July 5, 2011 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 Jimmy Wilkins, Tim McNish, Elsie Middleton, Christy Mallonee, and Jennifer Smith were present. The following were also present: City Clerk Sandy Nichols, City Superintendent Justin Van Winkle; City Attorney Lee Hendricks; residents Lori Wilkins, Myrtle Pfeffer, Troy Pfeffer, and Jack Oglesby; guests Collin Bielser, and Paul Bahnmaier.
Tim McNish made a motion to approve the June 20, 2011 Minutes. Christy Mallonee seconded the motion and the vote passed 4 yeas, 0 nays, 1 abstention. Jimmy Wilkins made a motion to approve the June 27, 2011 Special Meeting minutes. Elsie Middleton seconded the motion and the vote passed 3 yeas, 0 nays.
After discussion Jimmy made a motion to approve the bills before them. Tim seconded the motion and the fore passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Colin Biesler presented information regarding the Economic Development Group between Eudora, Baldwin, and Lecompton. Mayor Tunstall appointed Jimmy to represent the City of Lecompton Council in the Economic Development Group. Jennifer made a motion to approve Mayor Tunstall’s appoint for Jimmy to represent the City of Lecompton Council on the Economic Development Group. Elsie seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays. Jennifer will ask Brett Sanford if he would represent the Lecompton Community on the Economic Development Group.
Myrtle & Troy Pfeffer were present to discuss a letter received regarding city code violations. It was noted a camper along the alley has a broken window. The owner/resident was requested to board up the broken window. There is still concern regarding items on the north side of the house that have a tarp over them. Troy explained he has spare tires and a 3 wheeler under the tarp. Ms. Pfeffer stated no one is living in the camper and would not be living in the camper. A question was asked about what appeared to be a propane tank by the camper. Troy said there was no propane tank there. The council was invited to inspect the trailer any time. It was noted to Ms. Pfeffer that it would be a code violation for anyone to be living in the camper. Ms. Pfeffer explained the camper belonged to a student living with her until he graduates from school and he then will move the camper. There is one vehicle that is not tagged. Ms. Pfeffer has insurance on the vehicle and it will be tagged next month. The City Attorney explained if in the future this year there is a code violation the city can proceed to pass a resolution for the city to clean up and charge the property owner the expenses or apply to the county tax roll. Ms. Pfeffer would be notified and could request a public hearing if this were to happen. Ms. Pfeffer said the yard would remain cleaned.
507 Boone Street: Ms. Ballard was not present at the meeting. There is concern about the large amount of traffic at this residential location. There are still at least two pool tables in the yard. There is concern that camper is being lived in. Elsie made a motion to have the city attorney to draft a resolution for the July 18th meeting. The resolution will permit the city to proceed clean up if necessary to place this property within the city codes. Jennifer seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Chaney property on Boone Street has been mowed. This property should be monitored to stay within the city codes.
530 E. 7th: There has been no response from the renter, Vickie Wells, or owner, Nicole Sawyer, regarding the code violation letters. The city attorney finds this property to be within the city codes.
405 E. Woodson, Bill Roberts: Mr. Roberts has been in contact with Mr. Hendricks. Five vehicles without current tags remain on the property. Christy made a motion for a resolution to be presented at the July 18th meeting for the city to proceed with clean up if necessary. Jennifer seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
(OVER)
339 Halderman, Allen Jack property: there has been no response to the code violation letter sent. There is still concern regarding a broken hot tub and trailer with “stuff” in it. Elsie made a motion for a resolution to be presented at the July 18th meeting for the city to proceed with clean up if necessary. Christy seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
410 E Woodson, Janes property: a cycle frame remains from a year ago and now has weeds growing around it. The City Attorney will send a follow up letter.
Council Members are to check city code violations on property located at 310 Isacks owned by Jeff Goodrick.
Jack Oglesby asked if the city has any plans to get business in town to help share costs. The council explained Mr. Biesler’s team would try to assist with this.
A Greg Brownlee with Solomon Holmes was present to request a building permit for Jeffery Herschel. After review of the application, Tim made a motion to approve building permit #198 for a new home. Jennifer seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
7:50 PM Tim made a motion to go into executive session for ten minutes to discuss attorney client privileges regarding real estate. Jennifer seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays. City staff was invited to attend the executive session. 8:00 PM regular session resumed. Mark and Lee will attend the Lecompton Township meeting. Jennifer expressed concerns about the city taking position of the Keystone building; building being idol, vandalism, and upkeep costs. Keystone Director suggested an insurance check be given to the city for the roof to be repaired from weather damage. Jennifer made a motion for Keystone to repair the roof prior to the transfer of the building. Elsie seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Paul Bahnmaier presented information regarding the possibility of the Lecompton Post Office closing. Mr. Bahnmaier has sent information to legislators and others. He has spoken with Denis Yoder with USD 343, an officer with First State Bank, and Hank Booth/Lawrence Chamber. I would cost $1,000 to put a ¼ page letter regarding the closing of the post office in the newspaper. After discussion it was recommended a letter the city wrote regarding the closing of the post office be posted at the post office, City Hall, Big Springs and Stull.
Justin: resident that was to pay remainder of extended utility bill on Thursday June 30th had not paid Tues July 5th. The utility was shut off Tuesday July 5th AM. Justin had a meeting and trip to town and water had not been turned on at time of the council meeting. Council recommended not turning the water on after hours and to turn the water on first thing Wednesday July 6th.
Justin reported owner of property located at 227 Elmore, Dorothy Hetzel, has concern about tubes in her driveway not being sufficient for rains. After discussion the council recommended Justin put some riprap along the area to see if that would help.
Parsonage pit is okay.
Electrician and GFCIs for Territorial Poles: After discussion the council agreed they would pay for the expense of the GFCIs.
Justin shared information regarding trucks and graders available at Federal Surplus. Jennifer asked Tim if he would have time he could look at the grader. Tim stated he would look at the grader. There was discussion regarding work that might need to be done on the brakes. Justin stated if there was not much to be done on the brakes the price would be $19,000 otherwise the grader would be $20,000. Jennifer made a motion that after Tim had looked at the grader and if he believed it would be a good item to purchase, recommends purchasing the grader. Christy seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Justin recommended council drive down Clark Street to check on work that had been done.
There was discussion regarding a ditch west of Isacks and 5th Street on the north. The council recommended putting riprap west of 5th and Isacks and north of 5th and Isacks.
Brian Kingsley from BG Consultants was out and went over plans for Whitfield work with Justin. Mr. Kingsley is ready to put bid information out. Jennifer made a motion for Mr. Kingsley to proceed with bid information for the Whitfield CDBG Grant project. Jimmy seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
RD Johnson submitted a bid of $4300 for work at the old water plant, filling the basin, and grading work. Christy made a motion to have RD Johnson to fill in the basin and do grading work at the old water plant. Tim seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Communications: It was noted that Craig Weinaug, Douglas County Administrator, will ask Douglas County Attorney, Evan Ice, to check on procedures necessary to close a post office at the county’s expense.
Mark will attend the July 7, 2011 Jefferson/Douglas County Solid Waste Management Community meeting at the Lawrence Solid waste management building in north Lawrence.
Donna Crawford wanted to let the council know CDBG is waiting for HUD to sign contract and then they will be ready to start the street grant.
It was noted Friends or Sobriety had left $25.00 for use of the Community Building when there was no charge to them.
Pinnacle Security: no action was taken at this time.
Sandy: There was no input at this time regarding the building ad or clerk position. Application will be taken through August and interviews starting in September.
Christy shared a resident had complained about the foxes being in her yard and that the foxes needed to be gotten rid of. Christy recommended she attend the council meeting.
9:15 Jimmy made a motion to adjourn. Jennifer seconded the motion and the vote passed 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Sandy Nichols, City Clerk