City of Effingham

 

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ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

Home Page

Minutes of City Council

City Ordinances

Budget

Tax Rebate Program

City Library

Atchison County Fair

City Pool

Facility Use Policies & Rates

Water & Sewer Rates

Tree Board

Fire Department

History of Effingham

 

ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

Home Page

Minutes of City Council

City Ordinances

Budget

Tax Rebate Program

City Library

Atchison County Fair

City Pool

Facility Use Policies & Rates

Water & Sewer Rates

Tree Board

Fire Department

History of Effingham

 

ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

Home Page

Minutes of City Council

City Ordinances

Budget

Tax Rebate Program

City Library

Atchison County Fair

City Pool

Facility Use Policies & Rates

Water & Sewer Rates

Tree Board

Fire Department

History of Effingham

 

ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

Home Page

Minutes of City Council

City Ordinances

Budget

Tax Rebate Program

City Library

Atchison County Fair

City Pool

Facility Use Policies & Rates

Water & Sewer Rates

Tree Board

Fire Department

History of Effingham

 

ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

Home Page

Minutes of City Council

City Ordinances

Budget

Tax Rebate Program

City Library

Atchison County Fair

City Pool

Facility Use Policies & Rates

Water & Sewer Rates

Tree Board

Fire Department

History of Effingham

 

ACCHS ALUMNI ASSOC.

Atchison Co.  Fair Assoc.

Atchison County Recreation

Effingham Comm.  Library

Effingham Lions Club

Effingham Union Church

Effingham Wrestling Club

St. Ann's

  U.S.D. # 377

 

City Contact Information:

City Office-414 Main St.

Clerk-Pat Strine, Office                                    913-833-4471

Email:  effcity@carsoncomm.com

City Manager-Buzz Faught                              913-426-2853

Email:  bfaught2@hotmail.com

Emergencies Call      911

 

      City Council               phone                              email

James Potts-Mayor      913-833-9381           overgoods@yahoo.com

Kirk Kloepper             913-833-5421

Todd Eckert                913-833-2865

Mark Hurst                 913-833-5231            satch04002@yahoo.com

Robert Blunt               913-833-9351

Kirk Wohlgemuth       913-833-5435

 

CITY OF EFFINGHAM CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

MAY 5, 2010

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:  KIRK WOHLGEMUTH, BOB BLUNT, MARK HURST, KIRK KLOEPPER AND TODD ECKERT.  MAYOR JIM POTTS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.

Blunt moved to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as written.  Wohlgemuth seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Hurst moved to approve and pay the bills.  Wohlgemuth seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. 

The city clerk reported that all final drawdown requests for the water project have been submitted.  Kramer has requested that the city pay Engemann Drainage Co. $943.00 for repairing the fire hydrant at the water tower.  The payment can be taken from the city’s portion of the final payments.  This will be the final payment to Engemann.  Kloepper moved to pay Engemann Drainage Co. $943.00 for repair of the fire hydrant from city funds.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Brandon Cummings was present and asked the council for permission to have a beer garden on his property during the Atchison County Fair.  He plans to have a 50’ X 50’ area roped off for the beer garden and will use wristbands to identify underage persons.  The council told him to pick up an application at the city and fill it out.  They can consider it at the June meeting.

City Superintendent, Buzz Faught gave his report to the council.  He reported that he took the old dump truck to Valley Falls to see what it would cost to get it fixed.  The truck’s rear-end is out and would cost $5,200 to repair.  There are several other problems with the truck that would need to be repaired also.  He has been offered $2,500.00 for the motor.  Kloepper moved to sell the dump truck’s motor and transmission and scrap the truck.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Faught also reported that he will begin filling the swimming pool tomorrow.  The spreader box has been moved from the city’s lots on George Street and hung up at the shop.  He told the council that he bought a different street sweeper for $975.00 and sold the old one, which was not working, for $1,100.00.  The water system chart recorder was malfunctioning, but has been fixed.  He reported that we have been receiving complaints about calcium in the water and the water smelling bad.  The amount of polyphosphate added to the water has been increased to correct these problems. 

Kloepper asked why we are spreading rock when we bid it out for hauling and spreading.  Faught told him that Martin does not have time to spread the rock for us so he is spreading the rock himself and we are paying Martin the lower bid for hauling the rock only.  Kloepper also asked why he had not been contacted about filling the ditch by High’s.  He told Faught that most of that ditch is on the lumber yard property and filling it has caused water to stand there.  Faught said he was told that Horsty was contacted and agreed with filling the ditch.  Faught was instructed to personally talk to all property owners involved before undertaking similar jobs and get permission in writing from them all to avoid future problems.

The Agreement for Use of Putthoff Park for Events was discussed.  City Attorney Buddenbohm said he will add that usage must end by 11:59 p.m.  This will keep usage within the same day.  Wohlgemuth moved to set the charge for use of the park at $100.00 per day.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Blunt moved to adopt the agreement with the changes agreed upon.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

The Agreement to Demolish Structures was discussed.  City Attorney, Buddenbohm pointed out that the city will need to check property records to verify actual owners of properties before demolition agreements are signed.  All owners, including those buying on contract, should sign the agreement.  Adding language that states the deposit will be returned if the property owners comply completely with the agreement will be added.  Buddenbohm also suggested that the agreement state that the property owners must have all utilities properly disconnected before demolition begins.  There was some question as to whether or not the city should have this type of program and if it is necessary with the Minimum Housing Standards in place.  Kloepper moved to table discussion on this matter until the June meeting.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

The council instructed Buddenbohm to have Dennis Foster inspect the McVey property on 9th Street for compliance with the Minimum Housing Standards.

City Superintendent, Buzz Faught reported that the grant he was pursuing for replacement of the city’s water meters has turned out to be a loan.  The loan is available from the National Rural Water Association and is for 80% of the project cost.  The city would have to pay $7,763.97 and NRWA would loan the city $31,055.90 at 3% for 10 years.  The loan repayment cost would be approximately $300.00 per month.  With the new touch-read meters, there would be no need for the city to employ a meter reader as reading the meters would take considerably less time and water would not have to be removed from meter pits to allow the meters to be read.  The cost of paying the meter reader exceeds $300.00 per month.  Therefore, the city would not incur any extra expense with this loan.  In fact, we would save a few dollars.  The new meters should be more accurate than the aging meters the city now has.  Many of the old meters do not working properly.  Replacing them should give a more accurate accounting of water usage and possibly raise revenues.  There are funds included in the loan for hiring help to install the meters, replacement of damaged meter pits and a mini excavator.  Eckert moved to go ahead with the loan application and borrow the money for the water meter replacement project from the National Rural Water Association for 10 years at 3% interest.  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

There was a discussion on the need to raise water and sewer rates in the near future.  Raising water rates should eliminate the need to increase property taxes to cover the balance of the pool bond payment that was not levied in the current budget.  Raising sewer rates will bring us closer to the state average and help us to better fund operations.  The city clerk will get information together on these raises and present it to the council at the June meeting.

Rate for the pool were discussed.  Eckert moved to leave the daily admissions at $2.25 and punch cards at $12.50 for 10 punches and $25.00 for 20 punches and to raise the season passes to $180.00 for 4 family members plus $10.00 for each additional family member.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Babysitters are not considered members of the families they babysit for.  The price for pool parties will be a lump sum charge that will cover wages for lifeguards and the pool manager plus a per-person charge for each attendee.  The per-person charge should be more than half the regular daily admission charge.  The charge will help pay for chemicals lights, etc. used during the pool party.  The pool manager can figure the pool party charge based on these guidelines.  It was noted that the pool manager should be reminded that pool employees must be paid overtime for hours in excess of 40 per week.  This should be taken into account when setting the pool party charge.

Purchasing a dump tank for the city fire department to use at fires was discussed.  A 3,000 gallon tank with and aluminum frame can be purchased for about $1,100.00.  Eckert moved to purchase a dump tank for the city fire department.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Eckert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

 PatStrine, City Clerk

APRIL 7, 2010

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:  KIRK WOHLGEMUTH, BOB BLUNT, MARK HURST, KIRK KLOEPPER.  MAYOR JIM POTTS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.  TODD ECKET ARRIVED AT 7:08 P.M.

Hurst moved to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as written  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Blunt moved to approve and pay the bills.  Wohlgemuth seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Steve Caplinger, Hegarty-Caplinger Insurance, was present about the City renewing the insurance policy for another year.  Everything has been brought up-to-date.  He suggested that when the slide is installed at the pool, the City needs to notify them.  Kloepper moved to accept the insurance policy package.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Potts opened the Performance Public Hearing  for the CDBG Project No. 07-PF-707.    There were no comments.  Eckert moved to close out the water project.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  Eckert moved to close the Performance Public Hearing.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. 

Michael Kramer, Kramer Engineering, was present to discuss the completion of the water construction project Loan Agreement with KDHE.  Maguire Iron, Inc has their payroll report in order.  There was a problem with the fire hydrant at the new water tower and Engemann Drainage Co. had to fix it.  A conduit clamp had been dropped down the pipe.  Roger Engemann had came and looked at it  to see what it would take to fix it and then he came back to fix it.  Engemann asked for the cost of two trips and labor which amounted to $550.00 and the materials used amounted to $393.00 for a total of $943.00.  Discussion was held and the council felt the $943.00 should be withheld from payment to Maguire Iron.  Kramer had not discussed with the tank manufacturer the problem that had occurred.  The council felt that Kramer Engineering should have contacted Maguire Iron prior to the council meeting to let them know about this problem. Then Kramer could of reported if Maguire Iron agreed to this at the council at the meeting.  Michael Kramer will e-mail Maguire Iron about the $943.00 going to the other contractor. Kramer submitted Final Invoice No. 7030 in the amount of  $12,080.00 for consideration.  The Final Application for Payment submitted by Maguire Iron was for $38,066.25.  Wohlgemuth moved to approve the final payment to Maguire Iron less the $943.00 with the stipulation pending the agreed outcome from -$943.00 (conduit clamp inside the fire hydrant) and to approve KPWSLF Request for Payment #20 in the amount of $31,539.52 for payment of these final bills.  Eckert seconded the motion  The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Potts signed the certificate for completion of construction for KDHE for  KPWSLF Project #2461. 

Bob Hosack, Hosack Community Planning and Development Services, mailed his final invoice for work completed for CDBG Project #07-PF-707 and Invoice #4 in the amount of $1,660.00.  Hurst moved we pay to Hosack Community Planning & Development Services Invoice #4 for the total of $1,660.00 and to have Mayor Potts sign Request No. 6 - Final for $6,419.00.  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Jennifer Hansen, Pool Manager, reported that the assistant manager and lifeguards for the pool have been hired.  There will be 4 full-time lifeguards, 3 part-time lifeguards, with 3 substitutes available.   First year lifeguards will be paid minimum wage and those who have been lifeguards in the past will receive 25 cents more per hour.  The pool will be open Monday - Thursday from 12:30 P.M to 7:00 P.M., Friday & Saturday from

12:30 P.M. - 8 P.M., and Sunday from 12:30 P.M. - 6 P.M.  Special times will be held for aerobics and lap swimming.  Details are being worked out for a teen night to be held 5 times during the season. Once again Hansen plans to purchase beverages from 7-Up as last year.  They provided a cooler for free and it worked out really well.  Hansen is looking into buying chips directly from Frito Lay.  She will order 6 more lounge chairs, which is a full pallet, and will get a price break of $118.00 each.  A new basket rack for out front is needed which holds 32 baskets.  She will be ordering this also.   She also needs to refill the First-Aid Kits and will be looking into some equipment for aerobics.  She requested the council to approve toddlers to use “Little Swimmers”.  Eckert moved to require toddlers to use “Little Swimmers.”  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  She will have “Little Swimmers” available to purchase.  Discussion will be held next month on the “official opening” for the slide.  Nancy Keith has given Mayor Potts the list of donors for the pool,  Potts will be printing the list, and ordering an aluminum case to put the list in.  Also donations of $1,250.00 from the Holyrod family had been received and they have requested the money be used to purchase two benches for the pool.  Faught and Hansen will decide where the benches should be set and Hansen will order them.

Jennifer Hansen, Junior Class Sponsor, asked if it was OK to haul off the broken tables from the Blue Building when they are getting ready to set up for the Prom while they have a trailer there.  Everyone agreed that the old broken tables are unsafe and need to be hauled off.

Buzz Faught, City Superintendent, informed the council that the county will not be able to do chip and seal this year on our streets.  The street sweeper ‘s PTO has locked up and will be costly to fix.  He received a price of $1,070 for scrap and the council felt he should let it go for that amount.  Faught will be looking for a replacement.  He will replace the smaller stop signs with the correct size stop signs.  Faught stated at that the Effingham Community Growth meeting, the people stated that there was no public rest room.  Discussion was held on using the blue building restrooms.  Steel doors would have to be installed to the area going into the large room.  This would be expensive and the council felt that vandalism, etc. could occur.  The most logicial step would be to put a sign on the Municipal Building saying public restrooms.  They would be available when the City Office and Library are open.  Also a public restroom sign would be put across the street in the DJ’s Food and Fuel  area pointing over to the Municipal Building.  This would be a starting point for the public restrooms.

Faught had attended the Kansas Rural Water meeting in Salina recently and met with the people in charge of the grant the City had applied for.  He was told they saw no reason why we should not receive the grant for touch-read water meters and a mini-excavator.  Discussion was held on the draft for Putthoff Ball Park.  Some concerns were parking for the spectators and for the people involved in the event.  It was agreed that all activities should be over by midnight.  Also if a pit was dug, it would have to be filled in directly so no washing was done if it would rain.  The Ball Association will still need to use the storage area only of the concession stand.  The council thought it would be a good idea to take pictures of the fences surrounding the ball park.  Buddenbohm, City Attorney, will make changes to the draft. 

On the Blue Building Lease for Auctions, Buddenbohm stated he had added the section about the Fire Lane.  The Fire Lane signs are up and people will be ticketed if they park in the Fire Lane.  Discussion was held on the draft agreement to Demolish Structure(s).   Decided to add if the owner wants to haul off debris he can do so but it must be done within 2 days of the City completing demolition.  Buddenbohm will draw up a new draft with the changes.  Buddenbohm said he had been in contact with Dennis Foster, Northeast Kansas Environamental Services,  about 2 houses (701 William Street & 602 Elizabeth Street) that are of concern.  Foster is looking into the matter.

Mayor Potts announced that Abor Day Foundation has named Effingham as a Tree City USA for 2009.  No action was taken on naming someone from the council to be on the Tree Board.

A request from Rhonda Thorpe about a street light for the 700 block of 9th St was discussed.  Westar will be contacted by the City Clerk to find out how much it would cost to add a street light somewhere in that area and report back at the next meeting.

Riding dirt bikes was brought up.  They have been riding them all over at high speed.  The riders are not obeying stop signs, etc.  Buddenbohm will talk to Sheriff Calhoon about writing tickets.

Blunt moved to meet in executive session from 9:20 P.M. until 9:25 P.M.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried  unanimously. At 9:25 P.M. the regular meeting resumed.  The council agreed to pay Sue Martin the City Clerk’s wages retroactive from when she started filling in for Pat Strine until Strine comes back to work.

Eckert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 9:32 P.M.

Sue Martin, Acting City Clerk

MARCH 3, 2010

COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT WERE:  KIRK WOHLGEMUTH, BOB BLUNT, MARK HURST, KIRK KLOEPPER, AND TODD ECKERT.  MAYOR JIM POTTS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.

Blunt moved to approve the minutes of the previous meeting as written.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Kirk Kloepper moved to approve and pay the bills.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Buzz Faught, city superintendent, gave his report to the council.  No prints have been received to date for the water improvement project.  Plans are to start fixing potholes tomorrow, weather permitting.  He has ordered 15 new stop signs and yield signs to replace the faded ones.  The extra pump for the swimming pool has been received and the slide should be arriving directly.

Faught reported about the grant from the National Rural Water  to purchase touch-read meters.  He was wondering if he could add a mini-excavator to the grant.  The City’s portion of payment would now be $9,000 instead of the $7,000.  The council felt that it should be added to the grant application as we would never get one that cheap.

Faught listed the spreader bed off of the old dump truck on Craig’s list and had one response.  Hoffman Auction has a standing bid of $900.  Faught will contact Jeff Hoffman.  It was reported that a water leak of approximately 1 million gallons at Jim Oswald’s rental house at 412 Howard had been found.    At the new water tower, Faught will be spreading rock to make a drive around the water tower for the fire trucks.  The cost of a 2-1/2 inch meter is $869.00.

Faught discussed the use of the Puthoff Park for recreational activities such as demoliton derby, tractor pull, and mud-a-thon, etc.  Concerns about insurance were questioned, deposit, etc.  Faught is to meet with Leonard Buddenbohm, city attorney, to draw up papers to be signed by the user and report back at  next month’s meeting. 

Kloepper reported that signs on the church stand in the park need to be put up.  At the last auction held at the Blue Building, someone had parked in front of the church stand and this blocked the fire lane which is to stay open at all times.  The owner of the vehicle parked in front of church stand didn’t want to move it.  Kloepper talked to the deputy and he suggested that under the “ No Parking” signs on the church building to add “Fire Lane” signs.    Parking in front of the church building would of made it very difficult for the fire trucks to get out if they had to. Fire Lane signs will be purchased.  It was also suggested to have Buddenbohm  look at the Blue Building Lease for Auctions and to add the stipulation about “No Parking” in the Fire Lane.

Buddenbohm suggested that the council encourage citizens to complete their census report.  Everyone needs to be counted in the City which only helps the City receive grants, etc. 

Discussion was held on the draft ordinance regarding the amount of the county-wide sales tax that the city will turn over to the county for operating the joint communications center and the solid waste transfer station.  It was reported that the three other cities in the county turn over all their county sales tax to the county.  If  the City keeps part of the county-wide sales tax it would pay for the pool bond in 2010 and 2011 without a mill levy increase.  Eckert moved to adopt Ordinance #2010-02 authorizing the amount the City of Effingham will distribute to Atchison County for providing the services of joint communications center and solid waster transfer station for the county-wide sales tax.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

In Ordinance No. 2010-01 minimum housing code there was a clerical error.  Ecket moved to adopt Ordinance No. 2010-03, minimum housing code.  Wohlgemuth seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Kloepper moved to adopt Ordinace No. 2010-04, authorizing the assessment of court costs for the Municipal Court of the City of Effingham.    Hurst seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.  Court costs are now $60.00.

Faught reported about the tearing down of old houses in the City. He suggested that  the city knock down the house and the property owner would pay for the roll-offs for the debris to be hauled away.  Faught would have to talk to the property owner to see if they would agree. He will meet with Buddenbohm to draw up papers for the property owner to sign and report back at the next meeting.

Mayor Potts reported about the website.  For 3 years, it would cost $602.00 to maintain the site.  It could be up to 999 pages with 24/7 technical support.  The city could put anything on it such as minutes, etc. Potts offered to set up the website.  There would be no expense for 3 years.  Kloepper moved to have Potts set up the website for the city.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

A request from Roger Frederick for Martha’s Stitch Shop to lower the water bill was considered.  He had a stool leaking.  Blunt moved to deduct half of the water charge from Martha’s Stitch Shop water bill this one time only as has been done in similar cases.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Potts stated he would put an article in the The Newsleaf about how important it is that each person be counted in the census for the City.

Faught announced there would be an Effingham Community Growth meeting on March 17th at 7 P.M.

Eckert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Kloepper seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Sue Martin, Acting City Clerk

JANUARY 6, 2010

COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT WERE:  KIRK WOHLGEMUTH, BOB BLUNT, MARK HURST, KIRK KLOEPPER AND TODD ECKERT.  MAYOR JIM POTTS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 7:00 P.M.

Hurst moved to accept the minutes of the previous meeting as written.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Blunt moved to approve and pay the bills.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

City Superintendent, Buzz Faught gave his report to the council.  He reported that the cost of “No Parking” signs is $52 each.  If we put these up at the Seabury and 7th Street intersection as requested by USD #377 Superintendent, Steven Wiseman, we would need to purchase 3 signs.   Publication costs of an ordinance to designate a specific “No Parking Area” will also have to be taken into consideration.   It was suggested that those parking in violation be contacted and the curb painted yellow to designate the standard clearance at each corner.  A letter will be sent to the Board of Education with costs for this project.  If they wish to pay those costs, the city will proceed.  Faught told the council that the swimming pool slide we were expecting to purchase is no longer being made.  Continental Pools, Inc. is looking for a comparable slide for us.  He also reported that we are running out of room to put the snow that is being cleared off the streets.  He has arranged for Austin Martin and Tim Coder to pick up and haul the snow to the ball park for $75/hr. per each piece of equipment used.  He received a call from the state surplus about the dump truck we have been waiting for.  The truck we wanted was taken by the Attorney General, but there are other trucks available.  He will be going to check them out. 

City Attorney, Leonard Buddenbohm presented the Agreement for Use of the Municipal Building by Atchison County Emergency Preparedness as an emergency operations center in the event of a disaster.  After reviewing the agreement, Eckert moved to accept the agreement.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The agreement will be sent to the Atchison County Commission for their approval and signatures.

Brian Brull and Jill Thorne were present to discuss snow removal on George Street in front of their residences.  They both reported that there was only one lane of traffic on the street and there was a drift that was causing problems on the Saturday after the storm.  Kloepper said he drove down the street and it was terrible.  Wohlgemuth, who also lives on George Street, said he also drove down the street and did not think it was in bad shape.  All streets were bladed as soon as possible.   Faught even had extra help with the snow removal.   However, it is impossible to keep them clear and keep all the drifts knocked down when the wind is blowing like it was on Friday and Saturday.  After much discussion, Faught was told to clear only main intersections when the wind is blowing over 25 miles an hour as it is a waste of time and fuel.  He was also told to initially clear one lane for traffic on each street until all streets can be fully cleared.  Kloepper asked who had piled the snow on the sidewalk in front of the café.  Faught said the city clears the snow off the parking on Main Street.  He said there was nowhere else to go with the snow at the time the street was cleared.  He will try not to pile snow on the sidewalk in front of the café again.

Kloepper said that he did not think the city trucks should be taken out of town.  When the snow storm hit, the dump truck and plow was at Faught’s house.  Mayor Potts said he had told Faught to take the truck home so he would be able to get into town to clear snow.  The truck was snowed in at Faught’s part of the day until his drive could be cleared and the truck dug out.  Faught told the council that he did not use the city’s truck to clear his snow.  It was drifted in.  He hired a neighbor to clear his drive and dig the truck out.  He came into town and started clearing snow as soon as he got the truck out.  Kloepper said he thought it would be cheaper to pay Faught mileage to come back into town on city business than to have him drive the old city truck home every day.  Mayor Potts reminded Kloepper that he was the one who made the motion to allow Faught to drive the old truck home.   He also questioned why he drives the new truck home for lunch.  Faught said he has no problem driving his own truck if that is what the council wants.

Buddenbohm told the council that the League of Kansas Municipalities has a code that would give the city more authority to deal problem properties like the one at 701 William.  It would allow the city to inspect the property or obtain a search warrant to do the inspection.  The city superintendent or his designee can be the enforcing officer for these inspections.  Dennis Foster, County Sanitation Inspector, has agreed to do these inspections for the city.  The council was given a copy of the code to look over.  Kloepper moved to have Buddenbohm draw up an ordinance incorporating the code into the city’s code of ordinances.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously. 

A sign listing all those who donated toward the purchase of new equipment for the pool was discussed.  Also recognizing those who organized special events to raise funds for the pool was considered.  The number of donors will be determined and presented with sign options at the next meeting. 

Renewing the city’s membership in the League of Kansas Municipalities was considered.  The cost for the one-year renewal is $260.17.  Kloepper moved to renew the city’s membership in the League of Kansas Municipalities.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

 Eckert moved to designate the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer and Kirk Kloepper as check signers for the year 2010.  Blunt seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

Hurst moved to designate the Farmers and Merchants Branch of the Exchange National Bank as the depository for city funds for the year 2010.  Eckert seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.

The cost of living adjustment for employees’ wages was not discussed.

An offer from BG Engineers to help the city acquire stimulus funds for projects was discussed.  The city superintendent has been working with Kansas Rural Water Association to determine if we can qualify for stimulus funds.  This service is free from KRWA.  BG Engineers would bill the city for working on this.  The council decided to pass on the offer.

How much of the city’s share of the county-wide sales tax will be returned to the county in the future was discussed.  The sales tax revenues are used to fund the solid waste transfer station and the joint communications center.  The City of Atchison does not return their entire share of the tax revenues to the county.  It does not make sense for the City of Effingham to be return a larger portion of our county-wide sales tax revenues to the county than the City of Atchison does.  The City Attorney was instructed to draw up a draft ordinance that would no longer require the city to return all of the county-wide sales tax revenues to the county for consideration at the next regular meeting.

Becker-Dyer-Stanton Funeral Home had a water leak due to a break in their lawn sprinkler system.  They have requested a reduction in their water bill.  The City Clerk was instructed to reduce the bill by half this one time as is routinely done in these cases.

The City Superintendent reported that while working to repair the hydrant at the fire station, he discovered that it is no longer connected to the water system.  The line it is connected to runs under the Blue Building and was disconnected when it began leaking several years ago.  He asked about running a line around the building to connect the hydrant.  It was decided that it was not necessary as they are connecting to the water heater line when they need water in the fire station.

The city superintendent was directed to check the property at 602 Elizabeth.  The door has been standing open and someone was seen entering the structure.

Eckert moved to adjourn the meeting.  Hurst seconded the motion.  The motion carried unanimously.  The meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.

Pat Strine, City Clerk 

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