May 18, 2020 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the Lecompton City Council Meeting to order at 327 Elmore, Lecompton, KS. Council Members Tim McNish, Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer, Matt Roberts and Owen Mallonee were present at roll call. The following were also present: City Clerk Lynley Sanford and City Superintendent Rance Roberts. City council meeting was live streamed on Facebook. Residents or township members that attended the meeting included Greg Trendal. Residents or township members that commented included Allyson Christman,
Owen Mallonee motioned to approve the meeting minutes for the May 4, 2020. Mary Jane Hoffer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Matt Roberts motioned to approve the bills before the City Council. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Greg Trendel attending the meeting, Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought up the matter of the property cleanup at 339 Halderman. Mayor Wilkins discussed how the city was going to move forward with property cleanup by passing the prepared resolution to abate the yard nuisance violations first. Then the City will accept bids for remaining property cleanup in regards to hauling off vehicles, scrap metal, trash and miscellaneous items. Jimmy indicated he would like a motion to move forward with having the City attorney draw a second resolution to proceed with possible condemnation of the property and having the house and dilapidated accessory structures torn down.
Mary Jane Hoffer made a motion for bids to be obtained for clean up the remainder of the property after the yard nuisance is abated. Matt Roberts seconded the motion. Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Greg Trendel spoke to the council regarding the current situation with the property. Indicated that he contacted local realtor Denise Breason to broker/negotiate a short sale of the property, she may have a person interested. He has a 40 yard roll off that should be delivered by next weekend and starting with the front of the property, he is going to throw away and haul off any and everything. Greg said he would also be looking into the cost of someone to demolish the building. Mayor Wilkins asked if Greg would be willing to cooperate with the City in regards to having KDHE or Douglas County Zoning and Codes come in to inspect the house to see if the structure is inhabitable. Greg said he would be willing to cooperate.
Tim McNish motioned to approve moving forward with having the city attorney start on the process of working with KDHE cost sharing for handling the home, possible condemnation of the property. Matt Roberts seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Rance Roberts –
– No new updates –
Lynley Sanford –
– Monitoring cameras will be installed this week at the Lagoons.
– Natural waste dump-site signs have been installed, the surveillance signs have been ordered and awaiting pickup in Ottawa.
Old Business –
– The council discussed feedback from Tanya Hackathorn regarding her thoughts on how the City Council handled the aggressive dog encounter from the previous meeting. The Hustons have provided and met the requests from the City. One council member did ask if the rest of the fencing was secure enough to hold the dogs in, even though the gate/latch had been improved. At this time there is nothing more the City can do, we have no municipal court.
– Resolution 308 abating the yard conditions at 339 Halderman. The passing of this Resolution will allow the City to either hire or execute mowing and cleanup of the lawn at this premise. The cost of the nuisance abatement will be sent to the owner of the property. If it is not paid, it will assessed to the county tax rolls.
Tim McNish motioned to approve resolution 308 to abate yard conditions at 339 Halderman. Owen Mallonee seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 Nays.
– Council discussed reopening municipal buildings/offices – The City of Lecompton is following the guidelines set forth by the Governor of Kansas. At this time, the council chooses not to allow rentals of the community building until June 1st, because we cannot govern how many people will attend events held in the building. For rentals of the community building after June 1st, there will be an additional addendum to the rental agreement that indicates the event will follow the guidelines set forth by the Governor of Kansas, to not allow more than 30 people in attendance, to practice safe distancing and sanitation. The council decided to keep council meetings at the Lecompton City Hall and to live stream the June meetings on Facebook. The council also asked to check with Jeff that disease transmission could not be blamed on the City.
New Business –
– It was reported to the City that there were young kids riding go-karts on 7th and Whitfield streets not paying attention to traffic. Also riding through a neighbor’s yard after being asked not to by the neighbor. The primary concern was where they were entering the road way and that on coming traffic may not see them and could get hit by a car. A letter was drafted and sent to the parents before the council meeting. At this time the council has no further comment.
– The Territorial Day Committee is not participating in the flea market or yard sales as originally planned as Territorial Days has been cancelled due to COVID-19. There is still interest in having the flea market if the City is still interested in holding the city wide yard sales. Scott Clements suggested maybe the last weekend of June, 26th -28th. The City Council was open to that possibility and asked if the group interested in holding the flea market would be open to donating some of the proceeds to local service groups like the Lecompton food pantry, Lecompton Community Pride or the Lecompton Historical Society.
– Updates regarding Ike – State SLT highway improvements. There are at least 3 improvement options for the South Lawrence Traffic Way on the list, the Council should discuss and come to consensus on how they feel about toll lanes and the options that are being proposed. Will be on next agenda to discuss
8:08 PM – Owen Mallonee motioned to adjourn. Matt Roberts seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yays, 0 nays
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk