CITY OF COLDWATER
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REGULAR MEETING
Monday, September 8, 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 , City Attorney Skip Herd and City Clerk , Kristal Sherman.
Guests included Larry Ellis and Chris Bruckner.
Mayor Smith called the meeting to order and led the flag salute.
Minutes from the August meeting were approved as written, motion by Chuck Salisbury, seconded by Penny Bruckner . Motion carried.
Fire Chief Larry Ellis told the council he and Danny Shaw had recently conducted water pressure testing with and without the old water tower on line. He noted an 80 to 90 gallon per minute drop at the Comanche County Hospital when the water tower was off line and wants to do further testing when more of the commercial water users are operating to see if the town can do without the old water tower. After discussing the matter, Mayor Smith asked Larry to do the tests as soon as possible and report back to the next meeting.
Lake Manager , Pat Puderbaugh reported the lake will be receiving 20 buoys at no cost from Kansas Wildlife and Parks. He passed around a letter he would like to send to all the seasonal campers outlining planned improvements at the lake, end of the year procedures, concerns related to use of golf carts and myths concerning electric bills. After the council read the letter, they all agreed for it to be mailed to all seasonal campers. Pat also reported the lake pickup has been officially “retired” due to further mechanical problems. Pat asked the council about charging church groups at the lake. After discussing the matter, the council agreed to treat church groups like any other group, they need to be charged.
In Officer John Schmeidler absence, Mayor Smith told the council John has asked to take a taser training class at the cost of $25.00. The council agreed he should take the class and also discussed the possibility of purchasing a taser gun.
Water Operator, Chad Mull reported to the council he has repaired the water fountain at the Big Toy Park , and he has also repaired the north water dock. Chad asked the council about being able to have a City uniform, after discussion, Richard Thompson made a motion to get Chad Mull City uniforms, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried. The council asked City Clerk, Kristal Sherman on the status of the meter reader, she reported it was only going to cost a little over $200 to get the old one fixed, it should be fixed and ready to read meters by October 1st.
Public Works Director, Danny Shaw reported the insurance money for the wind/hail damage at the lake and pool has been received, with a portion of it withheld until repairs are made, he asked the council how they want to proceed to repair the damage. After discussion, the council instructed Danny to get specifications together, advertise them and take bids on the jobs. Danny told the council the Farmers Coop wants to buy water from the City from a water meter instead of the water dock or drilling their own water well. Danny asked about installing a water meter at the fire hydrant by the Coop, the council said they would rather not put the meter on the fire hydrant. They instructed Danny to discuss it further with Coop manager Jay Sherman and report back at the next meeting. Danny also reported Greg Herman has requested a zoning variance for a portable storage building on the west side of Debra Schmidt’s residence. Tiffany Sowa made a motion to grant the variance for Greg Herman, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried. Discussion was then held about a fence and carport on Gene Pope’s property on East Main which is not in compliance with the zoning ordinance. The council agreed to go look at the property and instructed Danny to visit with Gene about the situation. Danny told the council he has had complaints about a house John Mitchell owns in the north end of town (formerly owned by Don Alexander). After discussion, the council instructed Danny to write John Mitchell a letter giving him 30 days to make definite improvements on the house, or the City will begin condemnation proceedings. Danny asked what the council wants to do about a Jet Ski that was abandoned at the lake this summer, the council instructed Danny to wait 30 days while the legal publication is published in the paper, then put it up for sealed bids. He also reported Joe Brown has acquired a vehicle similar to the one Pam Bowling drives around town, the council instructed Danny to tell Joe of the requirements for the vehicle and to fill out a permit application at City Hall if he wants to be considered able to drive it in the City. He also informed the council he has 2 abandoned vehicles at the shop that have been there for most of the summer and a third inoperable vehicle he plans to impound soon, he would like to put them up for sale if they are not claimed. He asked the council what they want to do about the lake pickup, after discussion Richard Thompson made a motion to accept sealed bids on the 1987 Chevy S-10 pickup, seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried. Mayor Smith asked the council to abandon the streets and alleys in Blocks 99 and 110, he explained it’s the property he has purchased and it has probably been vacated years ago, but there is no record of it being vacated. Richard Thompson made a motion the streets and alleys in Block 99 and 110 be vacated, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried. Danny said Mike Zielke and the Methodist Church asked if the City maintenance crew would help tear out the old cement in the Church parking lot, after discussion, the council denied the request.
A Utility Vehicle permit from Norman Sherman was presented to the council for approval. Chuck Salisbury made a motion the Utility Vehicle permit for Norman Sherman be approved, seconded by Penny Bruckner and the motion carried, although, they noted Norman should re-read the application form and note the restrictions as to where the vehicle can be driven.
Councilwoman, Tiffany Sowa asked the council to purchase new picnic tables for the pool. After discussion, the council decided to take one of the heavy recycled waste tire tables from the lake to the swimming pool and buy a second one for the pool. They also discussed the many repairs that need to be made at the pool, with serious consideration made to the condition of the pool itself and agreed to check into prices of a pool liner. Danny will work on specifications for a new pool bathhouse/office roof.
Councilman, Richard Thompson voiced his concern of pit bull dogs in the City, he would like to see the council ban all breeds of pit bull dogs. He said he is concerned because of a recent incident in which a dog he thought to be a pit bull had killed a neighbor’s small dog in their yard. He also said he knows of two young pit bulls running loose in the City as well. He had asked the City Clerk to check with other City’s and request copies of ordinances they have made to ban pit bulls. She had given him a copy of one the City of Spearville had adopted and a generic ordinance from the League of Kansas Municipalities. He asked the council to review these ordinances and come back to the next meeting with their opinions.
The one sealed bid received for the old patrol car was opened. Richard Thompson made a motion to accept the bid of $351.00 from Chris Bruckner for the old patrol car, seconded by Chuck Salisbury and the motion carried.
Bills in the amount of $71,008.38 were presented for payment. A question about Linda Hart’s purchase in the amount of $433.00 for bushes/trees for Heritage Park was asked. After discussing the bill, they asked the City Clerk to convey to Linda she should communicate with the council park committee when purchasing a large amount. Penny Bruckner made a motion to approve the bills as presented, seconded by Tiffany Sowa. Motion carried.
No further business was presented. Chuck Salisbury moved the meeting adjourned, seconded by Tiffany Sowa and the motion carried.
9/15/2008: City Clerk, Kristal Sherman conducted a call-around to all council members to approve Ordinance No. 2008-6 to vacate the streets and alleys in Block 99 and 110. All five council members voted to approve Ordinance No. 2008-6.