MONDAY
December
15, 2014
The
Governing Body of the City of Pratt met in Regular session in the Commission
Room located in City Hall.
PRESENT:
Jeff Taylor Mayor
Bill
Hlavachick Commissioner
Gary
Skaggs Commissioner
Lucus
Kumberg Commissioner
Doug
Meyer Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Dave Howard City Manager
LuAnn
Kramer City Clerk
Ken
Van Blaricum City Attorney
Diana
Garten Finance Director
Gary
Myers 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 Taylor. The Mayor instructed the Clerk to note that
all Commissioners were present.
Mayor
Taylor reminded the audience and staff that this meeting was being recorded
and/or taped.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor
Taylor led the staff and audience in the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES:
Commissioner
Hlavachick made a motion to approve the minutes of the December 01, 2014
regular Commission meeting. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Skaggs and passed unanimously.
BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE REMAINING 2015 CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE APPLICATIONS:
Police
Chief Myers informed the Commission that these were the final business
applications for a Cereal Malt Beverage license. Chief Myers added that they had met the
requirements and background checks for licensing; therefore, he recommended
their approval. Commissioner Skaggs made
a motion to approve the license applications as presented. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
RES. 121514 PROVIDING FOR UNIFORM SYSTEM OF FISCAL PROCEDURES, ACCOUNTING AND
REPORTING FOR MUNICIPALITIES:
Finance
Director Garten stated that this was the annual resolution that allows us to
use a cash basis of accounting and lets us be consistent with other years. The following Resolution 121514 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
Hlavachick made a motion to approve Resolution 121514 exempting the City from
the requirements providing for uniform system of fiscal procedures, accounting
and reporting for municipalities. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Meyer and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE
1415 AMENDING ELECTRICAL RATES:
City
Attorney Van Blaricum stated that this ordinance recommended changes in the
electrical rates and reflects that the rates would be increased by two percent
for the next five calendar years. Mayor
Taylor questioned if this was what was talked about in the budget hearing and
what the accountants advised. Ms. Garten
stated that cash reserves were down and expenditures were up, so we had
calculated the 2015 budget on this increase.
Ms. Garten added that the rates had not been raised since 2007. Commissioner Meyer stated that he had
compared our rates with Dodge City, Great Bend, Hutchinson and Wichita and we
were right in the middle. Commissioner
Meyer added that we should be comfortable even at ten percent. City Manager Howard commented that those were
good comparisons and the electrical rates were what you could get transmission
for. Commissioner Kumberg stated that
that could be verified on the KCC website.
The
following Ordinance 1415 was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PRATT
MUNICIPAL CODE SECTIONS 13.20.030, 13.20.080, AND 13.20.110 GOVERNING
ELECTRICAL DEPOSITS, CONNECTION FEES, ELECTRICAL RATES, AND IMPACT FEES,
ESTABLISHING AN ANNUAL INCREASE FOR ELECTRICAL RATES, AND REPEALING ALL
ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH. Commissioner Meyer made a motion to approve
Ordinance 1415 amending the electrical rates.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Hlavachick and carried
unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
ORDINANCE 1416 AMENDING REFUSE COLLECTION RATES:
Mr. Van
Blaricum stated that this ordinance was amending the refuse collection rates
and would also reflect
an increase in the rates by two percent for the next five calendar years. Mayor Taylor commented that this was also
recommended by the accountants.
Commissioner Skaggs questioned if the County landfill rates were going
to go up. Mr. Howard stated that he had
not heard yet, but the County would true up at the end of the year.
The
following Ordinance 1416 was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 8.28.070 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE
CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS; PROVIDING FOR REFUSE COLLECTION FEES. Commissioner Skaggs made a motion to
approve Ordinance 1416 amending refuse collection rates. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kumberg
and it carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
APPOINTMENT TO PRATT AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD:
City
Manager Howard reminded the Commission that Mr. Jack Galle had finished out the
term of Ms. Glenna Borho when she was elected to the County Commission and he
was now eligible for another term. Mr.
Howard stated that Mr. Galle was at all the meetings and a good board
member. Commissioner Kumberg made a
motion to appoint Mr. Jack Galle to the ED Board for another three year
term. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Skaggs and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
KDOT AGREEMENT #629-14 FOR THE FINCHAM STREET IMPROVEMENTS:
Mr.
Howard stated that KDOT had come to the City concerning the funds that were
available for the Fincham Street project; however, we would be responsible for
the engineering costs and moving the electrical. Mr. Howard explained that Line Distribution
Superintendent Jamie Huber had been working with Southern Pioneer and it would
cost around $70,000 to $80,000 to move the utilities. Mr. Howard commented that the estimated cost
of the project was around $755,000 and the State would pay $565,000 of that. Mr. Huber stated that we would be getting the
easements on the south side of the road and be putting up temporary poles in
January. Mr. Huber added that we would
finish when Southern Pioneer was done.
Mr.
Howard explained that we had had a hard time with South Fincham Street breaking
up. Mayor Taylor asked if part of the
$755,000 was going to fix that. Mr.
Howard stated that it was. Mr. Howard
stated that we had gotten this agreement late last week, so we should have the
engineering contract on the next agenda.
Commissioner Meyer questioned if it was more expensive to bury the
electrical. Mr. Huber stated that it was
more expensive to cross the road. Mr.
Huber explained that we were waiting on Southern Pioneer before we make a
determination, so we may have to go overhead to avoid the possibility of the
underground blowing out. Mr. Howard
added that Home Lumber had granted us the land further to the west to align the
intersections.
After
little more discussion, Commissioner Hlavachick made a motion to accept the
agreement #629-14 with KDOT for the Fincham Street improvements as
presented. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Skaggs and carried unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA:
No one
in the audience wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Manager:
·
Parrish project:
City
Manager Howard stated that he had visited with Mr. Jake Mooney and the Parrish
Project should start in January. Mr.
Howard commented that there had been a lot of contractors contacting us.
·
Tower at Industrial Park:
Mr.
Howard stated that we were still in negotiations with South Central Telecom
concerning a tower at the Industrial Park.
Mr. Howard commented that there was another company that was interested
in the southeast corner of the field and we were working on an easement. Mr. Howard added that it should be on the
first or second meeting in January.
Mr.
Howard explained that the tower would be 199’.
Commissioner Skaggs questioned if that was normal or taller. Building Inspector Blankenship stated that it
was under FAA standards and the one at the fire station was 199’. Commissioner Kumberg questioned if they were
going to pay us for utilities. Mr.
Howard stated that we were going to give them an easement and it would be a
future road, but there should not be any issues. Mayor Taylor asked how long the first contract
was with South Central Telecom. Mr.
Howard stated that it was twenty years, but we would be getting a new lease
that they were going to propose.
·
Executive Session:
Mr.
Howard requested an executive session to discuss confidential attorney/client information
and it would be for fifteen minutes. Mr.
Howard added that this could be done at the end of the meeting.
City Attorney:
·
Indigent Attorney resigned:
City
Attorney Van Blaricum stated that indigent attorney Ms. Candace Lattin had
resigned effective January 1st, which would leave that position open
for both the City and County. Mr. Van
Blaricum commented that we would be looking for someone to fill that City
position. Commissioner Skaggs questioned
who hired her. Mr. Van Blaricum
commented that he had hired Ms. Lattin as the Assistant County Attorney.
Mr. Van
Blaricum commented that Judge Eisenhauer could hire individual attorneys in the
meantime and he added that eight out of ten cases in Municipal Court end up
with a court appointed attorney.
Commissioner Kumberg questioned if an appointment was necessary if we
did not find someone for an extended time.
Mr. Van Blaricum commented that there were attorneys around that would
fill in and do the work. Mr. Howard
explained that we pay for that when we have to bring in an attorney.
Public Works:
·
2016 GEO Project:
Public
Works Director Rambat informed the Commission that KDOT would be in town to
meet with the City and engineers concerning the 2016 GEO project. Mr. Rambat stated that they would meet at
City Hall and EBH would have their preliminary plans and they would walk the
project. Mr. Rambat commented that he
was looking forward to getting that going.
·
Leaf pick-up:
Commissioner
Skaggs questioned if there could be another leaf pick-up because his cart was
full. Mr. Howard stated that they could
put their leaves in their regular cart since everything was getting dumped into
the same hole.
·
Dillon’s Pharmacy congestion:
Commissioner
Skaggs commented that Dillon’s Pharmacy was popular and there were cars that
had to stay in the street waiting to go through the drive thru and it was not a
safe place. Mr. Rambat agreed that there
was not a lot of room there.
Commissioner Skaggs stated that Dillon’s should be approached about
lining them up against their building.
Commissioner Kumberg stated that he had contacted them, but did not get
a response, so maybe we should let them know our concerns. Mayor Taylor suggested having the City
Attorney draft a letter to them. Mr.
Howard stated that we would talk to the managers and see if anything
happens.
Building Inspections:
·
Dillon’s construction:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that he had done an inspection at Dillon’s and
they were done with the west side of the building. Mr. Blankenship explained that they had to
slide the produce refrigerator to the north side because the entrance to the
bathroom and drinking fountains was not handicap accessible. Mr. Blankenship commented that the next big
project would be on the cooking area and that should be done in January.
·
LEC construction:
Mr.
Blankenship stated that the LEC construction was coming along good. Mr. Blankenship commented that it was
interesting how they put the cells together.
·
PRMC construction:
Mr.
Blankenship stated that the hospital was still under construction and they were
currently working on the emergency room.
·
Parrish:
Mr.
Blankenship stated that the Parrish Loft project had pulled permits and paid
for them so everything was going pretty good.
·
Dangerous structures:
Commissioner
Meyer asked if there were any other dangerous structures that needed
attention. Mr. Blankenship stated that
we do have some, but no one had called in about them. Mr. Blankenship explained that we take action
when they become a hazard.
Power Plant:
·
Retirement:
Power
Plant Superintendent Smith informed the Commission that he would be retiring on
Friday after forty-six years, but he would still be available. The Commission commended Mr. Smith for his
many years of service.
Line Distribution:
·
Lemon Park lights:
Line
Distribution Superintendent Huber stated that they had been bombarded with
calls about the Lemon Park decorations not working. Mr. Huber explained that there had not been
much moisture the last few years and this year they had to let them dry out
with all the rain we had had. Mr. Huber
commented that there had been notes left in the Santa mailbox. Mayor Taylor commented that he had people ask
him about it too, so maybe something needed to be in the paper. Mr. Huber stated that there had been a Salina
girl killed when she touched a pole that was not protected and he did not want
that to happen here. Mayor Taylor
questioned if snow bothered it as much.
Mr. Huber stated that it could, but not as much.
Finance:
·
Auditor’s visit:
Finance
Director Garten stated that the auditors would be here on Wednesday to do
preliminary work for next April. Ms.
Garten added that they would be looking at the internal control process we have
in place.
City Clerk/Utility Billing:
·
Thank you:
City
Clerk Kramer thanked everyone for their concern and prayers for her
granddaughter that had been taken to Children’s Mercy in Kansas City. Ms. Kramer commented that she was currently
doing better after being very sick after Thanksgiving and the family hoped to have
them home for Christmas.
Mayor and Commission:
·
Holidays:
Mayor
Taylor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and stated that the Commission had
decided to let the employees have the day after Christmas off. Mayor Taylor commented that we would do
something to make that up to other employees that had to work. Mr. Howard stated that they give employees
the option on another day or overtime. The
employees that were at the meeting thanked the Commission for the extra day
off.
Commissioner
Kumberg also wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
·
Mr. Sexson’s loss:
Commissioner
Hlavachick commented that we needed to keep Mr. Keith Sexson in our
thoughts. Commissioner Hlavachick
explained that he had lost his wife over the weekend and he was a long time
Airport Board Authority member.
·
Website:
Commissioner
Meyer questioned who the keeper of the website was. Ms. Garten stated that she was. Commissioner Meyer requested that Mr. Kelly
Hemphill be taken off. Ms. Garten
commented that she would get that done.
Executive Session:
Mayor
Taylor made a motion to go into executive session to discuss attorney/client
privilege to last fifteen minutes. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Hlavachick and carried unanimously.
Mayor
Taylor made a motion to return from the executive session. The motion was properly seconded and passed
unanimously.
ADJOURN:
Upon
proper motion, the meeting was adjourned.
_________________________
JEFF
A. TAYLOR, Mayor
ATTEST:
__________________________
LUANN KRAMER, City Clerk