January 6, 2025 rescheduled to January 8, 2025 LECOMPTON CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
7:00 P.M. Mayor Jimmy Wilkins brought the Lecompton City Council Meeting to order at 333 Elmore St. Lecompton, KS. Council Members Troy Clark, Mary Jane Hoffer Stephanie Confer, Steve Freeman and Owen Mallonee were present at roll call. City Attorney Jeff Heiman, City Superintendent Ryan Davis, and City Clerk Lynley Sanford were also present. Residents or township members present included Elsie Middleton, Jack Oglesby, Norraine and Richard Wingfield, Paul Bahnmaier, Deb Powell, Jeff Goodrick, Roy Paslay, Sherilyn Driver, Penny Bahret, Rance and Sharron Roberts and Keith Noe.
Troy Clark motioned to approve the meeting minutes from December 16, 2024. Mary Jane Hoffer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Steve Freeman motioned to approve the bills before the council. Owen Mallonee seconded the motion
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays
Mayor Jimmy Wilkins spoke recognizing Rance Roberts years of service and recognized Rance’s official retirement presenting him with a gift from the City.
City Council members Mary J. Hoffer, Steve Freeman, and Stephanie Confer took and signed their Oaths of office for City Council Member.
Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to approve the LJ World as the City’s official newspaper. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Stephanie Confer motioned to keep City Attorney Jeff Heiman, Steve Freeman seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Steve Freeman motioned to keep City Clerk Lynley Sanford, Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Troy Clark motioned to approve Stephanie Confer as Council President. Steve Freeman seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Stephanie Confer motioned to approve the City Council MPO Representations as follows: Troy Clark –Streets; Mary Jane Hoffer –Trash; Steve Freeman-Water; Owen Mallonee- Waste water; Stephanie Confer-Parks. Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lecompton City Council discussed accepting the USD 343 School property at 640 E. Woodson Ave. Which includes the gymnasium, ball field and roughly 11 acres.
Mayor Wilkins shared his thoughts that the City should take the building and all the land and then look at what needs to happen with the gymnasium after ownership is obtained.
General consensus of the City Council is they support the acquisition of the building and property.
The mayor opened the meeting up to public comments.
Paul Bahnmaier stated that the Historical Society is preparing to make a 2 million dollar improvement for an addition to the museum, and would hate to have it offset by a dilapidated building.
And to have it noted in the minutes that the Lecompton Historical Society invested $10,000 in the mural on gymnasium, and the Historical Society stated that they also do not want the mural torn down.
It was asked what the laws are for the school district to get rid of the property? The answer was not known.
It was stated that the Grantville School was given to the city of Grantville and they could not find a way to make repairs or maintain it and it was torn down. Nobody needs the gym, the roof may fall in. If it takes 2-5 years to raise the funds to make repairs, the gymnasium will be in worse shape than it is right now. Is the building even legal, it doesn’t have handicap restrooms?
The Historical Society reached out to McPherson demolition of Grantville and were quoted that the demo would probably cost less than $50,000.00
Troy Clark motioned for the city to accept the property from the school district with the Historical Society portion excluded for the City to take owner-ship at the end of the school year. Stephanie Confer seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
The council asked the City Attorney Jeff Heiman work up a memorandum of understanding outlining the timing, how the transfer will occur, any cost sharing, etc…
Jeff Heiman – No updates for the City Council at this time.
Ryan Davis –
– Updates to City Council regarding snow removal and water plant.
– Ryan is signed up for a water training class on January 21st from 9a-4:30
– City Council considered sending Ryan to the annual KRWA conference in March.
Mary Jane Hoffer motioned to send Ryan, the city to cover expenses related to the conference including conference fee, hotel rental, fuel, and food. Troy Clark Seconded the motion
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley –
– Resolution 327 for 2025 GAAP waiver – Stephanie Confer motioned to approve Resolution 327. Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
New Business:
– Fence project overview for 214 Elmore was reviewed by the City Council.
– City of Perry superintendents to carry the right qualifications to assist as our wastewater operators. Superintendent Gene Dick will speak to his City Council to see if we can contract.
– Great job on snow removal with the large amount of snow we have had and a big Thank you to Owen and Brad Mallonee for helping.
Old Business
Reminders –
8:32pm – Stephanie Confer motioned to adjourn. Troy Clark seconded the motion.
Motion passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Lynley Sanford, City Clerk