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City of Ramona
Council Minutes
February 10, 2014
Ramona City Hall

Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth
Council Present: Billy Alcorn,  Jay Plank, Art Stroda, A.J. Svoboda, Pat Wick
Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, Kathy Matkins
Others in attendance: none

Reports
Clerk Gilbert read the minutes for the last council meeting.

Motion: Councilor Wick moved to approve the January 2014 minutes. Seconded by Councilor Alcorn.  Motion passed unanimously.

The financial report was read by the City Treasurer, Kathy Matkins.

Motion: Councilor Stroda moved to approve the bills for payment; Councilor Alcorn seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.

Mayor Noeth thanked Billy Alcorn, AJ Svoboda and Art Stroda for their assistance in clearing the city streets during the recent snowstorm.

Plank as Council Member
Mayor Noeth informed Council that now that Jay Plank is back living within the city limits he recommends Jay Plank be reinstated as City Councilman.

Motion: Billy Alcorn moved to appoint Jay Plank as councilmember to fill the vacancy on Council.  Seconded by AJ Svoboda.  Motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Plank was sworn into office by the City Clerk and he took his position around Council table for the remainder of the meeting.

Permits to Remove Buildings
Two applications for removal of buildings were reviewed by Council—one from Billy Alcorn for the removal of the house at 106 F Street and a small structure on property owned by Don & Kathy Matkins at 300 C.

Motion:  Councilor Wick moved to approve the applications for removal of a structure or building at 106 F Street and 300 C.  Seconded by Councilor Plank.  Motion passed unanimously.

Both applications and the accompanying deposit check are on file with the City Clerk.

Municipal Court
Clerk Gilbert reported that Municipal Court was held on February 10, concerning the case against Brad Fleckinger and violations of Ord. 190.  Judge Collett ruled that Brad was in violation of Ord. 190 and that he has 90 days to build a dog run for his dogs.  He was fined $150 and an additional $150 in court fees.  Collett told Brad that if his dogs remained contained for 90 days without any violations, and the dog run was finished within 90 days, the $150 fine would be rescinded.  If, however, he violates the ordinance within the 90 days, the $150 fine still stands.

City Insurance
Clerk Gilbert said she’d met with Bill Henricks, the city’s insurance agent, regarding the renewal of the city policy.  She reminded Council that the city building couldn’t be covered under this policy (nor has it ever been by either the Senior Citizens or the city), because of the need for a new roof on the building.

Review of Ord. 196 (replacing Ord. 190)
Council reviewed the proposed changes to Ordinance 190—which would be renumbered to Ord. 196—recommended by the City Attorney, Mr. Brian Bina.  

Motion:  Councilman Alcorn moved to approve the amendments made to Ord. 190, and also approve the renumbering of the dog ordinance to #196.  Seconded by Jay Plank.  Motion passed unanimously.  (See exhibit A)

Motion:  Councilor Plank moved to rescind the City Policy concerning Ord. 190, since a new ordinance was created.  Seconded by Councilor Stroda.  Motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Plank said he would personally deliver a copy of the new dog ordinance to everyone in city limits.  Therefore, the Council decided not to publish the entire new ordinance in the newspaper, but to publish only the summary of Ord. 196. The entire ordinance would also be available on the city’s website, RamonaKs.com.

Snow Removal
Because David Staatz cannot often help with snow removal in Ramona, because of his work responsibilities in Herington, Council members have been attempting to keep roadways clear with their own equipment.  Council discussed ways to compensate those who volunteer to help—either with snow removal or mowing in the summer.

Motion:  Councilor Plank moved to approve compensating council members who use their own equipment for either snow removal or summer mowing by reimbursing the councilor for fuel and paying for their time at $8/hour. The hourly wage would also apply if the council member uses the city tractor. Furthermore, council members are authorized to use the city tractor to remove snow and cut grass.  If no time is submitted for hours worked, the Council may deem it appropriate to give such person a gift card for their services.  Seconded by Councilor Stroda.  Motion passed unanimously.

Complaints on Properties
The City Clerk received 3 complaints, signed by 10 individuals, for these properties in violation of Ord. 169, trash and garbage:
211 B (property now owned by Tampa State Bank)
303 B (property owner: Amanda Radke)
309 C (Sheila Brown and Chet Mercer)

Clerk Gilbert said she’d spoken with Chris Costello of Tampa State Bank and he’d agreed to let council members on the property to clean it up, but Council agreed this was not appropriate.  Therefore, Gilbert said she’d talk to Costello about paying a private individual to clean up the property.

Concerning the other two properties, the Council approved letters being sent to property owners, giving 15 days to get garbage under control.  

Ckerk Gilbert mentioned that Ord. 169 should probably be amended sometime in the future, since the ordinance was created in 1981 to establish a city garbage collection system.  In 1995 the City asked M&K Trash to take over this responsibility and in 1996 they began direct billing the residents and the City was no longer involved in garbage collection.  Mayor Noeth asked the Clerk to put this ordinance on a future meeting agenda for update and amendment.

Ramona Easter Hunt
Council asked the City Clerk to contact Jeannie Goza and ask her if she’d oversee and plan the Easter Egg Hunt in April, on behalf of the City.

Motion:  Councilor Alcorn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm.  Seconded by Councilor Plank.  Motion passed unanimously.




Jessica Gilbert, clerk
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: February 10, 2014


GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance             19,078.54

INCOME
    State of Ks.-Retail tax    852.33
    Westar Franchise     203.86
    Atmos Franchise    108.88
    Marion Co. Ad Valorem    11,242.01
    Court Fine: Fleckinger    50.00    
Total Income        12,457.08

Balance prior to expense            31,535.62

EXPENSE
Ck 4245  Westar  (park, city hall, shop)    169.39
Ck 4246 IRS (3rd quarter)    138.61
Ck 4248  No. Agri Mart (diesel)    28.12
Ck 4249  RDW #1 (water @ park, city bldg)    45.39
Ck 4250  Atmos Energy (city bldg heat)    97.40
Ck 4251 Westar (street lights)    277.60
Ck 4252  Jess Gilbert (27 clerk hours)    199.48
Total Expense        955.99

Balance as of February 2014            30,579.63
Investment Funds    5,000.00
                35,579.63




Funds on Reserve
Reserve Fund: 4th of July    1936.84
Reserve Fund:  Park Improvement    398.58
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair    500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council    540.64


February 2014

SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance        `    11,242.40

INCOME
Marion Co Ad Valorem    5,979.40

Sewer Fees    70.00
    
2013-2014   Sewer Fees:       $70.00      
    California Sisters $40
    Gilbert $10
    Thompson $10
    Thornhill $10

JE #1        .20
                    
Total income        6,049.60    
Balance Prior to Expense            17,292.00

EXPENSE
Ck 4244  Westar    63.38
Ck 4247  US Post Office (6 rolls stamps)    276.00
Ck 4253  KDHE (Water permit)    185.00
Total Expense        524.38

Balance as of February 2014            16,767.62
Investment Funds:     30,000.00
    46,767.62


HIGHWAY FUND
Beginning Balance            17,125.72
INCOME
State of Kansas    1,173.14
Total Income        1,173.14
Balance Prior to Expense            18,298.86

EXPENSE
None    
Total Expense        -0-
Balance as of February 2014            18,298.86
Investment Funds:    5,000.00
    23,298.86