CITY COUNCIL MEETING
December 7, 2020
5:15 P.M.

 

 

The city council met in regular session with the following present:  Mayor Jack E. Rowden; Councilmen Dean Banker, Dan Corpening, Brad Niehues, Jason Teeter, and Frankie Thomas.

 

Others present were City Clerk Carrie L Baeza, Electric and Park Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick, City inspector Josh Grubbs, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate and Ruthie Winget.

 

Mayor Jack E. Rowden presided.

 

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to approve the minutes of November 9, 2020 as mailed.  Motion carried.

 

Each member of the governing body was provided a copy of Municipal Judge Paula Sosa’s report for the month of November, showing 27 new cases brought before the court and $1,495.00 remitted to the city.  Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, to accept the report.  Motion carried.

 

CITY INSPECTOR

Until the City Inspector Josh Grubbs arrived, Mayor Jack Rowden informed the council that the Fair Association is purchasing a property between East Sixth Street and East Ninth Street off Commercial Street for a 4-H/FFA livestock area for city children to use for projects.  To set a 2-inch water meter would cost approximately $4,000.00 for labor and materials.  It was requested by the Fair Association to have the City lower the cost or donate the cost of setting the meter for this project.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to waive the cost of setting a 2-inch water service for the Fair Association project.  Motion carried.

 

LICENSES

Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, that cereal malt beverage license renewals for calendar year 2021 be approved for the Stumpy’s & Co. LLC at 839 E. 11th Street, Pizza Hut #035916 at 600 E 11th Street, and Bonnie & Clyde Grill & Sports Bar at 615 S Monroe St for license to sell cereal malt beverage for consumption on premises.  Motion carried.

 

LICENSES

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, that cereal malt beverage license renewal for calendar year 2021 be approved for Dollar General Store #4553 at 1042 S Madison St for sale in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on the premises.  Motion carried.

 

ZONING

The Planning Commission met on November 17, 2020, to approve the change in zoning at 409 S Main Street property from “R-2” Residential District to “B-2” Business district.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to approve Ordinance No. 858, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE “OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP” OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS BY REZONING LOTS (4), FIVE (5) AND SIX (6), BLOCK THIRTY-FIVE (35), CITY OF HUGOTON, STEVENS COUNTY, KANSAS, ACCORDING TO THE DULY FILED AND RECORDED PLAT THEREOF.  Vote: Banker, yes; Corpening, yes; Niehues, yes; Teeter, yes; Thomas, yes.  Motion carried.

 

ZONING

The Planning Commission met on November 17, 2020, to approve the change in zoning for 129 S Jackson Street from “R-2” Residential District to “B-2” Business District.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas to approve Ordinance No. 859, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE “OFFICIAL ZONING DISTRICT MAP” OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS BY REZONING A THE SOUTH HALF (S/2) OF LOT TWO (2), BLOCK SEVEN (7), CITY OF HUGOTON, STEVENS COUNTY, KANSAS, ACCORDING TO THE DULY FILED AND RECORDED PLAT THEREOF.  Vote: Banker, yes; Corpening, yes; Niehues, yes; Teeter, yes; Thomas, yes.  Motion carried.

 

FINANCE

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, that Resolution No. 2020-4, A RESOLUTION FINDING THAT GAAP-PRESCRIBED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ARE NOT RELEVANT TO REQUIREMENTS OF THE CASH BASIS AND BUDGET LAWS OF KANSAS AND ARE OF NO SIGNIFICANT VALUE TO THE GOVERNING BODY OR THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE CITY OF HUGOTON, KANSAS, be passed.  Motion carried.

 

PERSONNEL

The city clerk presented the group’s 2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield renewal.  Rates are the overall increase is 11.22%.  After figuring exact costs due to changes in premiums, the actual increase is 10.86%. Part of the increase was due to an increase in our municipal pool, the other was due to claims for our group. Adjusting for expected changes in the plan (from family to employee/spouse due to aging out, and additional employee) the total expected amount is $777,946.34.  The 2021 budget for BCBS is $872,780.00 a surplus of $94,833.66.  Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, to accept the renewal rates.  In favor of the motion:  Councilmen Corpening, Niehues, Teeter, and Thomas. Abstained:  Councilman Banker.  Motion carried.

 

PERSONNEL

In order to retain its grandfathered status from the Affordable Care Act, the city cannot decrease the percent of the premiums paid by the city for the members of the group by more than five percentage points from the 2010 amounts paid by the city.  “Section 1-619A of the Code of the City of Hugoton, Kansas,” sets an annual cap of $100,000.00 the city will contribute towards retired employees’ and eligible spouses’ health insurance premiums.  According to “Section 1-619A of the Code of the City of Hugoton, Kansas”, the amounts necessary to be paid by the 2018 non-employee participants in the group will exceed the five percent limitation.  Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, that in accordance with the review portion of “Section 1-619A(e) of the Code of the City of Hugoton, Kansas”, the city will increase its share of the participation costs for 2020 by an additional $57,675.08 for the retirees and eligible spouses, so the city can retain grandfathered status.  In favor of the motion:  Corpening, Niehues, Teeter, and Thomas.  Abstained:  Banker.  Motion carried.

 

FINANCE

City Clerk Carrie Baeza informed the council that the city has received SPARKS funding due to COVID.  Carrie believes that in order to ensure that the city government can continue to function during quarantines, isolations, or lockdowns the following items need to be considered.

 


 

Conference Call Capability

 

Pioneer Communications

                                Wired                                    $1,013.00

                                Wireless                               $1,239.50

 

Tablets for all council to receive packets and for use for video conference meetings.

 

Apple.com         

                                iPads (6)                               $1,974.00

                                cases                                     $   419.00

                                                                                $2,393.70

 

Microsoft.com

                                Surface Pro (6)                  $2,399.94

                                Covers                                  $   731.88

                                                                                $3,131.82

 

Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Council Brad Niehues, to purchase the wireless conference call system from Pioneer Communications or $1,239.50 and to purchase six (6) iPads with covers for $2,393.70, to continue to facilitate the government functions during a pandemic.  Motion carried.

 

Claims against the city were presented and audited.  Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Dan Corpening, that Appropriation Ordinances No. 2163 and 2164 be passed.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Dan Corpening, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, that the meeting be adjourned to December 28, 2020 at 5:15 p.m.  Motion carried.

City Council Meeting
December 28, 2020
5:15 p.m.

 

The City Council met in adjourned session with Mayor Jack E. Rowden, Councilmen Dean Banker, Dan Corpening (by conference call), Brad Niehues, Jason Teeter and Frankie Thomas.

 

Others present were City Clerk Carrie L. Baeza, Electric and Parks Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick, City Inspector Joshua Grubbs, Chief of Police Courtney Leslie, Outside Utilities Supervisor Paul Nordyke, City Attorney Wayne R. Tate, and Ruthie Wingett.

 

Mayor Rowden called the meeting to order.

 

LICENSES

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage license renewal for the 2021 calendar year for Los Agaves Bar & Grill at 518 South Main Street for sell and consumption on the premises.  Motion carried.

 

LICENSES

Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter, to approve the Cereal Malt Beverage license renewal for the 2021 calendar year for Carter’s Country Supercenter at 910 East 11th Street for sell in original and unopened containers and not for consumption on premises.  Motion carried.

 

CHARGE OFFS

Motion by Councilman Jason Teeter, seconded by Councilman Frankie Thomas, to approve the charge offs of uncollectible utilities in the amount of $3,255.65 with every effort made to collect the accounts.  Motion carried.

 

Brad Niehues arrived at 5:25 p.m.

 

FINANCE

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to approve the proposal from Hay-Rice & Associates for the 2020 Fiscal Year audit in the amount of $12,000.00.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, that the meeting go into executive session for personnel pursuant to K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(1) at 5:35 p.m. to return to open session at 5:45 p.m.  Motion carried.

 

Meeting reconvened at 5:45 p.m.

 

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to approve a 2% COLA for the city employees, except for Electric and Parks Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick, starting January 1, 2021.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Frankie Thomas, seconded by Councilman Dean Banker, to approve a $600.00 per month raise for Electric and Parks Systems Supervisor Logan Frederick starting January 1, 2021.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Brad Niehues seconded by Councilman Jason Teeter to approve the Appropriation Ordinances No. 2165m & 2165c.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by Councilman Dean Banker, seconded by Councilman Brad Niehues, to adjourn.  Motion carried.