Official Minutes

June 17, 2009

The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, June 17, 2009, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor David Corns presiding.  Council members present were Jeff Otter, Toby Kuhn, Kim Snyder, Roberta Ryan and Joe Leroux.  Donna Foley was absent.  Others present were Charlotte Linsner, Travis Chisham, John Kaus, Brandi Seamon, Erica Bradley, Pat Morel, Karen Griffiths, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis. 

Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Joe Leroux to approve the June 3, 2009, city council minutes.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

No building permits were presented.

Karen Griffiths stated she would like to meet with the Public Safety Committee to discuss the jail detention fee.  She would also like to meet with the Personnel Committee regarding changes to the City Code pertaining to officers and employees.  She would also like to meet with the Finance Committee regarding incorporating the International Codes instead of the Uniform Building Codes which are currently used by the City.

Charlotte Linsner from Northwest Kansas Domestic & Sexual Violence Services in Hays was present to request funding from the City of Norton, to help fund their services to Norton County.  They provide 24 hour service within the 18 northwest Kansas Counties.  In 2008, they served 10 domestic violence crisis incidences in Norton County.  She said it costs them $393/day to run the shelter house and it can shelter 12 to 15 people at a time.  Charlotte stated they would like to ask for $100 more than what the City has been giving. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to donate $600 to Northwest Kansas Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Police Chief Pat Morel stated the Click it or Ticket enforcement period has concluded and there was an article in the Norton Telegram about the number of citations issued.

City Administrator Rob Lawson reported that the Farmers Market will be held at the entrance of Elmwood Park every Thursday, beginning on June 25 until the first frost.  He also announced the Norton County Fair will be held July 18 through July 25, 2009.

The Immanuel Lutheran Church has made application for water services outside of the City limits to their new building site.  Karen Griffiths stated they would like an agreement drawn up with certain stipulations, and she would like to meet with the Committee regarding this matter.  Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the Immanuel Lutheran Church’s application for water services at 14715 Washington Road, with them paying for such service, including the cost of the waterline extension, any costs connecting to the City water service, and the cost of installation of pipe.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve the St. Francis Catholic Church’s curb replacement request at the 100 block of S. Wabash Street, with the City paying the cost of the concrete, and the owner paying a private contractor for the labor.  Vote taken.  Motion carried 5-0 with Jeff Otter abstaining from the vote.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve Mary Jo Horesky’s sidewalk replacement request at 303 N. Norton Street, with the City providing the labor and the property owner paying the cost of materials directly to the concrete provider, contingent upon it meeting the city’s requirements.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Jeff Otter reported the Public Safety Committee met with the Fire Chief and received a report regarding recent rescue calls, hazmat calls and weather-related calls.  He stated the Fire Department is using the backup rescue tool right now.  Rural Fire District#2 will provide fire protection for the races this year.  The Committee also heard a concern from two individuals regarding the 48 hour parking regulation; the committee will discuss this issue further.

Toby Kuhn stated the Public Works Committee met with John Kaus and Travis Chisham regarding a portion of land owned by the City adjacent to their properties.  City Attorney Karen Griffiths will review their request and discuss it with the committee.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to waive the formal first reading of Ordinance #1584, amending the utility service water tap fees.  The fees are being adjusted due to the increased cost of materials and have not been increased since 1992.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to proceed with the street replacement of Horace Greeley Street, south of the Norton Manor, at an estimated cost of $9,900.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to proceed with the waterline replacement and resurfacing at the 400 block of W. Wilton and 500 block of N. Jones Street, at an estimated cost of $6,800.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the waterline replacement at Westridge Acres along Highway 36, at an estimated cost of $2,500.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Toby Kuhn stated the Public Works Committee also discussed the purchase of a new trash truck and the Finance Committee is discussing the financing for this capital outlay item in the 2010 budget.

Toby Kuhn reported the Finance Committee met and discussed the mill levy history over the past 10 years.  They also discussed additional items which have been funded through the general fund over the past five years, without any mill levy increase to cover the additional expenses.  He stated the Committee is discussing what projects the city will be able to afford to put in the budget for 2010. 

Roberta Ryan reported she attended the Chamber of Commerce meeting and they discussed the July 4th fireworks display at the lake.

Motion was made by Joe Leroux and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the request from the Norton County Horse Council to add a 2-day roping event to their Elmwood Park schedule on August 1 & 2.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Joe Leroux stated the Parks Committee met with a school district representative and discussed the condition of the tennis courts.  City staff is looking into options of repairing the courts.

Brandi Seaman of the Frontier Community Foundation was present to answer questions regarding the presentation they made to the Parks Committee for a combined therapy pool and public pool facility.  They would like it to be enclosed with an air dome which is much more economical than bricks and mortar; enclosing it would allow it to be used all year.  The Frontier Community Foundation would help raise funds to fund the dome cover, foundation deck and the therapy pool.  The city is in the exploratory phase of discussing their options of building a new pool, and have discussed including the architectural and design fees in the 2010 budget.

Kim Snyder stated she would like to meet with the Parks Committee to discuss damage to stones at the cemetery and how it needs to be handled.  The committee will discuss this at the next meeting.

Karen Griffiths stated the Wiltfong/Kohfeld property has been completely cleaned up and all items that were listed on the order to remove or repair have been addressed.  She stated the Order of Abatement, per Resolution #5-2009, has been satisfied by the property owner/tenant/agent.  She stated she has received an Appeal to the District Court regarding the council’s action under the Resolution.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Roberta Ryan to approve Appropriating Ordinance #12 as a whole.  Vote taken.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Toby Kuhn to adjourn.  Council adjourned at 6:33 p.m.

ATTEST: City Clerk               Mayor: David N. Corns