tiffany Sowa made a motion to grant Lisa the variance on her property, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried.
Marshal Doug Storie gave a report of his activities for the past month. He reported he is scheduled for a Cultural Awareness/Racial Profiling training class on 11/20/2007 in Park City and a Gang Awareness training class on 12/12/2007 at KLETC with no tuition cost for either class. Doug also reported he will be getting the patrol car serviced and winterized.
City Attorney, Skip Herd first made a request for a donation from the city to the Lions Club for the Christmas Candy fund for Santa Claus Day. Skip told the council that the candy costs around $500.00 and the Lions Club is not able to fund the entire cost. Richard Thompson made a motion for the City to donate $250.00 toward the Christmas Candy fund, seconded by Klete Hackney and the motion carried. Skip reported that Rosanne Sullivan has been here to pick up her property so her condemnation should be settled. The Alexander properties that were condemned more than a year ago were discussed and the council gave Danny the go ahead to clean up the properties, instructing him to be careful of any toxic waste that may be on the property on 1st Street.
Water Operator Joe Ceballos reported back on the questions the council had before they would approve the cross connection ordinance at the October meeting: there is a school in Lawrence, KS that would cost $200.00 for Joe to attend to get trained in dealing with the back flow preventors, also he would need to purchase equipment to check the systems at a cost of $300.00 to $1,500.00, the council instructed Joe to use his judgment in purchasing the equipment to check the systems and to not necessarily buy the cheapest equipment. Chuck Salisbury made a motion to approve the Cross Connection Water Ordinance No. 2007-6, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried. Joe presented the Emergency Water Supply Plan for the council’s annual review, with only minor changes, Klete Hackney made a motion to approve the plan, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried. Joe also told the council that park maintenance employee, Jack Sooter, couldn’t make it to the meeting but wanted to present the council with a proposal to add a sidewalk around the large shelter at the City Park and to repair the slab of concrete inside the shelter, with Joe estimating the cost at $3,000.00. After discussing the project, the council instructed Joe to go ahead and repair the inside part of the shelter now and wait until next spring to do the sidewalk around the shelter.
Public Works Director, Danny Shaw first passed around pictures of the sewer line that was replaced on the east side of Linda Hart’s house. Danny reported that the drum roller needs repaired, new parts would cost $3,700 and he found a salvaged complete assembly for $2,000. Klete Hackney made a motion for Danny to purchase the salvaged assembly parts for $2,000, seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried. Danny recommended to the council to try to sell 65 picnic tables at the lake that are in the worst shape. After discussing the tables, the council agreed to sell the 65 tables for $20.00 per table. Danny also asked permission to put the following up for bids, with the recommendation of the right to refuse any and all bids: A 600 gallon portable water tank; 1 grapple bucket; 1 backhoe bucket; several landscape timbers; 1 old flatbed trailer; 5 truck tires and 4 loader tires, the council agreed. Danny also requested to buy a set of bolt bins with bolts for $519.00 from a company out of Amarillo, TX; Richard Thompson made the motion for Danny to buy the set of bolt bins with bolts for $519.00, seconded by Klete Hackney and the motion carried. Danny informed the council he is in need of replenishing his sewer pipe stock, he would like to buy 350 feet of pipe for $1,000.00. Richard Thompson made the motion for Danny to buy the 350 feet of pipe for $1,000.00, seconded by Klete Hackney and the motion carried. Danny discussed with the council the possibility of purchasing a trash truck from Osborn Disposal and taking over the trash hauling duties from Dave Osborn, the council instructed Danny to get cost figures and further information and tabled the matter for consideration at a later meeting. Danny asked if the council wanted to put up a community Christmas Tree like they did last year, the council agreed they wanted the Christmas Tree once again and asked Danny to handle locating and setting up the tree. Discussed the current zoning variance application form and fee and asked Danny to change the form so it is easier for citizens to fill out. Tiffany Sowa made a motion to lower the zoning variance fee from $35.00 to $10.00, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried. Discussion was held on how many hours a part-time employee could work until they are considered a full-time employee, Richard thought after 999 hours in a calendar year an employee was considered full-time. The council asked City Attorney, Skip Herd to find out if the City needs to follow federal guidelines and what the actual hours are. Danny told the council of the need to vacate a section of a street at Comanche Estates and the council asked Skip Herd what the necessary steps were to do that. Skip will draw up a resolution to vacate the road and the council set a public hearing on the resolution for December 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Danny asked the council about buying $15,000.00 worth of shoring for the sewer department and agreed to table the matter until the December meeting, telling Danny that he needs to ask the auditors if it is in the budget to spend the money before the end of the year.
Noted that every year the city pays Raelene Pritt $100 for the work she does planting flowers at the city park. Richard Thompson made a motion that the city again pay Raelene $100 for planting flowers in the park, seconded by Penny Bruckner. Motion carried.
The retail liquor license application for Comanche Spirits was brought before the council for renewal. Richard Thompson made the motion to renew the liquor license for Comanche Spirits for one year, seconded by Klete Hackney and the motion carried.
Mayor Smith asked the council to consider allowing employees to have the day after Thanksgiving as an additional holiday. Klete made a motion to allow the day as a paid holiday this year, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried.
Since Christmas falls on Tuesday this year, Richard Thompson asked the council to give the employees Monday, December 24th off as well. Tiffany Sowa made the motion to give employees December 24th as an additional paid holiday this year, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried.
Annual bonuses were considered. Richard Thompson made a motion to provide bonuses for full and part-time employees and to leave the amounts the same as 2006 which were: $200 for full-time employees having worked over 15 years, $175 for full-time employees having worked 5 to 15 years, $150 for full-time employees having worked less than five years, and $75 for part-time employees, and leave the treasurer’s annual salary at $250 and judge’s annual salary at $2,500. Penny Bruckner seconded the motion and the motion carried.
The council reviewed the current City Council committees and after discussing them, it was agreed to keep the committees the same as they have been.
Mayor Smith announced the City Christmas Dinner will be Sunday, December 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Veteran’s Building. City Clerk, Kristal Sherman, informed the council that Vanita Blundell is no longer catering, and asked for ideas for caterers. The council asked Penny Bruckner and Kristal to be in charge of getting the supper planned, they agreed.
Richard Thompson reported on the possibility of a grant from the Kansas Department Wildlife and Parks for developing the gun range, the only problem is that it would have to be done before the end of 2007. After discussion, it was agreed to wait until next year to apply for the grant.
Bills in the amount of $71,978.94 were presented for payment. Tiffany Sowa made a motion to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Richard Thompson. Motion carried.
Under unfinished business, the council asked Danny Shaw if he would be interested in taking over the code enforcement job for the City with a 2% increase in his salary. After discussing the matter, he agreed. Klete Hackney made a motion to terminate Leonard Kiehl and hire Danny Shaw as the City’s code enforcer with a 2% increase in his salary. The motion was seconded by Richard Thompson and the motion carried.
Discussion was held for nominees for the citizen of the year. After the council went to a vote, Roy Hoffman was chosen the 2007 Citizen of the Year.
No further business was presented. Klete Hackney moved the meeting adjourned, seconded by Chuck Salisbury. Motion carried.