City of Ramona
Council Minutes
May 12, 2014
Ramona City Hall
Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth
Council Present: Billy Alcorn, Art Stroda, Pat Wick, Jay Plank, AJ Svoboda
Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, Dave Staatz
Others in attendance: Rohani Alcorn, Cassy Thompson, Terren Thompson, Commissioner Dan Holub, Ben Calvert
Reports
Clerk Gilbert read the minutes for the last council meeting.
Motion: Councilor Alcorn moved to approve the April 2014 minutes. Seconded by Councilor Plank. Motion passed unanimously.
The financial report was read by the City Clerk.
Motion: Councilor Stroda moved to approve the bills for payment; Councilor Wick seconded the motion. Passed unanimously.
Mayor Noeth reported that Irene Beames had successfully removed the bags of refuse around her home, with the help of her son, Rusty, who lives in Herington. Council agreed that no further action was necessary on this Ord. 169 complaint.
Clerk Gilbert reported that the Investment CDs that are at Tampa State Bank were maturing with a couple of weeks; she asked if Council wanted to not renew the $30,000 sewer fund CD since the funds would be needed shortly in the payment for lagoon rehabilitation.
Motion: Councilor Plank moved to not renew the sewer fund Investment CD for $30,000, and instead to have the funds placed in the City’s checking account upon maturity. Seconded by Councilor Stroda. Motion passed unanimously.
The Clerk said she’d written, as Council requested, to Randy Crawford, Director of Marion County Roads Department, requesting the County pave the triangle of mud and dirt just north of the railroad tracks on F Street. Gilbert asked Crawford to give an estimate for materials since the City will need to pay for materials only.
Sewer Lift Station Repairs
Council President Alcorn reported that the mercury switches needed to be replaced at the lift station. Because Dan Beisel recommended that the city contact Jeff Inlow of Florence about doing the repairs, the City Clerk contacted him and got basic information on the work he’s done for other cities. Councillor Alcorn also spoke with Inlow about the project. The Clerk confirmed that the service contract with Enviro-Line could be terminated without penalties, should the Council wish to hire Inlow for future service work on the sewer system.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to approve Jeff Inlow of Florence to replace the mercury switches. Furthermore, since Enviro-Line would normally come in early June to do maintenance, Wick moved to terminate the service contract with Enviro-Line. Seconded by Councilor Plank. Motion passed unanimously.
Mayor Noeth wanted to be certain that the City had no equipment warranties outstanding before the Clerk officially terminated the inspection agreement.
Gilbert was asked to contact Jeff Inlow and tell him of the Council’s decision and inquire as to when he could come and do the work on the mercury switch replacements.
Sewer Lagoon Rehabilitation Project
Because the specifications for the Lagoon rehabilitation project had been received by Stuart Porter of Schwab-Eaton, Council discussed the lagoon project and the type of information needed on the cover sheet that will accompany the Lagoon Specifications for the bidding process. The City Clerk said she’d draft a proposal and present it at the next meeting.
Mowing Assistant
Council discussed hiring Jeannie Goza to assist in mowing during the summer.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to hire Jeanette “Jeannie” Goza to mow, weed eat and spray for weeds, during the summer months, using city equipment and reporting to Councilor Alcorn or Mayor Noeth, at the rate of $8/hour. Seconded by Councilor Plank. Motion passed unanimously.
Municipal Court
Mayor Noeth asked about the outcome on the Fleckinger case since Municipal Court convened earlier in the day at 4:30pm, to hear the case about Brad’s continued violations of Ord. 196 relating to his dogs on the loose. Councilor Alcorn said that Mr. Fleckinger did not appear at court and that Judge Collett and city attorney Bina would be handling the matter.
Ord. 169 Trash and Garbage
Ben Calvert, B Street resident, was present at Council to voice his concern and frustration about the amount of garbage and trash that is blowing down B Street and landing on his property or against his fences, since he’s on the farthest end of town. He asked Council to take action to remedy the situation. Council reported that letters had been sent to the Radke and Mercer families concerning their trash and the problem seemed to have lessened a bit. However, the construction trash behind the Radke’s home has never been addressed in a warning letter, and the loose trash continues to be a problem. Since the Mayor wrote letters to both parties in February, Council agreed that the next step should probably be from the City Attorney.
Motion: Councilor Wick moved to ask Attorney Bina to write a letter to the Radke Family concerning the trash—regular household trash as well as the construction trash behind the house. Seconded by Councilor Plank. Motion passed unanimously.
Junior Council
Miss Cassy Thompson reported that she is the newly appointed mayor of the Ramona Junior City Council. The other officers are Kaitlyn Brunner, CJ Thompson, Janel Dones and Jenea Remmers, Secretary. She asked Clerk Gilbert to get her forms for requesting funds from the Junior Council’s account. Cassy also said that the Junior Council will be participating again in the 4th of July event by offering concessions and doing the 50/50 raffle.
Motion: Councilor Alcorn moved to adjourn at 8:25pm. Motion passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted by,
Jessica Gilbert, City Clerk
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: May 12, 2014
GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance 32,482.41
INCOME
State of Ks.-Retail tax 807.32
Westar Franchise 255.74
Total Income 1,063.06
Balance prior to expense 33,545.47
EXPENSE
Ck 4267 Insurance Planning 1,471.00
Ck 4290 IRS (1st Qtr 2014) 88.74
Ck 4292 Westar (park, city bldg, shed) 77.54
Ck 4293 Atmos (city bldg) 45.86
Ck 4294 Agri Mart (fuel) 60.19
Ck 4302 Concordia Tractor (mower parts) 88.51
Reimbursed to Billy Alcorn
Ck 4296 Clark Lumber (paint for park) 126.72
Ck 4300 Westar (Street lights) 288.74
Ck 4301 Rural Water 50.00
Total Expense 2,297.30
Balance as of May 2014 31,248.17
Investment Funds 5,000.00
36,248.17
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
May 2014
SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance ` 19,386.91
INCOME
Sewer Fees 580.00
2013-2014 Sewer Fees
Bailey, N $20
Bailey, N $20
Beames, I. $90
Bird $30
California Sisters $40
Gehrke $90
Leach $20
McReynolds (D. Hill) $70
Stroda, A $90
Tampa St. Bank (210 B) $90
Thompson $10
Thornhill $10
Total income 580.00
Balance Prior to Expense 19,966.91
EXPENSE
Ck 4291 Westar 78.97
Ck 4297 Don Beisel 75.00
Ck 4298 City of Tampa (Beisel exp) 138.50
Ck 4299 J. Gilbert (22 clerk Hrs) 162.54
Total Expense 455.01
Balance as of May 2014 19,511.90
Investment Funds: 30,000.00
49,511.90
HIGHWAY FUND
Beginning Balance 18,298.86
INCOME
State of Kansas 1,130.08
Total Income 1,130.08
Balance Prior to Expense 19,428.94
EXPENSE
None
Total Expense 0.00
Balance as of May 2014 19,428.94
Investment Funds: 5,000.00
24,428.94
