The Regular Council Meeting on January 8, 2024 at Uniontown City Hall, was called to order at 7:00PM by Mayor Jurgensen. Council members present were Jess Ervin, Danea Esslinger, Amber Kelly, Mary Pemberton, 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
Oath of Office was administered to newly elected councilmembers by Clerk Johnson.
CITIZENS REQUEST
None
FINANCIAL REPORT
Treasurer Bolinger present the December 2023 Treasurer’s Report. Beginning Checking Account Balance for all funds was $243,781.59, Receipts $73,292.55, Transfers Out $19,054.68, Expenditures $62,540.26, Checking Account Closing Balance $235,479.20. Bank Statement Balance $244,368.14, including Checking Account Interest of $53.92, Outstanding Deposits $0, Outstanding Checks $8,888.94, Reconciled Balance $235,479.20. Water Utilities Certificates of Deposit $37,083.20, Sewer Utilities Certificate of Deposit $21,153.58, Gas Utilities Certificates of Deposit $38,862.06, Total All Funds, including Certificates of Deposit $332,578.04. Year-to-Date Interest in Checking Acct is $923.79, and Utility CDs $1,091.36 for a Total Year-to-Date Interest of $2,015.15. Also included the status of the Projects Checking Account for the month of December 2023, Beginning Balance $0, Receipts $0, Expenditures $0, Ending Balance $0. December Transfers from Sewer Utility Fund to Sewer Revolving Loan $1,402.00 to General Fund $2,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $1,000; from Water Utility Fund to GO Water Bond & Interest $1,624.00, to General Fund $3,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $1,000, to Security Meter Deposit $9.56; from Gas Utility Fund to General Fund $3,000, to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $3,000, to Security meter Deposit $19.12; from General Fund to Capital Improvement-Not Specified $3,000 for Total Transfers of $19,054.68. Net Loss for the month of December $8,302.39, Year-to-Date Net Loss $108,072.77. Budget vs Actual Water Fund YTD Revenue $124,626.63 (102.0%), Expenditures $119,097.15 (74.3%); Sewer Fund YTD Revenue $36,864.03 (100%), Expenditures $34,036.23 (82.7%); Gas Fund YTD Revenue $137,399.07 (87.7%), Expenditures $163,108.78 (72.5%); General Fund YTD Revenue $207,072.57 (138.3%), Expenditures $156,498.76 (84.5%); and Special Highway YTD Revenue $8,152.71 (109.3%), Expenditures $9,525.56 (75.6%). The January 2024 estimated payables to date in the amount of $28,498.47 were presented.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to approve Consent Agenda as amended:
- Minutes of December 12, 2023 Regular Council Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report, Monthly Transaction Report & Accounts Payables
- Destruction of records for 2013 and prior
- Resolution 2024-0108-1 – 2024 GAAP Waiver
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
City Superintendent Rich requested to shut off water and close public restroom for the winter. After water is shut off, the doors will be locked and signs will be placed on the doors.
He gave an update on the sewer issue at 100 Second St – the issue is on the property owner’s side of the sewer service. It is recommended that when new line is tapped into main it includes a trace wire (all utilities).
The sewer main in the alley between Hill St and Clay St was backing up. A screen was used when cleaned out to see what was blocking the flow. Screen was full of feminine hygiene products. A request to not flush certain items was put in the January newsletter.
The quote from CAS Constructors, LLC for labor to replace the butterfly water valve at the master meter is $4,720. Valve, actuator, and solenoid have been ordered and still several weeks from delivery.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Esslinger, Approved 5-0 to accept quote in the amount of $4,720 from CAS Constructors, LLC to remove existing butterfly valve and replace with new actuated butterfly valve
Mayor Jurgensen asked for a followup on the standing water in the drainage ditch from midway between Third St and Second St to the railroad right-of-way box culvert. Source of water is still undetermined.
Mayor Jurgensen reported that he spoke to owner of 201 Second St about the fallen fence and yard. Tenants have picked up and stacked fallen fence and cleaned up yard. It was also reported that improvements at 404 Washington are continuing.
Clerk Johnson reported the Kansas Health and Environment Labs schedule of fees are projected to increase 35% effective May, 2024.
She gave an update on the finance and utility billing software implementation.
Johnson received information regarding National Flood Insurance Plan training. As Uniontown has not significant flood risk, she will not attend but will pass on information to her replacement.
Also received a notice regarding Information Technology/Operational Technology Essentials Workshop. Council did not feel anyone should attend, but Superintendent Rich could attend if he wanted to.
She received notice of a rate increase from C2 today that will be effective with the January reading. Service fee will increase from $20 to $25/month, usage rate will increase $.23/1000 gallons, a 5.22% overall increase. Johnson presented options for city customer rate increase to be effective with the January readings to reflect the increase from C2.
Motion by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0 to approve Ordinance No. 204 repealing Ordinance No. 195, relating to water rates and amending any previous ordinances for resolutions setting forth water rates for the City of Uniontown, Kansas with inside city limits minimum charge of $27.16 for the first 1,000 gallons or part thereof and $12.74/1,000 gallons over the first 1,000; for customers outside city limits minimum charge of $28.40 for the first 1,000 gallons or part thereof and $13.31/1,000 gallons over the first 1,000 to take effect on the January 26, 2024 billing
COUNCIL REPORT
Councilman Ervin – nothing
Councilwoman Esslinger – nothing
Councilwoman Kelly – nothing
Councilwoman Pemberton – nothing
Councilman Stewart – nothing
Mayor Jurgensen – severe weather is forecasted for the weekend. A member update had not been received from KMGA as of meeting, Clerk Johnson will reach out for an update. He also reminded council that dog/cat registrations period is now until March 31. It was asked if we would host a rabies clinic again this year. Clerk Johnson with reach out to Dr Holeman for a late March date.
OLD BUSINESS
Placemaking project – Grant check has been received and work will begin when weather permits.
Pond Project – contractor is still waiting on county for rock.
NEW BUSINESS
Water Meter Replacement Plan – after discussion, we will start with a few this year and budget in the following years for more to have on hand and replace when needed. Superintendent Rich stated he would need help to remove/replace some of the meters as some of the meters are pretty deep in the well.
Clerk Johnson asked when and where to advertise for the City Clerk position. Mayor Jurgensen asked her to send the clerk’s job description to the council in next month’s packet and put a non-elected personnel executive session for on the agenda to discuss duties and benefits.
Moved by Ervin, Second by Kelly, Approved 5-0, to adjourn at 8:33PM