City of Ramona
Council Minutes
June 10, 2013
Ramona City Hall
Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth
Council Present: Art Stroda, Billy Alcorn, AJ Svoboda, Rachel Mealor, Pat Wick
Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, Kathy Matkins
Others in attendance: Jim Thompson with his children, CJ and Cassy; Rebekah Basore, Bryanna Svoboda, Rohani Alcorn
Reports
Clerk Gilbert read the minutes for the May 2013 meeting.
Motion: Billy Alcorn moved to approve the May 2013 minutes as read. Seconded by Rachel Mealor. Passed unanimously.
Treasurer Kathy Matkins presented the financial report and the bills for payment in June.
Motion: Art Stroda moved to approve the bills for payment; Pat Wick seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Noeth thanked Councilmen Stroda and Alcorn for repairing the park shelter in preparation for the Memorial Day picnic.
Mayor Noeth asked the city clerk to contact Jenny Makovec and the city Attorney to get the status on the Ron Kidd dog case.
City Clerk’s Report
Jess Gilbert said she attended a countywide meeting on May 28 in Marion to represent the city of Ramona on the recycling issue. The County has appointed a task force to report back in 90 days.
The clerk asked the council to take action on 3 families in town who have violated the city policy on dogs being out 3 times in 90 days. The families were Jon Gehrke, Brad Fleckinger, and Jen Hathaway & Matt Jenkins. Councilwoman Mealor commented that there has been several other violations beyond those noted by the city clerk and agreed that letters should be sent from the City Attorney.
Motion: Pat Wick moved to have the city attorney send a warning letter to Jon Gehrke, Brad Fleckinger, and the Hathaway/Jenkins family. Seconded by AJ Svoboda. Motion passed unanimously.
Maintenance Report
There was no report by city maintenance superintendent Dave Staatz. Councilman Alcorn mentioned that he’s spoken with Bruce Ballard about doing the ductwork for the furnace/ac unit at the City building.
Youth Council Report
Youth Council member, Cassy Thompson, reported that the polls for the volleyball net are set in the park. She said that the May dance went well.
Request for Donation
Rebekah Basore and Bryanna Svoboda, seniors from Centre High School, made a presentation and request for a donation to assist with the Centre FBLA competition trip to California in July.
The mayor mentioned that traditionally the city does not make donations. Wick mentioned that if the council does this they could be setting a precedent. The City Clerk added that donations are also not included in the budget and suggested everyone at the meeting give a private donation instead.
Motion: Billy Alcorn moved that the City of Ramona donate $100 to Centre FBLA. Seconded by Pat Wick. Motion passed unanimously.
Councilman Alcorn personally donated a matching amount.
Tax Exemption on City Property
Clerk Gilbert explained that the city’s property is now one continuous piece of property and that by July the county will have it linked together in their computers. Once this is accomplished, Gilbert said it would be appropriate to apply for tax exemption. She also imparted information from other cities and the tax attorney with the State of Kansas, about the risk of being denied exemption if the city receives income from renting the building. The state statutes say that the use of the building must be exclusively for city business. The tax attorney Jessica consulted said that when she applied she should stress how little money the city receives for this purpose, or discontinue renting the building.
Motion: AJ Svoboda moved to approve the city clerk applying for the city’s tax exemption status on the city building and adjoining property, and further authorizes the required payment of $400 for the application. Seconded by Rachel Mealor. Passed unanimously.
Motion: Art Stroda moved to no longer rent the city building, but instead offer the building to citizens as a community service; a cleaning deposit of $40 would be required. Seconded by Rachel Mealor. Passed unanimously.
Street Maintenance
Clerk Gilbert distributed a copy of her notes from a conversation with Randy Crawford, Marion County Road and Bridge Dept, concerning doing chip/seal on B Street, as suggested by Commissioner Holub. Crawford said that he was backed up with work and could not undertake to do the job until 2014. Furthermore, the city of Ramona would need to notify Crawford by August if Ramona wants the county to do the job so he can include this in his approved budget for 2014. He also said that the machine that fills cracks with tar would not be available to the city at this time.
Crawford asked this question: Does B street have cracks every foot in the road?
If the answer is “Yes”, (and Gilbert believes it is) then it’s pointless to do “crack filling” and follow it with chip and seal. Crawford said it’s a waste of time, like putting a “band aid” on an open wound. The job would last about 2 years and the first heavy trucks rolling over it will cause cracks again. Instead Crawford recommended applying a 1” asphalt (cold mix cost approx. $35,000 for B Street) over oil. He said the optimum would be to then apply chip and seal over that, but the cost to do both “processes” would be prohibitive for the city ($47,500 just for B Street).
The chip and seal option for B Street would cost around $12,500 whether Marion County does it or High Plains Sand. High Plains sand could do the job in August of September of 2013.
Gilbert concluded by saying that the best “cheap” solution for helping our roads would be to continue killing weeds in the spring so cracks don’t expand.
There was discussion that the street that should be maintained is D Street. Jessica said she could figure the cost of D Street if someone will get the street measurements to her.
Motion: Councilman Stroda moved to purchase roundup to spray the streets. Seconded by Councilwoman Wick. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Councilman Alcorn moved to approve contacting High Plains Sand to do chip and seal, if the bid is within the budget. Seconded by Councilwoman Mealor. Motion passed unanimously.
4th of July Report
Jess Gilbert distributed copies of the 4th of July program that will be mailed this week to every Ramona resident. She asked Cassy Thompson if there had been a resolution to the Paintball issue with landowner, Alan Bentz. Cassy said she would check.
Gilbert also gave the council the proposed budget for the 4th expenses, which are covered by donations.
Motion: Councilman Alcorn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm. Motion passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned.
Jessica Gilbert, city clerk
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: June 10, 2013
GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance 21,412.70
INCOME
State of Ks.-Retail tax 866.81
Westar Franchise 162.47
4th Of July Donations 2,050.00
Clark Lumber $100
Tampa Bank $350
Agri Producers $100
Cow Camp $350
1st Choice Meats $100
K. Stroda Farms $300
Rick Hanschu, $100
No. Central Coop $100
TCT $200
1st National Bank $200
Atmos Energy $100
Central Natl Bank $50
Interest Income (to 4th July acct) 124.72
Total Income 3,204.00
Balance prior to expense 24,616.70
EXPENSE
Ck 4112 Westar Energy 81.15
Ck 4114 Office Max (supplies) 127.92
Ck 4115 D. Staatz (Apr Maint) 136.67
Ck 4117 Rural Water 49.60
Ck 4119 Atmos Energy 43.70
Ck 4120 Salina Waste (dumpster) 425.00
Ck 4121 Clark Lumber (shelter repair) 160.91
Ck 4122 D. Staatz (May Maint) 155.14
Ck 4123 J. Gilbert (clerk) 210.55
Total Expense 1,390.64
Balance as of June 2013 23,226.06
Investment Funds 5,000.00
28,226.06
June 2013
SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance ` 12,361.68
INCOME
Sewer Fees 370.00
2012-2013 $370.00
Thompson $10
Wick $120
Calif. Sisters $40
Svoboda $120
Thornhill $10
Bailey, Nate $20
Makovec $50
Total income 370.00
Balance Prior to Expense 12,731.68
EXPENSE
Ck 4113 Westar 61.10
Ck 4116 Enviroline repairs 2,625.50
Total Expense 2,686.60
Balance as of June 2013 10,045.08
Investment Funds: 30,000.00
40,045.08
HIGHWAY FUND
Beginning Balance 14,853.98
INCOME
None
Total Income -0-
Balance Prior to Expense 14,853.98
EXPENSE
Ck 4118 Welborn (culvert) 108.80
Total Expense 108.80
Balance as of June 2013 14,745.18
Investment Funds: 5,000.00
19,745.18
Reserve Funds
Reserve Fund: Park Improvement 458.58
Reserve Fund: 4th of July 4188.46
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair 500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council 417.82
