.jpg)
|
September 16, 2009 The Norton City Council met in regular session Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 5:30 p.m., with Mayor David Corns presiding. Council members present were Jeff Otter, Donna Foley, Toby Kuhn, Kim Snyder, Roberta Ryan and Joe Leroux. Others present were Brian Thompson, Lacy Frack, Erica Bradley, Dan Bainter, Pat Morel, Karen Griffiths, Rob Lawson and Darla Ellis. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the September 2, 2009, city council minutes. Vote taken. Motion carried. The following building permits were presented: Brian Thompson of Mapes and Miller was in attendance to present the 2008 audit report. He reported the City complied with all Kansas Statutes and no statutory violations or areas of non-compliance were found. Motion was made by Donna Foley and seconded by Toby Kuhn to accept the 2008 audit report as presented, and authorize Mapes and Miller to file the audit report with the appropriate state and federal agencies. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Roberta Ryan to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance # 1588, restricting vehicular parking on the north side of E. Warsaw Street, starting at the terminus of N. Norton Street and E. Warsaw Street, thence east 109 feet. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Roberta Ryan to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance #1589, restricting vehicular parking on the west side of South Second Street, starting at the terminus of S. Second and Horace Greeley Avenue, from a point north 55 feet to a point north 172 feet. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Roberta Ryan to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance #1590, restricting vehicular parking to two hours on the east side of N. Norton Street, starting at the northern terminus of E. Waverly and N. Norton Street, thence north 70 feet. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Jeff Otter to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance #1591, amending the city water rates. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance #1592, amending the city’s sewer rates. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to waive the formal 2nd reading of Ordinance #1593, amending the city’s solid waste rates. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Roberta Ryan to accept the appointment of Jamie Amlong to fill the unexpired term vacated by Pat Hillebrand on the Housing Authority Board. The term for this Board position will expire November 30, 2011. Board members must reside within 5 miles of the City limits. Vote taken. Motion carried. Mayor Corns stated the Finance Committee met with a group of citizens who were concerned about the proposed utility rate increases. He stated several suggestions were made that will be considered. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Roberta Ryan to adopt Resolution #7-2009, authorizing the abatement of conditions under the environmental code as to the property located at 408 South Street. The City will be authorized to abate the conditions in violation and assess the costs to the lot if the owner does not abate the conditions within 10 days after passage of this resolution. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Jeff Otter to approve the dates of October 26-28 as the city-wide fall clean-up days. Yard waste will continue to be picked up until later notice. Vote taken. Motion carried. City Administrator Rob Lawson reported another dumpster was put at Roadside Park for recycling. City crews sealed streets Tuesday. The cemetery roads are seal coated. The Andbe Home alley seal coat request has been completed. Crews are also installing rock around the transformer pad. The railroad crossing on S. Wabash Street has been cleaned up from the train derailment, and reopened to traffic. Crews plan to start work on Horace Greeley Street Monday. An area around the carports will be available for parking during the work. The Washington Street lift station equipment was installed today. Rob reported he talked with Ken Roberts from Sunflower Electric in Hays about the City’s power contract with them. He said the contract with Sunflower Electric will continue for another 15 years, unless the City or Sunflower writes the other to terminate it. Power is made available at Holcomb and Sunflower Electric is the supplier that provides the power load needs to Norton. The name of the transmission company will change to Southwest Power Pool before the end of this year. The City will need to add the power supply costs with the transmission costs to determine the true electric rate. Rob announced the old air tanks have been replaced at the power plant. The steps and concrete apron around the steps of the loading dock at the power plant have been replaced. The governor on #9 engine is fixed and working. We passed our load capacity tests and submitted information to Sunflower Electric. Rob also stated the water tower is almost completed. The paint needs to cure for 7 days after the final coat before it is refilled. City crews are done with their work on the restroom at Elmwood Park. Patterson Plumbing and Norton Sheet Metal will be done with their part of the project soon. Donna Foley stated 25 people attended the Economic Development Strategic Planning session and they charted strengths and weaknesses. It was led by James Foster and Dan Steffen. She also attended the Downtown Norton Public Survey meeting regarding the benefits of historic preservation. These services are being provided through a grant from the Kansas Historic Society. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to authorize the transfer of $74,437 from the Electric Replacement fund to the Electric fund. This was the cost of the sludge truck which was purchased and the cost will be reimbursed from the state revolving loan fund. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to authorize the transfer of $74,437 from the Electric fund to the Sewer fund. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Toby Kuhn and seconded by Kim Snyder to authorize the payment of $142,031.58 to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the construction loan payment which is due in September for the sewer plant renovation project. Vote taken. Motion carried. Kim Snyder stated the Public Works Committee met, and agreed that the part time help in the Public Works department be extended to at least December, with 30 days notice. Roberta Ryan stated the Chamber of Commerce is meeting once a week until the Winner’s Circle is over. It will be held on October 3 at the Eagles Lodge. She state the local businesses have been very generous in donating for the event. Karen Griffiths stated a grievance hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, regarding an employee who has requested a hearing for disciplinary action filed against him. Motion was made by Jeff Otter and seconded by Kim Snyder to approve Appropriating Ordinance #18 as a whole. Vote taken. Motion carried. Motion was made by Kim Snyder and seconded by Roberta Ryan to adjourn. Council adjourned at 6:16 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor: David N. Corns
|