MONDAY
DECEMBER 03, 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 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 with the exception of Commissioner Peters.
Mayor
Meyer reminded the audience that this meeting may be taped and/or recorded.
AMEND THE AGENDA:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to amend the agenda to allow USD #382 Superintendent Suzan
Patton to visit with the Commissioners after the public hearings. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt and carried unanimously.
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:
·
November
19, 2018 City/County Jt. Commission Meeting
·
November
19, 2018 Regular Commission Meeting
Commissioner
Leslie made a motion to approve the consent agenda. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg and carried unanimously.
BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 120318 DECLARING STRUCTURE UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS – ORDER
FOR REPAIR OR REMOVAL HEARING:
Upon
proper motion, the public hearing for the unsafe structure at 510 South Jackson
Street opened. Mayor Meyer asked if
there was anyone in the audience that represented that address that would like
to speak. Hearing no one, Mayor Meyer
made a motion to close the hearing. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Kumberg and carried unanimously.
City
Attorney Probst stated that this public hearing was scheduled about thirty days
ago and Building Inspector Blankenship had been attempting to contact the owner. Mr. Blankenship stated that he had had no
luck and the letters had been sent out certified. Mr. Blankenship reminded the Commission that
this was in the back yard at 510 South Jackson Street and he did not think that
they would want to fix it up. Mr.
Blankenship added that he had money in his budget to take it down. Ms. Probst stated that the resolution setting
this hearing date had been properly published twice in the local newspaper and
the Building Inspector would like to see Resolution 120318 approved which gives
the owner until January 05, 2018 to take care of the property.
Ms.
Probst stated that the City would cause the property to be repaired or removed
after the January 05, 2018 date and the cost would then be assessed to this
property. Mr. Blankenship commented that
the utilities had been off since 2008 and it had been deteriorating since
then. Commissioner Kumberg questioned if
there was a lien holder on the property.
Mr. Blankenship stated that there was not and it was owned outright. Ms. Probst stated that this was a hazard to
the public’s safety.
The
following Resolution 120318 was then presented to the Commission for their
approval: RESOLUTION DECLARING STRUCTURE UNSAFE, DANGEROUS, AND UNFIT; ORDER FOR
REPAIR OR REMOVAL. A motion by
Commissioner Kumberg to approve Resolution 120318 declaring the structure at
510 South Jackson Street unsafe and dangerous and for the repair or removal to commence on December 05, 2018 and be completed
by January 05, 2019. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Schmidt. Mayor
Meyer asked once more if anyone was in the audience for 510 South Jackson
Street. Hearing no one, the motion and
second passed unanimously.
PUBLIC HEARING –
INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS FOR TRACK AND FIELD COMPLEX:
·
Open Public Hearing:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to open the public hearing for the IRB’s for the track and
field complex. The motion was seconded
by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
·
Discussion:
No
one in the audience wished to address the Commission.
·
Close Public Hearing:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Schmidt and carried unanimously.
(Amended Agenda Item)
DISCUSSION ON PIANO AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING:
USD
#382 Superintendent Patton stated that her fine arts instructor, Mr. Brandon
Wade, had approached her when he had discovered a Steinway piano at the
Municipal Building and thought it would be neat if the school district could
use it. Ms. Patton commented that she
had approached City Manager Eckert and he had said that he would look into
it. Ms. Patton explained that their idea
was that we would trade one of the school’s pianos for the Steinway; however,
the City would maintain ownership. Ms.
Patton added that they would repair and tune it and the school would also keep
the insurance on it since it would be on their property. Commissioner Kumberg commented that since we
were not using it and had not for many years, he felt that the City should just
trade straight over as long as there was a piano at the Municipal Building to
play if we ever needed it.
Commissioner
Schmidt commented that this could have been a gift from a family that wanted it
to stay at the Municipal Building.
Recreation Director Pinkall stated that it had been boxed up and locked
since the recreation office moved to the Municipal Building. Mr. Pinkall commented that he thought that
Dr. Van Blaricum had been in on ordering it and would check in once in a while
and wanted proof that it was in the covered box and locked. Commissioner Schmidt commented that Dr. Van
Blaricum was probably on the Commission at that time. Commissioner Leslie stated that we should
wait six months or a year before making it permanent and that would give anyone
time to come forward with any information they might have. Mayor Meyer asked that the paper put
something in there to get people’s attention and maybe we would hear
something.
Commissioner
Kumberg stated that he would visit with some of the JC’s members to see if they
remember anything since they used to help with the pageant. Ms. Patton commented that they were involved
with the Community Concerts also and it could have been joint groups that
funded it. Mayor Meyer stated that we
would wait to see if we hear from the public.
City Manager Eckert commented that it would mean a lot to kids to play
on a true Steinway that understood the quality of the piano. Ms. Patton stated that it would mean a lot to
the vocal music teachers to have a Steinway. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the piano coming
to the Municipal Building would be an upright.
Ms. Patton stated that it might be a baby grand piano. With no more discussion, it was left that the
Commission would wait to see if we get any public feedback on how they acquired
the Steinway piano.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE LOW BID FOR THE PURCHASE OF STEEL POLES FOR LEMON PARK:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber informed the Commission that he had gone out for
bids for six steel poles for Lemon Park and two bids had been returned. Mr. Huber explained that the poles in Lemon
Park had been cut down and removed and the transformers had fallen over;
however, they knew that this was coming and had been budgeting for it in
capital equipment reserves. Mr. Huber
commented that they had $36,000 in the budget, but part of this was damage done
by the flood. Mr. Huber stated that he
wanted to get the poles ordered to get the big diamonds done.
Mr.
Huber stated that Stanion Wholesale Electric submitted a bid for $24,476.28 and
Border States Electric (formerly Kriz-Davis) bid $20,639.85. Mr. Huber commented that both companies had
bid the same pole manufacturer; therefore, he recommended the low bid from
Border States Electric in the amount of $20,639.85. Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve
the recommendation from Mr. Huber to purchase the six steel poles for Lemon
Park from Border States Electric for $20,639.85. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg. Commissioner Schmidt asked
about the lights for the poles.
Recreation Director Pinkall stated that they would have new lights, but
they would not need as many. Mr. Pinkall
added that they might be able to use some of the old ones, but the main ones
would be new and come out of the recreation budget. The motion and second passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF THE 2019 CEREAL MALT BEVERAGE APPLICATIONS:
Police
Chief Humble stated that he had reviewed the 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage
applications and all but three had turned theirs back in to be processed. Chief Humble commented that Pizza Hut had
chosen not to renew their license to sell, El Trancazo’s application would be
on the next agenda since it was late coming in and we had not heard from the
Sushi Steak House. Chief Humble stated
that all the applications had met the requirements for the City code and he
recommended the Commission’s approval.
With no further discussion, Commissioner Leslie made a motion to approve
the 2019 Cereal Malt Beverage applications as presented by Chief Humble. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Kumberg and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF 2019 PRATT AREA HUMANE SOCIETY AGREEMENT:
City
Attorney Probst stated that this agreement for the Humane Society was identical
to last year’s respective to dates. Ms.
Probst reminded the Commission that the City pays them $3,000 monthly and gives
them a $6,000 utility credit in return for them housing non-dangerous animals
and being in compliance by sending in reports of their activity. Ms. Probst stated that the Commission had
amended the vicious animal ordinance in 2018; therefore, the Humane Society
could now house those animals and were no longer tied to a breed that was not
allowed in the City of Pratt. Mayor
Meyer asked if the vicious animals go to a veterinarian. Chief Humble stated that they were taken to
Dr. Skaggs’ clinic. Mayor Meyer
commented that this may need more discussion and Chief Humble agreed. Mayor Meyer stated that they would have an
executive session at the end of the meeting to discuss attorney/client
privilege.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 120318A REGARDING LINEMEN SALARIES:
City
Attorney Probst stated that there had been some discussions regarding the
current market value of linemen and how the City of Pratt would train them and
they would leave to go elsewhere. Ms.
Probst commented that Commissioner Schmidt had the desire to make sure that a
salary change for linemen be incorporated into a resolution since we were
deviating from the code. Mayor Meyer
stated that the resolution spells that out.
Director of Electric Utilities Huber stated that he had no problem with
it and that he just wanted to hire and keep linemen.
Commissioner
Kumberg asked for clarification on Section 2 of the resolution. Ms. Probst stated that it was her
understanding that this would be a regular budgetary process to analyze the
direction it was going. Mayor Meyer
asked if we were not doing it this year. Ms. Probst stated that it was not her
understanding. Commissioner Schmidt
commented that they had talked about this being a separate item and not a part
of the regular salary increases. Mayor
Meyer clarified that the linemen would not get the cost of living increases in
the same manner it was given across the board.
Ms. Probst stated that the cost of living increase would be in their
salary adjustment.
With no further discussion, the
following Resolution 120318A was presented to the Commission for their
approval: RESOLUTION CONFIRMING SUPPORT FOR THE VARIANCE IN THE SALARY INCREASE
FOR ELECTRIC LINEMEN SALARIES. Commissioner Leslie made a
motion to approve Resolution 120318A regarding linemen salaries as presented. Commissioner Schmidt seconded the
motion. Commissioner Kumberg stated that
this was not the typical way the City usually did business; however, it was
very necessary to keep our employees.
Commissioner Kumberg commended Mr. Huber for bringing this to their
attention. The motion and second were
voted on and passed unanimously.
CONSIDERATION
AND APPROVAL OF ORD. 1813 AMENDING COMPENSATION OF HOURLY EMPLOYEES AND
SALARIES OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS:
City Attorney Probst stated that this was the
ordinance that would allow for the 3% cost of living raise and would be
effective January 01, 2019. Ms. Probst
reminded the Commission that they had wanted to do this ordinance the same time
as the linemen resolution. Commissioner
Leslie commented that he would like to see an increase in the $25 fee paid to
the firemen per fire call due to the amount of time spent at a call. Mayor Meyer agreed and added that they would
see what they could do. With no further
discussion, the following Ordinance 1813 was then presented to the Commission
for their approval: AN
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 1803; CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION OF HOURLY
EMPLOYEES AND SALARIES OF ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE
CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS. Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to approve
Ordinance 1813 concerning the classification and compensation of hourly
employees and salaries of elected and appointed officers and employees of the
City. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Leslie and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND
APPROVAL OF ORD. 1814 ANNEXING LAND TO THE CITY OF PRATT:
City
Attorney Probst stated that this property had not been annexed into the City at
the Sports Complex and had come to our attention while working on the IRB issue
for the track and field complex. Ms.
Probst commented that there were two parcels that had been donated to the City
and they had been annexed by Ordinance 2009.
Ms. Probst explained that this parcel mentioned in tonight’s ordinance
had been donated to the City in 2012, but was never annexed and it was
important that it was part of the City with the IRB issue moving forward. Ms. Probst stated that there were typically a
number of steps that had to be taken when annexing property; however, the City
was the title owner of this property so those formalities did not have to be
followed.
With
no further discussion, the following Ordinance 1814 was presented to the
Commission for their approval: AN
ORDINANCE ANNEXING LAND TO THE CITY OF PRATT, KANSAS.
Commissioner Kumberg made a motion to approve Ordinance 1814 annexing
land to the City of Pratt. The motion
was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt and carried unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA:
No one wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Manager:
·
Local
Agreement:
City Manager Eckert stated that they were still
working on the local agreement with the college concerning the track and field
complex, but they were getting there.
·
Windows:
Mr. Eckert commented that he would be meeting one of
the vendors on December 05, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. about the windows at the
Municipal Building and Recreation Director Pinkall would also be there.
Building Inspections:
·
Ashley
Corner Sub-Division:
Building Inspector Blankenship commented that the
Planning and Zoning Board had met last month and approved the preliminary plat
for the Ashley Corner Sub-division. Mr.
Blankenship explained that that was the land east of Hibbets and Maurices and
this would replat it to go east and west with two front facing lots. Mr. Blankenship
commented that the one by the drainage ditch was going to be a Dollar
Tree. Mr. Blankenship stated that the
Planning and Zoning Board would be meeting again this Thursday and he would
have the final plat to present to the City Commission at the next meeting. Mayor Meyer questioned if we had transformers
for this. Director of Electric Utilities
Huber stated that we did. Mr.
Blankenship added that it was set for the utilities.
·
Heavy
Metal:
Mr. Blankenship stated that Heavy Metal was moving
down the road on Pedigo Drive and had purchased land from Xtra Factors. Mr. Blankenship commented that the concrete
guy was there and they would be building a new building which would give them
rail connections.
·
Lemon
Park bathroom:
Mr. Blankenship stated that he had met with the Park
and Recreation Committee and they had approved the provisions proposed for the
bathroom at Lemon Park. Mr. Blankenship
commented that EBH had staked out where it would go and they would have a bid
opening before the next meeting.
Electric Department:
·
Solar
Farm:
Director of Electric Utilities Huber commented that
the invertors and transformers had been set at the solar farm last week and the
line crew had terminated the line going to them Thursday and Friday morning of
last week. Mr. Huber stated that
Integreen would be finishing up on the wiring in the next couple of weeks. Mr. Huber explained that some of it would be
online the first of the year, but a majority would be mid-January. Mr. Huber explained that Inovateus had asked
about the road and Public Works Director Rambat and Street Superintendent
Sinclair would be working on that in the next couple of weeks.
·
November
25th Storm:
Mr. Huber stated that the line crews were out all
day Sunday during the storm. Mr. Huber
commented that there was not a whole lot that they could have done to prevent
what happened and they had to just let the ice on the lines and the high winds
do their thing. Mr. Huber explained that
the lines would slap together as soon as they got power back and it happened
over and over. Mr. Huber stated that
some areas were without power all day Sunday and they took care of those with
no power or half power on Monday. Mr.
Huber commented that they did not have any wires burn down and explained that a
circuit tripping saved the wire and protected the public. Mr. Huber added that everything worked like
it should have.
Mr. Huber commented that the Christmas lights on
Main Street took a beating; however, he was surprised that there was not more
damage. Commissioner Leslie stated that
he thought that they did a fantastic job and that we were pretty fortunate. Mr. Huber agreed and added that their tree
trimming program was paying off. Mr.
Huber commented that people should turn their porch lights on when there were
outages during a storm so the line crew would know where they still had work to
do.
Recreation Department:
·
Christmas
dinner:
Recreation Director Pinkall reminded everyone about
the employee Christmas dinner on Wednesday, December 12th.
Police Department:
·
Back to work:
Police
Chief Humble stated that the three police officers that were on leave were back
and he was glad to have them. Chief
Humble commented that they all appreciated the prayers.
·
Snow storm:
Chief
Humble commented that he had come out and assisted during the snow storm
Sunday. Chief Humble stated that the
streets in the City were as good as they could be and most of the accidents
were out in the County. Chief Humble
added that he also helped in dispatch and the department had helped with
traffic control to shut down traffic at the City limits so accidents could be
taken care of on Highway 54.
·
Drug dog:
Mayor
Meyer asked if the K-9 was working out.
Chief Humble stated that he was doing a great job and would be going for
more training on the 6th.
Finance Department:
·
Sales tax:
Finance
Director Garten stated that sales tax was up over last year and it was better
than she had anticipated.
·
FEMA Reimbursement:
Ms.
Garten stated that she would be meeting with FEMA in a week to work on the
flood reimbursement.
EBH:
·
Drainage Improvement:
Mike
Youngers, EBH Engineer, explained to the Commission that they had put together
an Opinion of Probable Cost on the South Fincham Street drainage
improvements. Mr. Youngers stated that
they kept in mind ways that would benefit the City and the Complex and one of
those ways would be to extend the box culvert and build a parking lot over
it. Mr. Youngers commented that the
preliminary estimate with construction costs was $410,000, which was a sizable
investment. Commissioner Leslie
questioned if this would be the responsibility of the City. Mr. Youngers stated that it would be;
however, it was a trade to extending Sixth Street. Mr. Youngers commented that, depending how
far they wanted to extend Sixth Street, this option could be cheaper. Mr. Youngers stated that he had showed this
to go from the college far enough to access their drive, but a new proposal was
that you would be able to drive straight south on Fincham Street to get in the
parking lot. Mayor Meyer stated that
that was a substantial amount of money.
Mr. Youngers stated that it was pretty early and he would continue to
work with Public Works Director Rambat and Recreation Director Pinkall.
Mayor and Commission:
·
Legislative Forum:
Mayor
Meyer stated that there would be a legislative forum on December 10th
at the college from noon to 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Meyer commented that Senator Mary Jo Taylor and Representative Greg
Lewis would be there and the City had about thirty seconds to do an intro into
municipal issues that we have. Mayor
Meyer commented that we did not want the State to take any more than they
already were and the tax lid, which was not working. Finance Director Garten stated that employee
benefits being extended was another topic.
Mayor Meyer stated that we should be at the college around 11:30 a.m.
for lunch and the meeting would start at noon.
Mayor Meyer requested that Ms. Garten also attend.
·
Logo contest:
Mayor
Meyer commented that he had visited with the three principals of the schools
with Inovateus representative Mr. Jordan Richardson about doing a logo contest
that we were sponsoring. Mayor Meyer
stated that there would be a $500 prize for each school’s winner and a graphic
designer would modify the winning logo.
Mayor Meyer added that this was a great way to work together with the
community.
Executive Session #1:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session for attorney/client
privilege to last thirty minutes. Mayor
Meyer added that he would like for the City Manager, City Attorney and the
Police Chief to be present. 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.
Executive Session #2:
Mayor
Meyer made a motion to enter into executive session for attorney/client
privilege to last forty-five minutes.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Schmidt 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.
ADJOURN:
Upon
proper motion, the meeting was adjourned.
_____________________________________
DOUG
MEYER, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________________
LUANN
KRAMER, City Clerk