The Regular Council Meeting on March 14, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:10PM by Mayor Jurgensen due to lack of quorum until then.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman (7:49), and Brad Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Danny and Linda Nation (4 State Sanitation), Jason Thompson and Josh Beck (Green Environmental Services), Mary Pemberton, Matt Quick (Bourbon County Appraiser), City Attorney Chase Vaughn, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

Public Hearing for Citywide trash service – City Attorney Vaughn explained that this hearing was to select a vendor.  A proposal was presented by 4 State Sanitation and Green Environmental Services.  Review of proposals and discussion ensued.

Motion by Stewart, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-1 (Ervin) to accept Green Environmental Services as the vendor to develop citywide trash service

Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program, Matt Quick explained the changes to the program effective January 1, 2023 and the City needs to sign a new interlocal agreement to continue participating in the program.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to authorize Mayor to sign Interlocal Agreement to participate in the Bourbon County Neighborhood Revitalization Program effective, retroactively, January 1, 2023.

CITIZENS REQUEST

Mary Pemberton asked if the Ruritan could have permission to use temporary sidewalk chalk paint on sidewalks in park for summer events and to install a couple permanent tether ball poles near the basketball court.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to allow use of temporary sidewalk chalk paint and install tether ball poles in park

She also would like to have a mural painted on the side of their building at 103 Third St.  A grant is available through the Kansas Department of Commerce but would require the city or a 501c3 non-profit to sponsor the grant.  She is asking for the City to sponsor the grant.  She would fill out the application and submit and do all paperwork for the project.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0 to sponsor the Kansas Department of Commerce grant application for a mural project at 103 Third St with Mary Pemberton assisting Clerk Johnson with paperwork

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger present the February 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $372,900.60, Receipts $52,647.39, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $62,804.62, Checking Account Closing Balance $349,967.37. Bank Statement Balance $361,106.48, including Checking Account Interest of $71.94, Outstanding Deposits $997.19, Outstanding Checks $12,136.30, Reconciled Balance $349,967.37.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,218.20, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,841.76, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,494.13, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $436,521.46. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $149.28, and Utility CDs $153.11 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $302.39.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of February 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0.  February Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $6,250.00; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $2,500; for Total Transfers of $12,776.00.  Net Loss for the month of February $22,933.23, Year-to-Date Net Income $6,415.40.  Budget vs Actual Gas Fund YTD Revenue $34,307.86 (21.9%), Expenditures $36,475.15 (16.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $5,771.49 (15.7%), Expenditures $4,272.23 (10.4%); Water Fund YTD Revenue $18,906.33 (15.5%), Expenditures $20,506.69 (12.8%); General Fund YTD Revenue $46,670.92 (31.2%), Expenditures $28,433.11 (15.4%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $2,093.98 (28.1%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The March 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $58,768.71 were presented.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 4-0, to approve Consent Agenda:

• Minutes of February 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
• Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich asked if he should seed the area around the new public restroom.  Council said yes

Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported an accessory building permit application was received and approved.  Certified letters were sent to 404 Washington, 204 Fourth, and 308 Union.  One of the letters was not claimed but they have started on compliance.  He will follow-up on the one that has not responded.  There was discussion on other properties that need attention for debris, brush piles, etc.  He will make contact with those property owners.  He will write up something for the newsletter.

Clerk Johnson asked the Council to consider implementing a succession plan for City Superintendent and City Clerk positions.  Both will be retiring in the next few years.  She also requested they consider new software for fund accounting and utility billing that will be compatible with auto read meters and a link on the website to pay online.  They will have those discussions at the budget worksession in a couple months.

2023-2024 Insurance renewal quote was presented.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to accept the 2023-2024 EMC insurance renewal quote of $17,513 and add the public restroom to the property coverage

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – nothing

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilman Hartman – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – absent

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

OLD BUSINESS

School Pond Project – Don George was here and picked up the final paperwork for submission.  It has been submitted and we received an email that it was being processed for payment.  Project came in under budget and the amount from KDWPT will be the percentage requested, not the dollar amount of the original application.

Placemaking Project – Clerk Johnson asked if members filled out the community perception survey which is a component of the grant requirements from Healthy Bourbon County Action Team.  Mayor Jurgensen is still working on convening a committee to recommend exercise equipment.

American Rescue Plan Act update – the bathroom upgrade is finished and came in under budget.  We expended $19,135 of the $40,288.82 of the ARPA funds and the $5,000 grant from Bourbon County REDI.  Clerk Johnson would like the can lighting added to the Clerk’s office and Mayor Jurgensen would like mini blinds on the west windows of the community center.  The remaining $21,153.82 will be discussed at budget worksession.

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to give Clerk permission to have can lighting installed in Clerk’s office and get mini blinds for the west windows of the Community Center

KMGA/MMGA Prepay project – legal counsel has approved the ordinance to authorize participation and the participation agreement.

Motion by Hartman, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0 to adopt Ordinance No. 200 an Ordinance authorizing execution of the Natural Gas Prepay Participation Agreement with the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency and all other necessary documents with respect thereto and providing for the pledge of the revenues of the natural gas utility system of the city to secure such agreement and authorize the Mayor to sign documents

NEW BUSINESS

None

Mayor Jurgensen started a discussion on street repair planning for this year.  He will gather and bring more information on milling and asphalt to the next meeting

Moved by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0, to adjourn at 9:32PM