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November 4, 2009 The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, November 4, 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. Jerry Bantam arrived at 5:51 p.m. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the October 21, 2009, city council minutes. Vote taken. Motion carried. The following building permits were presented: Mayor Corns reported the city sales tax receipts collected in September of 2009 totaled $24,759.25 and the county sales tax receipts totaled $16,232.60 for a total of $40,991.85. The year to date total receipts in 2009 total $360,602.10. Mayor Corns stated he was notified that Bozie’s Barber Shop will have been in business 60 years in December of this year. Mayor Corns stated the City will get him a plaque of appreciation and invite him to the December council meeting to present it. Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Joe Leroux to adopt Resolution #9-2009, which modifies the Employee Handbook by including a provision that a disciplinary form will be removed from an employee’s personnel file after one year, so long as there has not been any additional disciplinary action for the twelve month period. Vote taken. Motion carried. City Attorney Karen Griffiths stated she met with Code Inspector Jeff Wolf briefly regarding the property maintenance code, and they need additional time to go over it for the recodification. Police Chief Pat Morel announced that Police Office Wesley DuBois has completed his 14 weeks of training and has graduated from the Kansas Law Enforcement academy. Jeff Otter reported the Public Safety Committee discussed the Collection Agency that is used for municipal court debt. Some debtors have complained that the notice the Agency sends out does not look legitimate. The Committee recommends that the Municipal Judge give a card to the defendants who are on a payment plan, to let them know what collection agency the City uses if they do not pay their fines. Jeff Otter stated the Public Safety Committee also discussed the abatement procedure at 408 South Street. The property might be selling and so the City is waiting to see if it sells before proceeding with the abatement process. Jeff Otter stated a resident contacted him requesting a street light be put in at the corner of Kennedy & Armory, because it is so dark up there. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Jeff Otter to accept the proposed change order for well #5, to make the necessary changes to keep the well in active status at a cost of $857.00. Vote taken. Motion carried. Donna Foley stated the Utility Committee discussed KDHE’s offer to amend the Loan Agreement for additional funds for the wastewater treatment plant project. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Toby Kuhn to respectfully decline the additional funding from KDHE and not proceed with any of the unmandated upgrades at this time. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Jeff Otter to accept the completion of the water tower painting project and make the final payment of $73,660. Toby Kuhn stated he has heard positive comments about the bluejay beak on the water tower, and that it shows a sense of community pride. Donna Foley stated a committee of concerned citizens is researching different options for the water and sewer rates, and looked at sewer meters but found them to be cost prohibitive. They will continue to research other options and will report back to the Utility Committee with other suggestions. Donna Foley also reported that the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development have officially committed to co-occupy the former station at 205 S. State Street, and she is on the committee to select a floor plan. Toby Kuhn stated the Public Works Committee discussed the vacant position in the Public Works department, but will not be filling the vacant position at this time due to the hiring freeze. He stated they will continue the temporary employment of the individual who has been filling in for the Public Works department, and will revisit this issue prior to the January 6 city council meeting. The Public Works Supervisor reported the 1969 motor grader has a problem with the planetary drive system and will cost $2,000 to $4,000 to repair. They will not take any action at this time, but will review the available funds in December and decide at that time what to do. He stated the committee also reviewed the Public Works department’s tentative work schedule; some items have not been completed due to unexpected issues such as the train derailment, water leaks projects, debris cleanup and other items. Some of the projects might not get done this year, but they have re-prioritized the remaining items. Toby Kuhn commended the Public Works crew for successfully completing the city-wide fall clean-up. He stated the landfill costs totaled $3,300, and this is an extra service the City provides. Roberta Ryan stated there are a lot of televisions and computers that are still out and this was not part of the clean-up since it is e-waste, so these items need to be taken to the landfill by the property owner. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to donate a 2010 family season pool pass to The Rock for their third annual benefit auction. Vote taken. Motion carried. A few citizens had requested several months ago that a tract of land be sold to the adjacent property owners and the City obtained an appraisal of the property. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to sell an irregular tract of land located in the northwest quarter of Section 2-T3S-R23 that is approximately 131 feet by 76 feet by 65 feet, to the adjacent property owners based on the percentage of the property abutment that those property owners have to them, with the sell to occur by quit claim deed at a cost of $1,250 which is the appraised market value, plus the appraisal fee of $75; the city will reserve a 20 foot utility easement on the south side of that property. Vote taken. Motion carried. Roberta Ryan stated the Personnel Committee is still getting information regarding establishing a sick leave bank. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Donna Foley to approve the 2010 Norton Horse Council calendar of events. Vote taken. Motion carried. Joe Leroux stated the Parks Committee met with representatives of MBM Motor Sports and discussed their tentative schedule that will need to be submitted to IMCA. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the Elmwood Park Speedway 2010 tentative schedule with the note that the June 5 race date has been changed to June 12. Vote taken. Motion carried. Joe Leroux stated that MBM Motor Sports has spent a significant amount of time and energy making improvements to the speedway park and trying to bring in crowds, and has stated they will work with other promoters for things such as motorcycle races and other events. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Toby Kuhn to approve and name MBM Motor Sports as the 2010 race track promoter. Vote taken. Motion carried. Joe Leroux also stated the color has been chosen to paint the new restroom in Elmwood Park, and that project will be completed soon. He stated the Parks Committee also met with Supervisor Steve Cole and discussed the possibility of splitting the Parks and Cemetery into two separate departments and this issue will be considered further. Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the dates of August 27 and 28, 2010, for the 2nd Annual Smoking in the Barn Barbecue Contest in Elmwood Park. Vote taken. Motion carried. Mayor Corns reminded everyone that the City Office will be closed November 11 for Veteran’s Day. Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Joe Leroux to approve Appropriating Ordinance #21 as a whole. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Joe Leroux to adjourn. The council meeting was adjourned at 6:04 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor: David N. Corns
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