City of Ramona
Council Minutes
August 12, 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: Rohani Alcorn, Jennifer Hathaway
Reports
Clerk Gilbert read the minutes for the July meeting.
Motion: Councilor Stroda moved to approve the July 2013 minutes as read. Seconded by Councilor Alcorn. Passed unanimously.
Treasurer Kathy Matkins presented the financial report and the bills for payment in August.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to approve the bills for payment; Councilor Mealor seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Mayor Noeth said he wanted to have Dave Staatz spray again for mosquitoes in light of the heavy rains we’ve had recently. The Council was okay with the mayor doing this.
Sewer Ponds
The Mayor said he spoke with Stuart Porter of Schwab-Eaton regarding the slow erosion that is happening at the sewer ponds. Porter was familiar with Ramona’s sewer pond system since he helped the city delay the rip-wrap project back in 2006. Byron took pictures of the ponds and sent them to Stuart. Byron read portions of Stuart’s email regarding his recommendations. Porter said the city needed to re-establish the slope and bring in rip-wrap, which he estimated would cost $25,000-$35,000 per pond. He recommended doing only the south pond at this time. He said his firm could get involved in the process and find the contractors or they could give Ramona the specs for the job and let Ramona find the contractor.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to take the following actions:
1. Mayor Noeth investigate reed ponds as an eco-friendly approach to processing sewage
2. Obtain a bid from Stuart Porter’s firm, Schwab-Eaton if they handled the entire project
3. Obtain the basic specs from Schwab-Eaton for doing this job so the City can get bids
4. Ask Dave Staatz, maintenance, to divert the water to the north pond so the south pond can begin drying out.
Seconded by Councilor Mealor. Motion passed unanimously.
Ord. 190
Mayor Noeth reported that he has been handling several dog issues with the City Clerk. Per the City Policy, when a dog has been out one or more times within 90 days, a warning letter is required. Most recently letters have been sent to Sean Sipes, and Jeannie Goza. The 3-legged dogs owned by Brad Fleckinger have been out again several times in the last two weeks. The Mayor asked Council if they were okay with holding off with prosecuting (which legally is the next step) since the dog owners have been gone due to a death in the family. The City Clerk is working with Jen Hathaway, who works at Tatge’s to keep the dogs contained. A plan has been negotiated between neighbors (Mealor and Hathaway) to handle Hathaway’s dog excessive barking.
Councilor Svoboda volunteered to be the point person on Council to oversee the enforcement of Ord. 190 when dogs are running loose in town.
Misc. Business
Clerk Gilbert reported that a donation jar has been placed at the Post Office for Amanda Radke and her family, in sympathy since Anthony’s fatal accident last Saturday.
Councilor Mealor asked the Council’s permission to dig in the culvert area behind her house because she has problems with standing water. Council said she could attempt to alleviate the problem.
Budget 2014 Hearing
The Clerk reviewed the 2014 budget with City Council. The Council chose to slightly lower the mil levy from 113.990 to 112.843, so that the City would not have to publish an ordinance (costing about $150) giving public notice that the City is accepting approximately $350 dollars more revenue than last year. This increase resulting from a slight increase in property values in Ramona over previous years, can be accepted or rejected. If accepted, an ordinance stating this fact must be published. Because the amount of money is so minimal, and because it costs to publish the ordinance, the Mayor advised the Clerk to lower the mil level only slightly and not accept the additional funds. (Budget is attachment A)
Motion: Councior Wick moved to accept the 2014 budget; seconded by Councilor Mealor. Motion passed unanimously.
Motion: Councilor Alcorn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:20pm. Seconded by Councilor Mealor. Motion passed unanimously.
Jessica Gilbert
City Clerk
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: August 12, 2013
GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance 16,716.04
INCOME
Journal Entry 2013-2 .50
State of Ks.-Retail tax 966.19
Westar Franchise 112.37
Atmos Franchise 81.02
4th of July Income 1071.00
Redneck Run 951.00
1st National Bank 100.00
Ice cream sales 20.00
Total Income 2,231.08
Balance prior to expense 18,947.12
EXPENSE
Ck 4138 4th: Copy Co. (programs) 29.00
Ck 4166 4th: Western Graphics (shirts) 492.25
Ck 4168 4th: Angela Moore (shirt design) 50.00
Ck 4169 Westar Energy (park, shop, etc) 107.78
Ck 4170 IRS (2nd quarter) 215.00
Ck 4171 4th: K. Ireland (website) 200.00
Ck 4172 4th: Free Press (ads) 327.01
Ck 4173 4th: Mid-Amer Awards (banner) 115.00
Ck 4174 Hoch Pub (budget published) 149.00
Ck 4175 Napa Auto (maint. Supply) 17.85
Ck 4176 Clark Lumber (maint supply) 53.82
Ck 4177 Atmos Energy 46.17
Ck 4178 Westar (street lights) 253.79
Ck 4179 Swindoll et al (budget) 800.00
Ck 4180 RWD #1 47.57
Ck 4181 Jessica Gilbert (clerk) 363.86
Total Expense 3,268.10
Balance as of August 2013 15,679.02
Investment Funds 5,000.00
20,679.02
August 2013
SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance ` 13,030.02
INCOME
Sewer Fees 240.00
2012-2013 $240.00
Hathaway, J $100
Bailey, Nate $20
Calif. Sisters $40
Gilbert, J. $20
Leach, F. $20
Thompson $10
Thornhill $10
Kasten, J. $20
Total income 240.00
Balance Prior to Expense 13,270.02
EXPENSE
Ck 4165 Westar 56.28
Ck 4167 State of Ks. Bond Payment 5,950.00
Total Expense 6,006.28
Balance as of August 2013 7,263.74
Investment Funds: 30,000.00
37,263.74
HIGHWAY FUND
Beginning Balance 14,745.18
INCOME
State of Kansas 1,129.56
Total Income 1,129.56
Balance Prior to Expense 15,874.74
EXPENSE
None
Total Expense -0-
Balance as of August 2013 15,874.74
Investment Funds: 5,000.00
20,874.74
Reserve Funds
Reserve Fund: Park Improvement 398.58
Reserve Fund: 4th of July 1,915.33
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair 500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council 490.64
