January 11, 2010 City Council Minutes
Meade, Kansas

The meeting was called to order in the Council Meeting Room by Mayor Bud Doerflinger at 7:00 P.M. Council members present were: Richard Knott, Lance DeLissa, Edward Dye, Chris Hartnett and Cliff Hailey. Also present were City Administrator Dean Cordes and City Clerk Tiffany Neel. Visitors were: Mike and Richelle Axtel, Mike Friesen, Ralph Classen, Angela and Trevin Bachman, Joe Robertson, Mike Gillen, Jim Woodruff, Tom Kuhns, Dave Reimer and Wayne Reimer.

First on the agenda the Council talked about the possible annexation of property outside the city limits. Cordes said we are not looking at taking farm ground but we are considering the houses and outbuildings. Mike Axtell said he has buildings but they are used for agriculture, Cordes said that is true but they also have city utilities. Angela Bachman asked why the annexation was brought up. DeLissa said John Riggs recently updated our zoning books and has talked about updating the zoning map. Cordes said if we are going to annex property we need to do it before we update the map. Mayor commented that when he first became a council member Steve Rice, the city auditor, made the comment that the utility rates outside of the city limits were too low. Richelle Axtell said she would rather pay higher rates then be annexed. Trevin Bachman wanted to know how much the process would cost and if it would benefit the city. Cordes said this is not about money, we need to update the map, if nothing happens and this subject is dropped then we can say we have looked at it and decided not to do it at this time. Joe Robertson wanted to know what the impact would be for each individual. He went on to say that it might stop all the turmoil if each person knew what they might gain out of the situation. Mayor continued the annexation process to the first meeting in February.

The January 11th, 2010 Appropriation Ordinance in the amount of $394,529.59 was approved on motion made by Knott, seconded by Hartnett with all in favor.

The December 29th, 2009 minutes were approved as corrected.

Old Business:

Cordes updated that all but 2 runway lights are working. We put the bulbs back in but now they need to get the controls fixed that the lights are on.

Cordes said he has received information on the City’s water rights. We are allowed to pump 199,428,000,000 gallons a year, last year we pumped 138,512,000,000 gallons. Hartnett would like to know what kind of growth rate the city has seen in water used.

New Business:

Neel asked if the Council would like to donate to the Meade After Prom this year. No action was taken.

Neel asked if the Council would allow Neel, Cordes and Rodney Blehm to attend the Kansas Rural Water Association workshops coming up in March and if they would allow Neel to attend the CCMFOA meeting in Wichita in March, Council agreed.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor asked if the Council would think of any possible community service work that could be done around the city. Cordes said they could pick up trash.

Knott said he would like to see the town cleaned up before the 2010 alumni in July. He would like to see the city or volunteers help the people that cannot do the work themselves.

Angela Bachman thanked the Council for fixing the curb and guttering on South Fowler Street.

With no further business to come before the Council, Hailey made a motion to adjourn seconded by DeLissa with all in favor.

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Bud Doerflinger, Mayor

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