November 9, 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. Councilmembers present were: Richard Knott, Lance DeLissa, Edward Dye, Chris Hartnett, and Cliff Hailey. Also present were: City Administrator Dean Cordes, Court Clerk Vonda McCulloch. Visitors were: Chief of Police Loren Borger, Jim Woodruff, Mike Gillen, and Tom Kuhns.

First on the agenda, Mayor requested the Council go into executive session with the Council, Mayor and Chief of Police Loren Borger. DeLissa made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters of non-elective personnel for 15 minutes, seconded by Hartnett with all in favor. No action was taken at this time.

The November 9, 2009 Appropriation Ordinance in the amount of $291,508.77 was approved on motion made by Hartnett, seconded by Hailey with all in favor.

The October 26, 2009 minutes were approved as presented.

Building permit #9036 was approved on motion made by Knott, seconded by Hartnett.

Old Business:

Cordes asked the Council if they wanted to go ahead with purchasing a new pickup for the Police Department. It was the consensus of the Council to purchase a new pickup for the Police Department. Cordes presented bids for a 2010 pickup from Magourik Chevrolet, Frontier Ford, and DeLissa Ford. The low bid went to DeLissa Ford for $23,300.00. Hartnett made a motion to accept DeLissa Ford’s bid to purchase a 2010 F150 extended cab pickup. Hailey seconded the motion with 4 in favor and DeLissa abstained.

Cordes reported that the equipment is here but work has not yet begun on the AWOS. JAG started construction on October 27, 2009 and are currently working on the access road.

Cordes reported that there are still no price quotes from the firms that are helping us decide whether to get an engine at the power plant. Cordes attended a KMEA meeting November 3rd and 4th, 2009, and spoke with KMEA and Sawvel & Associates regarding the rates. Cordes would like to discuss the rates in executive session.

Cordes updated Council on the curb and guttering project from the Post Office to the Fowler State Bank. The entrance leading to the handicap ramp is all that is left to complete.

Cordes reported that he wrote a letter to the Cemetery Board President, Joe Mertens, with a carbon copy to Trevin Bachman, explaining our situation regarding the main water line from the Park to the Cemetery. The line has been repaired.

Mayor updated the Council on the information regarding the cleanup of the downtown area. Council was to review a copy of the Environmental Code received from the City Attorney’s office and discuss it at the December 14, 2009, council meeting. Mayor plans to attend a Nuisance meeting with the League of Municipalities on November 13, 2009, for more information on the cleanup requirements.

Mayor reported on the letter received from a local Pastor regarding the liquor sales ordinance. Dye questioned why we had to involve a lawyer, which costs the taxpayers more money. Mayor was advised after speaking with the City Attorney, drafting a letter to the Pastor and putting it in legal terms was the best way to handle the situation.

Mayor presented Ordinance No. 818 for the Council to consider:

ORDINANCE NO. 818

AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE REGULAR MEETINGS OF THE COUNCIL AND REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 801.

DeLissa made a motion to approve the ordinance as corrected, seconded by Hartnett, with 3 in favor, Dye and Knott opposed.

New Business:

Cordes reported that the electric department received a new bucket truck on November 1st, 2009.

A City pickup was involved in an accident on Halloween night. The City employee was not at fault. Cordes is to check into getting quotes to repair the damaged vehicle.

Layne Western gave a quote on a submersible pump for well #5 for the amount of $21,072.00. Cordes said we are waiting on the Kansas Rural Water Association to give us information on our water rights and should have information available at the first council meeting in December.

Health insurance for the employees was discussed. There will be an increase of 1.98%. Discussion on this matter will be brought up at the November 23, 2009, meeting.

Mayor’s Report:

All ALCO/Duckwalls Stores are sponsoring a “Canned Food Drive” from November 23, 2009 to December 6, 2009. A donation area will be at the front of the store. Food collected will be provided to a local food bank. ALCO/Duckwalls will also match these donations with their own contributions.

Knott reported on the property at the corner of Adams and Baltimore. There is a need to have it cleaned up and the owner should be contacted.

DeLissa made a request to receive advance notice of the annexation list of properties prior to council meeting.

Dye reported that the public has come to him asking him why he doesn’t attend meetings outside regularly scheduled council meetings. He felt there are now qualified employees to attend such meetings.

Hailey made a motion to go into executive session for Confidential Data Relating to Financial Affairs for 10 minutes, seconded by Harnett with all in favor. No action was taken.

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

______________________________
Bud Doerflinger, Mayor

ATTEST:

_____________________________
Vonda McCulloch, Court Clerk