February 8, 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 and Chris Hartnett with Cliff Hailey absent. Also present were City Administrator Dean Cordes and City Clerk Tiffany Neel. Visitors were: Mike and Richelle Axtell, Mike Gillen, Sarah Lewis, Tom Kuhns, Max Papay, Angela and Trevin Bachman, Jim Woodruff and Vince Koons.

First on the agenda was special guest Sarah Lewis. Lewis asked the Council if they would consider renting or selling the mini park to Lewis so she could put a flower business at the property. DeLissa said he is all for it but he would like to find out all of the legal aspects before we proceed. Dye suggested we find out who the legal owner of the land is and get back with Lewis at a later date. Dye thanked Lewis for taking care of the flowers downtown last year.

Mayor said he had talked to Roy Seybert recently and Seybert said the Cemetery Board is having many problems getting the paper work completed for installing a new well at the Cemetery. Cordes said he has received a price on trenching the line. It would cost $20 per foot to trench the pipe or $25 per foot to bore the line with Underground Specialists. He also said we could rent a trencher from K&M Rental for $900 a week. DeLissa said there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Dye said he thinks we need to push them to dig a well. Hartnett asked if the City could apply for a permit for the Cemetery. Cordes is to get more information.

The subject of annexation was brought up again. Knott recommended getting John Riggs here so he could explain what we can and can’t do. Angela Bachman said she would like to see the City Attorney present also. Angela Bachman asked why the City is updating the map and if it has to be done. DeLissa said we need to find out who can legally be annexed and then call John Riggs. Hartnett asked if the City would be willing to get sewer to the people that will be annexed. Angela Bachman said the Councilmen need to look at it and drop it. DeLissa said the Council will look at it and decide if they want to annex or not. DeLissa said we will continue through the process and send you a notice when we are ready to proceed. Mayor said why not bring the ones in that are willing and raise the utilities for the ones that are not willing. The matter was tabled.

The January 25th, 2010 minutes were approved as written.

The February 8th, 2010 Appropriation Ordinance in the amount of $324,541.87 was approved on motion made by Knott, seconded by Hartnett with all in favor.

Cordes reported that the sealed bids for the airport regulator will be due by 5:00 P.M. on February 10th, 2010. DeLissa asked if we could definitely get a grant, Cordes said yes.

Cordes asked the Council if they would like Ken Fairchild to come to the March 8th, 2010 meeting to talk about options at the power plant. The Council agreed.

Cordes reported that he had talked to Liberal about the new well they have installed. The City of Liberal hired an geologist to do the bidding process, test holes and make sure the well was drilled and completed to State standards. Cordes does not have a cost at this time.

Cordes asked the Council if they would like to continue with the paper work for condemning the property on the corner of Cedar St. and Belle Meade. The process was dropped 2 years ago because there was a possible buyer for the property but that has since fell through. Dye said we need to get something done.

Cordes told the Council he ordered 100 more water meters and Municipal Supply threw in 100 radio antennas for free.

Mayor told the Council that the beautification ordinance presented at the last meeting had regulations in it that are already in place. Neel asked if the Council had any suggestions or additions they would like to add to the ordinance. Neel asked if the Council would like to change the curb and gutter fund to a city improvement fund. If the fund name is changed then the City could use the fund for any improvement the City might need. Dye said he would like to see it still be used for curbs and gutters. Knott made a motion to change the curb and gutter fund to a city improvement fund, seconded by Dye with all in favor.

Cordes had Gary Knott look at the bathrooms at the City Park and Knott recommended eliminating the North door on both bathrooms, pour a cement ramp and replace the partition with brick. Knott also suggested bricking 3 feet of the new north shelter house to give it a nicer look and lower maintenance. No action was taken.

New Business:

Cordes said the AWOS upgrade has been completed.

Cordes said at the next Council meeting there will be a representative from CMS and Kepco here to talk about metering requirements for the City. The City would have to pay for the upgrade.

Neel asked the Council if they would be willing to donate a basket to the Chamber of Commerce for there silent auction held on February 16th, 2010 at the Meade basketball game. Neel said she could put a basket together with a family swim pass and a few swim towels. Knott made a motion to approve the basket, seconded by DeLissa with all in favor.

Neel said she will be sending a letter to all the citizens in Meade about cleaning up the City. Neel asked if the letter needed any changes and asked if the Council would like to add anything. The Council made a few suggestions.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor said there are 2 people that the court system has for community service that could be used for the clean up week.

Mayor said the City Attorney presented a paper to him to amend the STO Ordinance that was just passed. The amendment will be changing the driving age and farm permits. Neel will draw up an amendment to present at the next meeting.

Knott made a motion to go into executive session for 10 minutes for personnel matters of non-elective personnel, seconded by Dye with all in favor. No action was taken.

Knott made a motion to go into executive session for 5 minutes for property acquisition, seconded by Hartnett with all in favor. No action was taken.

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

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Bud Doerflinger, Mayor

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