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November 18, 2009 The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor David Corns presiding. Council members present were Jeff Otter, Donna Foley, Toby Kuhn, Roberta Ryan and Joe Leroux. Kim Snyder was absent. Others present were Erica Bradley, Deena Wente, Pat Morel, Karen Griffiths, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the November 4, 2009, city council minutes. Vote taken. Motion carried. The following building permit was presented: Mayor Corns stated the City is still accepting names for people willing to serve on the various boards and committees, so the appointments will be made at the next city council meeting. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the agreement with Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, allowing Sunflower Electric to act as the City’s agent in seeking network integration transmission service for the city’s power supply delivery. The current contract terminates on December 31, 2009. Karen Griffiths stated she has reviewed the agreement. Vote taken. Motion carried. City Administrator Rob Lawson stated Chris Miller from Miller and Associates met with the Utility Committee regarding the new wells that are being developed in the wellfield. Three wells have been completed and there are two left to develop. Well #24 is not producing very much water at all and the City would save $30,000-$40,000 if it is not developed. They have drilled the hole, put the casing down, gravel packed it and test pumped it. It is only pumping 120 gallons per minute. Chris Miller is recommending that we weld a cap over the top of the casing and fill around it and leave it there; it could be finished at any time in the future if we need it. The City was hoping all of the wells together would pump at total of 1,500 gallons per minute. The City will make a decision after we find out what the pumping capacities are of the other two wells. Mayor Corns stated the Northwest Kansas Planning and Development Commission will be having their 2009 annual meeting on December 9 in Russell if any council members are interested in attending. City Administrator Rob Lawson stated there is still $31,129 available from the State Revolving Loan Fund which the City could request to reimburse for a portion of the lift station repairs or sludge truck. Rob stated he is waiting to hear back from Rod Geisler of KDHE, to see if the loan payment which is due in March can be reduced by the remaining balance, rather than requesting the funds. Chris Miller of Miller and Associates met with the Utility Committee regarding the letter which will be sent out to the public regarding the recent trihalomethane violation. He stated there were several reasons for the violation. The clarifier was down at the water plant and we were taking in lake water which has more organics in it, and when it is treated with chlorine it causes trihalomethanes. Since the wellfield is not done we could not use wells like we wanted to, and the water tower project was being done. The City is required to take quarterly samples and two of the four samples were above the acceptable level which caused the average of the four samples to exceed the limit. This problem will correct itself when the water plant project is completely done. The City also received notice from KDHE that the maximum contaminant level on uranium was below the required level, and so KDHE is reducing the number of tests the City is required to complete each year for uranium. Rob Lawson reported MidStates Energy Works is installing the new OCB switch at the power plant. Staff is getting cost estimates for a voltage recorder which has gone bad. The Christmas decorations are being installed today. The new restroom in Elmwood Park is being plumbed this week. Rob stated he received a complaint regarding a headstone which was knocked loose and the committee will need to discuss this. Jeff Otter stated the Public Safety Committee met with Fire Chief Mitch Jones, and received a report of the department’s activity for the month. They conducted the annual fire prevention week at the schools, daycares, preschools and library. The annual Halloween wiener roast was held on Saturday, and they also participated in the Veteran’s Day parade. Mitch is waiting to hear from Rescue Tech on some motor problems they are having with the rescue equipment. They are waiting for space to get a pump repaired at Hays Fire. He is also receiving bids for a new air system for filling the SCBA units, which is a budgeted item in 2010. Jeff Otter reported the property at 408 South Street was cleaned up by city crews according to the abatement procedure. The Code Inspector will be preparing a bill for the property owners and if it is not paid, it will be assessed to the property. Jeff Otter stated he has received complaints regarding the parking space size on South Kansas Street. This issue comes up every 4 or 5 years, and will be considered next time they paint the new parking lines. Chief of Police Pat Morel received a proposal to rent a building from Shawn Mortensen for the Norton Police Department. After discussion, it was decided that this property would probably not suit their needs. Another building was also looked at which is for sale for $28,000, but it would need upgrades and renovations before it could be used as a police station. The Finance Committee will review the budget regarding this proposal. Jeff Otter stated Municipal Judge Jerry Hawks asked if the council would consider giving him and the Court Clerk a pay raise, since all of the reports and paperwork are on time and current. Otter stated the Finance Committee will be looking at the cost of living adjustment and this matter will be taken care of after that is discussed. Donna Foley reported the Economic Development Board decided to print the business directories again, but they will be in black and white to cut costs. They will be discontinuing some of their programs due to financial constraints. They will be keeping the storefront renewal program, and are also continuing the business in the spotlight articles. The floor plan for the visitor’s center is still being discussed. Diane Stiles has developed an application for board appointments. The Finance Committee discussed the new utility rates with the City Clerk. They also spoke with the City Attorney regarding the fact that the Texas Truck Store has failed to make any payments back to the City as agreed. They sold the City the sludge truck, which was advertised with a 3500 gallon sludge land applicator, but it only had a 2000 gallon tank. They had agreed to pay the City the sum of $6,000 as full settlement for the difference in the value of the truck. The Finance Committee is also reviewing the City Administrator’s employment contract. The Finance Committee will be meeting on November 30 with Economic Development and the Norton Correctional Facility to discuss the possibility of entering into an agreement for an inmate work crew for the City. They will meet with Worden Jay Shelton and Diane Stiles to get preliminary information. Toby Kuhn asked staff to prepare figures or projections regarding the deficit for the upcoming loan payments for the sewer and water loans, for the Finance Committee to review in December. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve Steve Tanner’s sidewalk replacement request at 414 West Main Street, with the City providing the labor and the property owner paying the cost of materials directly to the concrete provider. Vote taken. Motion carried. Roberta Ryan reported the Chamber of Commerce is discussing the damaged “Welcome to Norton” sign on the Davis property east of Norton. They are considering moving the sign to the east, possibly on railroad right-of-way. The Chamber will be getting ready for Christmas and will be putting up the Santa house at the courthouse. They also looked at the floor plans for the visitor’s center and made suggestions on some changes to make it more efficient. Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve Appropriating Ordinance #22 as a whole. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Toby Kuhn to adjourn. The council meeting was adjourned at 5:57 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor: David N. Corns
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