October 5, 2009 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Jerry Robinson. President of the council: Pat Joyce. Council members: Rick Haney, Kenny Koenig, Jack
Lucke, and Marty VanFossen.
Employees: Traci Kuhn, City Clerk. Eric Eagle, Water/wastewater superintendent arrived at 7:25 p.m.
Citizens present: Byron VanFossen, Diane Hanson, and Robert Kuhn.
Fire chief: Ed Splechter arrived at 7:20 p.m.
Mayor Robinson called the regular council meeting for the month of October to order at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Robinson called for a motion to accept the minutes from the September 8, 2009 regular council meeting. C.M. Pat
Joyce moved to accept the minutes as read. C.M. Marty VanFossen seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0.
New Business
P.O.C. Pat Joyce moved to accept the annual contract with Good Riddance for trash service from 11/1/09 to 10/31/10. C.M.
Marty VanFossen seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. All guidelines for pickup will remain the same. It was stressed that all
trash is to be contained in plastic trash bags and secured. No loose trash is to be placed in the cart. As a reminder, carts are
to be by the edge of the street and ready for pickup on Wednesday mornings by 8:00 a.m.
Traci Kuhn – City Clerk Report
Traci reported that the computer generated water loss for September was 16.6%. Traci reported that also enclosed in the
council’s information is a usage and loss report for the last three years. This is just for their interest.
Traci reported that KDHE was out and inspected the burn site. It was in compliance and they will be sending out a formal letter
of their findings.
Traci gave information concerning the debit/credit machine that she had been requested to get. The city council decided at
this time not to pursue this payment method.
Traci advised that the annual KPERS meeting in Chanute will be held on October 27th. As she is scheduled to be off that day
she plans to attend.
As the city hall now has the ability to make copy prints in color, C.M. Marty VanFossen moved that the city charge .30 per color
copy. C.M. Rick Haney seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Public Wholesale #23
Mayor Robinson reported that he and C.M. Rickie Haney attended the meeting. Water was supposed to be ready in November
but at this time it does not seem like we will be on at that time. Wholesale #23 does not have operators hired at this time.
They also still need to get an inner connection. Mayor Robinson reported that he and Eric met with Clarence and worked on
the right-of-way easement. There was some concern voiced of whether #23 rates will go up in the near future. It was
suggested that that question be asked at their next meeting.
Page 2-Councilmeeting
October 5, 2009
Mayor Robinson Issues:
Mayor Robinson reported that C.M. Rick Haney, C.M. Marty VanFossen and himself did not get a chance to work on building
permit information.
City council reviewed the proposed revision to the water bill accounts policy. It was questioned and agreed that once the list of
disconnects is picked up from city hall, a reconnect fee will be charged. P.O.C. Pat Joyce moved to accept the new revision of
the water bill account policy. C.M. Kenny Koenig seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0. (See policy at the end of minutes)
City council reviewed information concerning the water rate increase. There was much discussion. It was decided to table the
water rate increase at this time although it will be done within the next couple of months. Mayor Robinson asked that the
council take the information home and review it then bring it back to the next meeting. Mayor Robinson explained where the
figures of required income were derived from. It was suggested to visit with Wholesale #23 and see where they think rates will
be next year. A public meeting will be Monday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. at Buffalo Community Building to discuss new
water rates and to answer any questions customers might have.
Mayor Robinson explained the current policy concerning temporary connects and accounts on vacation. It had been suggested
to add a minimum charge for these accounts. It was noted that temporary connects are short term (30 days) and the
customer must have a regular active account as well. After some discussion the city council agreed to leave the current policy
as it is.
Mayor Robinson reported that a current water customer outside the city limits has a water leak. Currently the city is
responsible for the line to the city limits where the meter is placed. The customer is responsible from the city limits to their
house. Mayor Robinson advised that the customer would like to run a new line but would like for the city to be responsible
upon completion of the line from the city limits to his property. Mayor Robinson explained that the city would have to go from
the last meter and cross a blacktop driveway then down to the property. The city would have to set a new meter and meter
well. There was some discussion as to the city taking responsibility for the line. It was decided that the city does not want to
be responsible.
Fire Department
Ed Splechter reported that ISO rating for the city had dropped from an 8 to a 7. This went into effect October 1. He stressed
that it is the responsibility of the landowner to contact their homeowners insurance and advise them of this. It should result in
a decrease in premiums. Ed gave an update on some things that need to be addressed to drop the rating to a 6.
Ed reported that he did not have results from the homecoming fundraisers but that the handgun raffle with the Wilson County
Sheriff Reserves went well and they thought they would make around $ 1,000.
Eric Eagle Report
Eric reported that a turbidimeter had to be replaced at the water plant. It had gone down and KDHE loaned one to the city
which was used until one was received from Hach. The bill is with the monthly bills to be reviewed.
There was some discussion as of what the city will do with the water plant when it is closed in the next couple of months. At
this time, no decisions have been made concerning the water plant.
Page 3-Councilmeeting
October 5, 2009
Monthly Payroll
City Council reviewed the payroll for the month of September.
Monthly Bills
Council reviewed the monthly bills for September. After reviewing the bills P.O.C. Pat Joyce moved to pay the bills. C.M. Marty
VanFossen seconded motion. Motion carried 5-0.
With no further business, C.M. Marty VanFossen moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:00 p.m. P.O.C. Pat Joyce seconded
motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Traci Kuhn
City Clerk
CITY OF BUFFALO
WATER BILL ACCOUNTS
POLICY
OCTOBER 5, 2009
WATER BILLS MUST BE PAID ON OR BEFORE THE 15TH OF EACH MONTH.
WATER BILLS NOT PAID BY THE DUE DATE WILL BE CHARGED A 10% LATE PENALTY. IN THE EVENT THE 15TH FALLS ON THE
WEEKEND, THE PAYMENT MAY BE LEFT IN THE DROP BOX(CHECKS ONLY). SHOULD THE PAYMENT NOT BE RECEIVED OR IN THE
DROP BOX WHEN THE CITY CLERK COMES IN ON MONDAY MORNING, A LATE FEE WILL BE ASSESSED.
SERVICE WILL BE DISCONTINUED IF PAYMENT IS NOT IN BY THE 25TH OF THE MONTH. SHOULD THE 25TH FALL ON A WEEKEND
OR HOLIDAY THE CLERK WILL COME IN ON THE FIRST REGULAR WORK DAY FOLLOWING THE 25TH AND ANY PAST DUE
ACCOUNTS NOT RECEIVED OR IN THE DROP BOX WILL BE PUT ON A DISCONNECT LIST. THE WATER SUPERINTENDENT WILL
PICK THE LIST UP AT CITY HALL BY 11:00 A.M. AND DISCONNECTIONS WILL BE DONE AT THAT TIME.
IF SERVICE IS TERMINATED, SERVICE WILL NOT BE REINSTATED WITHOUT PAYMENT OF THE ACCOUNT IN FULL, PAYMENT OF
ANY APPLICABLE SERVICE OR RECONNECTION FEES, PAYMENT OF COLLECTION CHARGES AND FURNISHING OF A METER
DEPOSIT AS REQUIRED IN SECTION FOUR (4) OF ORDINANCE 226F.
A $40.00 RECONNECT FEE WILL BE CHARGED DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
A $60.00 RECONNECT FEE WILL BE CHARGED AFTER NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE SERVICE HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED FOR NON PAYMENT AND THE CUSTOMER TURNS THE WATER BACK
ON THEMSELF, THE CUSTOMER MAY FACE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION.