Official Minutes

December 16, 2009

The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, December 16, 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 arrived at 5:36 p.m.  Others present were Marlin Bozarth, Delores Bozarth, Curtis Bozarth, Marla Bozarth, Denise Whisman, Mark Waggoner, Miki Smith, August Muehe, Erica Bradley, Deena Wente, Pat Morel, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis. 

Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the December 2, 2009, city council minutes.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

No building permits were presented.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to waive the formal second reading of Ordinance #1594, amending the building codes and adopting the International Building Code, 2006 Edition.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to waive the formal second reading of Ordinance #1595, amending the plumbing codes and adopting the International Plumbing Code, 2006 Edition.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Toby Kuhn to waive the formal second reading of Ordinance #1596, amending the electrical code and adopting the National Electrical Code, 2008 Edition.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Jeff Otter to waive the formal second reading of Ordinance #1597, repealing Dangerous and Unfit Structures and Minimum Housing Codes, and adopting the International Property Maintenance Code, 2006 Edition.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Joe Leroux to waive the formal second reading of Ordinance #1598, amending the fire code and adopting the International Fire Code, 2006 Edition.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Mayor Corns presented Marlin Bozarth an award of appreciation for completing 60 years of business at Bozie’s Barber Shop in the City of Norton.  Bozie stated he started his business behind First Security Bank and then moved across the alley.  Mayor Corns congratulated him for being in business so long.  Bozie thanked the City for the recognition.

Mayor Corns reported the city sales tax receipts collected in October of 2009 totaled $20,390.63 and the county sales tax receipts totaled $14,730.82 for a total of $35,121.45.  The year to date total receipts in 2009 total $395,723.55.

Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Kim Snyder to accept the reappointment of Wally Burton and Karla Reed to serve on the Tourism Committee.  These terms will expire November 30, 2011.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Donna Foley to approve the reappointment of Jeana Yost to the Housing Authority Board, with the term expiring November 30, 2013, and the appointment of August Muehe to fill the unexpired term which was vacated by Jamie Amlong.  This term will expire November 30, 2011.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Roberta Ryan and seconded by Joe Leroux to approve the appointment of Aaron Herman to fill the unexpired term on the City/County Airport Board, vacated by Dean Esslinger.  This term will expire in May of 2011.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Rob Lawson thanked all of the City crews for working together to get all of the snow removed during the last snowstorm.  Mayor Corns stated they did an exceptional job.

Rob Lawson announced the City received the letter of completion from KDHE for the sewer plant project and the account has been closed.  He also reported the heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit on the roof of the recreation center that has gone bad.  This is the last of the old units which needed replaced, and the heat exchanger has a hole in it.  The Finance Committee will discuss this at their next meeting.

Rob Lawson stated the recorder at the power plant is no longer working, and is needed to monitor the electrical power coming in from Sunflower, as well as the electrical power which the City sends out.  MidStates Energy Works has quoted the price of $5,415 plus installation for a Honeywell recorder which includes software for remote monitoring.  They estimate the total cost including installation to be approximately $7,015. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Jeff Otter to accept MidStates Energy Works’ estimate and approve the purchase of a Honeywell recorder at an estimated cost of $7,015. MidStates Energy Works is the sole source provider for the City.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Jeff Otter stated he received a comment from a citizen who was happy to get the light by his corner of Kennedy & Armory, because it is so dark up there.

Donna Foley reported the Economic Development Board met and has decided to maintain the Storefront Renewal Program and the Business in the Spotlight.  They also reviewed the floor plans for the visitor’s center.

Toby Kuhn reported the Finance Committee discussed the 2010 cost of living adjustment.  A 3% cost of living adjustment was budgeted; the committee is recommending that no increase be made at this time.

Roberta Ryan stated the Chamber of Commerce Board looked over the floor plans for the visitor’s center and made a few suggestions.  Thirty-seven local businesses participated in the Christmas promotion this year.  Pamida Foundation and Warren Heaton have donated money for the annual Christmas dinner which will be served on December 25th at the Methodist Church.

August Muehe asked why the Council would want to spend $40,000 to $45,000 for a prison crew to do jobs for the City, when they don’t have enough work for the crews they currently have.  He stated this summer, he saw four employees standing and watching concrete dry.  He also stated there is a safety issue at the corner of his intersection because big trucks and other vehicles do not stop at the stop sign there. He stated he has observed city vehicles driving around without signaling when they turn.  Rob will remind the employees at the next staff meeting that they should use turn signals when turning at intersections.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve Appropriating Ordinance #24 as a whole.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Rob Lawson reported the Airport Board met and discussed their short range plans which include concrete work at the airport.  They also discussed long range planning for replacing the terminal and the possibility of an addition of the taxiway.  Notice will be sent out to the individuals who lease the farm land by the airport regarding the upcoming renewal of their leases.  They also discussed a 3-D GPS system.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn to recess, to reconvene the meeting on December 29, 2009 at 12:00 p.m.  Motion was withdrawn.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to schedule the 2009 budget amendment hearing on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to recess, and reconvene the meeting on December 29, 2009, at 12:00 p.m., to pay year-end bills and take up any other year-end business.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.  Council recessed at 6:10 p.m.

December 29, 2009

The Norton City Council resumed in regular session Tuesday, December 29, 2009, at 12:00 noon, with Mayor Corns presiding.  Council members present were Jeff Otter, Donna Foley, Toby Kuhn, Kim Snyder and Roberta Ryan.  Joe Leroux arrived at 12:01 p.m.  Others present were Deena Wente, Erica Bradley, Pat Morel, Karen Griffiths, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis.

Toby Kuhn stated the Finance Committee has been discussing the City Administrator’s employment agreement and a Performance Review for the City Administrator.  Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to accept the Employment Agreement between the City of Norton and City Administrator Robert A. Lawson, effective 1/1/2010.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve the City Administrator’s Performance Review and the Goals for 2010.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the following 2010 Cereal Malt Beverage license applications:

Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Rob Lawson thanked the City Council, Mayor and City Attorney for their work on the employment agreement and Performance Evaluation.  The Mayor thanked all of the City crews and staff for their work throughout the year.  He also thanked the Council for all of their work over the last year and stated it has been very difficult with all of the projects that have been going on.

Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the Safe Ride Home program for New Year’s Eve.  Both taxi service companies will be used for the service at $5 per trip home.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.  

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Joe Leroux to approve Appropriating Ordinance #25.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Mayor Corns declared a 3 minute recess at 12:12 p.m.  Council reconvened in open session at 12:15 p.m.

At 12:15 p.m., Mayor Corns opened the Public Hearing to consider amendments to the 2009 budget.  The proposed amendments will increase the budget authority in the Airport Bond and Interest Fund from $37,554 to $48,785, and in the Sewer Fund from $647,769 to $754,164.  There were no comments or questions from the public regarding the budget amendment.  Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to close the budget amendment hearing at 12:26 p.m.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to accept the 2009 budget amendments to the Airport Bond and Interest Fund and the Sewer Fund, as published in the budget amendment hearing notice on December 18, 2009.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve advertising on the radio for the Safe Ride program on New Year’s Eve at a cost not to exceed $23.75.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Toby Kuhn to adjourn.  The council meeting was adjourned at 12:29 p.m. 

ATTEST: City Clerk               Mayor: David N. Corns