June 19, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes

June 19, 2023 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

7:00 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the Lecompton City Council Meeting to order at 327 Elmore St. Lecompton, KS. Council Members Tim McNish, Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer and Owen Mallonee were present at roll call. Council member Steve Freeman was absent. City Superintendent Rance Roberts and City Clerk Lynley Sanford were also present. The following residents or township members present included: Susan Wood, Belinda Janes, Sharon Bunce, Dave & Diane Swisher and Elsie Middleton.

Stephanie Confer motioned to approve minutes from May 15th, 2023. Tim McNish seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.

Owen Mallonee motioned to approve the bills. Tim McNish seconded the motion. There was a question regarding employee overtime.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.

Sidewalk easement updates:
– David and Diane Swisher were present to talk to the council about the additional terms for the sidewalk easement. They requested a picket type fence between their home and the sidewalk as near the sidewalk as possible on the south side of their property and for the sidewalk to be as far south as possible.
Owen Mallonee motioned to accept the additional Eleanor Lohmann requested for the sidewalk easement. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.
– Eleanor Lohmann reviewed the additional terms letter she requested from the City and agreed to sign the easement with the new terms. She will come in the next week to have paperwork notarized.
– Sharon Bunce informed the council that Preferred lawn service would be sending an estimate for moving the plants

Nuisance property updates:
– Jeff Morris property at 405 E Woodson ave – The roof has been repaired as promised. The City Council is interested to know that the next improvements steps will be to shore up the property. Council thoughts are the broken windows need boarded up and home needs painted. General consensus of the city council is it is okay for Mayor Wilkins to reach out to Jeff and Tammy Morris for an updated plan for additional cleanup steps.

Public Comment:
– Belinda Janes spoke with city council in regards to concerns over the Bald Eagle Landing owned by Kathy Paslay installing a port-a-potty in the S.E. corner of the landing property. Concern was concern with environmental code and smell related to that type of restroom, especially so close to the winery rear patio.
Council discussed other concerns regarding electrical supplied to the tiny shops at the landing. Mayor Wilkins offered to contact Kathy Paslay and invite her to a council meeting to discuss concerns.
– It was brought to the City’s attention that Michial Coffman appears to be living in a camper on the property he formerly owned at 645 E. Second St. He has been seen coming and going, but seems to stay overnight more frequently, and running a generator. City Council requested a letter notifying the property owner David Dibble and a notice be posted on the camper that living in the camper is a zoning code violation and not allowed. Additionally no water or sewer connections is a city code violation.

Rance Roberts
– Water loss issues, still working to find where we may be losing water. Believe it is still near the corner of 7th and Jones. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins and Councilmembers Tim McNish & Owen Mallonee stated they will be available Friday to assist with digging.

Lynley Sanford
– 2024 Budget – Revenue Neutral Rate – does the city have intentions of exceeding the RNR rate? We will set budget hearing and RNR hearing at a future meeting.
Mary Jane Hoffer motioned that the City of Lecompton intends to exceed the revenue neutral rate for the 2024 budget. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays.
– Planning Commission meeting was set up for June 14th. There was not a quorum so the Planning Commission did not meet, there are no updates.

New Business
– Appointment to the Douglas County Emergency Management Board – We were not able to find a representative to stand in for the City of Lecompton. At this time we will leave the position vacant and the Mayor can appoint someone at a later time when we find someone to fulfill the position.
– City truck snow plow & dump bed discussion. We need the bed and snow plow at least. Council member Tim McNish will help with getting bids on this.
– Side by side for sidewalk maintenance and for water meter readings. Council would like to table for now, and come back to at the next meeting.
– Mayor Wilkins discussed with the City Council the Independence Day holiday with the 4th being on a Tuesday. After discussing – Mayor Wilkins declared Monday July 3rd 2023 to be recognized as part of the 4th of July weekend. Next City Council meeting will be Wednesday July 5th.

Old Business
– Update on street repairs on Jones/Seventh Street. No current updates – asphalt pot-hole repairs and chip n’seal will be happening sometime in July.
– Thoughts on Website proposal from Jennifer Smith. Council tabled it for now, would like next agenda.
– Codification bids – City Council requested that the bids for codification be emailed to them and will discuss at next council meeting.
– Council member Tim McNish wanted to make sure a letter was sent to Mark Sharon regarding concerns over living in a motor-coach on his property.

8:16 PM – Stephanie Confer motioned to adjourn. Mary Jane Hoffer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 4 yeas, 0 nays

Lynley Sanford, City Clerk