Council Minutes: March 9, 2010 Regular Council Meeting

LUCAS CITY COUNCIL
LUCAS CIVIC CENTER
March 9, 2010
7:00 PM
MAYOR:David Urban
COUNCIL MEMBERS: Trent Leach, Alvin Barta, Sheree Herold, Tammy Seirer and Kenny Cain
EMPLOYEES:James Rezabek, Gary Bretz, Julie Bretz, Kay Mettlen, Gary Ward and Bill Harlow
CITY ATTORNEY: Ken Cole
CITIZENS: Alicia Seirer, Jennifer Bates, Tammy Hower, William Schneider, Tarry Dougherty, Dawn Bricker, Doug Hickman, John Rhudolph, Jessica Rhudolph, Dave Bricker, Jera Kressly, Lisa Ammon
OTHERS PRESENT TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL: Greg Heinze - Representing EMC Insurance
7:00 PM Mayor David Urban called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Trent Leach moved and Sheree Herold seconded a motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2010 regular Council meeting. Motion passed 5 yes votes.
7:01 PM Jera Kressly asked the council if there are any plans to develop Walton Street so the trash truck can come down to pick up their trash. Mayor David Urban asked the city Clerk to check with Gail Ogle of the Russell County Mapping Department to determine if Jera Kressley's address would be Walton or First Street because of the location of their home and put the question of Walton Street on the agenda for the April meeting.
7:07 PM Tammy Hower, John Rhudolph, Jera Kressly and Lisa Ammon left the meeting.
7:08 PM Rod Dick arrived at the meeting and asked the council to consider allowing him to put Customer Only Parking Signs in front of his business.
7:09 PM Dave Bricker said he is planning to take out his sidewalk and wanted to know if the City would replace the sidewalk or if it is the landowners responsibility. Mayor David Urban said the City has an Ordinance that requires the landowner to replace sidewalks when existing ones are removed.
John Rhudolph returned to the meeting.
7:13 PM Alicia Seirer asked if the tornado siren will be put up before storm season. Mayor David Urban said Wilson Communications will need to be contacted about telephone hookups to the siren and an electric company with a larger bucket truck will be needed to set the pole and install the siren.
7:14 PM Jennifer Bates thanked the City for getting the corrected Treasurer's report to her so promptly and asked if the Library Fund could be changed to show the revenues that were recieved and transferred to the library in 2009. Mayor David Urgan explained tht the matter is being looked into and he will speak to the auditors about any changes necessary. The concensus of the Council was to re-publish the treasurer's report.
7:18 PM Tammy Hower returned to the meeting. The Golden Living Center tax exemption request is with the State Board of Tax Appeals. Russell County Economic Development Director, Janae Talbott has spoken with two attorneys and their opinion was that the 25 year deed restriction is an enforceable part of the deed. The Council asked that expenses of mowing and yard work at the Golden Living Center be estimated and added to the expense report that was sent to the Council showing the expenses incurred in 2009.
7:23 PM City Clerk Julie Bretz reported that the request for funds has been sent to the Stae on the Bowl Plaza, no money has been recieved and no other changes have been made to the previous report.
7:24 PM Kenny Cain moved to send James Rezabek and Gary Ward to the Kansas Rural Water Association Annual Convention in Wichita March 30, 31 and April 1, 2010. Alvin Barta seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 yes votes.
7:26 PM Tammy Seirer asked to revisit her motion on the procurement policy. The electric crimper tool was purchased two weeks prior to the Council Meeting and Tammy Seirer believed it should have been voted on and approved by a vote of the Council. Mayor David Urban said he had spoken to individual Council members about the need for it and then authorized the purchase because it was under his $2000.00 procurement limit and he felt it was a safety issue.
7:33 PM Gary Bretz requested permission from the council to purchase two de-humidifiers to place in the Nitrate Plant to replace two that are no longer functioning. The de-humidifiers are needed to reduce rusting of the equipment at the plant. Tammy Seirer moved to authorize purchase of two de-humidifiers from Leach and Naeglee at a cost of $400.00 each. Kenny Cain seconded the motion. Motion carried 4 yes votes. Trent Leach abstained due to conflict of interest. William Schneider left the meeting.
7:36 PM Greg Heinze of Heinze and Associates representing EMC Insurance presented the Council with the quote for the City's general insurance policy due on April 2, 2010.
7:39 PM William Schneider returned to the meeting. Tammy Seirer moved to accept the quote of $18,239.00 with a deductible of $500. Alvin Barta seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 yes votes.
7:44 PM Council approved dates for the City wide spring clean up. Items should be set out May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. City Crew will pick up items on May 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. Russell County Landfill has granted a 50% reduction in disposal fees to the City for the Spring Clean Up.
7:46 PM Tammy Seirer moved to offer the street name signs that have been replaced for sale on March 20, 2010 during the dog clinic for $10.00 per sign, first come first served. Alvin Barta seconded the motion. Motion carried 5 yes votes.
7:58 PM City Clerk Julie Bretz reported on a Grant available from the Untied States Department of Agriculture for Rural Communities for Library construction. Council asked for more information on the Grant and more information on the cost of construction.
8:02 PM Council asked City Attorney Ken Cole to look into an Ordinance on charging a fee for debt collection to accounts turned over to the Kansas Set Off program.
8:03 PM Employee Gary Bretz asked permission to attend a mosquito school put on by the Van Diest Company in Salina April 7, 2010. Meeting is free of charge and lunch is provided. Council approved his request.
8:04 PM James Rezabek reported they have been cleaning the filters in the cells at the Nitrate Plant. He said he will be rotating the water valves beginning in April. Some will need to be replaced because they are leaking. Some replacement valves are kept in stock. Council asked him to check on what sizes will be needed and the cost of the valves.
8:10 PM Gary Ward had no report. Bill Harlow commentd on the first Kansas Power Pool bill for electricity for the City and the rate was $.051 per kw. Bill Harlow wanted the council to be aware of a State request for a 5% sales tax on utility charges. Environmental protection agency is asking for changes that will require the City to have a catalytic converter on the two generators owned by the City. A total of four loads of free electric poles have been transported from Clay center. The city was billed freight on only two loads. Approximately 120 crossarms have been picked up for future use as well. Mayor David Urban said he will gather information on plans for construction and costs of an awning at the ball field. Council asked the Clerk to place an ad in the paper for bids on construction of the awnings specifying the possibility that the City can furnish ans set the poles necessary for the construction.
8:20 PM Julie Bretz said Scott Wilson asked if there would be work for him to do over his spring break. No action was taken. Council asked that an ad be put in the paper so applications for summer help can be returned and reviewed by the April 13, 2010 meeting.
8:25 PM Kay Mettlen told the Council the Lucas Dog and Cat Clinic has been scheduled with Dr. John Thouvenelle for Saturday March 20, 2010 from 8:00 AM to Noon. Rain date is March 26, 2010 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM. We received one utility payment that had been sent to the Kansas Set Off Program. The Treasurer is working on the EIA 861 yearly energy report.
8:27 PM Trent Leach reported the City Crew will be doing some street repairs this summer without assistance from the County. James Rezabek siad there is 2500 gallons of oil on hand. Alvin Barta had no report. Kenny Cain asked the City Crew to price a trailer to haul the tank to transport the brine away from the nitrate plant. Mayor David Urban asked the City Clerk to get an analysis of the brine to determine the salt content. Tammy Seirer had no report. Sheree Herold had no report.
8:31 PM Alvin Barta moved and Kenny Cain seconded to approve the bills as presented.
8:32 PM Trent Leach moved to adjourn the meeting. Kenny Cain seconded. Motion carried 5 yes votes.

Agenda for March 9, 2010, Regular Meeting

CITY OF LUCAS
AGENDA FOR COUNCIL MEETING
DATE March 9, 2010
1. Call to Order 7:00 Lucas Civic Center
2. Reading and approval of minutes from the February 9, 2010 Regular Meeting
3. Otheres bringing business before the CouncilRita Sharp_ Ambulance Shed Door
4. Citizens bringing business before the Council
5. Old Business
a. Rest Home Update
b. Bowl Plaza Update
c. Kansas Rural Water Annual Conference
d. Procurement Policy
6. New Business
a. Nitrate Plant De-Humidifier
b. General City Insurance Policy
c. Spring Clean Up - Set Date
d. Old Street Signs - Selling
e. Library Grant
f. Ordinance - Set additional percentage of debt collection.
7. Monthly report from City Employees
a. Gary Bretz b. James Rezabek c. Gary Ward d.Bill Harlow e. Julie Bretz f. Kay Mettlen
8. Approval of expenses presented for payment
9. Other Business if any
10. Committee Reports: Utilities, Personnel, Streets, Parks, Industrial Development.
NOTE: CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.