The Regular Council Meeting on September 13, 2022 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:46PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Danea Esslinger, Josh Hartman, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Raymond George (Uniontown Ruritan), City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing – no citizens had questions. A roll call vote was taken to approve Resolution No. 2022-0913-1 a resolution of the City of Uniontown, Kansas to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved – Roll Call Vote: Jess Ervin – absent, no vote; Danea Esslinger – Yea; Josh Hartman – Yea; Amber Kelly – absent, no vote; Bradley Stewart – Yea – to adopt Resolution No. 2022-0913-1 a resolution of the City of Uniontown, Kansas to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate
2023 Budget Hearing – no citizens had questions.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Hartman, Approved 3-0 to approve the 2023 Budget as presented
Ruritan Bathroom Project, Raymond “Skeet” George – Mr George asked for a recess to view the building.
Motion by Stewart, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to recess 5 minutes to view the progress of the project.
Open meeting resumed at 6:55PM. Mr George stated that the locksmith would be here next week to train city staff on the operation of the automated locks and signs for the doors need to be ordered by the City.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger presented the August 2022 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $369,629.63, Receipts $39,795.82, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $32,790.86, Checking Account Closing Balance $363,858.59. Bank Statement Balance $372,642.97, including Checking Account Interest of $31.51, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,784.38, Reconciled Balance $363.858.59. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $30,127.37, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $18,621.26, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $28,406.10, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $441,013.32. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $239.53, and Utility CDs $253.30 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $492.83. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of August 2022, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. August Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 and to Capital Improvement-Streets $250.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00 and to Capital Improvement-Streets $750.00; from Gas Utility Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $6,250.00; and from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Streets $1,250.00, Total Transfers of $12,776.00. Net Loss for the month of August $5,771.04, Year-to-Date Net Income $40,115.09. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $75,584.05 (71.7%), Expenditures $72,465.47 (55.5%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $23,398.40 (65.5%), Expenditures $24,984.53 (60.9%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $99,257.20 (71.1%), Expenditures $104,020.67 (42.4%); General Fund YTD Revenue $107,261.48 (83.5%), Expenditures $97,997.60 (59.3%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $5625.70 (82.1%), Expenditures $1,041.18 (9.8%). The September 2022 estimated payables in the amount of $34,228.03 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0, to approve Consent Agenda:
- Minutes of August 9, 2022 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Superintendent Rich informed Council he would be taking vacation and has asked Eddie Tanner to cover for him.
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to have Eddie Tanner cover for Bobby Rich while on vacation and start on September 22, to review duties with Rich
Lead and Copper results have been received. One had a high copper level. Jeff Lamfers, KRWA, has been working with us on what is needed to correct this. He has suggested a letter to KDHE to invalidate the sample as it was not taken from a source commonly used for human consumption.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approve 3-0 to send letter to KDHE requesting invalidation of the sample that included the high copper reading
John George, Ag Engineering, would like to purchase bulk cold patch from us for his drive. After discussion, it was determined that we wouldn’t have any to sell.
Superintendent Rich was thanked for all hard work this summer.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported Smith Estate is in the process of demolition by the family. 103 Third Street has poured their ADA sidewalk. Noticed the dog pen was gone from 204 Second St. Dog owner moved out of town in June. He will try again to connect with tenant at 301 Second #1 about yard debris. Most yards looked good for Old Settlers weekend.
Clerk Johnson reported that the BBCO Health Department will hold a flu shot clinic on October 17, 2022, 9:30-10:30AM at the community center, flyer will be included with newsletter. She reminded Council that the November regular council meeting has been rescheduled for November 15, 7PM due to election day on November 8.
Randy Rathbun and Mary Pemberton powerwashed the rock posts, shelters, and gazebo in the park before Old Settlers. Randy said there were 12 rock posts that were not engraved and would like to sponsor three if not more than $225 each. Mayor Jurgensen thought that the engraving was for “Old Settler” families and suggested we contact someone involved in the park improvement project to find out before checking into current cost of engraving.
Collection Bureau of Kansas is requesting permission to pursue legal action on our account 1078003.
Motion by Esslinger, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0 to allow Collection Bureau of Kansas to pursue legal action on our account 1078003
Bourbon County REDI is pursuing a Rural Champions grant for planning and technical assistance to improve affordable housing in the County. They are requesting a letter of support from the City.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to send letter of support of Bourbon County REDI’s application for a Rural Champion grant to improve affordable housing in the County
Bourbon County REDI is hosting a Visioning Session II on September 29, 2022, 6PM, at Uniontown High School Commons Area. RSVP by 9/26/22. Jurgensen, Ervin, Esslinger, Stewart, and Johnson attended the first session. Ervin and Johnson will be out of town for this one. If any of the others plan to attend, they are to let Clerk Johnson know before 9/26 and she will RSVP.
Reminded all that League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference is coming up.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – absent
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – absent
Councilman Stewart – asked to have First Missionary Baptist Church revival information put in the next newsletter. Starts October 9, three evenings.
Mayor Jurgensen – asked for a quote from Knight’s Tree Service (a new business in town) to take down and remove debris from tree in easement at Second and Fulton Sts. The quote was for $1,000. He has insurance and if hired his insurance requires a copy of the contract for services before releasing certificate of insurance.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Esslinger, Approved 3-0 to hire Knight’s Tree Service to remove tree and clean up debris from tree in easement at Second and Fulton Sts, stump will not be ground, for $1,000
Bus drivers are also complaining about the number of limbs hanging low over street, predominantly Washington Street. We will request quotes to have trees trimmed.
OLD BUSINESS
Placemaking Survey – only three responses to the survey. Mayor Jurgensen had two responses given to him. All three stated they wanted both, a pickleball court and outdoor exercise equipment, but none of them specified specific equipment. Mayor Jurgensen asked why the students never completed the cornhole area. We were never informed as to why the project based learning project wasn’t completed. Mayor Jurgensen will convene a committee of 5-6 community members to determine which exercise equipment to get quotes. There was discussion as to whether to concrete the whole area or just the pickleball court.
American Rescue Plan Act update – one quote has been received for the ADA upgrade of city hall bathrooms. Another plumber has viewed the site and taken information to prepare a quote. Another contractor has indicated to Coyan that they will be in to view and prepare a quote. We may have to request sealed bids for this project
NEW BUSINESS
Moved by Hartman, Second by Stewart, Approved 3-0, to adjourn at 8:28PM