February 23, 2009 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, Cliff Hailey and Ed Dye with Chris Hartnett absent. Also present were: City Administrator Dean Cordes and City Clerk Tiffany Neel. Visitors were: Mike Gillen, Tom Kuhns, Loren Borger, Jim Woodruff and Justin Pike.

First item on the agenda was the utility hearing. With no one to come before the council the delinquency report was reviewed and will be handled as usual.

Chief of Police Loren Borger presented the monthly police report for the Council to review. Borger informed the Council that the Department is working on getting the junk vehicles cleaned up around town. Dye asked Borger what the weight limit for a semi to be parked on a side street would be. Borger reported 23,000 lbs. Knott asked that we look at changing the old ordinance weight limit.

Our special guest was Justin Pike with USDA Rural Development. Justin was here to present options for grants we might qualify for with the new stimulus package the state will be getting to help out smaller communities. Cordes asked if we would qualify for storm siren, water meters and water line replacements and curb and guttering funding. Justin left applications for a formed committee to fill out and mail back to him. DeLissa made a motion to designate a committee for the USDA assignees, seconded by Knott with all in favor. The Council designated assignees for the USDA committee will be Dean Cordes, Tiffany Neel and Bud Doerflinger.

The February 9th, 2009 minutes were approved as presented.

Old Business:

Neel updated the Council on Ordinance #639. It is finished and they will all get a copy to look over to approve at a later date.

Mayor updated the Council that County Attorney Laura Lewis will start working with us on the building clean up when she gets settled in.

Cordes presented 3 bids to the Council to vote on a new small tractor to be funded by the equipment fund. Dye made a motion to buy the 37 horse power John Deere Tractor from Unruh-Foster in Dodge City for the amount of $ 22,127.30 seconded by Hailey with all in favor.

Cordes presented 3 quotes to sandblast and paint the swimming pool and repair the dive towers at the City swimming pool. DeLissa made a motion to accept the bid from Knott Construction for $17,052.00, seconded by Dye with 2 in favor, 1 abstained. Cordes also informed the Council that while looking at the pool repairs there are a few other repairs that need to be made. To sandblast, seal and form and pour all ledge wall overhangs will be $ 4,360.00. This will need to be done before summer.

Mayor brought up the possibilities for a place to put the dog pound and a facility to house cats. Dr. John Thomas will no longer house the animals for the City so we need to find another solution. Mayor, Cordes and Neel researched other possibilities and were looking at the old sewer plant building as one option, the other option would be the Alley building. Either facility will cost us money so we are looking at the most cost effective method. The Animal Facility Inspector will be making an appearance to go over our options so we can make a decision.

The following Resolution was presented for consideration:

RESOLUTION NO. 240

A RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY THE PROPOSITION OF LEVYING A ONE-HALF PERCENT (.5%) RETAILERS SALES TAX IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENT TAX IN THE CITY OF MEADE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF OBTAINING ADDITIONAL REVENUE NEEDED TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE LEVEL OF PUBLIC SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY AND SUCH OTHER GOVERNMENTAL PURPOSES AS MAY BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY; AND AVOIDING, IF POSSIBLE, ANY INCREASES IN THE PROPERTY TAX.

After due consideration DeLissa moved to adopt Resolution 240, seconded by Dye with 2 in favor 1 opposed.

New Business:

The Council reviewed the January quarterly treasurers report prepared by Vera Robertson, City Treasurer.

Cordes received a visit from George Martin asking that the City put a burn ban ordinance in affect for the City of Meade. Cordes will get with Curtis Campbell to get preparations started.

Neel informed the Council that Trash and Treasure day will be May 2nd, 2009.

Neel was asked by Vicki Fisher to donate $35.00 to the Humane Society every time they took over responsibility for an animal that is leaving the City pound. It cost us $35.00 to put an animal down. DeLissa made a motion to pay up to the same amount but no more than $35.00 to any organization that will be taking an animal from the City pound, seconded by Hailey with a tie decision. The Mayor voted to approve the motion.

Neel informed the Council that we have a new part-time employee helping out for the billing clerk position. Jeanne Berghaus was hired on February 23, 2009 and is working out very well.

Mayor’s Report:

Mayor wanted to compliment the Meade High School for doing such an excellent job in the wood working department.

Mayor talked to the Meade Co. Fair Association and Eco-Devo about the Ranch Rodeo coming up in July. He would like to see the Fair Association, Chamber of Commerce, Eco-Devo and City of Meade start working together. Mayor would like the City to sponsor an event for the program. The sponsorship would be $500. No comment was made by the Council.

Mayor brought to the attention of the Council that he has received many phone calls and citizens stopping him on the street about complaints. Some of these complaints are, “Why do we have 3 police vehicles”, “Why do they leave their pickups running while they are in the City building or at home”, “Why is the Council spending too much money”, and “Why do the City employees get to use the City equipment”. We urge the citizens of Meade to come to the City Council meetings. We do like to hear your concerns and we would like to explain any questions you have if you would just come to the meetings.

Hailey made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters of non-elective personnel for 15 minutes, seconded by DeLissa. After executive session a motion was made by Hailey to approve an appreciation gift of $1000.00 and a chair to Vicki Fisher for retirement, seconded by DeLissa with all in favor.

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

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Bud Doerflinger, Mayor

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Tiffany Neel, City Clerk