The Beloit City Council met in regular session on
Department heads in attendance were Murray McGee, Mike
Haeffele, Caite Kendrick, Jerry Blass and Frank Gent.
Councilor Struble offered the invocation and the Pledge of
Allegiance was recited.
Mayor Roberts pointed out the revised agenda. He also mentioned the City wide cleanup and
the upcoming Veteran’s Day parade. He
then congratulated Councilor Maxwell for being named President of the Kansas
Association of Councilors. Councilor Struble
thanked the Beloit Greenhouse for the mums downtown. Councilor Shumate questioned the Beloit Call
on whether they are planning an article about the special election. The editor stated they have already covered
the informational meetings. He then
wondered what the City’s arrangement is with Cunningham Cable and whether the
City would be able to get high definition television and the Fox business
channel. He was informed that the City’s
role is franchiser. They have some lines
on City poles and the City does some bill collection, but they pay fees for
both. The franchise agreement does not
address issues of programming and Gerber feels it would be unwise for the City to
make suggestions to Cunningham Cable.
Shumate requested a copy of the City’s personnel manual. He also wondered about the status of a water
line from the lake. Gerber told him that
an informed decision cannot be made until the contract with the Bureau of
Reclamation is resolved.
City Attorney Harry Gantenbein responded to Shumate’s
comments on the franchise agreement with Cunningham Cable by saying that the
City treats all franchises equally.
City Administrator Gerber addressed the amended
agenda. The ordinance for the alley
vacation was not ready in time for the packet, so it has been added to the
amended agenda. So far, the City has
picked up over 27 tons of stuff put out for the City wide cleanup.
The Systems Operations Water Division consisting of Bob
Holway, Warren Jermark, and Bart Snyder were awarded the Employee of the
Quarter. They were responsible for the
work done on the
Mayor Roberts asked for comments from the public. Rod Pearson wanted to know if the new tornado
sirens were installed and tested. The
sirens are installed and were tested a couple weeks ago.
The Consent Agenda consisted of the minutes of October 2,
2007 City Council meeting and Appropriations 10B. A motion was made by Councilor Foreman and
seconded by Councilor Maxwell to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety. Roll call vote: Yeas: Thompson, Foreman,
Cousland, Struble, Maxwell and Shumate. Nays: None.
Gantenbein addressed the Council regarding the alley
vacation that was discussed at the last work session. He recalled that the neighbors had concerns
with access and the trees. The ordinance
addresses both of these issues. The
trees will remain as long as they are healthy and viable, access will remain as
it is, the City will maintain utility easements, and the concrete alley will be
constructed to City standards. If OCCK
fails to maintain the alley, it returns to the City. A motion was made by Councilor Struble and
seconded by Councilor Cousland to approve Ordinance 2040. Roll call vote: Yeas: Thompson, Foreman,
Cousland, Struble, Maxwell and Shumate.
Nays: None.
The Transportation Department recently took bids on a crack
sealer. Councilor Shumate wondered why
the lowest bid was not being recommended by staff. Gerber responded that there were some quality
issues with the low bid and that Paving Maintenance Supply, Inc. is based in
Staff recommended the Council approve the leaf vacuum bid
from Carrico Implement in the amount of $2,950.
This was not the low bid, but it was the best quality and Carrico
Implement is a local dealer who has a good history with the City. Councilor Foreman questioned requesting bids
from out of state dealers. Gerber
replied the City tries to bid more than just the local businesses. A motion was made by Councilor Maxwell and
seconded by Councilor Foreman to approve the bid from Carrico Implement.
A motion was made by Councilor Struble and seconded by
Councilor Maxwell to recess into an executive session for the preliminary
consideration of specific personnel matter of non-elected personnel for a
period of 5 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. The session is to include the Governing Body,
City Attorney, and City Administrator.
The session began at
A motion was made by Councilor Foreman and seconded by
Councilor Cousland to recess into an executive session for the preliminary
consideration of specific personnel matter of non-elected personnel for a
period of 5 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. The session is to include the Governing Body,
City Attorney, and City Administrator.
The session began at
A motion was made by Councilor Thompson and seconded by
Councilor Shumate to recess into an executive session for the preliminary discussion
relating to the acquisition of real property for a period of 10 minutes. Motion carried 6-0. The session is to include the Governing Body,
City Attorney, and City Administrator.
The session began at
Councilor Thompson made a motion for a one time merit
payment of $1,200 to Gerber. Maxwell
seconded the motion and it carried 6-0.
A motion was made by Councilor Maxwell and seconded by
Councilor Struble to adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 6-0. The meeting
ended at
The work session began at
Department heads present were McGee and
Correspondence and Staff reports included the September Police
reports and Quarterly Code Enforcement report.
City Administrator Gerber reported that the Transportation
Department is making progress on
Gerber suggested that the City write a letter of support for
the Holcomb Station Expansion Project. This
is a proposal from Sunflower cooperative to build an additional coal-fired power
plant in southwest
Gantenbein discussed amending a portion of the Standard
Traffic Ordinance (STO). It was brought
to Gantenbein’s attention that other cities are opting out of a section of the
STO because of the liability to the City to pay medical expenses of
prisoners. If an individual is convicted
a third time for driving while suspended, the law mandates not less than 90
days in jail. If the City would delete
this section of the STO, the person will be tried and possibly convicted in
District Court so the medical expenses would be the responsibility of the
County. Gantenbein stated that the
District Court has more options for funding available to them. Councilor Shumate asked what the City pays
now if they imprison someone. Police
Chief Gent informed him that
The residency policy was then discussed. Councilor Maxwell likes that key personnel
will still be required to live in the City limits. Gerber is worried the Council will be
inundated with requests if approved.
Councilor Foreman would like to get feedback from the Department Heads
on how long the response time should be.
Councilor Struble does not want to discourage a young family from taking
a job here because they cannot live in the country. Gerber will bring the policy back for more
discussion at the next work session after addressing the difference between
public safety personnel, a general guideline for all employees, and receiving input
from the department heads.
The Council finished by reviewing the League
Conference. Gerber said it is nice for
the Council to know that
The work session adjourned at
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PHILLIP ROBERTS, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
CHARLENE ABELL, City Clerk