MONDAY
APRIL 02, 2018
The
Governing Body of the City of Pratt met in Regular Session in the Commission
Room located at City Hall.
Doug Meyer Mayor
Lucus Kumberg Commissioner
Gary Schmidt Commissioner
Jason Leslie Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
Roy Eckert City Manager
LuAnn Kramer City Clerk
Regina Goff City Attorney
Diana Garten Finance Director
Gary Myers Chief of Police
Russell Rambat Public Works Director
Brad Blankenship Building Inspector
Jamie Huber Director 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 with the exception of Commissioner Peters.
The
Mayor reminded the audience that this meeting may be taped and/or recorded.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor
Meyer led the staff and audience in the invocation and Mayor Meyer led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA:
·
Minutes: March 05, 2018 Recessed Commission Meeting
March
05, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting
March
19, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner
Leslie made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Schmidt seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously.
BUSINESS:
DISCUSSION ON LOVING
HANDS CHILDREN’S CENTER INFANT ROOM DOOR CAMPAIGN:
Ms.
Jennifer Ryan informed the Commission that she needed three things to open a
small business and they were ambition, internet and child care. Ms. Ryan commented that Loving Hands was an
opportunity to see child care in Pratt expand.
Ms. Ryan stated that Loving Hands was open now but they were needing
funds to install a door in the infant room and to be licensed with KDHE for
children under three. Ms. Ryan commented
that she knew her story was not unique, but this would provide help for parents
who wanted to take an extra class at the college and know that their children
were taken care of.
Ms.
Sherry Morford, owner of Loving Hands, stated that she had worked with children
for thirty years. Ms. Morford added that
she was now taking three to ten year olds until the door was installed that
goes outside, which would allow her to take younger children. Ms. Morford stated that she had a low
estimate for that project of $8,300. Ms.
Morford commented that they were doing a fund raiser, but they were here to ask
this board for $7,000. Commissioner
Leslie questioned if they had been to the Economic Development Board for
funds. Ms. Morford stated that she had
not. Mayor Meyer commented that having
it in a church was a different equation.
City Manager Eckert stated that this would affect everyone and should be
non-denominational. Mayor Meyer asked if
they were already a licensed business.
Ms. Morford stated that they were.
Commissioner Kumberg stated that it would be better to use grant funds
rather than public funds. Commissioner
Kumberg added that there was money available through grants and micro
loans. Finance Director Garten commented
that the micro loan program goes through Great Plains Development, then to the
ED Board for their assessment and to Great Plains for the micro loan. Commissioner Schmidt commented that he was
not sure that we wanted to use tax money on a building that was not owned by
the business.
UPDATE ON THE PRATT
COUNTY FOOD BANK:
Ms.
Diana Harris thanked the City for their continued support of the Food
Bank. Ms. Harris stated that she was the
president of the board and there were four more members. Ms. Harris commented that she had filled out
the request form for budget and informed the Commission that they serve all of
Pratt County. Ms. Harris explained that
they had been in existence for twenty-three years and that they were not a
grocery store. Ms. Harris commented that
they help families out that have food needs at certain times and that their
numbers were down last year, which was a good thing.
Ms.
Harris stated that they had served 381 families or 1,159 people with 988
boxes. Ms. Harris commented that she
buys food at Wal-Mart, Dillon’s and the Kansas Food Bank. Ms. Harris stated that they review each
family’s application and then they were given a box depending on how many were
in the family. Ms. Harris added that
some families were not the standard mom, dad and kids, but could be grandma,
mom and kids or multi-families in one dwelling.
Ms.
Harris stated that the people working at the Food Bank were all volunteer and
they had about forty-five right now. Ms.
Harris commented that they did get fresh produce in the summer time from people
in town and they also get deer meat. Ms.
Harris explained that donations come from individuals, churches, businesses, clubs
and the City. Ms. Harris stated that
families could get five boxes a year and also a Christmas box that did not
count off of the five. Ms. Harris
commented that not all the families use their five boxes. Ms. Harris stated that seventy-one families used
all five boxes last year and they are very appreciative. Mayor Meyer stated that it was a very
rewarding experience to volunteer.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE LIBRARY BOARD:
In
the absence of Ms. Rochelle Westerhaus, Mayor Meyer explained that the
recommendation of appointing Mr. Danny Lynch and Ms. Kandace Bitts-Nicolay came
from Ms. Westerhaus. Mayor Meyer stated
that these appointments would replace Mr. Chris Himmelwright and Mr. Alan Hitz. With no further discussion, Commissioner
Kumberg made a motion to approve the appointments of Mr. Danny Lynch and Ms.
Kandace Bitts-Nicolay to the Library Board.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Leslie and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF REQUESTS FOR FUTURE CHAMBER EVENTS:
·
Summerfest 2018:
Chamber
Director DeClue stated that there were several things happening this
summer. Ms. DeClue informed the
Commission that the Summerfest Sidewalk Sale was on July 14th from
6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Ms. DeClue
stated that the Lions Club train would be on Second Street and the National
Guard would be bringing big trucks. Ms.
DeClue commented that there would be the Farmers Market during the day and a
laser light show that evening that would be sponsored by Southwest Truck
Parts. Ms. DeClue requested that Second
Street between Main Street and Jackson Street, Third Street between Main Street
and Ninnescah Street and Fourth Street between Main Street and Jackson Street
be closed for the events. Ms. DeClue
commented that they would also be including a hamburger/hotdog feed and live
entertainment from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Commissioner Kumberg questioned if this would be a problem for the
people that live at the Parrish. Ms.
DeClue stated that they usually only go to the alley.
With
no more discussion, Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to allow the street
closures as presented for the Summerfest Sidewalk Sale. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie and carried unanimously.
·
Bike events:
Ms.
DeClue stated that there was also the Bike Across Kansas on June 11th
starting at 11:00 a.m. with about seven hundred to nine hundred bikes
registered. Ms. DeClue pointed out that
most of the bikers would be staying at the high school and head out again on
Tuesday.
Ms.
DeClue commented that there was another race called the Open End Gravel Race
and they would also be spending the night in Pratt. Ms. DeClue stated that they would end the
evening with music and awards. Ms. DeClue
commented that Mr. Eric Sutter from Pratt was the one bringing this to Pratt.
·
Miss Kansas parade:
Ms.
DeClue reminded the Commission that the Miss Kansas Parade would be Friday,
June 8th starting at 6:00 p.m.
Ms. DeClue stated that there were thirty-four contestants and over one
hundred Miss Sunflower Princesses. Ms.
DeClue commented that she thought that the City took care of the bleachers and
announcers area. Mr. Rambat stated that
they would take care of that part again.
·
April 28th events:
Ms.
DeClue stated that a big gymnastics event would be here on April 28th
along with Skyline’s 50th class reunion and a tournament at the
Sports Complex.
With
no further discussion, Mayor Meyer made a motion to approve the requests from
Ms. DeClue. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Kumberg and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENTS TO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BOARD:
With
little discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve the
reappointment of Mr. Tim Barker to the Airport Authority Board. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL
OF ORDINANCE 1802 PROHIBITING THE USE OF TOBACCO IN RECREATIONAL AREAS, PARKS
AND PLAYGROUNDS AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION:
City
Attorney Goff stated that the response that was received in South Hutch and
Emporia was not very positive in regards to prohibiting the use of tobacco in
recreational areas. Ms. Goff reminded
the Commission that this had been discussed at the last City/County meeting and
the County had already passed the ordinance.
Ms. Goff commented that the City officer’s did not have jurisdiction to
enforce a County ordinance and it would not be a typical course of action for a
County Sheriff to patrol the City. Ms.
Goff stated that Lawrence had passed a policy banning smoking and e-cigarettes
in playgrounds and parks; however, there were not teeth to a policy.
Ms.
Goff stated that there were a range of policies and ordinances implemented in
the State. Mayor Meyer stated that there
was a consensus that we wanted to do something, but we wanted it to be
right. Ms. Goff stated that she did not
like the way the model ordinance was written.
Commissioner Leslie commented that this was hard to enforce. Commissioner Leslie added that this would be
cumbersome on the police department.
Commissioner Kumberg agreed that we did not want to put an ordinance in
place that would be difficult to enforce. Mayor Meyer and Commissioner Schmidt stated
that they liked the idea of a policy rather than an ordinance.
Mayor
Meyer asked Recreation Director Pinkall how the discussion went with the Parks
Advisory Board. Mr. Pinkall stated that
the discussion lasted about 40 to 45 minutes and concerns were about the same
as here. Mr. Pinkall commented that
currently there was already no smoking at the Green Sports Complex, but they find
cigarette butts. Mr. Pinkall explained
that they still finish their cigarette after seeing the no smoking signs. Mr. Pinkall added that the board had trouble
with the enforcement; however, they supported the concept. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the announcers
ever reinforce that the Complex is non-smoking.
Mr. Pinkall stated that they do occasionally, but they could do it more
often.
OPEN AGENDA:
No
one in the audience wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Manager:
·
Policy and Procedures:
City
Manager Eckert stated that he was in the process of revaluating some policies
and procedures. Mr. Eckert commented
that the solar farm was one. Mr. Eckert
added that the personnel policy was also being reviewed so that it was more
consistent.
·
Auditors:
Mr.
Eckert stated that the auditors would be here until Thursday.
·
Bike races:
Mr.
Eckert commented that he was looking forward to the bike races and that it was
a huge opportunity for Pratt.
City Attorney:
·
Policies:
City
Attorney Goff stated that she had been helping Mr. Eckert with the policies.
Public Works:
·
Glow Run:
Public
Works Director Rambat stated that he had visited with Miss Butler County
Miranda Flemming about the use of Lemon Park next Saturday for her Glow
Run. Mr. Rambat commented that he had
explained to her that she should remind the runners that they were on their
own, but they were not going to be crossing either highway.
·
Curtis Street:
Mr.
Rambat stated that the water department was working on Curtis Street and Stout
Street. Mr. Rambat explained that they
would be putting in a new line and would get out of the intersection as soon as
possible and then the street guys would come in and finish up.
Building Inspections:
·
Wheels for train:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that the Pilot Express Train needed two new
wheels. Mr. Blankenship explained that
it had derailed in October and it was taken to a local shop for a temporary fix
for the Santa Express. Mr. Blankenship
commented that each wheel was about $3,000, so everything they need would be
under $10,000. Mr. Blankenship commented
that derailing was like getting a flat tire and they were trying to keep up on
the motor and transmission.
Recreation
Department:
·
Outdoor activities:
Recreation
Director Pinkall stated that the outdoor activities were starting with soccer
in full swing at the Sports Complex and Lemon’s.
Police Department:
·
March crime stats:
Chief
Myers reported on the statistics for March and those numbers were attached.
·
K-9:
Commissioner
Leslie asked about the K-9 and grant writing.
Chief Myers stated that he had talked to someone with grant writing
where they give money up front and we pick up the funding from that.
Finance Department:
·
Sales Tax:
Finance
Director Garten stated that sales tax looked bleak and we were $42,000 down
from last year.
Mayor and Commission:
·
Thank you letter:
Mayor
Meyer stated that he had gotten a letter from a couple traveling from
California to South Dakota. Mayor Meyer
commented that they were impressed with how friendly people were and that the
police department took time to check on them at night in their RV at the park.
Executive Session:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session for non-elected personnel
to last thirty minutes. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Leslie and carried 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.
Mayor
Meyer stated that an irregularity was discovered on the part of a former
employee involving the previous solar bids, which justifies the Commission in rebidding
the solar farm project; therefore, Mayor Meyer made a motion to rescind the
original approval of the RFP to Inovateus Solar. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg and carried unanimously.
City
Attorney Goff stated that the new RFP’s for the solar farm would be opened on
April 09, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Ms. Goff
added that the bids had to contain ten, fifteen, and twenty-five year buyouts
with no contingencies.
ADJOURN:
Commissioner
Kumberg made a motion to adjourn. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
______________________________________DOUG MEYER, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
LUANN
KRAMER, City Clerk