January 17
CITY OF HIAWATHA
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2006
5:35 P.M.
HIAWATHA CITY HALL
723 OREGON ST.
The Hiawatha City Commission met in regular session January 17, 2006 at 5:35 p.m. at City Hall with Mayor Trant, Commissioner Collins, Commissioner Schmitt, Commissioner Gamble, and Commissioner Shamburg in attendance.
1. Pledge of Allegiance/ Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of the January 9, 2006 city commission meeting.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve the minutes of the January 9, 2006 city commission meeting. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
3. Presentation of petitions, public comments, memorials
4. Old Business - None
New Business
5. Open a public hearing for the purpose of evaluating the performance of the Community Development Block Grant for Phase 1 of the Waste Water Treatment facility and to consider closeout of the grant.
Mayor Trant opened the public hearing for the Community Development Block Grant.
Mayor Trant stated that our new wastewater treatment facility is being financed in part by a Community Development Block Grant. The city has two CDBGs for this project, one for Phase 1 and one for Phase 2. Phase 1 will be discussed tonight. These grants are administered by Donna Crawford of Governmental Assistance Services.
Donna Crawford stated that the final project cost as of substantial completion amounts to $5,155,902 including the second basin. The City of Hiawatha did not pay anything out of pocket on this project. The final monitoring has been completed with the Department of Commerce and they would be glad to accept final closeout if the papers were submitted tonight.
Mayor Trant expressed his thanks to Ms. Crawford for help on this project.
Mayor Trant closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Collins made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to approve the closeout of Community Development Block Grant number 02-PF-212 for Phase 1 of the Waste Water Treatment facility and authorize the mayor to sign the necessary documents. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
6. Consider a citizen request to have a portion of a residential water bill abated.
Clay Smith stated that as a result of a rural water project on his property on Linden Rd., the water main was moved and during that construction he had a hydrant put in. He stated that in 2004 he had a leak that was fixed by Ron Merchant. The back filling that surrounds the water main was done by the city. He stated that he had another leak this year. Mr. Smith stated that the barrel that the city put in was on his water line and wore through the pipe on his side. Mr. Smith stated that he paid a water bill of $80.27 and would like an adjustment on that water bill to an average of his December bill of about $25. He also submitted a bill from Ron Merchant for $272.59 for the repair of the water leak.
Mayor Trant stated that the bill for the plumbing is for the most recent repair.
Water Department Superintendent Rick Koenig stated that he does not believe that the leak was a result of the box that is resting on the fitting. The most likely cause is corrosion.
Commissioner Gamble asked whether the pipe was leaking at the point of contact with the box or at another point.
Mayor Trant stated that the fitting has been eroded not worn, and it occurred below the highest point where the barrel was resting. He asked whether the leak was coming out the top of the pipe.
Water Department Superintendent Rick Koenig stated that the leak was coming out the 10 o’clock position. The leak itself was actually behind the contact point.
Commissioner Schmitt stated to Mr. Smith that from the information provided to us, it appears that the problem is on your side.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to deny the request from Clay Smith for reimbursement of a portion of his higher than normal water bill and deny payment of the contractor’s bill. Motion carried, 4 ayes, 1 nay. Commissioner Gamble voted nay.
Commissioner Gamble stated that the fitting is clearly corroded and he does not think the box is the problem. He stated that he would not be opposed to a partial adjustment on the water bill but is opposed to paying for the plumbing bill.
Commissioner Collins stated that if you’re not at fault on one then you’re not at fault on the other.
Commissioner Gamble stated that we have not really set a strict policy on water bill adjustments.
Mayor Trant stated that electrolysis could have been a contributing factor in the acceleration of corrosion.
7. Consider approval for payment of property taxes and specials on the Longfellow business park as part of the economic development effort for the Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development.
Mayor Trant stated that this expense was identified as part of the usage for the ¼ cent Economic Development Sales Tax. Thus far the city has accumulated $72,410 for ¼ cent sales tax. The total tax bill according to the latest year’s taxes and delinquent taxes amounts to $103,388.
Jon Daeschner stated that HFED has some positive things happening. The tax bills are due and have not been paid since 2003. Hopefully the ¼ cent sales tax will generate $110,000 or more with Wal-Mart coming along. In about 5 years the specials should be paid. Hopefully someone will come along and buy one of those lots. Mr. Daeschner stated that since the lots have been put in, Dollar General, Hiawatha National Bank, Ampride, and Valvoline have moved in there. Longfellow is still a great asset to Hiawatha. HFED had a stellar year for 2005. Crosswind Industries is here and has 35 employees and the old Wal-Mart building will be a great asset. This year we have started out with a very busy schedule. We are continuing to work with our local industry on expansions and some outside industries are also looking at coming to Hiawatha. Mr. Daeschner stated that our city is changing and this is good. Wilde Tool has 60 plus employees. Schuetz Tool & Die has 18 people employed and put 3 people on last year. Wal-Mart is hiring 10 people per week for 6 weeks. Bio-diesel is progressing. This all means a lot of jobs. Jon stated that HFED would like to report to the commission once per quarter. Another positive note is this year we had 24 kids come into our school system which is a direct result of employment.
Mayor Trant thanked Mr. Daeschner for the update. Mayor Trant stated that our problem right now is that our taxes and funds do not match.
Commissioner Collins asked what portion of the taxes we should pay.
Mayor Trant stated that this expenditure should be kept below the amount that has come in through sales tax. He stated that additional penalties will probably be accrued. Our sales tax income looks like it has been running roughly $10,000 per month. It will not be too much farther down the road when we can knock of the entire amount. The past due taxes for 2003 and 2004 total $63,165.43. Mayor Trant stated that his feeling is that we should pay the past due taxes, leave the balance in the fund, and look at it again in another 3 or 4 months.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that it would be in the best interest of the city to pay the total amount of $72,410.23 on 2003 and 2004, and the leftover on 2005 lots 14-18.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve payment of $72,410.23 to Brown County for the property tax and specials for the Longfellow properties for years 2003 and 2004, and apply any excess to Lots 20,21 and then to 14-18 in that order. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
Jennifer Evans stated that she has a couple of questions on the flag. She asked whether the flag that hangs out in front of the Hiawatha World is city property or personal property. She stated that she went by a couple of months ago and the flag was tattered and torn. She talked to Danny Glenn and he said that he would leave it up as long as he saw fit. She stated that she went by again today and it was in worst condition. She stated that she took it down and took it inside. She stated that she asked them when they would replace it and they said when she stopped bugging them. She asked the commission whether there is a city ordinance that would ban her from collecting money on the street corner for the flag at the World and the library. She stated that the flag means a lot to a lot of people and she finds it disappointing that some people do not respect the flag like she does. She commended the commissioners for replacing some of the flags that have needed repair.
Commissioner Collins stated that we would have to look under the solicitation ordinance.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that we will need to defer this since this was not on the agenda.
Rick Koenig stated that the flag at the library was replaced not too long ago and it had to be tied in place so it could not be stolen.
Mayor Trant thanked Ms. Evans for sharing.
Dean Tollefson stated that your congressman or senator will send a free flag for public buildings.
Mayor Trant thanked Mr. Tollefson.
Commissioner Collins stated that he respects America’s flag and appreciates it.
Commissioner Collins asked Jon Daeschner whether he has any prospects for the properties on Longfellow.
Mr. Daeschner stated that there have been a few but because of certain regulations they did not work out.
8. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Appropriation Ordinance #1077 in the amount of $32,552.14
b. Municipal judge report December 2005
Mayor Trant stated that there are a few things in the appropriation ordinance they have been discussed and corrected with Jeanne. On page two, under Hiawatha Petty Cash-Postmaster, advertising should be postage. On page four, under Westar-Fire Department, it should be charged to electricity instead of gas.
Mayor Trant stated that these changes do not change the amount.
Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg to approve the Consent Agenda as presented and amended. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
9. City Administrator Slaugh
Mayor Trant stated that City Administrator Slaugh is absent because he is visiting his mother who is in Dallas. He stated that our thoughts and prayers go to him and his mother.
10. Mayor Leon Trant
Mayor Trant stated that the strategic planning session was productive and successful. He expressed his appreciation for the commissioners’ efforts.
11. Com. William Collins
Commissioner Collins stated that the strategic planning meeting was good and productive.
12. Com. Curtis Gamble
Commissioner Gamble stated that he had someone ask about whether Hiawatha has a Jake break law for the semi trucks. Commissioner Gamble asked how the commission should proceed with this.
Commissioner Collins stated that we have a noise ordinance.
Mayor Trant stated that the noise ordinance pertains to electronically amplified sounds and motor vehicle mufflers. A Jake break ordinance would require additional signage outside the city limits which would have to be coordinated with KDOT.
Commissioner Collins stated that this could be mentioned to Carl and he could research it.
13. Com. Marianne Schmitt
14. Com. Steffen Shamburg
Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to adjourn at 6:33 p.m. Motion carried, 5 ayes.