The Regular City Council Meeting on March 9, 2021 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00 PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman (7:04), Amber Kelly, and Charles Wehry. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Clerk Sally Johnson, Loren Korte, Matt Korte, Katie Towne, Mike Towne, Lynn Oharah, Leah Hall, Derek Hall, Seth Martin, and Bill Griffith.
Mayor Jurgensen moved the Old Business item “Whether to pass on gas daily gas prices in February to customers” to between Consent Agenda and Department Reports to accommodate those in attendance.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Personal Service Insurance, Loren & Matt Korte – Gave a presentation of the proposed renewal of the City’s insurance coverages. There is a nominal increase in overall premium.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the February Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $448,749.10, Receipts $39,679.74, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $57,121.66, Checking Account Closing Balance $428,281.18. Bank Statement Balance $438,575.77, including Checking Account Interest of $34.16, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $10,294.59, Reconciled Balance $428,281.18. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $26,943.16, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $17,415.62, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $23,238.93, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $495,878.89. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $70.27 and Utility CDs $64.80 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $135.07. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of February 2021, Beginning Balance $225.33, Receipts $0, Expenditures $225.33, Ending Balance $0. February Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,400.00, from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,622.00, for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Loss for the month of February $20,467.92, Year-to-Date Net Income $27,182.71. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $16,508.49 (16.5%), Expenditures $16,325.66 (13.2%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $5,768.94 (16.6%), Expenditures $3,993.61 (9.2%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $40,828.94 (31.6%), Expenditures $19,879.57 (6.0%); General Fund YTD Revenue $39,038.01 (34.1%), Expenditures $14,918.32 (9.1%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $1,734.33 (29.0%), Expenditures $0 (0.0%). The March 2021 estimated payables including estimate gas supply invoice in the amount of $255,046.33 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda including:
- Minutes of February 9, 2021 Regular Council Meeting and February 18, 2021 Special Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
Whether to pass on gas daily gas prices in February to customers – The latest estimated invoice amount is $232, 624. The 5-year historical average cost for February is $3,380, leaving an extraordinary amount of $229,244. State legislature passed House Substitute for Senate Bill No. 88 City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program to allow cities to borrow from the State to help pay for the extraordinary costs from the extreme winter weather. Clerk Johnson explained that we would have to use as much of our reserves as possible to qualify for the loan. She has determined reserves available for this bill would be $130,000, leaving $99,244 that would have to be covered by the loan.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2021-0309-1 authorizing the City of Uniontown, Kansas to apply for the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program for the purpose of obtaining a loan from the State of Kansas to finance extraordinary electric and/or natural gas costs incurred during the extreme winter weather event of February 2021.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 pass Ordinance No. 193 authorizing the execution of a loan agreement between the City of Uniontown, Kansas and the State of Kansas, acting by and through the Kansas State Treasurer for the purpose of obtaining a loan pursuant to the City Utility Low-Interest Loan Program to finance extraordinary electric and /or natural gas costs incurred during the extreme winter weather event of February 2021; establishing a dedicated source of revenue for repayment of such loan; authorizing and approving certain documents in connection therewith; and authorizing certain other actions in connection with the loan agreement.
It was agreed by the council that only the loan with interest should be passed on to the customers. The loan term was agreed to be 60 months. Clerk Johnson had calculated February usage for all customers and estimated monthly payments based on latest estimated figures. She will send a statement to each customer with the full amount due. Payment options will be included. She will also establish an accounts receivable system to track receipts and payments. All payments will be used exclusively for loan repayment.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to send each customer a statement for full amount due. They may pay full amount up front or 60 monthly payments with interest possibly changing every January. Customers will be eligible to pay off at any time without penalty. Statements will be sent at least annually or upon request to City Clerk. City Clerk will establish an accounts receivable system to track receipts and payment. If the customer chooses to close gas account, any balance due will be added to the final bill. If the City is reimbursed from Federal, State, or litigation sources the customers will be reimbursed accordingly.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent Rich reported that the school has a big pile of dirt they will give to the city that could be used to construct a berm on the north end of town to divert water flow into town.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to accept dirt from school
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan addressed a property that needs cleaned up that we are getting nowhere with. The information was submitted to our attorney but a court summons was never issued. It was suggested to send out request for qualifications for an attorney.
He also addressed a reported dog bite. The dog owner was here to explain to Council what they had and are doing to keep their dogs in their control.
Mayor Jurgensen reported that he has been receiving complaints about the camper parked on Second Street near the intersection with Fulton St blocking sightline for the intersection. He also has received complaints about the Bradford pear tree branches impeding two-way traffic on Clay Street and Second Street.
It was also reported that 405 Clay has a big limb hanging down that is blocking sightline.
Clerk Johnson let the Council know that Fort Scott’s citywide yard sales are May 8. Last month it was approved to have either the week before or week after Fort Scott, but it usually rains then.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to hold the Citywide Yard Sales on August 28.
A homeowner has requested his meter deposits be returned to him by check instead of applied to his account. Historically we apply deposits of homeowners back to their account in December after at least a year of on-time payments. His would be applied in December this year. Council directed Clerk Johnson to cut homeowner a check for deposit refund and present amendments to Ordinance No. 159 stating the deposit refund policy.
JBHS LLC notified us this week that the service window has been delivered to his house but not all parts were delivered. He is following up with the company.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Wehry – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Utility Hearings – Mayor Jurgensen wanted to prepare hearing officers that there may be several request hearing this month due to the increased gas usage due to the extreme cold. Hartman and Esslinger are the hearing officers for this month.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:47PM
