| December 2008 Present: Mayor Jerry Robinson. President of the council: Pat Joyce. Council members: Shelia Bolder, Jack Lucke, Doug Morris, and Lydia Morris. Employees: Eric Eagle, Water/Wastewater Superintendent. Traci Kuhn, City Clerk. Citizens: Boris Bolder, Sue Robinson, Dusty Haney, and Judy Roy. Mayor Robinson called the regular council meeting for the month of December to order at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Robinson called for a motion to accept the minutes from the November 3, 2008 regular council meeting. P.O.C. Pat Joyce moved to accept the minutes as read. C.M. Shelia Bolder seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor Robinson asked for public comments. There were none. New Business The city council reviewed the written report prepared by Dusty Haney, chairman of the steering committee for the community building/senior center. Mayor Robinson gave an update of expenses. C.M. Lydia Morris moved the take an additional $1,000 from the general fund if needed to complete the work on the community building to get it ready for use. C.M. Jack Lucke seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Judy Roy asked if the senior center will need to get additional liability insurance for their functions to be held. Mayor Robinson advised that he would visit the city’s insurance agent and find out. Mayor Robinson reported that the historical society had requested use of the city hall for a meeting on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. Lori Ulrich-Treasurers Report City council reviewed the treasurers’ report prepared by Lori Ulrich for the month of November. C.M. Doug Morris moved to accept the treasurers’ reports. P.O.C. Pat Joyce seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Eric Eagle – Water Report City council reviewed Eric Eagle’s report for November. C.M. Lydia Morris asked about the estimates to bring water in from Public Wholesale #23 at the water plant versus the water tower. Mayor Robinson reported that he had visited with Lawrence at Shafer, Kline and Warren and he did not think that KDHE would even allow it to be brought in at the plant. After some discussion it was decided that it would be best to wait until the project is further completed. Mayor Robinson advised that the city clerk had been contacted by Ranson Financial concerning water rate check-ups. By using recent audits and water reports they will give us an idea of where our water rates will need to be upon hooking onto Public Wholesale #23. It was agreed that we should look into it. Eric reported that he had attended class for water and wastewater. C.M. Lydia Morris moved to pay the $20 water license renewal and $20 wastewater license fee renewal for Eric. C.M. Doug Morris seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Page 2-Council Meeting December 1, 2008 Eric reported that the water tap was located for 508 W. Micro-lite and work was completed to hook it on. Eric reported that his plant generated report showed water loss at 10.31%. Traci Kuhn – City Clerk’s Report Traci reported a water loss of 10.22%. Traci reported that she had been contacted by Kansas Counselors with an interest in doing collections for the city. Currently the city uses Kansas Offset to collect bad debt. Kansas Offset charges 18.4% and can collect only if the individual is getting an income tax return. Kansas Counselors will charge 27% but can collect otherwise. The council requested time to look over the material before making a decision. Traci reported that the city had sold 42,000 gallons of water to Harsco Track Technologies in the amount of $ 252. Public Wholesale #23 City council reviewed the minutes from the public wholesale #23 meeting. Mayor Robinson pointed out that they have raised the beginning rate to $ 3.50 per thousand. Mayor Robinson Issues: Mayor Robinson reported that we still plan to begin demolition of the house at 109 S. Main in January. A date will be set and volunteers are welcome. Mayor Robinson reminded the city council that demolition is to be completed at 306 N. Main by February 1, 2009 or the council will need to make arrangements to begin demolition. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!! SANTA WILL VISIT AT THE NEW BUFFALO COMMUNITY BUILDING ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20TH AT 6:30 P. M. There was some discussion on the Christmas dinner for the city council and city employees. The date was set for Tuesday, December 16th at 7:00 p. m. at Fireside Inn. C.M. Lydia Morris moved to transfer $ 5,000 from the general fund to a special highway capital outlay fund as was allowed for in the 2008 budget. This fund is being created for the purpose of resurfacing city streets. P.O.C. Pat Joyce seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Monthly Bills Council reviewed the monthly bills for November. P.O.C. Pat Joyce moved to pay the bills. C.M. Lydia Morris seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Executive Session At 7:37 p.m. C.M. Lydia Morris moved to go into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss employee matters. P.O.C. Pat Joyce seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting reconvened at 7:40 p.m. C.M. Lydia Morris made a motion that Mayor Robinson go in and take care of the employees for Christmas. C.M. Shelia Bolder seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. With no further business, C.M. Shelia Bolder moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:41 p.m. P.O.C. Pat Joyce seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. Traci Kuhn City Clerk |