city

Official Minutes

January 20, 2010

The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor David Corns presiding. Council members present were Jeff Otter, Donna Foley, Toby Kuhn, Kim Snyder, Roberta Ryan and Joe Leroux. Others present were Erica Bradley, Wesley DuBois, Pat Morel, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the January 6, 2010, council minutes. Vote taken. Motion carried.

The following building permits were presented:
Grant Bailey - $ 1,200 - Construct storage shed at 904 Middle Street
7B Building & Development - $500,000 – Demolish buildings and build new Dollar General store at 309 E. Holme Street

Chief of Police Pat Morel presented an appreciation award to Police Officer Wesley DuBois for completing the 204th Basic Training Class at the KLETC Academy, from July 27 through October 30, 2009. He was commended for completing the necessary training.

City Administrator Rob Lawson reported the Airport Board met on January 11, and approved the land lease renewals with Denny Lofgreen and Marvin Stutheit for 5 years. The city attorney is preparing the agreements. He also reported the values on the airport buildings were increased by the insurance carrier and the board approved the changes. The internet AWOS (Automated Weather Observation System) unit will be installed and in service soon. The Airport Board approved a bid from Gosselin Construction for $793 to pour the concrete on the taxiway. This cost will be split 3 ways between Natoma Corporation, Valley Hope, and the Airport Board. The Board approved the monthly bills and received an annual financial report from the secretary. The next meeting is scheduled for February 8, 2010, at 5:30 p.m.

Rob Lawson stated Don Mordecai has requested the use of the disc golf course in Elmwood Park on February 6 for the “Ice Bowl”, and on August 8 for the annual disc golf tournament. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve these dates for the disc golf course. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Rob Lawson stated he has prepared a budget preparation schedule which could be followed to keep everyone up to date on the 2011 budget process. He also prepared a list of the 2010 Capital Outlay requests which have been included in the 2010 budget. He reported Norton County did not qualify for storm damage payments from FEMA because there was not a big enough loss this time. He also stated the electric recorder has been installed at the power plant and is working great.

Jeff Otter reported the Public Safety Committee met with the Fire Chief and discussed the Unit 10 Fire Truck. The unit has ongoing electrical problems and the truck stalled on them and died last time they tried to take it out of the barn. They have moved the unit to reserve and moved hose from it to Unit 16. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Joe Leroux to have the Fire Chief take Unit 10 to Colby to Cummins Diesel to have it analyzed or repaired. Toby Kuhn stated if there is a mechanical problem with emergency equipment, it is very important to have those units looked at immediately and reported to the council. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Kim Snyder to have the Fire Chief have Nex-Tech or another electrician look at and repair the emergency lights on Unit 10. Toby Kuhn reiterated his comments regarding the repair of emergency vehicles in a timely manner. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Donna Foley stated the Utility Committee reviewed Miller and Associates request regarding moving the water rights of Well #24 to Well #23. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Toby Kuhn to approve transferring the water appropriations from Well #24 to Well #23. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve the following 2009 utility write offs, and start the collection process through the City Attorney:

	*Name*		*Acct. No.*	*Service Address*	*Amount*
1.	Allen, Howard		5-131	112 N. Graves	92.77
2.	Ambrose, Adam		8-184	505 N. First	323.01
3.	Annon, Rhona		5-190	302 N. Graves	502.49
4.	Bussing, Kelly		2-124	326 S. State	594.84
5.	Davis, Chris		5-291	312 N. Graves	268.01
6.	Estes, Theresa		2-1423	408 South St.	408.26
7.	Floyd, Cassandra		2-1333	402 W. Pearl	167.38
8.	Glendening, Jason		13-581	1003B Kennedy	148.61
9.	Hadley, Elise		7-214	313 N. Wabash	24.70
10.	Hickman, Boomer		13-794	1013A Kennedy	87.89
11.	Hickman, Kristen		7-211	313 N. Wabash	102.28
12.	Hock, Dawn		2-1342	406 W. Pearl	231.73
13.	Hock, Larry		2-1380	401 South St.	301.17
14.	Horacek, Gary		4-804	411 N. Second	97.27
15.	Kobus, Kris		5-300	312 ½ N. Graves	195.91
16.	Kolman, Brittany		7-1813	205 E. Holme Lot 3	103.80
17.	Lewis, Harley		13-714	1009B Kennedy	172.36
18.	Myers, Norm		2-1143	313 W. Washington	139.51
19.	Nairn, Raquel		13-795	1013A Kennedy	33.52
20.	Phillips, Debby		1-320	312 S. Norton	222.89
21.	Porter, Jolene		1-463	301 S. Wabash	387.65
22.	Roberts, Randy		2-601	410 S. Second	60.67
23.	Simmons, Breyer		7-310	412 N. Wabash	171.39
24.	Smith, Michael		2-1383	401 South St.	112.66
25.	Stanton, Kasey		8-100	706 N. State	85.03
26.	Stewart, Cody		5-1680	506 W. Wilton	484.02
27.	Thompson, Jay		5-808	304 Ward Ave.	139.21
28.	Tuxhorn, Kelli		8-1081	805 N. Grant	72.39
29.	Ulmer, Brian		6-66	307 N. State	256.45
30.	Vogelgesang, Jennifer		3-582	334 W. Main	169.04
31.	White, Rebecca		13-572	1003A Kennedy	172.76
				*TOTAL UTILITY*	*6,329.67*
1.	A & R Properties	Weed abatement – 204 N. Graves – assessed in 2008				90.64
2.	Chapman, Joe	Weed abatement – 316 N. Jones – assessed in 2009				288.86
3.	Harpst, John	Weed abatement – 305 N. Second – assessed in 2009				185.92
4.	Henry, Tim	Weed abatement – 318 N. Wabash – property sold				74.62
5.	Nelsen, Doyle	Weed abatement – 111 E. Wilton – assessed in 2009				320.86
		*GRAND TOTAL*				*7,290.57*

Vote taken. Motion carried.

Donna Foley reported Utility Plant Supervisor Chris Frack presented a possible solution for the digester ice problems we have been experiencing, and will bring back more information for the Utility Committee at the February 8 meeting at 5:30 p.m..

Donna Foley stated she attended the In Our Hands Census meeting. We lose $1254 per person who isn’t accounted for and so they are encouraging everyone to complete the census. It is a 10 question survey that will not take over 10 minutes and is vital for local funding.

Toby Kuhn reminded everyone the Finance Committee will meet January 25 at 5:30 p.m. to review the 2009 budget cash carryovers, and at 6:00 p.m. they will meet with the Mayor of Atwood to discuss the Inmate Labor. Toby stated he will be absent from the February 3 City Council meeting.

Kim Snyder stated people are complaining about the sign on E. Highway 36. She stated the sign does not belong to the City. There are entities that are looking at repairing or replacing the sign.

Kim Snyder also stated a new refuse truck is needed. One is a 1985 and one is a 1996. This truck is used every day and is necessary to pick up the trash, yard waste and recyclables. The City has $40,000 in the budget for a down payment to lease purchase a truck. She thanked Richard McKenna for doing some of the mechanic work on the equipment in the public works department.

Kim Snyder stated the Public Works Committee discussed repairs to the motor grader. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Donna Foley to approve the repairs for the motor grader at an estimated cost of $2,500 from line item #01.13.255. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Toby Kuhn to approve Appropriating Ordinance #2 as a whole. Vote taken. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to adjourn. Council adjourned at 5:55 p.m.