The Regular Uniontown Council Meeting on December 12, 2023 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 8:00PM, due to schedule conflict with school activity, by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger (8:01), Josh Hartman, Amber Kelly, and Bradley Stewart. Also in attendance for all or part of the meeting were City Treasurer Charlene Bolinger, City Superintendent Bobby Rich and City Clerk Sally Johnson.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS/PROJECTS
Mayor Jurgensen presented a plaque of appreciation to outgoing councilmember Josh Hartman
404 Washington repair followup – Mr O’Dell did not appear. Exterior of structure is not completed but has been made safe and secure. Exterior and interior work is continuing.
USD 235, Vance Eden – Mr Eden forgot after the music program. He wanted to address the council about support for a proposed grant project to construct preschool/daycare classrooms, office spaces, and community space for fitness center and computer lab.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to enter into executive session pursuant to non-elected personnel matters exception, KSA 4319(b)(1), in order to discuss performance and job duties of non-elected personnel, the open meeting to resume at 8:12PM
Meeting resumed at 8:12PM, no action taken.
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the November 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $393,424.49, Receipts $38,253.45, Transfers Out $3,026.00, Expenditures $184,870.35, Checking Account Closing Balance $243,781.59. Bank Statement Balance $252,410.86, including Checking Account Interest of $71.68, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,629.27, Reconciled Balance $243,781.59. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,562.47, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $20,047.08, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $33,841.33, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $331,232.47. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $869.87, and Utility CDs $1,049.90 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $1,919.77. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of November 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. November Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00; for Total Transfers of $3,026.00. Net Loss for the month of November $149,642.90, Year-to-Date Net Loss $99,770.38. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $109,948.84 (90.0%), Expenditures $103,590.71 (64.7%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $33,931.68 (92.0%), Expenditures $27,021.56 (65.6%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $120,906.83 (77.2%), Expenditures $120,058.49 (53.3%); General Fund YTD Revenue $170,695.62 (114.0%), Expenditures $142,559.66 (77.0%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,152.71 (109.3%), Expenditures $8,841.12 (75.6%). The December 2023 estimated payables to date in the amount of $69,435.50 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:
- Minutes of November 14, 2023 Regular Council Meeting and November 27, 2023 Special Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich reported a sewer issue at 100 Second St. It is unsure whether the leaking line is the city’s or the property owners. Council directed him to determine the ownership of the line and fix if it is the city’s line.
He reported that the labor for the water valve replacement is estimated at $4,720 and estimated to be 12 weeks out.
Motion by Hartman, Second by Ervin, Approved 4-0 to table labor for valve replacement until January meeting
Rich asked about a water meter replacement plan. This will be put on the January agenda under new business.
Codes Enforcement Officer Coyan was not in attendance. Johnson reported that Animal Control Officer is monitoring the dogs at large on Washington Street and taking appropriate action.
Clerk Johnson received a request for donation for SOS (Send Off Seniors) party. Historically the city donates $100.
Motion by Kelly, Second by Ervin, Approved 5-0 to donate $100 to 2024 SOS Party
Johnson asked to not renew Zoom subscription. It has been used twice in the last three years. Council agreed to non-renew as we can always reactivate if needed. She did receive a late notice for renewal of smoothwall and did get it paid and renewed.
She also gave an update from the December 5 KDHE public meeting on the Lead Service Line Inventory being required by EPA and KDHE. KDHE does have grants available for assistance in getting accurate information for the inventory. Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) also has technical assistance available. She will be attending a MAP webinar in January. Some of the testing processes are changing and the acceptable level will be reduced from 15ppb to 10ppb
She provided governing body with a resource pamphlet from League of Kansas Municipalities and asked to not comply with request for Economic Development Survey as city has not expended anything for economic development. Clerk was directed to order a 2024 Governing Body Handbook for new councilmember.
Animal Control Officer Binford wanted to express her appreciation for the gift and council support.
Johnson also thanked the council for allowing her to be City Clerk.
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilman Hartman – again conveyed his appreciation to other governing body members and city staff as his term is ending.
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – nothing
OLD BUSINESS
Placemaking project – Blue Cross Blue Shield will present $10,000 grant check on December 18. Contractor is planning to begin as soon as weather permits.
Pond Project – contractor has contoured bank and is waiting on County to deliver rock. County rock crusher is broken down at this time. Mayor Jurgensen has given KDWPT biologist Don George an update on progress and discussed with him the weeds growing in the riprap on the west side. It is recommended to not spray with roundup or glyphosate. Mr George would like to view the areas of weeds and make herbicide recommendation.
NEW BUSINESS
2024 CMB off premises renewal-Union Station –
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to renew Union Station’s CMB off premises license for 2024
Procurement Policy – after discussion, policy does not need changed. The wording on the invitation for bid needs to state that bid opening will be (up to 10 days) before council meeting and will be awarded at council meeting.
Financial/Utility Software – Clerk Johnson contacted four companies for quotes – Tyler Technologies, one time fees $60,570, annual fees $20,645; MuniBilling, one time fees $2,390, annual fees $5,208; gWorks, one time fees $1,500, annual fee $2,030; and Edmunds, one time fees $10,000-12,000, annual fees $7,000. She recommended gWorks as they have the lowest quote plus we already use gWorks desktop Utility Billing module. There will be no onboarding/implementation cost for utility billing. All quotes are for cloud-based software.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0 to purchase gWorks Finance Hub and Utility Billing Hub cloud-based software
Employee Benefits-Health Insurance – Clerk Johnson presented the three options she found. None can be used until we have an employee to insure. Once an employee is hired, she recommends KMIT as the best option for long term health benefits.
Moved by Kelly, Second by Hartman, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 9:59PM