November 05, 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 Tim McNish, Mary Jane Hoffer, Jimmy Wilkins, Susie Hackathorn and Elsie Middleton were present. The following were also present: City Clerk Lynley Sanford, City Superintendent Justin VanWinkle, City Attorney Lee Hendricks; residents or township citizens: Lori Wilkins, Jeff Neavitt, Lana Keever, Ascentia representative, Bill Smith, Troy Clark, Cyndi Treaster, and Andrew Liba.
Jimmy Wilkins motioned to approve the October 15, 2012 City Council Meeting Minutes. Tim McNish seconded the motion.
Vote carried 5 yays, 0 nays
Tim McNish motioned to approve the bills before the council. Jimmy Wilkins seconded the motion.
Vote carried 5 yays, 0 nays
Jeff Neavitt @ 301 Elmore – had a water leak in the amount of 55,700 gal. Jeff came before the City Council to request a reduction of charges and to make a payment plan.
7:10pm – Susie Hackathorn motioned to go into executive session for attorney client privilege for 3 minutes. Tim McNish seconded the motion. Vote carried 5 yays, 0 nays.
7:13pm – City Council returned from Executive session. Review of Ordinance #806 regarding reduction of charges for residents when a water line break occurs, discussion of amount of reduction and upfront payment was discussed – Jeff Neavitt stated he could pay $120 up front today.
Jimmy Wilkins motioned to reduce the water bill for Jeff Neavitt by $227.00, reducing his amount due to $497.80. Jeff will pay $120.00 at tonight’s meeting, and the remaining balance will be repaid within four months. Tim McNish seconded the motion. Vote carries 5 yay, 0 nays.
Andrew Liba – Complaint about neighbor at 530 E. 7th Street – provided a copy of a letter he sent to the Lawrence Housing Authority regarding his neighbor, addressing violations he has witnessed that would possibly disqualify them for HUD housing assistance. Mr. Liba approached the City Council asking for help with the situation. Primary concerns include: Too many people living in the house, drugs, violence and issues with dogs. Mr. Liba requested that it be noted on record that he is pursuing action against his neighbors at 530 E. 7th St. at least through HUD housing.
City Attorney Lee Hendricks will review the information provided by Mr. Liba and see if there are any circumstances that the City may need to be concerned about.
Troy Clark – approached the City Council regarding the drainage tube at 422 Boone St. His request was the City extend the drainage tube, fill to support the extension of the tube, and cover/fill the with dirt the newly extended area.
The tubes were put in by John Chaney who was the contractor of the original project. The City superintendent reviewed with the council under what circumstances the tubes were ran. Questions about the City obtaining an easement, the tubes not being ran in the direction originally discussed, who’s responsibility and who’s property it is on, liability for repairs and what if someone gets hurt in the process. The City Council decided to readdress the situation at the November 19th council meeting.
Troy Clark also asked about building permits for a fence. The lending agency would like him to build a fence along the bank of the creek as a safety precaution. Council said no building permit was necessary, but they still would like to see a drawing of the area the fence will go, and that can be provided to the City Clerk.
Lana Keever with Mobile Lodge Community and a representative from Ascentia protested meter readings from August and asked for reimbursement of payment. The meter reading they are protesting is from the South Meter, the usage amount being protested is 131,600. The City Council suggested the meter be tested before approving or denying reimbursement of water utility payment. The City will have more investigating done and then get back with Lana.
Cyndi Treaster – PRIDE update:
– Haunted house went well – $822.32 in donations after reimbursing the City for Insurance Coverage
– Working on the DCCF Grant – Cyndi gave each member of the council a copy of the grant draft.
– Work day Sat 11/10/12 to put up Christmas lights and decorate the park and H/S building.
– 12/01/12 – Play and holiday celebration – turn on lights at the park
– 1st floor rooms are ready for floor coverings
– Looking at doing an open house in February
– 1st part of December, hope to have a compiled list of all the work that has been completed.
– Boiler has been started up as of this evening. A check valve may be sticking – Jimmy is getting parts
City Council discussed water rates and reviewed information from KRWA and a water rate comparison chart as prepared by the City Clerk. Any Price increase will be reflected on the February 1st 2013 billing.
Jimmy Wilkins motioned an increase to the monthly minimum water utility charge to $39.40 which includes up to 2000 gal of water usage. The price per 1000 gal will remain at the current rate of $12.34, this is to go into effect for the January 20th reading or February billing. Elsie Middleton seconds the motion.
Vote carries 5 yays, 0 nays
Lee Hendricks will help with the wording on the ordinance # 811
Council woman Susie Hackathorn left at 9:15pm
Lee Hendricks –
– Reiterated the importance of making sure the reimbursement check for the water meter is returned to Mid America Bank since they issued the check originally and that it is not returned to the contractor after subtracting the cost of the meter installation and
Justin –
– Planned training on 11/13 and 11/14
– Planned vacation November 17th, 18th, 19th and December 15th-Jan 1st barring no snow occurs or water leaks or emergencies.
– Plans on putting up pole decorations between 11/26-11/29
– Part Time Help Cody Nichols will be covering for Justin
– Salt/Sand purchasing – Justin to look at getting some quotes from the county
– Reviewed bids regarding sand/salt pit roof/covering
Tim McNish motioned to go with QSI proposal for a roof for the salt/sand pit in the amount of $7600.00. Jimmy Wilkins seconded the motion. Vote carries 4 yays, 0 nays
Lynley Sanford –
– Price increase for Environmental Labs for State required water testing
– Building permit #12-211 – notification that Mayor did approve it out of session
Old Business-
New Business –
– Building Permit # 12-212 – Roy Paslay building a shed/storage/shop. Tim McNish motioned to approve the building permit. Mary Jane Hoffer seconded the motion. Vote carries 4 yays, 0 nays.
– Mary Jane Hoffer – commented that the Community Building was looking pretty well up kept but had a few suggestions. There is one bad folding chair, the window sills could use a good dusting, recheck chairs for City of Lecompton markings, she noticed that some chairs didn’t have anything on the bottom, and to leave out the large dust mop to make sweeping up at the end of the rental day easier for the renters.
– Reviewed letter Mayor Mark L. Tunstall sent to 3rd district Commissioner Jim Flory
9:45PM – Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to adjourn, Elsie Middleton seconds the motion. Vote carries 4 yays. 0 nays
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk