January 30
CITY OF HIAWATHA
CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2006
5:35 P.M.
HIAWATHA CITY HALL
723 OREGON ST.
The Hiawatha City Commission met in regular session January 30, 2006 at 5:35 p.m. at City Hall with Mayor Trant, Commissioner Collins, Commissioner Shamburg, Commissioner Schmitt, and Commissioner Gamble in attendance.
1. Pledge of Allegiance/ Call to Order
2. Approval of minutes of the January 23, 2006 city commission meeting.
Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schmitt, to approve the minutes of the January 23, 2006 city commission meeting. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
3. Presentation of petitions, public comments, memorials
a) Consider a citizen request to solicit funds or donations to purchase United States flags for various locations within the city.
Jennifer Evans stated that after the last meeting she felt that there were a couple of commissioners that snubbed her idea. She stated that she took it upon herself to purchase a flag for the library. She stated that she contacted Cathy at the library and that Cathy would prefer that the city not purchase a flag for the library. Ms. Evans requested a city lift truck to meet her at the library tomorrow to put up the flag. She stated that she plans on continuing to look at flags and ask people to replace them.
Commissioner Collins asked her how much the flag cost.
Ms. Evans stated that it cost $50.Commissioner Shamburg thanked Ms. Evans for her donation to the library.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that the city crews should be able to help with putting the flag up.
Commissioner Collins stated that the library and the city need to fund their own flags and if they can’t maybe each commissioner should put in $10 to finance a flag. He stated that he would donate $10 tonight.
Commissioner Gamble stated that he also has $10 to donate.
Ms. Evans stated that she appreciates the offer but she needs to make this statement that she’ll do anything to get a decent flag.
Commissioner Collins stated that he still has $10 and he’ll donate it before he leaves. He stated that the library should have the money to purchase a flag.
Commissioner Gamble stated that people often forget about their flags. He told Ms. Evans that he is glad that she purchased the flag and raised awareness in the community.
b) Consider a citizen request for an economic development incentive to encourage development by abating the water hookup fee.
Rick Clement stated that he brought his blueprints of the new carwash that is going in at 1st and Oregon and put them up on the board. He stated that he plans on servicing a lot of vehicles. He requested an abatement on the water hookup fee because he will be using enough water to pay for it.
Commissioner Gamble asked how many people would be employed.
Mr. Clement stated that he will employ one part-time retired person.
Commissioner Collins stated that he is glad that Mr. Clement cleaned up both sides of the streets. He stated that the city has not given any water hookup abatements on any of the carwashes yet.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that she cannot recall anytime that the city abated any fee for the water hook-up. She stated that she is happy the Mr. Clement is in the community and thanked him for cleaning up the corner. She stated that any abatements in the past have been based on the number of jobs created.
Commissioner Collins made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to deny the request for the water hookup fee abatement for a two-inch meter installed inside the city limits for $1025.00. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
c) Consider a citizen request to consider the effect of blighted and/or run-down housing and its negative effect on surrounding real estate.
Rance Hixson stated that he was concerned about property values and would like to know what could be done on a city basis to maintain them. He stated that he has been to the commission about this issue before and would like to encourage the commission to readdress this issue of property maintenance.
Commissioner Collins stated that we had Dean Tollefson here several months ago talk about his property and the city made a statement about his property and evaluated his property. Commissioner Collins stated that Dean Tollefson stated that his property was devaluated.
Dean Tollefson stated that he sold his house at Christmas 1999 for full purchase price. The house did not sell because he had a citation against his house. He stated that all he asked for was the right to sell his house. The property maintenance code that was in effect prevented people from selling their property. After 396 days this code was repealed.
Commissioner Collins stated that everybody needs to maintain their property.
Commissioner Schmitt stated that approximately 6-8 years ago, the city had a property maintenance code but it was never approved by an ordinance. She stated that the city needs to look at something for property maintenance.
4. Old Business - None
New Business
5. Consider a report on the water storage tank inspections conducted in 2005 and a proposal for an ongoing maintenance program.
Tom Stechmann from Utility Service Company gave a report on the water storage tank inspections.
Mr. Stechmann stated that first they assess the condition of the city’s towers by doing a washout inspection and then they work up an inspection report.
Mr. Stechmann gave a report on the West Tower, South Tower, and North Resorvoir. He stated that all inspections are done in full compliance with KWRA and KDHE. Mr. Stechmann showed pictures of the tanks and the areas needing fixed.
Mr. Stechmann stated that under the maintenance program, Utility Service Company would come in and renovate the towers. The cost of the renovation will be spread out over several years with no interest. The maintenance agreement is an annual fee which the city can back out of at anytime.
Commissioner Collins stated that the city needs to put the maintenance program out for bids before we can enter into an agreement.
Commissioner Schmitt thanked Mr. Stechmann for coming and giving the report. She stated that the commission needs to look at this issue.
6. Consider approval of an ordinance to implement changes recommended by the planning commission regarding metal carports and non conforming structures.
Mayor Trant stated that the planning commission has provided us with some recommendations in the form of an ordinance.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that the city attorney made a couple of minor corrections to the ordinance. This ordinance was designed to simplify some issues. First, it allows construction of a metal carport closer than 5 ft to another structure. Second, it allows a preexisting non conforming house to make an addition as long as it does not extend the non conformity to the front and does not exceed the required side yard setback without needing a variance.
Commissioner Schmitt asked what the vote was on this issue by the planning commission.
Donna Thonen stated that the vote was unanimous.
Commissioner Gamble made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve Ordinance 955 implementing action recommended by the planning commission to change provisions in the Zoning Regulations to allow construction of metal carports closer than five feet to an existing structure and allow additions to a pre-existing non conforming structure without requesting a variance so long as the non conformity is not extended to the front and the side yard setback is not exceeded. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
7. Consider approval to contract the work of plugging two abandoned wells.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment completed an inspection on August 29, 2005 and identified two deficiencies for action by the city. One deficiency regarding chlorine cylinder safety chains has been corrected. The second deficiency deals with plugging the County Farm Well, which has been closed for a number of years, and the Meisenheimer Well, which was closed due to high nitrate levels and its susceptibility to surface contamination. After reviewing the procedures normally used to cap wells it was determined those procedure would not work in capping the two wells in question. KDHE approved alternate procedures and Alexander Pump agreed to perform the work for $1,644 for both wells. City of Hiawatha work crews will do the bulk of the work including capping the wells with approximately 45-50 yards of concrete at an estimated cost of $3,000. The total cost of the project will be approximately $4,644.00.
Commissioner Collins asked for the approximate cost of the concrete.
Water Department Superintendent, Rick Koenig stated that the concrete cost about $78 per yard.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve a contract with Alexander Pump & Service to help in capping the County Farm Well and the Meisenheimer Well in the amount of $1,644. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
Commissioner Collins asked if anyone else submitted a bid.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that two companies submitted an original bid one of which declined to submit a second bid.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to approve an additional expenditure by city crews of approximately $3,000 for additional materials including concrete to complete the plugging process. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
8. Consider approval to add the Oregon Street water line replacement costs to the SRF loan approved for the 2001 Water Line Improvement project.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that the city submitted a request back in October to include this cost under our State Revolving Loan. The city does not have to apply for a new loan but KDHE does need this formal request. New environmental review letters need to be sent out and the plans and specifications (engineer designed) would need to be reviewed and approved before the project was advertised for bid.
Mayor Trant asked if there would be a timing delay since this is being done in conjunction with downtown improvements.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that they city has plenty of time to complete this process before that portion would start. The estimated start date for Main street will be in June. The plans should come back from the state in March and the commission can review the project scope at that time. The water line portion will precede other work
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve the formal letter of request to KDHE Division of Water Resources to add the Oregon Street water line replacement costs into the 2001 Water Line Improvement project and authorize the mayor to sign the necessary documents. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
9. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Appropriation Ordinance #1079 in the amount of $85,021.69
b. Tree Trimmers (Arborist) License – Mick Tree Service, Holton, Kansas
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
10. City Administrator Slaugh
City Administrator Slaugh stated that the Tree Board will be meeting on January 31 at 6 pm at City Hall.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that there is playground equipment out at the airport that the city offered for purchase a little over a year ago. Kickapoo Head Start requested that the city donate the two items left, a jungle gym and merry-go-round.
Commissioner Collins made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to donate the jungle gym and merry-go-round at the airport to the Kickapoo Head Start. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that there are two types of door locks to choose from for the Schunemann Addition. The conventional locks will be no additional charge. The Primus System is $394.85. City Administrator Slaugh stated that the city will use the conventional locks so that there is no additional charge.
City Administrator Slaugh stated that surveys were distributed Friday from Kansas Municipalities to help in the search for a city administrator. He stated that he would like the commissioners to turn those back in as soon as possible. Mark Tomb from the League of Kansas Municipalities will be at the meeting next week
City Administrator Slaugh stated that he will submit options for an interim city administrator at next week’s meeting.
a. Executive session to discuss pending litigation--assistant city attorney present
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to recess into Executive session until 7:40 p.m. to discuss pending litigation. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
Commissioner Schmitt made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Shamburg, to return to regular session at 7:41 p.m. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to approve payment of $738.00 less payments previously applied to compensate David Pfister, Janet Tolman, and Ronald Pfister for damages arising out of a waterline agreement. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
b. Executive session to discuss non-elected personnel--city clerk applicants
Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to recess into Executive session for approximately 15 minutes to discuss non-elected personnel. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Collins, to return to regular session at 8:06 p.m. Motion carried, 5 ayes.
11. Mayor Leon Trant
Mayor Trant stated that interviews for the position of city clerk may be done next week. Details will be available later
Mayor Trant stated that the Municipal Code Work Session will be cancelled this week because of the tree board meeting.
12. Com. William Collins
13. Com. Curtis Gamble
14. Com. Marianne Schmitt
Commissioner Schmitt pointed out that the annual Chamber dinner will be next Monday night.
15. Com. Steffen Shamburg
Commissioner Shamburg wished Commissioner Gamble’s wife a Happy Birthday.
Commissioner Shamburg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gamble, to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. Motion carried, 5 ayes.