MONDAY
FEBRUARY 04, 2019
The
Governing Body of the City of Pratt met in Regular Session in the Commission
Room located at City Hall.
PRESENT:
Doug Meyer Mayor
Gary Schmidt Commissioner
Don Peters Commissioner
Jason Leslie Commissioner
Zach Deeds Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Roy Eckert City Manager
LuAnn Kramer City Clerk
Regina Probst City Attorney
Diana Garten Finance Director
Nate Humble Police Chief
Brad Blankenship Building Inspector
Jamie Huber Dir. of Electric :Utilities
Bruce Pinkall Recreation Director
CALL TO ORDER:
The
regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Meyer. The Mayor instructed the City Clerk to note
that all Commissioners were present.
Mayor
Meyer reminded the audience that this meeting may be taped and/or recorded.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner
Leslie led the staff and audience in the invocation and Mayor Meyer led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA:
·
January
21, 2019 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner
Schmidt made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Peters and carried unanimously.
BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF STREET CLOSURES FOR PRATT COUNTY PREPAREDNESS FAIR:
Pratt
County Health Department Employee, Ashley Cook, informed the Commission that
she had contacted different companies such as police, fire and medical
helicopters to join in on the Pratt County Preparedness Fair on April 27th
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Ms. Cook
stated that she would like the Commission to consider closing the streets
around the pool and the one north of the armory so the helicopters had
somewhere to land. Ms. Cook added that
the National Guard would also have their equipment there and Veterans Affairs
would be there also. Mayor Meyer asked
if that would be a problem when no one could turn south. Police Chief Humble suggested that the street
be closed from Stout Street to Rochester Street. Chief Humble commented that they would need
to put up barricades, but he saw no problem closing Rochester Street if we left
Haskell Street open. Ms. Cook stated
that that would be fine and she asked if they would be able to use the pool
parking area for the helicopters.
Commissioner Leslie clarified that Third Street would be left open. Chief Humble stated that it would be. With a little more discussion on where the
barricades would need to go for the street closures, Commissioner Leslie made a
motion to approve the street closure from the fountain on Rochester Street, as
presented by Chief Humble, for the Pratt County Preparedness Fair on April 27th
from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt.
Commissioner Leslie asked that Ms. Cook email him because he had
children’s ID cards that would have their fingerprints on them and could be
used if they were ever to go missing.
Ms. Cook stated that she definitely would and she added that she had
been looking for something like that.
The motion and second passed unanimously.
DISCUSSION ON ANNUAL
FOOD DRIVE:
Mr.
Jason Winkel stated that they would be doing their annual food drive on
February 23, 2019 from around 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mr. Winkel added that he would request that
they also be able to set-up on February 22nd and clean-up on
February 24th. Mr. Winkel
commented that they would need trash carts also. Mr. Winkel stated that they were hoping to
beat the 900 cans of food they got last year.
Mr. Winkel commented that things were not the best for some and this
helps them out. Mayor Meyer asked if
this goes to the Food Bank. Mr. Winkel
stated that it goes to Pass It Forward as it had in the past. Mr. Winkel commented that they count on this
food drive every year because it helps out a lot. Mayor Meyer questioned if this would be a
problem for walkers. Mr. Winkel stated
that it would not and that everybody knew to just wait on any walkers and not
be in a hurry. Commissioner Schmidt made
a motion to approve the Disc Golf Annual Food Drive in Lemon Park on February
23, 2019 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and also to set-up on February 22nd
and clean-up on February 24th.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Deeds and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF BID FOR TWO F-150 POLICE RESPONDERS:
Police
Chief Humble informed the Commission that he had sent out three bids for two
police responders on January 8th and got one back from Lanterman
Motors. Chief Humble stated that the bid
price was $60,792.00 for two F-150 Police Responders. Chief Humble added that this would be paid by
budgeted funds. Chief Humble explained
that these vehicles would be administrative vehicles and would only be used for
regular use if there was bad weather.
Chief Humble recommended the Commission’s approval of the bid from
Lanterman Motors in the amount of $60,792.00 for two F-150 Police
Responders. Mayor Meyer questioned if
the equipment taken out of the vehicles being traded in could be used in the
new vehicles. Chief Humble commented
that there would not be a light bar and no markings on the new ones, but would
have a siren and the radios that could be used in the new ones. Chief Humble stated that the vehicles were
equipped with two batteries for the use of the equipment.
Commissioner
Peters asked how many miles were on the Chevy Tahoe. Chief Humble stated that there were about
105,000. Mayor Meyer questioned if the
other two bids were from out of town.
Chief Humble stated that they were.
Mayor Meyer commented that he was glad we were keeping it in town. With no more discussion, Commissioner Leslie
made a motion to approve the purchase of two F-150 Police Responders not to
exceed $60,792.00 from Lanterman Motors.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Deeds. Mayor Meyer asked if this would get them up to
speed with replacement vehicles. Chief
Humble stated that it did. Mayor Meyer
asked if this was covered in the budget.
Finance Director Garten stated that they had $60,000 in reserves and they
also had some left over from prior years.
The motion and second passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL FOR THE SELL OF CITY PROPERTY:
City
Manager Eckert informed the Commission that he had had a request for the sell
of City property that was not being used.
Mr. Eckert stated that the property was right across from the entrance
of the Green Sports Complex. Building
Inspector Blankenship added that it was the property behind the old
Wal-Mart. Mayor Meyer questioned if
there were allocations for easements and right-of-ways. Mr. Eckert stated that there were and also
another street for a buffer between the church property and ours and another by
Wal-Mart with access to Fincham Street.
Commissioner Leslie asked if this was commercial or residential. Mr. Eckert stated that it was
commercial. Commissioner Leslie
questioned if we should keep this property for future economic development. Mr. Eckert explained that there had been one
person in the last eight years that had shown any interest in it.
Commissioner
Schmidt commented that, depending on what the buyer was going to do, they would
probably break it out in many parcels.
Mr. Blankenship stated that that was correct. Mr. Eckert stated that it was the Commissioners’
decision whether we open it up for sell or not, but he did have someone who was
interested. Commissioner Peters
commented that we would not have to sell that property even if we advertised
it. City Attorney Probst stated that that was true, but you would not want to
advertise with the intent not to sell.
Commissioner Leslie questioned what the property was valued at. Mr. Eckert commented that we would not know
that until it was appraised.
Ms.
Probst stated that there was also the option to table this item until the next
meeting and the Commission could direct someone to look into the appraisement
value of the property and the potential zoning restrictions. Ms. Probst added that the Commission could
move forward once they received that information. Mayor Meyer stated that he was not opposed to
selling the property, but they did need more information. Commissioner Schmidt added that we could work
the details out down the road, but make it available for sale now. With no more discussion, Commissioner Schmidt
made a motion to approve making Lot 5 off of Sixth Street available for sale
with stipulations of City rights-of-ways and easements and pending information on
the appraisal value and zoning restrictions.
Commissioner Deeds commented that a comp property could be the property
that the Evangelical Church sold to the Lutheran Church in 2016. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Peters and carried unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA:
No
one wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Manager:
·
Busy time:
City
Manager Eckert stated that he had been working with Building Inspector
Blankenship, Public Works Director Rambat, Recreation Director Pinkall and
Director of Electric Utilities Huber on different projects. Mr. Eckert commented that the track and field
facility was moving forward.
·
Dog Park:
Mr.
Eckert stated that he had had some questions concerning the dog park and he
informed the Commission that we would have had that done if we had not had to
deal with flooding issues. Mr. Eckert
commented that they would be looking at that in the next couple of weeks. Recreation Director Pinkall stated that he
would look at dates and move forward with that project.
·
Airport waterline:
Mr.
Eckert stated that the waterline to the airport was moving forward.
·
Discarded vehicles:
Mr.
Eckert commented that the issue with the discarded police vehicles was not the
high mileage; however it was the hours on the vehicle. Mr. Eckert added that the hours would include
when they were sitting idle and running.
City Attorney:
·
IRB’s:
City
Attorney Probst stated that the IRB’s for the college’s track and field
facility had closed last week. Ms.
Probst thanked Finance Director Garten and City Clerk Kramer for their help in
getting this accomplished.
·
Nuisance properties:
Ms.
Probst stated that she was working with Building Inspector Blankenship
concerning nuisance and dilapidated properties in the City. Ms. Probst commented that there would be one
resolution on the next agenda pertaining to an unsafe structure and one for a
nuisance property. Ms. Probst explained
that the nuisance property had been in Municipal Court and the system for many
years. Ms. Probst stated that the
Commissioners had two options and one was to bring it back into Municipal Court
and access fines, etc. or the City could handle it and then do an abatement
against their property that would be accessed to their taxes. Ms. Probst commented that this property had
been prosecuted numerous times; therefore, the resolution would be the next
step.
·
Executive Session:
Ms.
Probst stated that she would need an executive session for attorney/client
privilege for fifteen minutes at the end of reports.
Building Inspections:
·
Dollar Tree:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that the ground work for Dollar Tree had started
and they were making the slab buildable.
Mr. Blankenship commented that the sewer line would be along Dale Road
and it would be tough to get it in there.
Electric Department:
·
Solar Farm:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber informed the Commission that all the testing for
the solar farm was done and we were now purchasing power from the solar
farm. Mr. Huber commented that the
gentlemen that had been at the solar farm would be leaving on Wednesday. Mr. Huber stated that Younie Lawnscapes would
be doing some more grass work and he had visited with Public Works Director
Rambat and Street Superintendent Sinclair about doing a little more work on the
road. Mayor Meyer stated that he had
been out there with the City Manager and the invertors did make a little
noise. Mr. Huber stated that the fan did
make noise and that that was all automated.
Mr. Huber added that the reclosures would allow us to shut it down if we
needed to.
Recreation
Department:
·
Lemon Park:
Recreation
Director Pinkall stated that the fencing crew had been working on the field in
Lemon Park and Younie Lawnscapes had been in and the infield crown was correct
now. Mr. Pinkall added that Angood Field
was taking shape. Mr. Pinkall commented
that they still had to finish the crown on Dickerson Field and then they would
fence it in. Mr. Pinkall added that
Director of Electric Utilities Huber would also help with the electricity and
then they could get the college back on the field. Mr. Pinkall informed the Commission that the
college had a home game tomorrow and would play on the northwest field at Green
Sports Complex and they also had three or four more dates in February.
·
Municipal Building:
Mr.
Pinkall explained that they would be getting bid documents started for the
Municipal Building project soon and it would all be phased in. Mr. Pinkall commented that he would be
getting in touch with the engineers also.
Mr. Pinkall commented that they would need to get the main floor usable
and look at the cooling issues. Mr.
Pinkall added that they could still use the window units if necessary.
·
Track and Field Facility:
Mr.
Pinkall stated that the track and field facility was moving forward and that
Terracon had already been out there. Mr.
Pinkall explained that the bids were being compiled and they should break
ground in the next seven week window and the project should be completed by the
end of 2019. Mr. Pinkall commented that
Commissioner Deeds had arranged for them to tour the track facility in
Manhattan and they had spent most of the day listening to the coach and
Assistant Athletic Director, which had given them a chance to see what was in
front of us. Mr. Pinkall added that we
had a tight budget. Commissioner Deeds
stated that they had picked our plan apart and they had made changes so that we
would be in compliance with community college competition. Mr. Pinkall added that doing some little
things would allow an athlete with certified times eligible and those changes
would also help us. Mr. Pinkall
commented that this would be good for our community.
·
Steinway piano:
Commissioner
Leslie questioned if Mr. Pinkall had heard anymore from Superintendent Patton
concerning the Steinway piano. Mr.
Pinkall stated that he had not; however, the maintenance guys had come over and
measured it.
Police Department:
·
IT problems:
Police
Chief Humble stated that the server back-up and firewall at the police
department was going to have to be replaced.
Chief Humble reminded the Commission that this had been discussed with
them before, but it was coming to light very quickly. Chief Humble explained that they had problems
with their firewall this morning and Mr. Greg Garrison with Q-Tech told him
that it had to be replaced immediately.
Chief Humble added that it would fall within the budgeted funds.
Chief
Humble stated that he was doing his homework to be up-to-date with the
compliances required by the State and the clearances they had to have. Mayor Meyer questioned if he had anything for
them to approve yet. Chief Humble stated
that he did not; however, it should be within the City Manager’s approval
range. Commissioner Schmidt asked if
this was on the City’s dime. Chief
Humble stated that it was and none of it was on the County. Chief Humble explained that the 911 system
was on the County, but this was our server, which had all the things the
department did inside the building.
Chief Humble added that it was the heartbeat of what they did and it was
a little more expensive than some other areas due to the compliance issues that
they had to conform to with the State. Mayor
Meyer questioned if he would have something for the next meeting. Chief Humble stated that it was possible;
however, City Manager Eckert had approved the firewall today.
Mayor and Commission:
·
Pilot Club Train:
Mayor
Meyer asked if we had heard any feedback from the Pilot Club on the insurance
Mr. Sanders had talked about at the last meeting. Commissioner Peters stated that he had
visited with Mr. Sanders earlier and he was going to visit with Pilot Club
President Jan Jorns about that.
·
Inovateus Presentation:
Mayor
Meyer commented that Inovateus was going to be doing a presentation on the
solar farm on March 7th at the BTI building and they were going to
be discussing how we acquired the solar farm for a community our size. Mayor Meyer stated that they were going to be
sending out about two hundred invitations and it should be a pretty big deal.
·
Representative Lewis:
Mayor
Meyer informed the Commission and staff that Representative Greg Lewis was
having some health issues; however, he was passionate about helping get the
legislation passed regarding the Airport Authority before he could no longer be
our Representative. Mayor Meyer stated
that he was thankful he was doing this and it was humbling of him to think of
Pratt.
·
Water contamination:
Mayor
Meyer stated that we would be getting in touch with Senator Moran and Senator
Estes concerning the water contamination issues.
·
Executive Session:
Mayor
Meyer stated that he would need an executive session for non-elected personnel
to last ten minutes at the end of reports.
·
Signs:
Commissioner
Deeds stated that the signs you see coming into town that were dedicated to the
accomplishments of Pratt schools and/or student athletes needed some
attention. Commissioner Deeds added that
they were showing some aging.
·
Manhattan trip:
Commissioner
Peters thanked Commissioner Deeds and Recreation Director Pinkall for going to
Manhattan. Commissioner Peters added
that he felt it was a beneficial trip.
Executive Session #1:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session for attorney/client
privilege to last no more than fifteen minutes.
City Attorney Probst requested that City Manager Eckert and Director of
Electric Utilities Huber attend the executive session. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt and passed unanimously.
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to return from executive session with nothing to
report. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Leslie and carried unanimously.
Executive Session #2:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session for non-elected personnel
to last ten minutes. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Peters and carried unanimously.
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to return from executive session with nothing to
report. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Deeds and carried unanimously.
ADJOURN:
Upon
proper motion, the meeting was adjourned.
___________________________________
Doug Meyer, Mayor
ATTEST:
LuAnn Kramer, City Clerk