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May 12, 2008

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

May 12, 2008

7:00 p.m.

The Governing Body of the City of Edwardsville, Kansas met in regular session on Monday, May 12, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

The following Councilmember’s were present with Mayor Heinz Rodgers presiding:

Chuck Adams Craig Crider
Doug Danner John Eickhoff

Councilmember Isenhour was not in attendance.

The following staff members were present:

Michael Webb, City Administrator

                        Reed Walker, City Attorney
                        Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk
                        Cliff Lane, Fire Chief
                        Mark Mathies, Police Chief

MINUTES OF APRIL 28, 2008

Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes of April 28,, 2008. Councilmember Danner seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote.
Councilmember Adams, yes
Councilmember Crider, yes
Councilmember Danner, yes
Councilmember Eickhoff, yes
Councilmember Isenhour, absent
The motion was declared carried.

PAYMENT OF BILLS - $87,658.65

Councilmember Eickhoff moved to approve the statement of bills totaling $87,658.65. Councilmember Crider seconded.

PRESENTATION BY GOLDEN LIVING KAW RIVER

Patti Young, Executive Director of Golden Living Kaw River; Rick Freeman, Executive Director of Golden Living Edwardsville and Caroline Mathia, Executive Director of Golden Living Parkway nursing facilities in conjunction with their Community Support Incentive program presented Fire Chief Cliff Lane with a donation of $3,000 to purchase a defibrillator.

REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

John Williamson, 10601 Kaw Drive asked about the property east of his; a mowing ordinance; how tall can it grow before requiring mowing. Mr. Williamson stated he did talk with the Codes Official, Jack Peters and that he had called the City of Bonner Springs regarding the same matter.

Administrator Webb stated weeds and grass that becomes 12 inches in height are considered blighting and must be mowed. A ten day notices is sent by certified mail; when not action has been taken by the land owner the city will mow and file a lien on the property.

Mayor Rodgers directed staff to notify landowner.

Administrator Webb agreed.

Leroy Shockey, 348 S. 110^th Street stated that he wanted to plea the case regarding the trash service. Mr. Shockey feels that there is a monopoly going on in Edwardsville regarding Deffenbaugh. It is not good when there is no choice in who provides the trash service. Every individual has the right to decide who they wish to use. He feels it is not right and not reasonable. People tend to forget that people don’t have money to pay; this is the same as a tax; over a $100 a year; not right; appraisals are up; seems it is trampling on the poor folks.

Mayor Rodgers stated the history is that in 2005 the Governing Body at that time agreed upon a ten year contract with Deffenbaugh. The burden is born by the landowners. He is aware that it is similar to a tax; it was being paid out of the property tax.

Janice Kibbler, 834 Kouns Lane asked if the validity of the contract was ever determined. Will there be recycling?

Administrator Webb stated it is a legal contract for 10 years. Recycling can be added and negotiations are ongoing not to raise the rates.

Fred Brandt, 1449 S. 98^th Street asked if the city had agreed upon conveying any of the land adjoining his property.

Administrator Webb did not have anything specific to present on the matter. To plat and survey the 38 acre tract would cost the city $6,500.

Mr. Brandt stated he has a friend that could do the surveying.

Administrator Webb stated he was not sure that the city has a final deed.

After further discussion it was determined that City Attorney Walker would check into the matter.

CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 869

AUTHORIZING AND PROVIDING FOR THE ISSUANCE OF

$1,065,000 PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION

REFUNDING AND IMPROVEMENT BONDS

Councilmember Adams moved to adopt Ordinance #869. Councilmember Danner seconded.

CONSIDER RESOLUTION 2008-06

PRESCRIBING THE FORM AND DETAILS OF AN AUTHORIZING

AND DIRECTING THE SALE AND DELIVERY OF $1,065,000

PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION

REFUNDING AND IMPROVEMENT BONDS

Councilmember Eickhoff moved to adopt Resolution 2008-06. Councilmember Danner seconded.

CONSIDER MAYORAL APPOINTMENTS AS PRESCRIBED

BY K.S.A. 15-204 AND CITY OF EDWARDSVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of Michael Webb as City Administrator.

Councilmember Adams moved to confirm the appointment of Michael Webb as City Administrator. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of H. Reed Walker as City Attorney.

Councilmember Danner moved to confirm the appointment of H. Reed Walker as City Attorney. Councilmember Adams seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote.
Councilmember Adams, yes
Councilmember Crider, no
Councilmember Danner, yes
Councilmember Eickhoff, no
Councilmember Isenhour, absent
Due to a tie in the vote Mayor Rodgers voted in favor of the appointment.

The motion was declared carried.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of Phyllis Freeman as City Clerk.

Councilmember Crider moved to confirm the appointment of Phyllis Freeman as City Clerk. Councilmember Danner seconded.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of Michelle Bounds as City Treasurer.

Councilmember Adams moved to confirm the appointment of Michelle Bounds as City Treasurer. Councilmember Crider seconded.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of Mark Mathies as Police Chief.

Councilmember Crider moved to confirm the appointment of Mark Mathies as Police Chief. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointment of Cliff Lane as Fire Chief.

Councilmember Danner moved to confirm the appointment of Cliff Lane as Fire Chief. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

DISCUSSION OF PROPOSED EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK

A draft employee handbook was provided to each member of the City Council.

City Administrator Webb stated the current policy on sick leave allows employees to be paid for unused sick leave capped at 320 hours at the time of resignation, retirement and/or death or upon leaving on good merit after serving for five years with the city. Final document will be presented at next meeting on May 27, 2008. Super bank eliminated. Vacation carry over will be capped at 100 hours as December 31, 2009. Changes are consistent with current memorandum of understandings for fair and equal treatment for all employees. If approved the new policy will go into effect July 1, 2008.

Mayor Rodgers stated that in the League of Kansas Municipalities Governing Body Handbook one of the mayor’s responsibilities is goal setting for both a short and long term. The work session was addressing those goals.

ADVISORY REPORTS

CITY ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL WEBB

Administrator Webb stated there were five categories reviewed; quality of life, infrastructure, service enhancements, community planning & growth and economic development.

Administrator Webb reported:

He, Mayor Rodger and Councilmember Danner attended a Leadership Summit and Mayor Conference the past weekend. Neighborhood revitalization will be addressed at the KLM conference t be held October 10 – 13, 2008.

Woodend Road Improvements: almost all of the right-of-way easements have been acquired.

Utility billing for sewer and trash service have been mailed out; approximately 18% of the billing has been paid.

Park assessment services were started this past weekend. Mr. Pickert viewed the use of the park.

Kansas City Rowing Club has indicated interest in using the cities River Park. The club has 50 members; they were utilizing a Kansas City, Missouri facility.

Roof repairs have been delayed due to weather, minor repairs will start this week.

Executive Session: Requested a 15 minutes session regarding IAFF. City Attorney Walker also needs an executive session for 10 minutes regarding current litigation.

Councilmember Adams moved to hold a 30 minutes executive session at the end of the meeting regarding employer-employee relations and negotiations and current litigation matters. Councilmember Crider seconded.

POLICE CHIEF MARK MATHIES

Chief Mathies recommended the hiring of William Jason Cummins for police officer position. Mr. Cummins is Kansas certified with 8 years experience.

Councilmember Adams moved to confirm the hiring of William Jason Cummins. Councilmember Crider seconded.

Chief Mathies recommended the hiring of Eric Witzleb for a police officer position. Mr. Witzleb is Kansas certified with 8 years experience.

Councilmember Eickhoff moved to confirm the hiring of Eric Witzleb. Councilmember Danner seconded.

CITY ATTORNEY REPORT

City Attorney Walker stated he had correspondence from Millard Refrigerated Services regarding a declaration of appointment where they are asking the city to release the terms in the IRB application that would allow them to have the documents in Millard Refrigerated Services name in order for them to protest the property taxes. Millard can buy out the industrial revenue bonds.

After further discussion it was determined that this is a unique situation and to wait until Millard provides more information for staff to review.

COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS

Councilmember Eickhoff asked Administrator Webb if a date had been set for a clean up day.

Administrator Webb stated it has not been set yet it does cost a couple thousand dollars.

Mayor Rodgers stated possibly June; it has been a subject of concern with the residents.

Councilmember Danner asked Police Chief Mathies if the Nextel units needed re-banding.

Chief Mathies stated all units have been improved; the older units were replaced. The system is up and running without any problems.

Councilmember Danner stated he has notes from the Leadership Summit available for members of the council.

Councilmember Adams asked if a park report had been provided from Indigo Design.

Administrator Webb stated the report should be available in 60 days.

Councilmember Adams reported a proposal has been submitted for a passenger train system using existing tracks and possibly having a depot in Edwardsville. It was recommended to hold a work session.

Mayor Rodgers recommended June 23^rd at 6:00 p.m.

Councilmember Adams stated AmTrac has funds for revitalization.

Councilmember Adams moved to adopt the slogan “Small town livin’, big city pride” submitted by Kelsie Spencer. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

Mayor Rodgers thanked all that attended the strategic planning work session.

Mayor Rodgers scheduled the second Town Hall Meeting for May 29^th, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center. There will be one Councilmember and the City Administrator available at the meeting. It will be on the city website, newspaper and posted at City Hall.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Rodgers convened the Governing Body to go into an executive session at 8:50 p.m. until 9:20 p.m.

RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

Mayor Rodgers reconvened to regular session at 9:41 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Danner moved to adjourn at 9:41 p.m. Councilmember Crider seconded.

Mayor Rodger declared the motion carried.

Phyllis Freeman

City Clerk

City of Edwardsville

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May 12, 2008

CITY COUNCIL MEETING