MONDAY
April 18, 2016
The
Governing Body of the City of Pratt met in Regular session in the Commission
Room located in City Hall.
PRESENT:
Lucus Kumberg Mayor
Bill
Hlavachick CommissionerJeff Taylor Commissioner
Gary Skaggs Commissioner
Doug Meyer Commissioner
ALSO PRESENT:
LuAnn Kramer City Clerk
Ken
Van Blaricum City Attorney Diana Garten Finance Director
Gary Myers Chief of Police
Russell Rambat Public Works Dir.
Brad Blankenship Building Inspector
Jamie Huber Dir. of Electric Utilities
Bruce Pinkall Recreation Director
CALL TO ORDER:
The
regular meeting was called to order by Mayor Kumberg. The Mayor instructed the Clerk to note that
all Commissioners were present with the exception of Commissioner Taylor who
would be arriving shortly.
The
Mayor reminded the audience that this meeting may be taped and/or recorded.
INVOCATION AND PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE:
Commissioner
Meyer led the staff and audience in the invocation and Mayor Kumberg led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES:
Commissioner
Hlavachick made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 04, 2016 regular
Commission meeting, the April 07, 2016 Special Call Commission meeting, the
April 12, 2016 Special Call Commission meeting and the April 15, 2016 Special
Call Commission meeting. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Skaggs and carried unanimously.
BUSINESS:
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
FEDERAL-AID FUND EXCHANGE AGREEMENT:
Public
Works Director Rambat stated that the City had been involved with the Federal
Fund Exchange program for the last four or five years and we had the
opportunity to do it again this year.
Mr. Rambat explained that the State hands out money to Cities that are
doing Federal funded projects. Mr.
Rambat stated that the funds to be exchanged this year are $80,479.73 and we have
the option to exchange these dollars and bank $.90 on each dollar. Mr. Rambat added that that was what we had
been doing for the last several years and we now had $261,459.57 available. Mr. Rambat commented that he would like to
continue doing that this year and add to that total. Mr. Rambat informed the Commission that the
money could be incorporated into a project that fits into the regulations of
the agreement. Mr. Rambat stated that it
could be used for streets or bridges within the City and he had considered
using some of it on resurfacing the Maple Street bridge. Mr. Rambat commented that this would help by
not affecting the annual budget.
Commissioner
Skaggs made a motion to approve the Federal Fund Exchange Agreement for
$80,479.73. The motion was seconded by
Commissioner Meyer and carried unanimously.
Mayor Kumberg asked if the money was banked at the State. Finance Director Garten stated that it was.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
PATROL CAR REPLACEMENT/PURCHASE:
Police
Chief Myers stated that he was looking to replace a 2005 Chrysler 200 that had
been seized in a 2013 drug investigation.
Chief Myers commented that Detective Bennett had been using that
vehicle; however, it had a lot of miles on it and was having mechanical
problems also. Chief Myers explained
that he had purchased used highway patrol vehicles before and had good success
with them. Chief Myers added that the
highway patrol maintain their vehicles very well and they go out of service at
50,000. Chief Myers stated that we had
purchased one for Detective Ward in 2012 and any additional miles would be
minimal.
Chief
Myers stated that the vehicles that were available for sale were the 2014 Dodge
Charger all-wheel drive for $19,250.
Chief Myers added that they have the remaining five year limited power
train warranty. Chief Myers explained
that he would ask that the Commission approve this purchase using forfeiture
funds. Mayor Kumberg questioned what
they were going to do with the Chrysler.
Chief Myers stated that they would auction it off in the future.
After
little more discussion, Commissioner Meyer made a motion to approve the
purchase of the patrol car purchase for $19,250. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Hlavachick and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE KMEA POLICIES:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber reminded the Commission that the City strongly
believed that we should not participate in the KMEA policies and it had been
discussed in the Special Call meeting the other day. Mr. Huber stated that the General Marketplace
Participation and Risk Control Protocol and the Transmission Congestion Cost
Management Protocol were not the best for the City and the financial
transactions were not the best as well.
City Attorney Van Blaricum pointed out two letters that were in the
packet that communicated that we were taking this action and putting the ball
in their court.
(Commissioner
Taylor arrived at 5:15 p.m.)
Mayor
Kumberg clarified that this dealt with our participation in a market place for
buying and selling energy and we did not feel that we were obligated to do these
policies where we would not have adequate control over our assets. Commissioner Skaggs questioned if KMEA
speculated that this was coming. Mr.
Huber stated that he did not think so.
Commissioner Skaggs made a motion to approve that the City not participate
in the General Marketplace Participation and Risk Control Protocol and the
Transmission Congestion Cost Management Protocol. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Meyer
and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
THE NOTICE TO TERMINATE PARTICIPATION IN THE EMP PROJECT #2:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber informed the Commission that EMP2’s original
contract was written up in 2007 and everything had changed and was no longer
needed. Mr. Huber stated that there was
a three year out as he had discussed with the Commissioners during a Special
Call meeting on April 07, 2016. Mr.
Huber commented that Energy Agent Kenny Kreutzer had previously brought this to
the attention of the KMEA Board. Mr.
Huber stated that it was time to submit the City’s withdraw from EMP2. Commissioner Taylor questioned if there was
anything they could do. Mr. Huber stated
that we would find out, but we would talk small steps and hope good things come
from this. Commissioner Hlavachick asked
if it would change things if they rewrote the contract. Mr. Huber stated that things could change
when they get our termination letter.
Commissioner Skaggs questioned if other Cities would follow suit. Mr. Huber commented that there could be. Commissioner Taylor asked if we were a big
player in the project. Mr. Huber stated
that we were and they started out with seven Cities and they were at twelve
now.
Mayor
Kumberg commented that Mr. Huber and Mr. Kreutzer had asked for modifications
and they were not obliged. Commissioner
Taylor asked what their reason was for that.
Mr. Huber stated that they feel that they had it all down and did not
need to change. Commissioner Taylor
commented that this was a situation that worked in 2007. Mr. Huber agreed and added that we bought
power as a group but then the market changed.
Commissioner Meyer questioned what the worst case could be. Mr. Huber stated that it would be that we had
to wait the three years to get out.
Commissioner Skaggs added that the best case would be that they said to
go ahead and leave. Mr. Huber stated
that that was correct.
Mr.
Huber explained that we want to continue to stay as members of KMEA. Commissioner Skaggs commented that they had
changed CEO’s and there were still no changes.
Mr. Huber commented that they had changed when City Manager Howard was
on the board and we wanted to see how their new boss handled it. Mr. Huber added that it was best that we did
not drag our feet. Mayor Kumberg
commented that the ultimate goal was to save money. Commissioner Skaggs questioned how much it
was costing us to be a member. Mr. Huber
stated that he was not sure, but we probably spend around $200,000 with them
for administrative fees.
Commissioner
Hlavachick stated that it was a big step, but we needed to do what the guys
think is the right thing. Commissioner
Hlavachick added that EMP2 was not what it was, so it was best to back
out. Mr. Van Blaricum stated that
getting the notice just starts the clock.
Commissioner Meyer made a motion to approve the notice to terminate our
participation in the EMP2 project as presented by Mr. Huber. The motion was seconded by Commissioner
Hlavachick and carried unanimously.
CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL OF
DIRECTOR #2 ON THE KMEA BOARD:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber stated that City Manager Howard had asked that he
take over the Director #2 spot on the KMEA Board that he currently holds. Mr. Huber added that Energy Agent Kreutzer
would then be the alternate member on the KMEA Board. Commissioner Hlavachick made a motion to
approve Mr. Huber as Director #2 on the KMEA Board and Mr. Kreutzer as the
alternate board member. The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Taylor and carried unanimously.
OPEN AGENDA:
No
one in the audience wished to address the Commission.
REPORTS:
City Attorney:
·
Filing Deadline:
City
Attorney Van Blaricum reminded the Commission that the filing deadline for
Commissioner was June 1st.
Mr. Van Blaricum stated that with the election changes, the primary
would be August 2nd and the general election would be in November
and newly elected officials would take office in January.
·
Legislative Report:
Mr.
Van Blaricum stated that legislature was in recess right now, but they would be
back on April 27th to work more on the budget. Mr. Van Blaricum commented that the Governor
had said that he would not veto the LLC and partnership issue if somebody were
to submit it again. Mr. Van Blaricum
added that that would be significant revenue for the State.
Mr.
Van Blaricum stated that there had been a bill promoted by the League and
larger Cities concerning abandoned property and how to deal with that. Mr. Van Blaricum explained that they had been
working on that for two or three years and it passed the Senate and the House
and the Governor vetoed it. Mr. Van
Blaricum commented that it may go back into committee next year, but there was
word that they would not try to override the veto.
Public Works:
·
Truck sign:
Public
Works Director Rambat stated that the truck sign at the Wal-Mart entrance had
been taken out a week ago. Mr. Rambat
commented that it severely injured the motor home and we would send them a bill
for the repairs. Mr. Rambat informed the
Commission that he added a solar powered flashing barricade light on it. Mr. Rambat stated that the intersection had
functioned well and the project had been a good thing.
·
Downtown Park:
Mr.
Rambat stated that he had been busy running new water lines at the park east of
the Parrish Lofts. Mr. Rambat commented
that he had abandoned some newer lines due to changes in the parking lot, but he
was finished now.
·
Pool:
Mr.
Rambat commented that he had been working to get the pool ready. Mr. Rambat stated that there were issues with
the inside finish of the slide and he had talked to Mr. Adamm Deda about
stripping it down. Mr. Rambat added that
Mr. Deda was looking at options to do the project on site. Commissioner Skaggs asked if we were going to
have the same manager this year. Mr.
Rambat stated that we were and that last year was one of the best years as far
as the pool functioning. Mayor Kumberg
questioned if we had had any problems with the liner. Mr. Rambat stated that the concrete had aged
and failed in places, but it could be patched and painted. Mr. Rambat commented that the pool had been a
great babysitter since the late 1930’s; however, we needed to be looking down
the road as to what we want to do.
Inspection
Department:
·
Weed Letters:
Building
Inspector Blankenship stated that he had started sending out the weed
letters. Mr. Blankenship commented that
there were the habitual ones that know that the letters were coming. Mayor Kumberg asked what an estimate would be
of the percentage that comply. Mr.
Blankenship stated that we probably mow about 90% of them, but the rest get
mowed. Mayor Kumberg asked if we got
paid for the ones we were mowing. Mr.
Blankenship stated that we put a lien on the property if they did not pay, but
we do get paid for some. Commissioner
Taylor asked how many habitual ones we had.
Mr. Blankenship stated that it was around twelve, but the lawns were
costly to mow. Mr. Blankenship commented
that there were some that were able to mow, but refuse to do it. Commissioner Taylor commented that those were
probably the ones that live by someone who takes care of their lawn.
Electric Department:
·
New Banners:
Director
of Electric Utilities Huber commented that there were new banners on Main
Street and they looked nice. Mr. Huber stated
that the only problem had been that a couple of business owners did not want
the guys to take up a parking spot to change them out. Mr. Huber added that it only takes a couple
of minutes to change them. Recreation
Director Pinkall stated that we have four different banners that will be put up
at different times of the year.
Recreation
Department:
·
Good Tournament/Turf Discussion:
Commissioner
Meyer stated that there was a good tournament this past weekend and the Complex
was packed. Recreation Director Pinkall
stated that it was, except for the rain on Sunday. Mr. Pinkall commented that they hoped to have
most of the teams back this Saturday.
Commissioner Meyer questioned how many paid admissions there were. Mr. Pinkall explained that that would be
calculated with the gate revenues, so he did not have that yet. Mr. Pinkall stated that the teams took
responsibility for the umpires, score keepers and the trophies and we supplied
the venue and equipment. Mr. Pinkall
commented that that helps draw them to our facility for other tournaments. Mr. Pinkall stated that we had added the
fourteen year olds this year and most of them had been here before and liked
our facility.
Mr.
Pinkall informed the Commission that it was becoming competitive with Great
Bend, Wichita, Hays and Oklahoma all having nice facilities. Mr. Pinkall stated that it works well here
with the hotels having indoor rooms, pools and being close to the
ballfield. Commissioner Skaggs
questioned if we should be looking at something to enhance our facility. Mr. Pinkall stated that turf would be one
upgrade. Mr. Pinkall explained that
there were no dirt issues with turf and that was what the State was looking at
for softball. Mr. Pinkall pointed out
that there was turf on the field at Zerger Field. Commissioner Skaggs asked if you put turf on
the outfield also. Mr. Pinkall stated
that you could, but the infield would be the first choice. Mr. Pinkall commented that you would not have
to drag the infield or chalk the lines with turf.
Police Department:
·
Brain Train:
Police
Chief Meyers informed that Commission that he had been contacted by Pilot Club
President Kay Sewell about a Brain Train event on April 23rd. Chief Meyers stated that they had asked him
to contact emergency services and have them bring their equipment to the park
from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Chief Meyers
commented that he had been in contact with Fire Chief Kramer and he would have
a fire truck there and he had also contacted Chief Mark McManaman who would have
a fire truck and ambulance at the park.
Chief Meyers added that he was also sending a police vehicle. Commissioner Taylor questioned if they wanted
the park closed. Chief Meyers stated
that they did not. Mr. Pinkall commented
that this was a safety project for the Pilot Club and it was to benefit kids
with brain injuries.
Finance Department:
·
Audit:
Finance
Director Garten informed the Commission that the auditors would be here this
Wednesday and Thursday.
Mayor and Commission:
·
People’s Bank event:
Mayor
Kumberg commented that he had been talking with the People’s Bank concerning
the tribute to Mr. Jack Ewing. Mayor
Kumberg stated that they had a tentative date for an ice cream social on May 24th
and that would be the date that Centennial Park would be named in honor of Mr.
Ewing. Public Works Director Rambat
questioned if they were thinking of changing the name of Centennial Park to the
Jack Ewing Centennial Park or just Jack Ewing Park. Mayor Kumberg stated that he was thinking the
Jack Ewing Park. Mr. Rambat commented
that he would get with Park Superintendent Eckhoff and get a sign made.
·
City Manager search:
Commissioner
Skaggs asked what the next step was in search for a City Manager. City Attorney Van Blaricum stated that he
would get in contact with the League to get some pointers. Commissioner Taylor commented that we needed
to get a job description and a pay scale.
·
Disposal week:
Commissioner
Skaggs questioned if the special pick-ups for the clean-up week would be
determined on whether a person was physically unable to do it themselves or
whether they did not have the proper transportation. Commissioner Skaggs also asked who would make
that determination. Mr. Rambat stated
that it would probably be the staff up front who take the calls. Mr. Rambat commented that they had tried to
make the flyer brief and he knew that we would be doing some of it. Mr. Rambat stated that Mr. Pinkall would be
lining up some volunteers and have them do the special pick-ups and we would
pick up the pieces. Commissioner Skaggs
asked if Mr. Pinkall had some volunteers organized. Mr. Pinkall stated that he had some show
interest and he would get business and civic groups also. Mr. Pinkall explained that the college was
usually good about helping with projects, but that was finals week. Mr. Pinkall added that we would be focusing
on the elderly that were not able to physically do it themselves.
·
Stutzman’s location:
Commissioner
Meyer commented that the new location for Stutzman’s was working well.
·
Arby’s:
Commissioner
Meyer questioned where we were with Arby’s.
Building Inspector Blankenship stated that they had been asking for
permit prices and he had received one call from a general contractor. Mr. Blankenship commented that this was
routine for them.
·
Buster’s Saloon:
Commissioner
Skaggs commented that Buster’s Saloon had cleaned up that area a little
bit. Mayor Kumberg questioned if we had
an ordinance on banners or signs that were fixed. Mr. Blankenship stated that we have nothing
for banners; however, most signage were pole signs. Commissioner Skaggs stated that a banner was
better than a dirty plate glass window.
ADJOURN:
Commissioner
Hlavachick made a motion to adjourn. The
motion was seconded by Commissioner Skaggs and carried unanimously.
LUCUS KUMBERG, Mayor
LUANN
KRAMER, City Clerk