January 3, 2012 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 P.M. Mayor Mark L. Tunstall brought the Lecompton City Council Meeting to order at 327 Elmore, Lecompton, KS. Council Members Jimmy Wilkins, Tim McNish, Elsie Middleton, Christy Mallonee, and Jennifer Smith were present. The following were also present: City Clerk Lynley Sanford, City Superintendent Justin Van Winkle, City Attorney Lee Hendricks; residents Lori Wilkins, Bill Roberts, Vicki Bahnmaier, Gary Kroeger, and John Hackathorn
Tim McNish motioned to approve the December 19, 2011 meeting minutes. Christy Mallonee seconded the motion. Vote carried 5 yays 0 nays
Christy Mallonee made a motion to approve the bills before them. Jennifer Smith seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Public Comment:
Gary Kroeger – Presented concern about Herman Morris’s property to the East of his apartment complex. Rodents (Rats) and other undesirable wildlife have been spotted coming into and out of the brush pile and wood shed on the property. It was reported that waste droppings have been found on the deck of the apartment complex not belonging to any pets of the residents living there.
– July 18th 2011 the Lecompton City Council passed a resolution for Herman Morris that if he did not within satisfaction of the City clean up his property and remove the brush piles etc…that the city would contract out someone to do the job. Jen Smith made a motion for Lee Hendricks to send a letter stating if the property is not cleaned up after January 17, 2012 the city will take matters into their own hands by contacting a contractor to come in and cleanup. Elsie Middleton seconded the motion. Vote passed 5yays, 0 nays
William (Bill) Roberts – Discussion of Bill Roberts property at 405 East Woodson, Lecompton in regards to the shed structure deemed hazardous. Bill presented on his behalf stating he has had an electrician, roofer and many people out working on the home. He has no intention of letting the home decay any further, in fact he is making every effort to save the home and bring it back to what it was, in such a way that the home will still be standing 100 years from today. He further stated that the shed structure has been braced and supported and is as safe as the building can be. His intentions are to rebuild the structure after removing some of the contents namely an antique carriage. There are other portions of the structure he plans to save and or reuse in the rebuilding of the shed structure. In discussion – other properties in Lecompton were brought up by Vicki Bahnmaier or Bill Roberts, including the property of Allen Jack at 339 Halderman stating they have seen rats running around there and the place looks horrible and it is so full of junk in the front and back yard that the City is discriminating against Bill Roberts because they have not taken corrective action against Allen Jack. City Attorney Lee Hendricks spoke presenting the three (3) separate violations (1) Vehicles which the City is currently satisfied with the outcome. (2) Roof of the house with the large whole, which currently the City is not as concerned but monitoring (3) Shed structure that is falling apart with a collapsed roof, the subject of which is being addressed on this evening. Please note – in a most recent letter dated November 22nd 2011 the letter had given 45 days to Mr. Bill Roberts to either rebuild, tear down or repair the shed structure. At this time we are two (2) days short of being at that 45 days. So, during tonight’s meeting we can discuss the structure, what needs to be done with the structure and what actions will be taken granted the City does not find the structure in a satisfactorily condition, but cannot pass a motion until the next city council meeting on January 17th 2011.
Lee Hendricks:
– Elevator Contract review – after Lee’s review he does not believe we are under contract with Thyssen Krupp, additionally he does not like the terms of the contract Thyssen Krupp sent to us because of the binding (5 year term) of the contract.
o Jen Smith has a contract available for review with Interstate Elevator out of Topeka, who would like to annually inspect and repair our elevator
o Jimmy Wilkins is familiar with Dynatron – A company that is contracted for all of City of Lawrence elevators, Jimmy plans to contact and see if they have a deal or short term contract that we could enter into.
– Bill Roberts – See discussion above
– Old H/S landlord/tenant suggestions – Lee likes the option of one (1) person taking the whole of the responsibility of the building. If the City were to enter a landlord arrangement with a tenant in the building it leaves room for liability issues and property repair obligations.
Some discussion occurred about the most current person Roger Guillory’s interest in the building. Concern was expressed about the New Covenant program not being able to generate enough funds to care for the expenses of the entire building. If the City were to assist by subsidizing/helping the program that involves other communities and isn’t especially focused on ours, what would the City gain from that? What could the City lose from that? Concern regarding the nature of the young boys/girls attending the afterschool program, in regards to potential vandalism and theft of residential and city property similar to circumstances with the “troubled” kids that attended John Dewey Learning Academy.
John Hackathorn – Brought to the council a request to repay his home owners insurance deductible ($1000) or go Two (2) years without paying a water bill. The incident that occurred for which he is asking repayment for was on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, John Hackathorn stated a surge of water blew the float system in his toilet tank and busted the tank and tank lid leaking the 3 gal. of water from the tank then allowing continuous flow of water to spill from the toilet supply line. It was a few hours before it was discovered that something had happened. In that amount of time water damage had occurred to the basement ceiling, surround sound and big screen T.V, mounted deer head, and carpeting in his basement and bathroom.
State Farm insurance sent the stool in to have it examined, to see if there was a problem with the stool. John believes that there was a surge of water pressure from the new water treatment plant that has caused this. John believes this because of the issues other residents have had with their hot water heaters. The superintendent was sent to John’s house to test water pressure with the pressure regulating valve and it tested as working properly at 70 pounds of pressure. John requested that the pressure be turned down, so pressure was reduced to 65 pounds.
Further discussion incurred – the majority of the council members agreed, it was impossible to define at this point in time that it was the fault of the City or City equipment. At this time the council has decided not to take any action.
Jennifer Smith – made a motion to add Martin Luther King Day as a City recognized holiday. Tim McNish seconded the motion. Vote passed 3 Yay’s 2 Nay’s motion carried.
Justin:
– Announced approval to overlay 7th street
Lynley:
– Toshiba copier – offer of new lease agreement and buy out of old lease with DPI
– Senator Moran’s district representative and their interest in the issue with the Postal Services.
Old Busniess:
New Business:
Council members file for re-election: Christy Mallonee, Jimmy Wilkins and Jennifer Smith
7:35 PM Jimmy made a motion to adjourn. Elsie seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk