MONDAY
DECEMBER 17, 2018
The
Governing Body of the City of Pratt met in Regular Session in the Commission
Room located at City Hall.
PRESENT:
Doug Meyer Mayor
Lucus Kumberg Commissioner
Gary Schmidt Commissioner
Don Peters Commissioner
Jason Leslie Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Roy Eckert City Manager
LuAnn Kramer City Clerk
Regina Probst City Attorney
Diana Garten Finance Director
Nate Humble Police Chief
Russell Rambat Public Works Director
Brad Blankenship Building Inspector
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
Schmidt led the staff and audience in the invocation and Mayor Meyer led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA:
·
December
03, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting
·
December
10, 2018 Special Call Commission Meeting
Commissioner
Kumberg made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie and carried unanimously.
BUSINESS:
UPDATE ON THE CIRCLES
PROGRAM:
A
Circles member informed the Commission that he was now a Circles leader and the
program had helped him manage his finances better and helped him make better
life choices. The member stated that
they appreciated the City’s support and gave a gift to the Mayor. Along with that, Ms. Tiffany Ailstock also
gave a gift of appreciation to the Mayor from the Hope Center board and thanked
the Commission for all the support they give to the Hope Center.
AMEND THE AGENDA:
Mayor
Meyer stated that agenda item 5.10 would be next so that PCC President, Dr.
Calvert, could make it to another meeting.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PRATT COMMUNITY
COLLEGE AND THE CITY FOR THE TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX:
City
Attorney Probst stated that members of the committee had helped put this
Interlocal Cooperation Agreement together and she had not heard of any
disagreements. Mayor Meyer stated that
it was very complete and it was a pleasure to work with the college and also
with Commissioner Schmidt and Commissioner-elect Deeds. Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to accept
the Interlocal Cooperation Agreement as printed. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg.
Commissioner
Leslie asked why the appointments to the committee were going to be done
annually instead of a two or three year term.
Commissioner Leslie added that it was hard to find new people to serve
on boards. Ms. Probst stated that
Recreation Director Pinkall would be a permanent member. Mr. Pinkall commented that he felt it would
be good to revisit due to Commissioners coming and going. Mr. Pinkall stated that it would start and
grow after a year, but one year at a time for now. Commissioner Leslie stated that amendments
could be made to adjust that. Mr.
Pinkall stated that that was correct.
Commissioner
Leslie also questioned the schedule of payments for use of the facilities as
mentioned in 7.9 of the Agreement. Mr.
Pinkall commented that the concept was that it would be like one of the park
facilities. Mr. Pinkall stated that they
would put together a fee structure when maintenance was recognized. Dr. Calvert commented that scheduled events
would take priority and there would not be a charge per lap. Mr. Pinkall stated that there were a lot of
things going on with the College and they would have to work together. Ms. Probst added that it would be good to
have the Recreation Director on the Management Committee as unforeseen
questions arise.
Commissioner
Leslie asked why the Agreement was for twenty years. Mr. Pinkall stated that that was how long the
IRB’s were for and that time could be cut short. Dr. Calvert stated that he was excited for
the opportunity and to move forward with the facility. With no more discussion, the motion and
second passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF REAPPOINTMENTS TO THE TRAVEL AND TOURISM COMMITTEE:
Chamber
Director Kim DeClue commented that she had listed everyone on the board in her
memo; however, the ones that were up for reappointment were Ms. Bev Aldrich,
Mr. Ken Brown and Ms. Diana Garten. Ms.
DeClue stated that these were three year terms and they would expire in
2021. Ms. Declue reminded the Commission
that she still wanted to look at Ordinance 0503 so that they could add new
members and make the Recreation Director and Finance Director ex officio. Ms. DeClue also stated that the fourth
quarter funding requests were the Wrestling, with a district meet in March, and
USD #382 hosting the 4A regional wrestling tournament. Ms. DeClue added that there were also going
to be State wide events held in Pratt in 2019, so Pratt was getting on the
radar. Ms. DeClue also showed the
Commissioners the Travel Guide that Pratt had an ad in and the Guide would be
in all the travel stops on the highways.
Commissioner
Kumberg questioned if Ms. Aldrich and Mr. Brown were attending the meetings
regularly. Ms. DeClue stated that there
was one member that did not attend a lot.
Commissioner Kumberg asked if the value of that member should be looked
into. Ms. DeClue stated that they had
changed the date of the meeting and it had been better. Ms. DeClue added that this member had been on
the Committee for thirty years and had a lot of history. With no more discussion, Commissioner Kumberg
made a motion to approve the reappointments of Ms. Bev Aldrich, Mr. Ken Brown
and Ms. Diana Garten for another three term on the Travel and Tourism
Committee. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE NOMINATION FOR THE 2018 JOE WYNN VOLUNTEER AWARD:
Mayor
Meyer stated that Ms. Mary Harms had been recommended for the 2018 Joe Wynn
Volunteer Award by Park Superintendent Mark Eckhoff. Commissioner Peters asked if Ms. Deb Goyen
had ever been considered. City Clerk
Kramer stated that she had been one of the first recipients. Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to award
Ms. Mary Harms the 2018 Joe Wynn Volunteer Award. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie.
Commissioner
Kumberg stated that it was interesting to find nominees for this award, because
those people who embody this recognition never ask for anything in return. Commissioner Kumberg commented that he was
excited that Mr. Eckhoff had brought this up.
Mayor Meyer agreed and added that this was not a ‘fluff’ award and it
was well deserved, because these people had put in the hours and sweat. The motion and second were voted on and
passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE 2019 CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE APPLICATION:
Police
Chief Humble stated that El Trancazo had not submitted their application in
time for the last meeting, but we got it and it did meet the requirements. Chief Humble recommended that the Commission
approve their 2019 application for a Cereal Malt Beverage license. Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve
the 2019 CMB license for El Trancazo as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Peters and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE ASHLEY CORNER SUB-DIVISION FINAL PLAT:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that this was the final plat that he had told the
Commission he would have for them.
Commissioner Schmidt asked where the name came from. Mr. Blankenship explained that it had come
from the developers and one of them was Mr. Brock Ashley. Mr. Blankenship added that it was his turn to
name it after himself. Mr. Blankenship
explained that the preliminary plat and the final plat had been approved by the
Planning Commission and the lot split would not be east and west. Mr. Blankenship added that there would be two
frontage pieces of property to make it more appealing.
Mr.
Blankenship stated that this property would be home for a new Dollar Tree and
they had met all the setbacks. Mr.
Blankenship commented that there would be an entrance off of North Fincham
Street and an entrance that connects to Hibbett’s and Maurice’s. Mr. Blankenship added that there would be
another entrance off of Dale Road. Mr.
Blankenship explained that the building would be 9,886 square feet and talk had
started for this at the beginning of the year and it had taken awhile to get
things together. Mr. Blankenship
commented that they had taken possession of the land last Friday. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the developers
owned both lots now. Mr. Blankenship
stated that they did.
With
no more discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve the Ashley
Corner Sub-division plat as presented.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried
unanimously. Commissioner Peters
commented that this had taken a lot of time and asked that Mr. Blankenship
thank the Planning Committee for all their hard work.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 121718 PROVIDING FOR A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF FISCAL
PROCEDURES, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING FOR MUNICIPALITIES:
Finance
Director Garten stated that this was the standard annual resolution that allows
us to use a modified cash basis of accounting and was recommended by the Kansas
Municipal Audit Guide. Ms. Garten added
that a majority of Cities use modified cash basis. City Attorney Probst stated that she had sent
this to Mr. Kevin Cowan from Gilmore and Bell to make sure that there were no
violations concerning the IRB’s and he was fine with the resolution.
The
following Resolution 121718 was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: A
RESOLUTION EXEMPTING THE CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF K.S.A.
75-1120a(a) PROVIDING FOR UNIFORM SYSTEM OF FISCAL PROCEDURES, ACCOUNTING, AND
REPORTING FOR MUNICIPALITIES. Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to approve
Resolution 121718 as presented. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Leslie and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION
AND APPROVAL OF BID FOR THE BATHROOM IN LEMON PARK:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that he had help from EBH, Public Works Director
Rambat and Finance Director Garten and he took it on because no one else would
in 2016. Mr. Blankenship explained that
Ms. Garten had worked on a grant and we were turned down the first time; however,
the City had received a call to change a few things and we put it back through
and got it. Mr. Blankenship stated that
it was a matching grant up to $280,000, so we could pay around $140,000,
depending on the bid amounts.
Mr.
Blankenship commented that he had met with the Parks and Recreation Board and
had gotten their approval. Mr.
Blankenship stated that he could not do the normal bidding, because the vendors
that do these types of projects tell you that you will buy it how they do it or
forget it. Mr. Blankenship commented
that they did the best they could to compare apples to apples with three bids
being sent out and only one being returned.
Mr. Rambat added that the bid came from the one that they had
preferred. Commissioner Kumberg
questioned if the funds had been earmarked.
Ms. Garten stated that there were park improvement trust funds, alcohol
tax of $12,000 that had to be used in the park system, verbal donations that
might come forth and a possible capital campaign for some funds. Commissioner Kumberg asked if travel and
tourism funds could be used. Ms. Garten
stated that they could and the recreation trust fund could also have some
funds. Ms. Garten explained that cash
was low, but looking better and we would encumber what we could.
Mayor
Meyer clarified that we had not violated any bidding policies. Mr. Rambat
stated that we had put it in the vendor’s hands and they could have sent back a
bid. Mr. Rambat added that the grant
referred to us following our bidding policy.
Commissioner Peters asked where this bathroom would be located. Mr. Rambat stated that it was at the east end
between the ball diamonds and near the playground. Mr. Blankenship stated that there was a
December 2020 deadline. Commissioner
Schmidt asked if there were any other costs involved. Mr. Rambat stated that we had to finish out
the power pressure system and the sewer line was two-thirds done and had been
laid by the water department.
Commissioner Schmidt questioned if that was still part of the
project. Mr. Rambat stated that it was. Mr. Blankenship added that this facility
would also be ADA accessible with ramps and handrails.
With no
further discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve the bid from
CXT Precast Products in the amount not to exceed $126,971 for the bathroom in
Lemon Park. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Kumberg and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION
AND APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 121718A DEFINING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY:
EBH
Engineer Mike Youngers stated that he had taken last year’s resolution and
added the annexations from 2018 to complete the new boundary resolution. Mr. Youngers explained that the three
properties that had been annexed were the Americare property, the solar farm
property and the second parcel at Green Sports Complex.
The
following Resolution 121718A was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: A RESOLUTION DEFINING THE
BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS AND REPEALING RESOLUTION 121916B. Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to
approve Resolution 121718A defining the boundaries of the City. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie. Commissioner Schmidt asked if
defining the boundaries meant the City limits.
Mr. Youngers stated that it did.
City Attorney Probst stated that she had visited with City Manager
Eckert and the recommendations brought to the Commission by Ms. Heather Morgan
were not on our urgent list. The motion
and second were voted on and passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION
AND APPROVAL OF THE 2019 AGREEMENTS:
·
PUBLIC DEFENDER AGREEMENT
City
Attorney Probst stated that Ms. Hannah Brass was doing a good job and was
always on time and courteous as the Public Defender. Commissioner Peters questioned if Municipal
Court was twice a week. Ms. Probst
stated that it was. Police Chief Humble
stated that he had no complaints concerning Ms. Brass. Commissioner Peters made a motion to approve
the 2019 Public Defender Agreement. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
·
SENIOR CITIZENS ORGANIZATION LEASE
AGREEMENT
With no
discussion and no changes being made to the Senior Citizens Lease Agreement,
Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to approve the 2019 Senior Citizens
Organization Lease Agreement. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Peters and carried unanimously.
·
MUNICIPAL JUDGE AGREEMENT
City
Attorney Probst stated that this agreement was similar to last year with the
exception of the 3% increase in salary.
Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to approve the 2019 Municipal Judge
Agreement as presented. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Leslie and carried unanimously.
·
PRATT AREA HUMANE SOCIETY AGREEMENT
City
Attorney Probst stated that City Clerk Kramer had stated that she was getting
the financial information monthly as required by this agreement; however, Chief
Humble was not receiving any of the indicated information that was
mentioned. Chief Humble verified that
that was true, but added that he would try to get with someone involved with
the Humane Society to clear this up.
With no further discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve
the 2019 Pratt Area Humane Society Agreement.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kumberg and it carried with four
approved votes and one abstained vote by Commissioner Peters.
OPEN AGENDA:
·
Thanks for fire department:
Mr. Tom
Frazier stated that the fire department had done a great job at the 4:30 a.m.
fire near his home. Mr. Frazier
commented that they had responded quickly and beat that fire down before it
could spread. Mr. Frazier added that he
really appreciated it.
REPORTS:
City
Manager:
·
Paula Downs:
City Manager
Eckert stated that things were slowing down with the holidays approaching;
however, he was getting instructions for the January 14th training
with Ms. Paula Downs. Mr. Eckert
commented that this training was for senior staff and Commissioners and it
would be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Meyer asked about succession planning. Mr. Eckert stated that we were about there
and the long term plans would be discussed.
·
Tribune reporter:
Mr. Eckert
stated that he wanted to thank the Tribune reporter. Mr. Eckert commented that he had not had a
more accurate article written in his forty years in this business. Mr. Eckert added that it was the best
response from any press he had seen.
·
FBI Stats:
Mr. Eckert
commented that he had received an FBI statistics report and it had listed the
top twenty safest Kansas municipalities in the State and Pratt was number
twenty overall.
City
Attorney:
·
Solar Farm documents:
City
Attorney Probst stated that she was finishing up things with the solar farm and
there were a few more documents they wanted the City to sign. Ms. Probst explained that there were two
affidavits regarding the oil and gas pipeline that ran along the solar farm
land and one was an affidavit stating that it was not producing and we had no
knowledge of the pipeline and the other was a non-payment affidavit that states
that the City was not receiving any payment from the pipeline. Ms. Probst stated that she hoped that this
was the last of things they asked for.
Mayor Meyer questioned how they had found the pipeline existed. Ms. Probst commented that it was probably
through the title insurance documents.
Building
Inspections:
·
Americare:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that Americare was waiting on approval of tax
credits from the State and then they would be moving forward. Mr. Blankenship commented that we saw this
with Home Lumber and that it was not a done deal until they were digging even
if they had gotten their permits.
Police
Department:
·
New Officers:
Police Chief
Humble stated that he had made two offers to two officers to come work for the
City of Pratt and they had accepted.
Chief Humble commented that they were already trained and current on
their education. Chief Humble added that
one was from Larned and one from Maize.
Mayor Meyer asked if they would relocate to Pratt. Chief Humble stated that they would. Commissioner Leslie questioned if we were short
a third one. Chief Humble stated that
his position had not been filled yet, but he hoped to fill that position down
the road.
·
Traffic stop:
Chief
Humble stated that he had one officer that made a traffic stop and found twenty
pounds of marijuana. Chief Humble added
that the investigation was on-going.
Commissioner Peters asked if they had called for the K-9. Chief Humble stated that they had no probable
cause, but he would have alerted on this.
Mayor and
Commission:
·
Commend Commissioner Kumberg:
Mayor
Meyer took a moment to commend Commissioner Kumberg on his service for the last
six years as Commissioner.
·
Comprehensive Plan:
Mayor
Meyer asked if we were going to hire someone to work on the comprehensive
plan. Mr. Blankenship stated that it
would be done in the 2020 budget and that would make it an even twenty years
since the last one was done. Mr.
Blankenship commented that City Attorney Probst had visited it in the Planning
and Zoning meetings and thought this was a good idea. Mr. Blankenship commented that EBH would also
help with the plan.
·
Christmas dinner:
Commissioner
Schmidt thanked Recreation Director Pinkall and his staff for a good Christmas
meal for City staff. Mr. Pinkall stated
that it was a fun time to be together.
·
Thanks:
Commissioner
Peters thanked everyone for the thoughts and prayers during his illness and hospitalizations.
·
Toys for Tots:
Commissioner
Leslie stated that Toys for Tots had been completed Saturday and there were
around 1,800 toys at the Armory.
Commissioner Leslie commented that there were long lines all morning and
this was something they planned for all year.
Commissioner Leslie also wanted to thank City employee Eric Welch for
picking up the toys at different locations, because that helped a lot.
·
Happy Holidays:
Commissioner
Kumberg wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
ADJOURN:
Commissioner
Kumberg made a motion to adjourn that was seconded by Commissioner Peters. The motion and second passed unanimously.
___________________________________
Doug Meyer, Mayor
ATTEST:
LuAnn Kramer, City Clerk