The Regular Council Meeting on September 12, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 6:48PM by Mayor Jurgensen.  Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger (7:00), Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart.  Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were Tom Decker, Jonathon O’Dell, Don George (Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism), Codes Enforcement Officer Doug Coyan, City Superintendent Bobby Rich, City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, and City Clerk Sally Johnson.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS

2024 Revenue Neutral Rate Hearing – hearing was opened; no patrons were present.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to adopt Resolution No. 2023-0912-1 to levy a property tax rate exceeding the revenue neutral rate

 

Roll Call Vote – Jess Ervin – Yes, Danea Esslinger – No Vote (absent), Josh Hartman – Yes, Amber Kelly – Yes, Bradley Stewart – Yes

 

Hearing closed.

 

2024 Budget Hearing – hearing was opened.  There were no patrons present.  Clerk Johnson asked the Council to consider paying off the Gas Utility Loan that was incurred due to 2021 Winter Storm Uri at the end of 2023 as there is no way to know how much more the interest rates will go up in 2024, 2025 and 2026.  The customers that opted to make monthly payments would continue to make monthly payments at the current interest rate as this is the rate paid when we pay off the debt.  This would change the published proposed budget for the Gas Utility but would not require a budget amendment for 2023.  Also heard today that we were awarded the KDWPT grant to finish riprapping the School Pond.  On General Fund, change 2024 expenditures for salaries/wages to $60,000, and parks and recreation to $20,500.  This will not change spending authority.

 

Motion by Kelly, Second by Hartman, Approved 4-0 to pay off gas utility loan on 12/31/2023 and adopt the 2024 budget as amended

 

Hearing closed.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319-(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the open meeting to resume at 7:22, include Sally Johnson.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to extend executive session pursuant to data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of second parties matters exception, KSA 4319-(b)(4), in order to discuss economic development that pertains to private financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trusts and individual proprietorships, the open meeting to resume at 7:42, include Tom Decker and Sally Johnson.

 

Sally Johnson out at 7:30.  Open meeting resumed at 7:42PM.  No action taken.

 

Phase II of Uniontown School Pond Improvement Project – Don George informed the Council that the grant application was awarded and had two copies of the contract to be signed.  He also gave out information on invasive species.  Council appreciates all his efforts to get this funded.

 

Motion by Esslinger, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to accept the grant award and sign the contract

 

Dangerous and Unfit Structure Hearing for 404 Washington St – Jonathon O’Dell was here to present evidence to repair, not remove, the structure.  He presented a bid he had received from a contractor to do the repairs and stated that the outside of the structure could be completed in 60 days.

 

Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2023-0912-2 directing that the structure at 404 Washington St be repaired and the premises made safe and secure by completely repair and secure the exterior of the structure commencing no later than September 27, 2023 and completed no later than December 1, 2023

 

Clerk Johnson will publish the resolution one time in The Fort Scott Tribune and mail by certified mail-restricted delivery, return receipt to all parties of interest.

 

CITIZENS REQUEST

None

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Treasurer Bolinger present the August 2023 Treasurer’s Report.  Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $407,054.53, Receipts $32,491.88, Transfers Out $12,776.00, Expenditures $41,716.92, Checking Account Closing Balance $385,053.49. Bank Statement Balance $393,891.88, including Checking Account Interest of $85.60, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,838.39, Reconciled Balance $385,053.49.  Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,412.16, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $19,939.88, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,689.81, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $472,095.34. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $630.95, and Utility CDs $640.87 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,271.82.  Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of August 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $4,300.00, Expenditures $4,300.00, Ending Balance $0.  August 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 $2,500.00; from Capital Improvement-Chlorinator to Capital Improvement-Warehouse $10,000.00; for Total Transfers of $12,776.00.  Net Loss for the month of August $22,001.04, Year-to-Date Net Income $41,501.52.  Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $79,144.95 (64.8%), Expenditures $76,803.25 (47.9%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $25,223.16 (68.4%), Expenditures $20,924.4 (50.8%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $99,843.35 (63.7%), Expenditures $85,528.98 (38.0%); General Fund YTD Revenue $130,027.96 (86.8%), Expenditures $110,471.20 (59.6%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $6,100.03 (81.8%), Expenditures $0 (0%).  The September 2023 estimated payables in the amount of $27,482.63 were presented; however, Clerk Johnson did sate that a late bill came in and to add $1,300.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:

• Minutes of August 8, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
• Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

City Superintendent Rich reported that there were no leaks found on the gas system again this year.  Council thanked him for all his work to prepare the City for Old Settlers Picnic.

 

Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan reported that 505 Wall St has started their project to build a shed next to the carport and they will be moving the junk vehicle out of town.  It was reported that 405 Clay St has a lot of brush piles.

 

Clerk Johnson reported that she forgot to get Citywide Yard Sales on the agenda before the last cleanup.  Consensus was to not designate a Citywide Yard Sale date this year.

She has registered to attend the KMU Regional Meeting on October 25, 1:30-3:30, Iola.

KDHE has implemented a new reporting portal and all water/wastewater reporting is to be done online beginning 2024.

She will be attending the KMEA/KMGA Fall Conference, October 19-20, Wichita.

 

COUNCIL REPORT

Councilman Ervin – City of Fort Scott has implemented water conservation efforts and initiated a citywide burn ban.  Do we have a plan to get notice to customers if C2 issues a water restriction? Yes, it would be posted to webpage and a letter would be mailed to all customers.  He also asked if we could consider a text messaging system for notifying customers/citizens.  Clerk Johnson will do some research.  Also noted that City of Fort Scott is raising their water rates 3%.  We will need to add a possible increase for our water rates, if we get a rate increase letter from C2.  Also reported that the metal pile during citywide cleanup was taken before the City could recycle it.  Council may consider adding something to the flyer about the City recycling the metal, that it is not for the taking.

Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing

Councilman Hartman – nothing

Councilwoman Kelly – Thanked staff for getting US flags replaced.

Councilman Stewart – nothing

Mayor Jurgensen – nothing

 

OLD BUSINESS

Electrical in Park – Five 30AMP outlets were installed the Friday before Labor Day.  Electrician also installed switches for the light and fan for the ceiling fan in the gazebo.

 

Street project – contract has been received and reviewed by legal.  Start time per the bid we accepted is October 2023 with 0-5 days duration of project.  USD 235 thanked the City for patching the pot hole in the drive to the stadium and medical clinic.

 

Mural Grant – bills have been paid; however, we have not received the remaining 25% of the grant from Office of Rural Prosperity.

 

Placemaking Project – estimated cost of concrete only, no site prep, is $17,150.  Need to prepare a budget for the project, then send out invitations to bid.

 

NEW BUSINESS

None

 

Moved by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:07PM