November 20

CITY OF HIAWATHA

CITY COMMISSION MINUTES

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2006

5:35 P.M.

HIAWATHA CITY HALL

723 OREGON ST.

1.      Pledge of Allegiance/ Call to Order

The Hiawatha City Commission met in regular session at 5:35 p.m. on Monday, November 20, 2006, at City Hall with Mayor Gernon, Commissioner Collins, and Commissioner Shamburg present. Commissioner Gamble arrived a few minutes into the meeting. Commissioner Schmitt was absent.

2.      Approval of minutes of the November 13, 2006 City Commission meeting.

Commissioner Gamble made a correction on page 4, to delete “for the Dynamic” phrase in paragraph 4, last line.

Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2006, City Commission Meeting with changes as noted. Motion carried. 3 ayes. Commissioner Collins abstained.

3.      Presentation of petitions, public comments, memorials.

Old Business

4.      Consider Approval of Ordinance 973 Prohibiting the Feeding of Wildlife.

Mayor Gernon asked City Clerk Vivian Constable if she had had any feedback from Commissioner Schmitt, who was absent. Mrs. Constable said that Commissioner Schmitt had indicated to her that the Commission should move forward with the approval of the Ordinance and not put it off again because of her absence at this meeting.

Mayor Gernon said that in reality we can’t get any help from the State to control the duck and goose population if we do not take this first step. It is not the intention of the Commission to deny anyone the enjoyment of feeding the ducks, and indicated that we might be able to revisit this situation after the migratory fowl  have been disbursed and the lake is usable again.

Discussion from the citizens in the audience again indicated that they did not understand what the Commission was trying to do in promoting this ordinance. The Commission again attempted to explain that the only way the State will allow us to put any method in place to control the wild bird population is to pass the ordinance to prohibit the feeding of the ducks and geese, which is considered “baiting” by the Fish and Game Department. One citizen suggested putting a large net over the lake to discourage the fowl from landing on the lake, an idea which worked for a community in Nebraska. 

Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve amending Chapter 12, Section 12.40 to add Section 12.40.025 – Feeding Wildlife Prohibited, and approve Ordinance #973. Motion carried, 3 ayes. 1 nay. Commissioner Collins voted nay.

New Business

5.      Consider Purchase of Christmas Decorations.

Steve Smith told the Commission that the Downtown Streetscape Committee had made a unanimous decision to select wreaths and lighted garland from Display Sales to decorate the downtown light poles, using 40” wreaths for the 14-foot poles and the 50” wreaths for the taller poles for a total cost of $15,021.50.

There was some concern as to whether the Streetscape Project would be completed in time to decorate for Christmas. Steve Smith said that they had been given the date of December 8 as a final completion date. Ted Starr reminded the Commission that the decorations would be used more than just this year. Commissioner Gamble mentioned that the cost would probably go up after this year also.

Commissioner Collins asked where the funds were to come from for the purchase of these decorations.

City Clerk Vivian Constable said that the money would come from fund 10-15-8023, which was the streetlight line item. There is $47,000 in that fund which has not been used this year. Rick Koenig, Water and Light Superintendent said that those funds should be available to spend for holiday decorations this year.
Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to purchase holiday decorations from Display Sales not to exceed the amount of $15,021.50 including freight. Motion carried. 4 ayes.

6.      Consider Credit Application to Falls City Farm Supply for Employee Uniform Purchases.

The City employees in the past have purchased much of their work clothing from Hiawatha Farm and Home. Because of the planned change of ownership after the first of the year, the store is not currently restocking the work clothes. They do not know at this time if the new owners plan to carry clothing. Several of the employees have a balance left to spend in their uniform allowance for 2006, but are unable to purchase the items they need from the remaining stock at Hiawatha Farm and Home. They would like to be able to use up their budgeted uniform allowance before the end of the year so they do not lose it, and therefore need an alternate source to purchase the work clothes from.

The Commission expressed their desire to purchase from Hiawatha businesses if possible, and if not from Hiawatha businesses, at least from Kansas businesses.

Rick Koenig explained that most of the shirts are purchased from Lori’s Embroidery in Hiawatha and some items are purchased from Wal-Mart.

Mayor Gernon asked to have City Administrator Lynne Ladner research this further and bring the issue back to the meeting on December 4, 2006.

7.      Consider Approval of Payment to Gilmore & Bell for Services on the $1,400,000 General Obligation Sales Tax Bonds, Series B, 2006.

Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve the payment to Gilmore & Bell in the amount of $14,831.89 for services rendered. Motion carried. 4 ayes.

8.      Consider Approval of Payment to Hiawatha Youth Soccer for Soccer Referees.

Commissioner Collins made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve payment to Hiawatha Youth Soccer Association in the amount of $1,596. Motion carried, 3 ayes. Mayor Gernon abstained.

9.      Approve Purchase of Trash Receptacles for Downtown Streetscape.

Ted Starr told the Commission that the first choice of the Streetscape Committee was the Victor Stanley side opening receptacle SD-42 for a cost of $11,968. He said they felt that the side opening option made for easier removal of the trash and were heavier in construction. Their second choice was the Victor Stanley top opening receptacle for a cost of $9,506. Their third choice was the Thomas Steele receptacle for a cost of $7,832.

Mr. Starr explained that Hiawatha Redevelopment, Inc. has calculated that they have approximately $8000 to spend toward the receptacles, and recommended that the city spend about $4000 more and get the better receptacle.

The Commission thought that the less expensive receptacles would work just as well.

Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins to approve the purchase of the Thomas Steele receptacles at a cost of $7,832. Motion carried, 4 ayes.

10.  Approve Change Order for Bottorff Construction for Traffic Light Installation.

Rick Koenig, Water and Light Superintendent, presented information regarding the change order. He said that he questioned item #1, the charge for the 430 feet of shared boring in the amount of $2,838. Koenig said that the contractor was asked to bore under the intersection of Sixth Street and Seventh Street for the power supply for the new streetlights, and while he was doing this he was requested to install conduit for the new traffic control lights also. He said that it was his understanding that both conduits would be installed with one bore. He said that the boring done for the streetlights would have had to be done anyhow, and that is why he questioned the additional charge. He said he would like to investigate this charge further.

Koenig also pointed out that at the intersection of Sixth and Oregon, they did not otherwise have to bore for the conduit, so the charge on item #2 for approximately 100 feet of boring at a cost of $990 was probably in order.

Mayor Gernon said that it was his understanding that most of the work in this change order had already been done; and per the contract, change orders are supposed to be approved prior to the work being done. He suggested that the City should do some more checking on the matter, and asked Rick Koenig to work with Administrator Ladner to clarify the costs on the change order.

11.  CONSENT AGENDA

1. Appropriation Ordinance #1106 in the amount of $35,990.01.
2. Payroll Appropriation #1071 in the amount of $38,022.33.
3. Approve Contractor License Renewal (1), Electrician License Renewals (5), Plumber License Renewals (5), Drinking Establishment License Renewal (1).

Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Motion carried. 4 ayes.

12.  Lynne Ladner, City Administrator.

13.  Mayor Gernon.

14.  Com. William Collins.

15.  Com. Curtis Gamble.

16.  Com. Marianne Schmitt.

17.  Com. Steffen Shamburg.

18.  Adjourn.

Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to adjourn. Motion carried. 4 ayes.

Meeting adjourned 6:36 p.m.