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City of Ramona
Council Minutes
March 11, 2013
Ramona City Hall

Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth

Council Present: Art Stroda, Billy Alcorn, Jim Thompson. Jayme Brunner

Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, Kathy Matkins, Dave Staatz

Others in attendance: Rohani Alcorn

The meeting was called to order by the mayor at 7:00pm

Reports
The City Clerk read February meeting minutes.

Motion:  Billy Alcorn moved to approve the February 2013 minutes. Art Stroda seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Kathy Matkins read the Treasurer’s report and presented the bills for payment.

Motion: Art Stroda moved to accept the treasurer’s report as read; motion seconded by Jim Thompson, and passed unanimously.


Mayor’s Report
Mayor Noeth turned the discussion over to Councilman Alcorn to explain a proposal to get David Staatz certified with the State of Kansas to oversee the lift stations and sewer ponds, taking Don Beisel’s place eventually.  The Council liked this idea; Dave Staatz said he’d check on when the classes are held and the cost involved and report at the April meeting.

Clerk’s Report

Egg Hunt: Gilbert apologized for getting the date wrong for the Easter Egg hunt, which typically happens the Saturday before Easter (March 30, this year). The Clerk gave the date for the Saturday before Palm Sunday, by mistake (March 23). Council agreed to leave the decision on which date to use, to Rachel Mealor, who is chairing the event.

Fire Department flushing sewer: Gilbert spoke with Mark Heiser, who has agreed to be the liaison between the city and the fire department. Heiser said they could not flush the sewer lines because their water supply comes from Rural Water but is not hooked up to a meter. Gilbert checked with RWD #1, Autumn Chisolm, and she said it would not be acceptable for the fire department to use the water for city use.  The Fire Dept. didn’t have a system for how to charge the city for personnel, either.  

Billy Alcorn and Dave Staatz suggested  using the City of Herington’s “torpedo” system, when we need it.  Dave said he’d check on the cost. They also advised the city clerk that when Mayer Specialty comes to do the camera work on 2nd and B, that Dave Staatz would try to arrange for use of Herington’s equipment to be on hand, should they need to clear sewer lines at that time.

Monthly Alarm: Clerk Gilbert said the Fire Department approved the monthly test of the tornado alarm system. Council approved Gilbert doing this on the first Wednesday of each month, providing weather is clear.  Gilbert said she would announce this in the next newsletter.

Council also discussed who, on City Council, should be authorized to set off the alarm system  and receive the code card.

Motion: Billy Alcorn moved that David Staatz, Art Stroda and Mayor Noeth, be the 3 authorized people to set off the tornado siren.  Seconded by Jayme Brunner. Motion passed  unanimously.

Clerk Gilbert suggested they get together in April when the siren is tested, and learn how to use the system.

Ramona Newsletter: Gilbert said she planned to publish another town newsletter after elections in April.

Payment slot box: The Council approved the clerk’s suggestion to install a payment box on the wall of the city building.  Gilbert said she’d research the options and work with Councilman Stroda on installation.

Guns in city limits: The Council asked the clerk to contact Sheriff Craft as to whether there was a State regulation concerning the firing of guns within city limits. Craft said there was not; this would be an issue to address by city ordinance.

Culverts: Gilbert got a bid from Welborns in Salina (the company used by Marion County for purchasing culverts) and received a bid of $112 for a 10” x 20’ metal culvert.  

Motion: Art Stroda moved to authorize the city clerk to order a culvert from Welborns, once he and Councilman Alcorn determine the correct size for the ditch.  Seconded by Billy Alcorn. Motion passed unanimously.

Enviroline work: Council thanked Dave Staatz for fixing the light on top Pump #1 lift station, thereby saving the City about $400 in expense.  

Motion: Jim Thompson moved to approve the city clerk signing the amended Enviro-Line work agreement, removing the strobe from the work order.  Seconded by Billy Alcorn. Motion passed unanimously.

Year-End Report: The clerk gave council the year-end financial report for 2012  (Attachment A).  The city ended the year with a carry-over; previous years have dipped into reserve funds in the amount of $2000 or more.  This positive financial report is the product of increased revenue in Sales Tax from the State of Kansas.  

Snow Removal: Gilbert asked the Council if they wanted to pay Kenny Stroda and family for clearing streets during the recent snow storm.  In the past the City paid the Strodas $250 and they returned the funds as a 4th of July donation.  Council discussed how they could give them something they could not return.

Motion: Billy Alcorn moved to give the Strodas a $100 gift card for Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants.  Seconded by Jim Thompson. Motion passed unanimously.

Maintenance Report
Dave Staatz reported that the emergency light is working again on Pump #1 at the lift stations.  He said a wheel on the tractor recently came off and he now has the necessary bolts to fix it.

He asked Council about moving the city gas supply from Mr. Bailey’s residence to the city shop.  Councilman Alcorn said he’d undertake the task when he has the skid steer back in town.  They discussed putting a motion detector light on the tank once it’s relocated to the city shop.

Youth Council
Councilman Alcorn said he would give the report since none of the youth council could be present at the meeting.  He said the kids were open to helping clean the park in preparation for the Easter egg  hunt, but that they didn’t want to be seen as a “clean-up crew;” they’d appreciate involvement by the adults in town, too.

Motion: Jayme Brunner moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50pm.




Jessica Gilbert, Clerk
 
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: March 11, 2013


GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance             21,354.03

INCOME
    State of Ks.-Retail tax    788.57
    Westar Franchise     220.68
    
Total Income        1,009.25

Balance prior to expense            22,363.28

EXPENSE
Ck 4064   Insurance Planning    1518.00
Ck 4065   sewer check
Ck 4066   Westar (park, city bldg, shed)    85.65
Ck 4067   Atmos Energy    98.68
Ck 4068   RDW #1    45.39
Ck 4069   Westar (street lights)    265.00
Ck 4070   US Post Office (postal box)    44.00
Ck 4071   J. Gilbert (3.20 supply, 2.02 post)    5.82
Ck 4072   J. Gilbert (clerk 27.5 hrs)    203.17
Ck 4073   D. Staatz (snow removal)    132.98
Ck 4074   sewer check

Total Expense        2,398.69

Balance as of March 2013            19,964.59
Investment Funds    5,000.00
                24,964.59






Reserve Funds
Reserve Fund:  Park Improvement    458.58
Reserve Fund: 4th of July    1,513.74
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair    500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council    417.82

 
March 2013

SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance        `    10,990.09
INCOME
    Sewer Fees    260.00
    2012-2013     $260.00
    
    Thompson $10
    Leach $10
    Calif. Sisters $40
    Gilbert $20
    Thornhill $20
    Bailey $40
    Beeman $120

Total income        260.00

Balance Prior to Expense            11,250.09

EXPENSE
Ck 4065   Westar    54.48
Ck 4074   Don Beisel    75.00

Total Expense        129.48

Balance as of March 2013            11,120.61

Investment Funds:     30,000.00
    41,120.61

HIGHWAY FUND

Beginning Balance            13,772.40

INCOME
None
Total Income        -0-
Balance Prior to Expense            13,772.40

EXPENSE
None
Total Expense        -0-

Balance as of March 2013             13,772.40

Investment Funds:    5,000.00
    18,772.40