City of Ramona
Council Minutes
November 11, 2013
Ramona City Hall
Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth
Council Present: Art Stroda, Billy Alcorn, Jay Plank, AJ Svoboda, Pat Wick
(Councilor Svoboda arrived at 7:30pm)
Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, David Staatz
Others in attendance: Rohani Alcorn, Commissioner Holub, Jim Thompson and Terren and CJ
Reports
Clerk Gilbert read the minutes for the last council meeting.
Motion: Councilor Alcorn moved to approve the October 2013 minutes. Seconded by Councilor Stroda. Motion passed.
The financial report was read by the City clerk.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to approve the bills for payment; Councilor Plank seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Sewer Pond Repair
Mayor Noeth distributed a summary explaining the two options available to City Council in repairing the sewer ponds. This summary was put together by the City Clerk, from information supplied by Stuart Porter, Engineer, who is familiar with the condition of the ponds.
Option #1: Stuart Porter, Engineer, to oversee whole project
Part A:
1. Design the project (specifications)
2. Get approval of KDHE
3. Advertise to contractors
4. Conduct a bid opening and make a recommendation
Fee: Lump sum fee of $5,000
Part B:
5. During construction our firm would administer the contracts
6. Conduct pre-construction meeting
7. Site inspections (one or two are usually required)
8. Final inspection
Fee: Hourly fee, not to exceed $4,500.
Projected total cost for option #1: $8,000-$9,500 max for engineering firm
Option #2: Specifications only from Stuart Porter
1. Stuart Porter will provide specifications to meet KDHE requirements and instruct contractor on what needs to be done
2. City would do the following:
a. advertise to contractors
b. conduct bid process
c. oversee the work
d. track the project so that KDHE approves of the final result
Fee: $1,500
Stuart recommended that if the city had a reliable, trustworthy contractor (one with an excavator), he’d recommend the City hire the contractor directly. Councilor Wick said she received a recommendation from Gail Makovec, who was once doing this kind of work—he suggested Marty Dalke of Hillsboro.
Council discussed how the south pond could be drained so that it dries for several months this spring, before work commenced. If Council decided to go with Option #2, where the City oversees the project once specifications are received from Schwab-Eaton, Councilor Alcorn was asked if he’d be comfortable overseeing the excavation work since he has experience in this area. He agreed to take on this project, if Council approved.
Motion: Councilor Wick made the motion that the City of Ramona request specifications from engineer Stuart Porter, of Schwab-Eaton, for the sewer pond renovation, and appoint Councilor Alcorn to oversee the project on the city’s behalf. Furthermore, City Clerk Gilbert is to contact Porter, initiating the project. Seconded by Councilor Plank. Motion passed unanimously.
The minutes will reflect that in the midst of the above motion, Ramona resident, Jim Thompson, indicated he wanted to comment. The Mayor asked him to hold his comments, because by this point in the proceedings, the motion made by Councilor Wick was on the table. When Jim was not recognized by the Chair, he stormed to the front of the room, saying to the Council “Why don’t you just bend over and take it in the ass.” With that, Thompson left the meeting, with his children following.
Once the vote was taken and Mr. Thompson had exited the building, Mayor Noeth said he wanted to discuss what had just taken place. Noeth said he cares about what the audience has to say, but that comments need to be given properly. He said that regarding the sewer pond project he wanted to hear the Council’s opinion before taking any other comments from the audience. Councilor Alcorn said that the Mayor followed protocol because once a motion is before Council, there can be no discussion until after the question has been called. The other Council members agreed that the Mayor handled the matter appropriately.
Fleckinger Dog Case
Mayor Noeth asked Clerk Gilbert to report on the city attorney’s progress with the Fleckinger ordinance violations. Jessica said that Mr. Bina was proceeding with prosecuting Mr. Fleckinger.
Mr. Bina has not yet presented any amendments to Ord. 190, as requested in the last meeting.
Sewer Fee Cycle
Clerk Gilbert explained that for those residents who do not pay their sewer fees, they must be attached to property tax rolls and that this information must be to Marion County Clerk’s office by August of each year. Because the City’s “sewer cycle” runs from October 1 –September 31, it means that delinquent accounts cannot be attached to taxes until the following August, which is nearly a year later.
To alleviate this problem, Clerk Gilbert suggested changing the sewer cycle from October 1 – September 30 to July 1 – June 30, which gives ample time for the Clerk to issue the 30-day notice letters, as well as give sufficient time to prepare the delinquent account info for Marion County.
Motion: Councilor Plank moved to change the sewer payment cycle to July 1 through June 30. Seconded by Councilor Wick. Motion passed unanimously.
Clerk Gilbert said she would check the ordinance to see if an amendment to the ordinance was necessary.
Maintenance Report
Councilor Stroda reported that the bathrooms in the park had been winterized. Clerk Gilbert asked if anyone had seen the merry-go-round recently and that one of the iron struts was handing loose.
Misc. Business
Councilor Alcorn asked the Council whether they’d consider selling the metal teeter tauter that was down by the City Shop. He said he’d been approached by Irene Beames’ son, who expressed an interest in purchasing it. Councilor Wick said she didn’t want to see this historical relic leave the city since an uncle had built it. It was removed from the park several years ago because children in the community were reckless with it. Mayor Noeth said the issue would be discussed further at the next meeting, after Councilor Wick has had a chance to speak with her cousins.
Councilor Alcorn asked if anyone knew if the fuel tank that is no longer in use belongs to Cardie Oil. Clerk Gilbert said she’d inquire and handle the matter.
Commissioner Holub Reports
The Commissioner assured Council that the County Commissioners were not ignoring Quail Creek Road—he said they ran out of time this past summer to do the job and would be putting Quail Creek on the summer schedule. Clerk Gilbert asked if it was possible for the County to asphalt the patch of ground between the east railroad crossing and F Street. Holub told the Clerk to track when the County is in the area, and remind them of this and it would be done.
Holub explained the new recycling system where single-stream recycling is now possible both at the transfer station in Marion as well as dumpsters in Tampa and Centre High School. He said the recycling program is already showing great success.
The County Jail is three years ahead of schedule on payments, which is good news. Holub alerted Council that legislation is before the State Legislature that would exempt refineries from taxes, which shifts further tax burdens to small business and residents. Councilor Wick suggested Mr. Holub send information to the City Clerk about the points that citizens should make if they wrote to their legislators. Holub said that the Supreme Court ruled against the county in the Keystone case, which will result in a three million dollar revenue loss for the county.
Motion: Councilor Alcorn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:15pm. Seconded by Councilor Wick. Motion passed; meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Jessica Gilbert, City Clerk
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: November 11, 2013
GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance 19,694.32
INCOME
State of Ks.-Retail tax 878.08
Westar Franchise 206.68
Atmos Franchise 44.35
Marion Co. Ad Valorem 113.55
Total Income 1,242.66
Balance prior to expense 20,936.98
EXPENSE
Ck 4205 IRS (3rd Quarter) 246.02
Ck 4206 Walmart & Sams (ink, paper) 148.74
Ck 4207 US Post Office (stamps) 95.04
Ck 4208 Westar (street lights) 252.34
Ck 4209 Atmos (city bldg) 42.86
Ck 4210 Rural Water #1 43.09
Ck 4211 Karstetter & Bina (legal) 39.00
Ck 4212 Napa Auto parts (repair) 4.99
Ck 4213 Ampride (fuel) 40.00
Total Expense 912.08
Balance as of November 2013 20,024.90
Investment Funds 5,000.00
25,024.90
November 2013
SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance ` 10,410.53
INCOME
Marion Co. Ad Valorem 59.58
Sewer Fees 1,925.00
2013-2014 Sewer Fees $130
Stenzel $120
Pankratz/Troutt $10
2013-2014 Sewer Fees: $1795
Agri Producers $120
Alcorn $105
Bailey, Nate $20
Bird/Wright $60
Calif. Sisters $40
Kasten $20
Kutzle $120
Moody (Bernhardt) $120
Noeth $120
Ohm $120
Pankratz/Troutt $30
Riddle $120
Sondergard $60
Stroda, M $180
Svoboda $120
Tatge Mfg $120
Thompson $10
Thornhill $10
US Post Office $120
Wick $60
Wiles $120
Total income 1,984.58
Balance Prior to Expense 12,395.11
EXPENSE
Ck 4214 Don Beisel 75.00
Ck 4215 Dave Staatz 169.90
Ck 4216 Jess Gilbert 182.85
Total Expense 427.75
Balance as of November 2013 11,967.36
Investment Funds: 30,000.00
41,967.36
November 2013
HIGHWAY FUND
Beginning Balance 15,874.74
INCOME
State of Kansas 1,250.98
Total Income 1,250.98
Balance Prior to Expense 17,125.72
EXPENSE
None
Total Expense -0-
Balance as of November 2013 17,125.72
Investment Funds: 5,000.00
22,125.72
Reserve Funds
Reserve Fund: 4th of July 1818.13
Reserve Fund: Park Improvement 398.58
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair 500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council 490.64
