City Council

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS 6:00 O’CLOCK P.M. June 25, 2013 HELD AT THE PAOLA JUSTICE CENTER 805 North Pearl Street in Paola The Governing Body of the City of Paola, Kansas, met with Mayor Stuteville presiding. Council Members present: Mayor Artie Stuteville and Council Members Jim Pritchard, Gee Gee Wilhoite, Leigh House, and Aaron Nickelson. Council Members absent: None. Also present: City Manager Jay Wieland, City Clerk Dan Droste, City Attorney Lee Tetwiler, Public Works Director Craig Browning, Police Chief Dave Smail, City Planner Mike Gotfredson, Mark Fuchs, Jan Putzier, Laura Smith, Greg Smith, Greg Knedlik, Beth Knedlik, Don Gifford, Belle Gifford, Jimmie Williams, Bonnie Meeks, and Dylan Lysen with 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 Nickelson were 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. Mr. Greg Knedlik addressed the Council regarding tall weeds on vacant lots in Rockwood Estates. He also indicated that snow removal during this past winter was unacceptable. Mr. Knedlik indicated that he was speaking on behalf of the residents and wanted to communicate that they believed that the City was neglecting the neighborhood and should be provide better services. Mr. Greg Smith also addressed the Council in regard to these issues. The concerns of the residents were discussed at length with City Manager Wieland, City Planner Gotfredson, and Public Works Director Browning responding to the issues. At the conclusion of the discussion Mayor Stuteville and Council Member Pritchard thanked the residents for coming to the meeting and for presenting their concerns in a respectful manner. Agenda Item 4 - CONSENT AGENDA: a. Approval of minutes of the meeting of June 11, 2013. Paola City Council Minutes – June 25, 2013 Page 1 b. Approval of Salary Ordinance 13-12. c. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance No 754. d. Approval of the renewal of a Drinking Establishment License for Beethoven’s #9 Restaurant. After a discussion, Council Member Wilhoite made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and authorize the Mayor to sign. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pritchard and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Agenda Item 5 - REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES: Agenda Item 5a – Report from the Paola Pathways Task Force. Mr. Mark Fuchs with the Paola Pathways Task Force reported that the committee has been able to raise awareness to promote the construction of the first phase of the trail. He reported that their efforts have raised over $30,000 in cash with an additional $18,000 in pledges and just last week they were notified that they will be receiving a Sunflower Grant in the amount of $24,000. A groundbreaking ceremony is planned for September 13th at Wallace Park and the trail in the park should be completed by the end of this year. The Task Force is planning a Dinner Theater fund raising event on October 5th. Mr. Fuchs also reported that planning will begin on Phase II of the project which will include a trail around Lake Miola. Agenda Item 5b – Consider an application for a new Drinking Establishment License for Casa Grande, LLC doing business as Casa Grande Restaurant at 120 W Peoria. Clerk Droste presented an application for a new for a new Drinking Establishment License for Casa Grande Paola Mexican Restaurant at 120 W Peoria. He reported that the restaurant currently holds a Drinking Establishment License but they are going through an ownership change. The current ownership is held in the name of Casa Grande Paola, LLC and the new ownership will be Casa Grande, LLC. Pursuant to State Law and City Ordinance, Drinking Establishment Licenses are not transferrable from one owner to another, therefore a new license is required. After discussion, Council Member Nickelson made a motion to approve a Drinking Establishment License for Casa Grande, LLC subject to the receipt of a copy of the State of Kansas Drinking Establishment License. The motion was seconded by Council Member House. Council Members Pritchard, House, and Nickelson voted aye and Council Member Wilhoite voted nay. The motion passed 3 to 1. Agenda Item 5c – Consider a Street Closure Application The Heads Up “On Your Mark” 5K Run. Clerk Droste reported that he received a Community Event Application that involves temporary street closures. Heads-Up is sponsoring The On Your Mark 5K on September 7th. While many of the other events will be held at the USD 368 Football Stadium, the 5K run is routed along 303rd Street, Hospital Drive and Industrial Park Drive. This is the second year that this event is planned for this route. Paola City Council Minutes – June 25, 2013 Page 2 Clerk Droste indicated that notification letters are mailed to every resident along the route to help insure the safety of the participants. Previously, the City has paid all of the costs associated with these notification letters. With the increased popularity of events such as this, he recommended that the City begin asking for a $1.00 per letter reimbursement for the cost of sending these letters. After discussion, Council Member Nickelson made a motion to approve the Street Closure the On Your Mark 5K on September 7th as presented and to charge $1.00 per notification letter for this and all future street closure requests. The motion was seconded by Council Member House and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Agenda Item 6 – NEW BUSINESS Clerk Droste reminded the Council that the Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber will be held on Thursday, June 27th at Town Square beginning at 5:30 pm. Clerk Droste reported that sales tax revenues for the month of June totaled $182,911 bringing the year to date total to $1,078,787 which is $36,953 more than the same time period last year. Public Works Director Browning reported that asphalt should be completed this week on the Grandview Drive project. After this project is completed, street crews will be busy repairing pot holes throughout town. Manager Wieland reported that he met with the County Administrator today regarding the County’s plans for the proposed jail. The relocation of the recycling containers from Wallace Park was also discussed. Manager Wieland reported that he will be attending a US 169 Coalition meeting tomorrow morning in Chanute. The Director of the Kansas Department of Transportation will be in attendance. Manager Wieland reported that the paving in the alley to the new public restrooms will be completed on Friday. Manager Wieland reported that he will be meeting with USD 368 regarding the school resource officer and sidewalks along Hedge Lane. Manager Wieland reported that the foundation of the Library addition was exposed to provide the contractors with information on how that foundation was constructed. Council Member Pritchard asked if there has been any progress in coming up with a solution for the disposal of tree limbs and branches. Manager Wieland reported that with the recent storms, City crews have been picking up limbs curbside and they have been discussing different potential solutions to this problem. Paola City Council Minutes – June 25, 2013 Page 3 Council Member Pritchard asked where the speed / traffic counters were located. Public Works Director Browning reported that the traffic counters were currently on Cherokee Court and that they will be moved to Lake Miola for the fireworks display on July 3rd. Council Member House asked about the water features at the pool. Public Works Director Browning reported that there was a break in a pipe that cannot be repaired until the pool is drained for the winter. Council Member Nickelson reported that he has been contacted by a group who are interested making a presentation to the Council about a disk golf course at Wallace Park. It was recommended that the group attend the Council Work Study Meeting in August to discuss the proposal. Manager Wieland handed out a written memorandum regarding a recent letter to the editor from Mr. Alan Hire that was published in the Miami County Republic. The memorandum contained factual information regarding benefit districts and impact fees should the Council receive any questions about the letter. Agenda Item 7 – ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to come before the Council, Council Member Wilhoite made a motion to adjourn. Council Member Pritchard 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 – June 25, 2013 Page 4