City Council

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS 6:00 O’CLOCK P.M. August 2, 2011 HELD AT THE PAOLA FIRE STATION 202 E Wea Street in Paola The Governing Body of the City of Paola, Kansas, met with Mayor Stuteville presiding. Councilmembers present: Mayor Stuteville and Council Members Pritchard, Wilhoite, House, and Minden. Council Members absent: None. Also present: City Manager Wieland, City Clerk Droste, Public Works Director Browning, Police Chief Smail, Human Resources Director Belt, Police Officer Brown, Peg Wieland, and Brian McCauley from the Miami County Republic. Agenda Item 1 - CALL TO ORDER: The regular council meeting was called to order by Mayor Stuteville. Agenda Item 2 - ROLL CALL: Mayor Stuteville and Council Members Pritchard, Wilhoite, House, and Minden were all present. No one was absent. Agenda Item 3 - PETITIONS, REMONSTRANCES, AND COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Stuteville asked the audience if anyone desired to address the Council about any issue that is not an agenda item. No one addressed the Council. Agenda Item 4 - REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES Agenda Item 4a - Presentation and discussion about the Employee Tobacco Cessation Program. Human Resources Director Belt presented proposed changes to the Employee Tobacco Cessation Program. Changes to the plan include: • The addition of other methods, besides medications, that would be reimbursed when prescribed by a physician. • The inclusion of an employee’s spouse for participation in the program. The employee’s spouse would be responsible for 100% of the cost of the prescribed prescription or other method; however the spouse would receive any discounted pricing that may be arranged by the City. Paola City Council Minutes – August 2, 2011 Page 1  • Reimbursement to the City for failing to complete the program was deleted. In addition, it was proposed that the percentage of City paid benefits for eligible active employees be amended to read as follows: “The City of Paola shall pay 58% of the monthly premiums for group health insurance for all eligible active employees; and, as a reward, the City of Paola shall pay an additional 20% (78% total) of the monthly premiums for group health insurance for all eligible active employees who are not users of tobacco products, effective September 1, 2011.” The changes were discussed by the Council. Agenda Item 5b - Consider a Resolution adopting a tobacco cessation policy for city employees. Councilmember Pritchard made a motion to approve A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESOLUTION NO 2011-007 AND ADOPTING AN AMENDED TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM FOR CITY OF PAOLA EMPLOYEES. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Wilhoite and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0 and the Resolution was assigned number 2011-009. Agenda Item 4c – Consider a Resolution amending the percentage of City paid benefits for eligible employees. Councilmember Minden made a motion to approve A RESOLUTION REPEALING RESLOUTION NO 2011-008 AND AMENDING THE PERCENTAGE OF CITY PAID BENEFITS FOR ELIGIBLE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2011. The motion was seconded by Councilmember House and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0 and the Resolution was assigned number 2011-010. Agenda Item 4d - Update and discussion on Community-based Pedestrian/Biking Trails. Mrs. Peg Wieland presented a 7 minute photo story entitled “Connecting the Spots” which promotes the construction of a community-based pedestrian/biking trail in Paola. The proposed trail would connect Wallace Park with other “spots” in town such as the schools and Lake Miola. After the presentation of the photo story, Mrs. Wieland indicated that this type of presentation could be used to promote the trail to community groups. She is working on the project as part of her “capstone project” as a student at Emporia State University. The City Council discussed the potential project and thanked Mrs. Wieland for all of her hard work. Agenda Item 4e - Presentation regarding Police Department Public Relations Initiative. Paola City Council Minutes – August 2, 2011 Page 2 Police Chief Smail introduced Police Officer Mike Brown as the Police Department’s new Public Relations/Crime Prevention Officer. Officer Brown stated that it was the goal of the Department to make Paola the safest place in America. One of the ways that this is accomplished is trust and interaction between Police Officers and the public. Officer Brown explained a program that will be introduced at the 2011 Roots Festival. Youth attending the festival who are 14 and under will be given a card to participate in a drawing to win one of two bicycles. In order to enter the drawing, the participants must get the signatures of each of the 10 Police Officers who are working at the Roots Festival. The 10th Officer who signs the card will place the card into the container where winners will be drawn from. The goal of the program is to have the youth get to know the Police Officers so that they will feel more comfortable interacting with them. Gift certificates for the bicycles were donated by Walmart and the Cycle City Bike and Running Company. Chief Smail added that the Department is also planning a public safety fair at the Police Station. The fair could include child fingerprinting, safety information, and tours of the facilities and vehicles. The event could also include food and promotional materials that would be given to participants. Other programs that are being discussed include foot patrols in the downtown business area, working with apartment complex managers regarding tenant safety, security inspections for homes, and other programs. Chief Smail reported that there were 50 participants at the women’s defense training that was held on August 1st. He reported that the participants were very complimentary about the program. Agenda Item 6 – NEW BUSINESS No new business was discussed. Agenda Item 7 – ADJOURNMENT. With no additional business to come before the Council, Councilmember Pritchard made a motion to adjourn. Councilmember Wilhoite seconded the motion and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. _________________________________ Artie Stuteville, Mayor ATTEST: (seal) ______________________________ Daniel G. Droste, City Clerk Paola City Council Minutes – August 2, 2011 Page 3