Minutes of the Uniontown City Council
The Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing on September 14, 2021 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:39 PM by Mayor Jurgensen, immediately followed by the Budget Hearing, then the Regular Council Meeting. Council members present were Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Amanda Lancaster, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA, City Treasurer, Charlene Bolinger, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
REVENUE NEUTRAL RATE HEARING
No citizens were present for the hearing.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2021-0914-1 to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate
2022 BUDGET HEARING
Clerk Johnson asked for an amendment to a couple line items in the general fund that would not change the total expenditures for that fund – Expenditures – Current Year Estimate for 2021 column, change Library to $900 and Remove Unsafe Structures to $7,250; Proposed Budget Year for 2022 column, change Operating Expenses to $15,300 and Library to $900. The software licensing and support for the library was not considered during the worksession. No citizens were present for the hearing.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to adopt the 2022 Budget as amended
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Audit Review – Amanda Lancaster, Diehl, Banwart, Bolton, CPA, presented the 2020 financial audit findings. There were no statutory violations or irregularities.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to accept the 2020 financial audit as presented.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the August Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $347,763.13, Receipts $46,926.80, Transfers Out $21,026.00, Expenditures $32,309.84, Checking Account Closing Balance $341,354.09. Bank Statement Balance $343,309.95, including Checking Account Interest of $29.07, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $1,955.86, Reconciled Balance $341,354.09. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $26,004.12, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $17,467.30, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $23,292.56, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $409,118.07. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $254.64 and Utility CDs $231.07 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $485.71. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of August 2021, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. August Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00, from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, from Water Utility to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00, from Gas Utility to Capital Improvement-Streets $12,500.00, from Sewer Utility to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00, from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Street $2,500.00, from General Fund to Lease Purchase Fund-Maintenance Vehicle $500.00, from Water Utility to Lease Purchase Fund-Maintenance Vehicle $500.00, from Gas Utility to Lease Purchase Fund-Maintenance Vehicle $500.00, and from Sewer Utility to Lease Purchase Fund-Maintenance Vehicle $500.00 for Total Transfers of $21,026.00. Net Loss for the month of August $6,409.04, Year-to-Date Net Loss $59,744.38. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $75,567.16 (75.7%), Expenditures $67,355.64 (54.4%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $23,308.69 (67.1%), Expenditures $24,884.15 (57.0%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $113,180.96 (87.6%), Expenditures $209,244.83 (63.3%); General Fund YTD Revenue $93,037.70 (81.3%), Expenditures $97,240.64 (59.2%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $6,012.60 (100.5%), Expenditures $3,686.47 (24.7%). The September 2021 estimated payables in the amount of $28,393.81 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of August 10, 2021 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Council was informed that KDHE is asking for water systems to volunteer to quarterly test for PFAS. There was discussion about PFAS and whether to volunteer; however, the deadline to let them know was August 31.
The solenoid valve had to be replaced again at the master meter. This is the third replacement since 2014. Superintendent Rich would like to stock another one in case of a future failure.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to purchase a solenoid valve as a stock part
He received one quote, from Roberts Tree Service, to remove the trees discussed last month. He would remove seven trees, trim one in the easement and remove eight stumps for $5,725.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to accept the quote from Roberts Tree Service to remove seven trees, trim one in the easement and remove eight stumps for $5,725
Rich asked if the Council still wanted him to replace two of the gas main shut-off valves. It is budgeted to replace 2-4 this year. He would like to replace the two valves near 201 Hill St. Council gave approval to replace.
He has not ordered culverts for Second and Fulton area. Shipping is costly. Councilman Stewart offered the use of his 16’ trailer to go pick up the culverts instead of shipping them. Council instructed Rich to order several culverts of different sizes.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan updated the Council on ongoing issues. 104 Washington – complaints about backyard, he has been unable to speak with them, a letter will be sent. There were several complaints about dogs the past month; he has not observed them out. 505 Washington – needs grass/weeds letter sent. 307 Sherman – one tree has been removed, the other has been trimmed; complainant has been told that they have complied with our request. 301 Second #1 – the camper has been moved. 202 Fourth – needs mowed by City. 103 Sherman – City mowed, property is in the process of being sold; prospective owners have covered broken window and will keep mowed. 306 Sherman – not mowing their ditches, needs letter sent.
Clerk Johnson went over recently released 2020 Census Data. Uniontown census increase 21 to 293.
Uniontown High School is having a homecoming parade on September 17. They would like to have First, Second, and Third Streets barricaded for the parade at Clay Street and Fifth Street barricaded just west of the high school parking lot entrance. The parade line up begins at 1:30 and the parade at 2:00
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to barricade First, Second, and Third Streets at Clay Street and Fifth Street just west of the high school parking lot entrance for the homecoming parade
Steve Headley has two oak trees he started from acorns to donate for the pond or the park. Clerk Johnson will ask Mr Headley how big they are. Consensus of council was to put them in the park since we are removing seven; but make sure placement would not interfere with the possibility of the splashpad. Council also asked Superintendent Rich to look into the purchase of 4” trees.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – absent
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – absent
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – J Kite would like to donate his vacant lot on Second Street to the City. Clerk Johnson will check on size of lot and legal description and bring back to Council next month when more members are present. Mayor Jurgensen would also like to send a Thank You to Bourbon County Fire District #3 for their participation in the Old Settlers Picnic parade.
OLD BUSINESS
City Building Roof update – the opening for the stove pipe has been cut and the pipe installed. Project is completed. A puddle of water was found on the north side of community building near the furnace room. It was determined that the water wicked in from under the metal siding, not from the roof.
City Utility Low-Interest Loan update – two more accounts have paid in full, another account sold their property and will be billed the balance with the final bill, one account that was billed the balance on their final bill in July has not paid yet. If not paid by October 10 Clerk Johnson will submit to collection agency. Clerk Johnson played a recording of Erik Sartorius, LKM, informed cities of the progress in the investigation of price gouging. Attorney General’s office feels there may have been some violation and merits hiring outside counsel further investigate. He cautioned that even with further investigation cities may not receive any reimbursement.
American Rescue Plan Act update – Clerk Johnson spoke with Jason Solomon from KRWA about smoking/lining the sewer lines. The cost to smoke the lines is just the cost of the oil to create the smoke, approximately $200, because we are members of KRWA. He will put us on their list for some time next year, probably summer as it needs to be dry. He said once we smoke and see where the problems are we can discuss options for stopping the infiltration and that there are less expensive options than lining. He also conducted a sludge profile on the lagoons and reviewed our wastewater testing results. He said our influent biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was 477 and the total suspended solids (TSS) was 600 in March. The effluent BOD was 24.9 and TSS was 43.2, which is in compliance. He reviewed our sewer system Ordinance No. 33 and Section 506 states “. . .admission into the public sewers of any waters or wastes have (a) a five-day BOD greater than 300 parts per million by weight or (b) containing more than 350 parts per million by weight of suspended solids. . .shall be subject to the review and approval of the Superintendent.” He suggested a conversation with the locker about the amount of blood entering our system on butchering days. He also said that overall our lagoon system is working well and no compliance issues have been identified.
She also asked Kansas Office of Recovery if the purchase/installation of culverts to improve stormwater drainage was an allowed use of ARPA funds. She was referred to the most recent FAQ Section 6 which referred to EPA Clean Water State Revolving Fund or Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. She is still researching.
FEMA project update – they are now requesting a bid to restore to pre-disaster condition (without adding riprap, that is considered mitigation). A bid has been requested from the contractor for both the ditch and the corners. As soon as it is received Clerk Johnson is to email to Ms Mitchell and call her to discuss.
NEW BUSINESS
Home Rule Day Proclamation – this year is the 60th anniversary of the implementation of Home Rule in Kansas. Home Rule gives local government, specifically cities, the power to make decisions at the local level based on the unique needs and values of their residents. LKM is encouraging all cities to proclaim October 11, 2021 as Home Rule Day and share the importance of Home Rule with our citizens.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to proclaim October 11, 2021 as Home Rule Day
Moved by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 8:27PM