August 19, 2024 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 Troy Clark, Mary Jane Hoffer, Stephanie Confer, Steve Freeman and Owen Mallonee were present at roll call. Council Members. City Clerk Lynley Sanford was also present. City Superintendent Rance Roberts was absent. Residents or township members present included Sharon Bunce, Norraine and Richard Wingfield, Pam McDermott, Vickie Clark, Elsie Middleton, Jennifer Smith and Cale Roberts.
Steve Freeman motioned to approve the meeting minutes from August 5th, 2024. Owen Mallonee seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to approve the meeting minutes from the special meeting on August 14th, 2024. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Troy Clark motioned to approve the bills before the council. Steve Freeman seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Pam McDermott introduced herself to the City Council, she is running for District 3 County Commissioner. She plans to address increased property taxes; assessments and valuations.
Sharon Bunce spoke to the City Council regarding the poor quality of the grass seed that was used on the sidewalk project. The seed isn’t sprouting after being watered and there seems to be a lot of weeds growing as opposed to grass.
Jennifer Smith approached the council about using the Community building for Cub Scout den ice cream social on Sunday August 25th, they will hold the event out on the pavilion but would like to have access to the community building bathrooms. General consensus of the council is yes, the Cub Scout den can use the building.
Vickie Clark approached the council on behalf of Lecompton Territorial Day to request a donation for the event and to ask permission to use the City Hall Council room for storage during the event.
Last year the City donated $1500.00 for the event
Stephanie Confer motioned to approve a donation for Lecompton Territorial Day in the amount of $1500.00 and permission to use city hall council chambers for storage during the event.
Owen Mallonee seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Elsie Middleton expressed concern to the council over certain yard conditions in town with grass/weed height being over the 12” limit. Especially at the North end of Elmore Street.
Nuisance weed/grass letters were sent earlier today.
Rance Roberts – Absent
– Updates provided on Rance’s behalf: repairs being made on the well pumps by Alexander pump. A new motor for one of the wells was ordered to replace it while we have it out due to the motor’s age and condition.
– While Rance is out, we will need some help reading meters and marking utilities.
Lynley –
– Will be replacing red decorative brick and white decorative rock at 324 Elmore Luis Perez. The material being replaced was removed during the remediation of the fuel tanks. Consensus of the council was to pick up what was necessary to replace what was removed.
– Weed and Grass nuisance letters have been sent to Brazee Lilly Holdings for the 5th street property; Micah Stegall property on Elmore St, and Stauffer property on North Elmore St.
Old Business updates –
– Sidewalk updates: construction is scheduled to be completed on August 6th. After construction is completed, there will be a walk through and then 30 days to meet the items on the “punch list”
– USD 343 and Sidewalk closure concerns: Mayor Wilkins spoke with PLES Principal Mark Lamb. Currently the sidewalk is closed due to the construction project and is initially planned to be closed for 8 months. Sidewalk would re-open after major construction phase is completed.
Mayor Wilkins plans to meet with the superintendent of the school, Principal Lamb and the construction manager on Wednesday at 8am.
New Business
– City Council did a pre –review of the budget for any changes they would like to see before the Revenue Neutral Rate and Budget Hearing on Tuesday September 3rd. RNR and Budget hearing notice will publish on 8/20/2024.
– Resolution 324 was presented to the city council for approval to adopt the Douglas County Emergency Operations Plan.
Owen Mallonee motioned to approve the adoption of Resolution 324, Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
– New A/C for Pride building 3rd floor gods closet, Jimmy Wilkins will make calls and have it replaced.
– Owls nest window unit, need to get measurements and then get one picked up.
– Pot hole complaints on Jones street came in, Rance just filled and repaired those on Friday 8/16
– Gary Miller tree adjacent to alley is leaning over far enough causing the driving surface of the alley to heave. The city council asked that a letter be sent to Gary asking him to take the tree down within the next 30 days. If it is not removed, then the city will have it taken down and have him billed. Once tree is down, the alley will be repaired.
– City Council reviewed current utility rates for water. Sewer rates were off. Looking at rate increases in the near future.
– KWO grant – discussed opportunity for funding and what repairs will be made at the waterplant. General consensus of the City Council is to proceed with applying for the grant.
8:16pm – Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to adjourn. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk