City Council

MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS 6:00 O’CLOCK P.M. March 11, 2014 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, Human Resources Director Vicki Belt, Michael Oldfield, Richard Lentz, Jay Hastert, Rick Elliott, Dennis Hinman, Jeff VanDonsel, Trevor Hinman, Ella Hinman, Eric Barnum, Lee Mott, John Paulsen, David French, Mark Dozier, Jennifer Ferguson, Destiny Ferguson, Wally Ferguson, John Hinman, Becky Hinman, and Brian McCauley 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 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. Richard Lentz commented that during a meeting held earlier today, the group commented on the great job that the City employees do in various services such as snow removal, mowing, and the way that the Park Square is kept. He indicated that the City probably receives more complaints than compliments and he just wanted to pass this information along. Mayor Stuteville thanked him for his kind words. Mayor Stuteville presented Certificates of Recognition to Police Chief Dave Smail for 25 years of service and to Paola Firefighter Dennis Hinman for 40 years of service to the City of Paola. Both gentlemen were congratulated and applause was given. Paola City Council Minutes – March 11, 2014 Page 1 Mayor Stuteville also acknowledged the following individuals for their tenure: Stephanie Marler – City Hall Administration, 5 Years; Chad Corbin –Police Department, 5 Years; Pat Petelin – Fire Department, 5 Years; Kerry Burton – Public Works, 10 years; Paul Argeropoulos – Police Department, 10 years; Tim Neal – Police Department, 10 years; Mark Dozier – Fire Department, 15 years. It was noted that in total, these nine employees represent a total of 125 years of combined service to our community. Agenda Item 4 - CONSENT AGENDA: a. Approval of minutes of the regular meeting of February 25, 2014. b. Approval of Salary Ordinance 14-5. c. Approval of Appropriation Ordinance No 772. d. Approval of the Journal Entries Report for February, 2014. e. Approval of the Pledged Securities Report for February, 2014. 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 – Consider the renewal of the City’s liability/property/auto insurance policies. Manager Wieland introduced Rick Elliott and Jay Hastert with Elliott Insurance Group who presented a summary of the renewal of the City’s insurance policies through EMC Insurance Companies. Jay Hastert reported that the City participates in EMC’s Safety Program with other municipalities and as a result is eligible to participate in an annual dividend rebate program. He went on to discuss the reserves that have been established for two pending liability claims on behalf of the City. If these claims are dropped or satisfactorily resolved, the City should realize a reduction in rates. Rick Elliott reviewed the history of the dividend rebate program and the manner by which EMC calculates that rebate. The renewal premiums were reviewed and presented as follows: Premium Renewal Coverage Current Premium Increase Percent Increase Premium (Decrease) Property $59,281.00 $59,012.00 ($269.00) -0.45% Inland Marine $11,865.00 $12,108.00 $243.00 2.05% General Liability $8,876.00 $14,440.00 $5,564.00 62.69% Auto $15,567.00 $19,359.00 $3,792.00 24.36% Umbrella $8,767.00 $8,589.00 ($178.00) -2.03% Linebacker $5,628.00 $5,922.00 $294.00 5.22% Law Enforcement $5,664.00 $5,671.00 $7.00 0.12% Total Premium $115,648.00 $125,101.00 $9,453.00 8.17% Paola City Council Minutes – March 11, 2014 Page 2 Clerk Droste reported that he will be meeting with Mr. Hastert to review the coverage limits on some of the City’s properties and will also consider the merits of eliminating full coverage on some of the older fleet vehicles. After the discussion, Council Member Pritchard made a motion to approve the renewal of the City’s liability/property/auto insurance policies through EMC Insurance Companies in the amount of $125,101.00. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilhoite and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Agenda Item 5b – Consider an Ordinance amending Water Utility Rates effective with the utility billing dated 03/31/2014 and rates for Bulk Water Sold by Tank effective 03/31/2014. Manager Wieland reported that the Marais Des Cygnes Public Utility Authority Board recently adopted their 2014 Budget establishing water rates for 2014. Water rates to the cities of Louisburg and Paola will increase from $6.15 to $6.48 per 1,000 gallons. (Note: In discussing water rates, it is important to remember that the MDCPUA water rate is per 1,000 gallons and the City of Paola bills at a rate per 100 gallons.) As a result of the increase in the rate that the City purchases water, it is necessary to increase our rates to residents to cover our costs and maintain our infrastructure. He presented an Ordinance proposing an increase in water rates as follows: METERED VOLUME RATES: In the City Limits: . . . . . . . . . . . $0.650 per 100 gallons (currently $0.615) Outside the City limits. . . . . . . . $0.850 per 100 gallons (currently $0.815) WATER SOLD BY TANK: 50 gallons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $0.38 (currently $0.35) Manager Wieland reported that no change is proposed for any of the service charges. For an average household using 6,000 gallons per month, this $0.035 rate increase would result in an additional monthly volume charge of $2.10. After the discussion, Council Member Pritchard made a motion to approve AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VII UTILITIES, CHAPTER 700 WATER DEPARTMENT, ARTICLE II WATER RATES, SECTION 700.250 METERED VOLUME RATES, AND SECTION 700.270 WATER SOLD BY TANK, TO THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF PAOLA, KANSAS. The motion was seconded by Council Member Nicholson and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0 and the Ordinance was assigned number 3068. Agenda Item 5c – Consider changes to the admission fees for the Paola Family Pool. Clerk Droste presented a survey of admission rates for area public swimming pools. He reported that in reviewing the rate survey, the Pool Manager and Staff are comfortable with our current rate structure. However, he noted that there is a considerable cost difference between the Individual Season Pass ($60.00) and the cost of the season pass for the first adult in the Group Pass ($45.00). Staff feels that this cost difference is a deterrent in selling individual passes, as fewer than 10 of these passes were sold last year. Clerk Droste proposed Paola City Council Minutes – March 11, 2014 Page 3 that the Individual Season Pass be reduced from $60.00 to $50.00 with all other rates remaining unchanged for 2014. After the discussion, Council Member House made a motion to approve the 2014 admission fee schedule for the Paola Family Pool as presented. The motion was seconded by Council Member Wilhoite and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Agenda Item 5d – Consider the approval of temporary street closure for the First Lutheran Church “Easter Eggstravaganza” on April 19th. Clerk Droste reported that The First Lutheran Church has filed an application requesting a temporary street closure of the 400 Block of East Piankishaw Street to accommodate their “Easter Eggstravaganza”. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The church owns all of the properties in the 400 Block of East Piankishaw so none of the neighboring residences will be isolated by the street closure. After the discussion, Council Member Nickelson made a motion to approve the closure of the 400 Block of East Piankishaw Street adjacent to the First Lutheran Church on Saturday, April 19th, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pritchard and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Agenda Item 5e – Consider approval of disbursements from the Transient Guest Tax Fund. Manager Wieland reported that the Paola Convention and Tourism Committee held a meeting earlier today to review and make recommendations on 12 requests for Transient Guest Tax grant funding. The following grant requests, totaling $25,250.00, have been recommended for approval by the Committee: 1) Miami County Arts Coalition: $2,000 2) Paola Farmers Market: $500 3) Heartland Art Guild: $1,000 4) Roots Festival: $10,000 5) City of Paola, Sign Repairs: $3,000 6) Miami County Antique Tractor: $500 7) Paola Tourism Inc: $6,000 8) Paola Chamber of Commerce: $1,250 9) City of Paola, KC Regional Quilt Shop Hop: $250 10) City of Paola, Human Resources Conference: $250 11) Paola Pathways, 5K Run Sponsorship: $250 12) City of Paola, Tallgrass Theater Company: $250 After the discussion, Council Member Wilhoite made a motion to approve disbursements from the Transient Guest Tax Fund in the total amount of $25,250.00, as presented. The motion was seconded by Council Member House and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Paola City Council Minutes – March 11, 2014 Page 4 Agenda Item 6 – NEW BUSINESS Public Works Director Browning reported that the repairs to the Paola Family Pool were underway. He noted that the filter media has been inspected and it will not need to be replaced. Manager Wieland reported that the County Commissioners will be discussing the County Jail location again at their meeting scheduled for 9:00 am tomorrow. He encouraged the Mayor and Council to attend if their schedules allow. Manager Wieland updated the Council on the status of pending legislation that would impact local elections. Council Member Pritchard thanked the Building Inspector and Police Department for taking care of a nuisance situation on Hillcrest Drive. Council Members Wilhoite, House and Nickelson congratulated Chief Smail on his 25 years of service to the City of Paola. Mayor Stuteville nominated Richard Lentz for a second term on the Paola Housing Authority Board and nominated Sandy Armbruster and Larry Ward for terms on the Paola Free Library Board. Council Member Wilhoite made a motion to approve the Mayor’s nominations. The motion was seconded by Council Member House and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. Mayor Stuteville reported that she was asked about painting the bleachers at the Big Russell Field. Public Works Director Browning indicated that this field is owned by the American Legion and this should be coordinated through them. Clerk Droste reported that a String Quartet from the Kansas City Symphony will be playing at the Paola Community Center on Saturday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm. Dessert will be catered by Spudley’s and is included in the $5 admission price. Agenda Item 7 – ADJOURNMENT With no additional business to come before the Council, Council Member Wilhoite made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Council Member Pritchard and all voted aye. The motion passed 4 to 0. _________________________________ Artie Stuteville, Mayor ATTEST: [seal] ______________________________ Daniel G. Droste, City Clerk Paola City Council Minutes – March 11, 2014 Page 5