MONDAY
APRIL 16, 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
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:
Commissioner
Schmidt led the staff and audience in the invocation and Mayor Meyer led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
CONSENT AGENDA:
·
Minutes: April 02, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner
Kumberg made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda. Commissioner Schmidt seconded the motion and
it passed unanimously.
BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 1802 ANNEXING LAND TO THE CITY:
City
Attorney Goff stated that the property in the ordinance was being purchased by
Americare and Mr. Roger Sewell, owner of the property, had asked that the
property be annexed into the City. Ms.
Goff explained that the City had asked the County Commissioners to approve a
resolution that stated that the annexation by the City would not prevent
growth. Ms. Goff commented that the
ordinance property would be annexed once the ordinance was published. Ms. Goff stated that the Planning and Zoning
Commission had reviewed and recommended a zoning change and everyone was
satisfied.
The
following Ordinance 1803 was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: AN ORDINANCE ANNEXING LAND TO THE CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS. Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to
approve Ordinance 1803 annexing property into the City. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF BID FOR 2 THREE PHASE RECLOSERS:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber stated that he had gone out for bids on a pair of
reclosers. Mr. Huber explained that a
recloser was a glorified breaker and they needed one for each of the circuits
for the solar farm. Mr. Huber stated
that he got one bid returned from Stanion Wholesale Electric for $51,750. Mr. Huber stated that he had $30,000 set
aside for one of the reclosers and they were going to take the other one out of
the materials budget for distribution.
Mr. Huber recommended that the Commission approve the purchase of two 3
phase reclosers from Stanion Wholesale Electric for $51,750, which includes
sales tax. Mr. Huber added that there
was an eighteen week lead time. With no
further discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve the purchase
for two 3 phase reclosers from Stanion Wholesale Electric. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg and carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION ON TOBACCO
FREE PARKS POLICY:
City
Attorney Goff reminded the Commission that they had requested that she draft a
policy for tobacco free parks instead of an ordinance. Ms. Goff stated that she had drafted a policy
similar to Lawrence. Ms. Goff commented
that the policy states that tobacco products were prohibited at any
recreational facilities. Ms. Goff added
that the parks department would educate patrons and anyone utilizing the
facilities would be asked to enforce the policy. Mayor Meyer stated that it was well written
and would not be a burden on the police department.
Commissioner
Kumberg asked how we were going to ask groups to commit to enforcing this
policy. Ms. Goff stated that it could be
as simple as adding it to the sign up form.
Recreation Director Pinkall stated that there were a lot of ways to
interact with coaches, etc. and this could be added to the discussion along
with signage. Mayor Meyer questioned if
this was compatible with what the Parks Advisory Board had discussed. Mr. Pinkall stated that it was similar and
was proactive and healthy but not making it something that could not be
enforced.
With
no more discussion, Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to accept the Tobacco
Free Parks Policy. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
UPDATE ON POLICE K-9
DRUG DOG:
Police
Chief Myers stated that he had some information concerning the K-9 drug dog
that had been discussed earlier. Chief
Myers commented that the Kansas Highway Patrol gave them a run down for
training and the availability for training.
Chief Myers stated that a KHP officer and a City representative, along
with the trainer, would go down to evaluate the dog. Chief Myers explained that the training was
not a walk in the park; however, the officer would have full certification
State wide once training was completed.
Chief Myers commented that the training was at no cost, but they were
responsible for lodging and meals for five weeks. Chief Myers stated that, if the dog did not
work properly, they would go back and get another one that would be able to
work with the trainer. Chief Myers
commented that KHP conducts training in March and in September.
Chief
Myers reviewed a list of expenditures needed to move forward with the K-9 and
that the largest expense would be the vehicle.
Chief Myers stated that KHP had a used 2016 Ford Explorer that was
already equipped and they were asking $23,250.
Chief Myers added that there would also be the expense of an officer,
benefits and equipment that would cost around $4,500. Chief Myers added that the officer would also
get one hour overtime per day seven days a week. Mayor Meyer asked if we were reimbursed if we
were to go to another County. Chief
Myers stated that they usually did not do that.
Mayor Meyer questioned if we would be entitled to any of the forfeiture
money if we did go into another County.
Chief Myers stated that we would be entitled to a percentage if the K-9
found money and drugs. Chief Myers
explained that certain members of Congress in Kansas were trying to take away
that money from the founding entity and they wanted to put it in a central
place. Commissioner Leslie stated that
they had been talking about that for a long time. Mayor Meyer asked if the K-9 officer would
have to be replaced on the department.
Chief Myers stated that they would.
Commissioner
Kumberg asked how much they had received in donations. Finance Director Garten stated that there was
about $17,400. Mayor Meyer stated that
he felt that there were members of the community that would move forward with
more contributions when they know we were moving forward. Mayor Meyer asked how we afford to do
this. Ms. Garten stated that the
purchase and training of the dog was in the future; therefore they would budget
for that officer in 2019 and they did have some in capital reserves and
forfeiture funds. Commissioner Kumberg
asked about federal grants. Ms. Garten
stated that they had not looked into that yet.
Mayor Meyer commented that he would like to have a drug dog; however it
was complicated. Mayor Meyer added that
he was glad that they had an officer that was willing to do this.
Chief
Myers stated that he would like to see the officer assigned to the K-9 and the
training sign an agreement that they stay with the department for so many
years. Commissioner Leslie added that
they should also be responsible to pay back the fees. Mayor Meyer asked if this officer did regular
traffic stops. Chief Myers stated that
they would and they could also have reason to do a free air search. Mayor Meyer asked if we could move forward
with the purchase of the K-9 and the vehicle.
Chief Myers stated that they should definitely move forward on the
patrol car. Ms. Garten stated that they
did have money in capital equipment reserves. With little more discussion, Commissioner
Leslie stated that he would like to see the dual K-9. Ms. Goff commented that using donated funds
takes out the legal concerns for the budget.
Chief
Myers stated that there were also issues in the department regarding body cams
and body armor. Chief Myers explained
that the Department of Justice would cover half of the cost of the vests, which
would be about $4,875. Chief Myers added
that they also had to purchase equipment for the two new vehicles and decide
how to store the body cam videos, which could take a stand alone server. Chief Myers stated that there was a company
that would provide fifteen body cams, upload the videos to the cloud, train and
replace the cameras every 2 ½ years.
Chief Myers added that it was less than $5,000 to get started.
With
little more discussion, Mayor Meyer made a motion to approve the purchase of a
2016 Ford Explorer fully equipped from the Kansas Highway Patrol not to exceed
$25,000. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Leslie and carried unanimously.
Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve the purchase of the K-9
drug officer program as presented. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Kumberg.
City Attorney Goff suggested that they amend the motion to include that
this would be taken from the 2019 budget and that it was best to include that
only budgeted or donated funds would be used until the new budget was
approved. Commissioner Leslie amended
his motion to include the statement made by Ms. Goff and Commissioner Kumberg
seconded the amendment. The motion and
second passed unanimously.
RECOMMENDATION ON
SOLAR FARM BID BEING AWARDED TO INOVATEUS SOLAR PENDING AN APPROVED CONTRACT:
City
Manager Eckert stated that he had reviewed the solar farm bid with Director of
Electric Utilities Huber and they recommended the solar farm bid be awarded to
Inovateus pending a contract agreed upon by both parties involved. Ms. Goff stated that she had been present at
the bid opening and she was okay with presenting the recommendation to the
Commission. Ms. Goff added that she was
more involved with this bid opening and the staff followed our procedure. With no more discussion, Commissioner Leslie
made a motion to approve the bid for the solar farm project to Inovateus pending
an approved contract. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Kumberg and carried unanimously.
DISCUSSION ON 1%
ADDITIONAL COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES:
Mayor
Meyer stated that the Commission had approved a 2% cost of living raise after
the first of the year and had made a commitment to look at the financials at
the end of the quarter before they committed to another 1%. Finance Director Garten stated that we were
capable of doing the remaining 1% because we had budgeted for the full 3%. Ms. Garten added that revenue was lacking;
however, delaying the 1% for a quarter saved the City about $15,000. Commissioner Schmidt made a motion to put in
a 1% cost of living increase for the remaining ¾ of 2018. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie. Ms. Goff stated that she would
get an ordinance ready by the work session on Thursday that would put the 1%
into effect. With little more
discussion, Commissioner Schmidt withdrew his motion and stated that he would
wait to approve the 1% until we had an ordinance.
OPEN AGENDA:
No
one in the audience wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Manager:
·
Paula Downs:
City
Manager Eckert reminded the Commission that Ms. Paula Downs from WSU would be
here for a work session on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
·
Meetings:
Mr.
Eckert stated that there was a City Manager’s round table meeting on May 10th
and a KMEA meeting on the 26th of April; Mr. Eckert informed the Commission that the
KMEA meeting conflicts with a meeting in Lawrence of the Kansas Association of
City Manager’s meeting.
·
Pool Fees:
Mr.
Eckert stated that the pool was always a topic of inspiration and he had
visited with pool manager Dee Hill about the pool fees that had remained the
same for about twenty years. Mr. Eckert
commented that we were behind most Cities.
Mr. Eckert suggested that the fees be raised slightly so that it would
help pay salaries for the pool employees.
Public Works:
·
Duck Race:
Public
Works Director Rambat stated that would be getting the water turned on this
week at Jack Ewing Park around 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. for PCC Duck Race. Mr. Rambat commented that they had placed the
sand bags in the ditch for them and the restrooms, trash carts and picnic
tables were ready to go.
·
Mill and Overlay:
Mr.
Rambat stated that he was working on a bid request for a mill and overlay
project this summer. Mr. Rambat added that
it would start on Sixth Street from Oak Street to Rochester Street. Mr. Rambat explained that chip seal worked
good in residential areas, but he would wait to see how sales tax came in
before looking at that project.
·
Champa Street:
Mr.
Rambat explained that the water department had finished on Champa Street and
the street guys were putting it back.
Mr. Rambat added that they would do a complete overlay when they get the
coal mix from the County.
·
Painting the pool:
Mr.
Rambat informed the Commission that the pool crew would try to get here next
week to paint the pool. Mr. Rambat
stated that they would start power washing and then get it repainted. Mr. Rambat commented that he would touch base
with the slide company after the painting was complete. Mr. Rambat stated that they were about a
month behind due to the cold nights.
Building Inspections:
·
Planning and Zoning meeting:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that there was a Planning and Zoning meeting
Thursday and there would be a preliminary and final plat approved at two
different hearings. Mr. Blankenship
added that this was City property that Americare was building on and would be
built to our specs. Mr. Blankenship
commented that they would also be doing a conditional use permit for the 80
acres for the solar farm. Mr.
Blankenship stated that Kenyon Energy was the PPA provider for the solar farm
and was interested in a conditional use that had to do with financing and paper
work. Mr. Blankenship explained that the
zoning regulations stated permitted uses; therefore, they could use it for
utility purposes.
·
McDonald’s:
Mr.
Blankenship stated that McDonald’s was going to be delayed anywhere from two
weeks to six months, but he was not given any information as to why. Mr. Blankenship added that they thought about
pushing it more to the east.
Electric Department:
·
Reconductor Hub:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber stated that the line guys were working on
reconductor hubs on highway 54. Mr.
Huber explained that they would take it from the corner of Fish and Game and
then move to replacing poles to the solar farm location.
·
Engine #7:
Mr.
Huber stated that Power Plant Superintendent Evans and his crew had torn apart
#7 and cleaned it up and put it back together.
·
Electrical system blink:
Mr.
Huber explained that the electrical system blink last Friday afternoon was
State wide and had to do with the wind farm out in Gray County.
Recreation Dept.:
·
Challenges:
Recreation
Director Pinkall stated that the weather had been challenging for the
recreation activities for the last two Saturdays. Mr. Pinkall commented that they would catch
up by going longer for the youth programs.
·
Tournaments:
Mr.
Pinkall stated that they have their first tournament this weekend with
thirty-one teams and another one next weekend with twenty-eight.
Finance Department:
·
Auditors:
Finance
Director Garten stated that the auditors had finished and would be back in late
May or early June with their report. Ms.
Garten added that everything went smooth.
Mayor and Commission:
·
Ogallala Aquifer Summit:
Mayor
Meyer stated that he had the opportunity to attend the Ogallala Aquifer Summit
in Garden City and Water Superintendent Kelvin Clay had attended also. Mayor Meyer commented that it was interesting
and well attended. Mayor Meyer added
that water was a precious resource.
·
Take back program:
Mayor
Meyer thanked the police department for their participation in the take back
drug program this weekend. Mayor Meyer
stated that this happened about every six months and was very successful.
·
Perfection of water rights meeting:
Commissioner
Schmidt stated that he had also attended a meeting with the Department of Agriculture. Commissioner Schmidt commented that Public
Works Director Rambat was very well informed and they had learned that there
were things we could do to improve our available water rights. Commissioner Schmidt stated that there would
be no more drilling in this area.
Executive Session:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss non-elected
personnel to last ten minutes. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Kumberg 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.
·
Church bells:
Commissioner
Leslie stated that he had received a complaint about the church music at First
Street and Main Street being so loud that it was obstructing a business’ daily
work. Commissioner Leslie commented that
he was told that this business had approached the Pastor last year and he had
said that he would look into it; however, the bells became louder than
before. Commissioner Leslie stated that
the complainant stated that the bells were at plus 90 decibels at fifty feet
and they thought that 70 decibels would be better. Mayor Meyer questioned how many times they
play in a day. Commissioner Leslie
stated that he thought it was six times.
Commissioner Leslie added that they want common ground and wants the
bells turned down and that they were now to the point of crackling the
speakers. Commissioner Leslie added that
he had visited with Chief Myers and there had been several complaints on this. Commissioner Leslie commented that we just
need to be fair about it.
City
Attorney Goff stated that the Ordinance actually provides special protection
for churches, hospitals and schools preventing others from making noise that disturb
those organizations. Ms. Goff stated
that the Ordinance states that is was unlawful for any persons to make or cause
to be made or continue to be made any loud unnecessary or unusual noise or any
noise which either annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort repose,
health, peace or safety of others within the City. Ms. Goff explained that these acts, among
others, were declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in
violation of this section, but this enumeration shall not be deemed to be
exclusive. Ms. Goff commented that they
also mention radios or phonographs (which she felt this topic would fall under)
and the use, operating or permitting to be played, used or operated, any radio
receiving set, musical instrument, phonographs, or other device for producing
or reproducing sound in such manner as to disturb the peace and quiet of the
neighborhood, or at any time with louder volume than is necessary for the
hearing of the person or person of normal hearing ability who are in the
room.
Ms.
Goff commented that the church did not play the music between the hours of
11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Ms. Goff stated
that you need to be careful with arguments between two neighbors and that it
was not good governance to get involved.
Mayor Meyer asked if Commissioner Schmidt could talk to the Pastor about
turning the volume down. Commissioner
Schmidt agreed to talk to the Pastor; however, they do play a variety and the
selection could change the decibels.
Commissioner Leslie stated that anything over 85 decibels was too loud
and a religious organization needed to be fair.
Ms. Goff cautioned the Commission to take a diplomatic approach to this
situation.
RECESS:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to recess until Thursday at 11:00 a.m. for a work session
with Paula Downs. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
_____________________________________
DOUG
MEYER, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
LUANN
KRAMER, City Clerk