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February 18, 2009 The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor David Corns presiding. Council members present were Jeff Otter, Donna Foley, Toby Kuhn, Kim Snyder, Elaine Mann, and Wally Burton. Others present were Brandy Leroux, Deena Wente, Mitch Jones, Dan Bainter, Pat Morel and Darla Ellis. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the February 4, 2009, council minutes. Vote taken. Motion carried. The following building permit was presented: Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Elaine Mann to approve Resolution #3-2009, making additions and amendments to the City of Norton Employee Handbook and Norton Personnel Rules. This Resolution adopts the amendments which were included in the motion during the February 4th City Council meeting. Council discussed the extra day off for the New Year’s Holiday. Wally Burton asked what will happen if New Year’s Day falls on Thursday again, and employees want Friday off too. Only New Year’s Day will be considered a holiday, so employees would need to use vacation or a discretionary day. An additional discretionary day will be added beginning in 2010. Vote taken. Motion carried. City Clerk Darla Ellis reported Chris Land of Murphy International Development Corporation will be at the March 4th City Council meeting to make a presentation regarding wind energy. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Donna Foley to accept the 2009 Calendar of events at the arena in Elmwood Park for the Norton County Horse Council. Vote taken. Motion carried. Kim Snyder thanked the Eagles Lodge for their donation to the Safe Ride Program. Toby Kuhn stated the Public Safety Committee met with the Fire Chief and discussed the 1985 Ford Fire truck. The tank on the truck does not hold water and work needs done on the gauges to function properly. The committee discussed using money which had been budgeted for another fire department item to repair the tank, and put off the budgeted purchase until 2010. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to accept the bid of $13,642 from Hays Fire and Equipment Sales and Service, to remove the existing tank and install a new T-tank and gauge on the 1985 Ford Unit #16. The purchase will come from line item 01.12.463 of the fire department budget. Vote taken. Motion carried. Toby Kuhn reported the 2001 Chevy Impala has 126,000 miles on it and the 2003 Chevy Impala has 110,000 miles on it. The 2001 Impala was originally purchased by the Police Department, and was last used by the Code Inspector. The 2003 Impala will be replaced by the 2009 Dodge Charger which was approved at the last meeting. He stated in the past, bids have been solicited, but the City is rarely offered very much for the used units. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to accept the bid of $1,800 from OMB Express and sell them the 2001 Chevy Impala. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to accept the bid of $1,800 from OMB Express and sell them the 2003 Chevy Impala. Vote taken. Motion carried. Toby Kuhn reported the new Dodge Charger patrol car has been ordered and Police Chief Pat Morel stated it should be delivered within 50 to 150 days. Toby Kuhn stated that due to the economic conditions that we are currently faced with and the unknown situation with local employers and the possibility of the Correctional Facility closing in the future, he would like to have each department head submit a plan in writing to the Finance Committee, detailing a 5% proposed reduction in their respective budget for this current fiscal year. He stated this does not mean that the reduction would be implemented, but that if the economic conditions continue to worsen in Norton, the City would have a proposed plan in place ready to implement. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Wally Burton to have all city department heads submit a plan in writing to the Finance Committee by the March 2nd committee meeting, detailing a plan for a 5% budget reduction. Elaine Mann stated she did not think that was enough time. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve Appropriating Ordinance #4. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to adjourn the meeting. Council adjourned at 5:48 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor: David N. Corns |