Beloit City Council Meeting Reports
by Charlene Watson
Beloit City Council for August 5, 2008
Reported by Charlene Watson
At their meeting last night Beloit City Council members once again discussed how to be able to meet all of the needs of the City of Beloit and still hold the utility rates down as much as possible.
The material presented to the Council by City Administrator Doug Gerber included background information on the City's current rates in regard to specific items in the preliminary evaluation of proposed improvements within the system and how they would affect the need to raise utility rates charged for the water system, wastewater system and the electrical system usage by the citizens of Beloit.
While the Council acknowledges that a raise in charges at this time will cause difficulties for some customers, they see no way to avoid raising the rates. Any utility or major service provided by a community requires a budget to operate, maintain and replace items with that particular system to continue to provide this service to the residents or consumers of a municipality.
The council finds itself at the crossroads of either slashing the budget or raising the rates to cover operational expenses and still be able to build the reserve funds back up to meet emergencies in the future. After a long and spirited discussion it was decided the Council will work toward a $20 or $25 rate raise in the future based on a combination of a raise of the base rate and the usage rates.
It was agreed that a resolution be made saying the Council’s intent in raising the rates is for the money collected to be placed in a utility reserve fund and be used only for this fund and not for other use in the City. Administrator Gerber and City Attorney Harry Gantenbein plan to have the ordinance ready for adoption by the September meeting.
Another item for discussion at the work session last night was the need to clarify everyone’s respective role within the City Government as it exists with the City Administrator form of government. During the recent Council goal setting sessions, it was decided one goal they should pursue was for the Council/staff relationship to “become one of respect and partnership.”
Administrator Gerber passed out a Position Description for the office of Mayor, City Councilor and City Administrator listing duties and responsibilities of these positions. Council member Pat Struble expressed the feeling that they needed to check with the Kansas Municipalities Commission before making any changes. She felt these descriptions took some of the responsibilities away from the Mayor and the City Council and the Council should continue to follow the same guidelines they have followed in the past.
Attorney Gantenbein explained there are statutorial duties the Mayor and the governing body have to follow. Other council members expressed their feelings on the matter but no decision was made. It was decided to sit down at a future meeting and discuss
what needs to be done. Council member Struble stressed they need to make a decision to do what is best for the City. Struble felt they needed to follow the tradition of councils in the past because tradition is very important to the City of Beloit.
Another big decision the Council has facing them is the lot proposal presented by Mike Cooper of Mi-Tre Construction of Beloit on two lots owned by the City. This proposal concerns two undeveloped city blocks located south of the Armory and the City Distribution Building.
Cooper wants to buy the property for the sole purpose of building eight new homes to be done in phases over the next four to six years and resold. He offered the City $2500 per lot for a total price of $20,000. While this price is at the lower end of the real estate scale for Beloit, the Council felt the City would eventually gain a tax base on this property after the 10 year Neighborhood Revitalization tax refund program runs out. Many council members felt this would be of more value to the City than what they are getting for the land now. They feel this will benefit the community and the general area of the City where it would be located.
Attorney Gantenbein suggested they do an estimate of what a house is going to be worth to the City and set a base line value to see if this would be feasible. Gantenbein said the Council needed to look at this in great detail and spell out the terms of the purchase clearly in the contract so there are no surprises for either side in the future. It was agreed that by the next meeting they should have a cost benefit analysis done and a draft of a proposed contract drawn up since Cooper would like to get started on this project in the near future if the City agrees to the sale.
In other business, Attorney Gantenbien explained the yearly changes in the Uniform Public Offence Code/Standard Traffic Ordinance book. Upon adoption of Ordinance 2051 and Ordinance 2052, Kerry Benson, City Clerk/ Financial Officer is to make changes in the official copy kept in her office to reflect the changes made by the State Legislature during this year’s session. The ordinances are to be published along with local code changes for the public to see and be aware of.
Administrator Gerber said the deadline for the job at the water plant was extended to Friday August 8, and they have received three more applications for the job. The deadline for applications for the position as Deputy City Clerk was as of the close of business today. They have eleven applications and the applicants are all external people. They hope to make this decision over the next week since they are short of personnel in the office due to Kerry Benson’s job change.
Gerber told the Council they have applied for a grant to do significant work to totally redo the road surface of the road south of the river bridge hopefully in 2011. He feels they have a good chance of receiving the grant.
Gerber said there have been two break-ins at the swimming pool in the last two weeks and significant damage in the amount of $3,500 has been done. He feels they will be able to catch the people who are responsible and they will be prosecuted.
David Chase addressed the Council during the Public Comment segiment of the meeting to voice some problems he feels the Council has with following policy and proceedure and address his concern about their lack of written policies to follow in making their decisions. He thanked the Council for allowing him to express his views.
Jerry Boettcher spoke to the Council to express his thanks for the quick work of City employees Bob Holloway, Matt Gormley, Bart Snyder and Warren Jermark in fixing the main that broke in his front yard recently. He commended them for their quick action in getting it fixed.
The Council approved a bid from Wayne Huggins to set up a Master Key system to Re-key the City Offices of Beloit for $4,875. This is being done in order to cut down on the number of keys needed and in an effort to better secure City facilities.
Administrator Gerber reported they are beginning to see the end to the Mill Street Project and complimented City workers on the job they have done despite the excessive heat and humidity.
Gerber introduced Clare Thiessen and Rachel Waddell, Jr. Council Members present at the meeting.
Under the Consent Agenda the Council approved Resolution 13-2008 setting a public hearing for unfit structure at 606 N. Sturgis, Resolution 14-2008 setting a public hearing for unfit structure at 128 Roosevelt and Resolution 15-2008 for the Appointment of the Mayor.
A 25 minute closed session was called for Attorney-Client Privileged Information with the City Body, City Administrator and City Attorney present. Mayor Koster announced that no decisions or motions were made during the meeting.
The Council approved the hiring of Schaefer Fraley as a Police Officer at Grade 22, Step 1 at a direct cost of $12.59 per hour plus benefits.
Three bids were received on the three poles mounted and three pad mounted transformers for the Systems Operations Department. Jerry Blass, Director of Systems Operations, checked out the bids and only company submitting the correct unit price was Solomon Corporation with a bid of $ 28,995.
The Council approved the bid for replacement parts to rebuild the fuel blocks of engines #3 and #4 from Wheeler Enterprises of Gambier, Ohio, in the amount of $13,196 plus tax.
Beloit City Council for August 19, 2008
Reported by Charlene Watson
Beloit Mayor Becky Koster opened the Public Hearing section of the City Council meeting last night and asked for public comments or concerns the audience would like to address about the proposed 2009 Budget. Since there were no objections, Koster closed the hearing and called for the Council vote. The Budget passed as presented 7 – 0.
The second public hearing issue concerned the unfit structure located at 611 W. 3rd. Chris Jones, Code Enforcement Officer, verified that the people who own the structure have moved out of town and are aware of what is going on. They have been notified multiple times, Jones said. Koster called for the Council vote and it passed 7 to 0.
The final hearing was opened by Mayor Koster and dealt with continuing participation in the Neighborhood Revitalization Act Program. There being no comments from the public the hearing was closed and the Council voted 7-0 to continue with this program.
During the Mayor and Council reports, three Councilmen spoke on the following issues: Councilman Rick Brown publicly thanked the Community for supporting the Mitchell County Fair and the scheduled events this year.
Councilman James Crowley said he walked his small daughter to the Beloit Elementary School the first day of school. He has concerns about the route the grade school children have to take. Crowley asked if there was a way a sidewalk could be put in on the North side of the schoolhouse since there is so much traffic on the street. He is concerned about the children’s safety. Gerber said the best way to address this situation would be to talk to Superintendent of Schools Joe Harrison and ask what can be done.
Councilman Bill Foreman voiced concern about the condition of the railroad tracks at the south end of Hersey Avenue. Foreman, who works at the Co-op Elevator near the tracks and has a daily chance to view the activity on the tracks. Foreman said the concrete Kyle Railway has placed between the rails is cracked in places and sticks up above the tracks making the crossing rough and uneven.
Foreman said the northbound lane is especially a mess for cars and motorcycles crossing the tracks and having driven a fork lift across them himself, he knows what a problem that it.
One of the big issues Foreman brought up is when the big wind tower pieces on long flatbed trucks cross the tracks. At times the clearance is so minimal you can see sparks coming out where the metal touches the concrete, Foreman told the rest of the council. It was noted that since the tracks on the south end of Mill Street are in such bad shape, most of the traffic is now crossing on Hersey Avenue.
Foreman asked if there is someway to get the railroad company and the State to do something about this problem. City Attorney Harry Gantenbein said there is a State statute stating the railroad company is responsible for keeping them up.
Administrator Doug Gerber said any action on this would have to come from the railroad company themselves. Kyle Railroad, based in Phillipsburg, owns the tracks. Gerber will try to make contact with them but feels it would be better if concerned citizens would write or call the company themselves. He will make the address and phone number available and try to publish it in the newspaper.
Jacee Simmons and Kylie Miller, Jr. Council members gave a report on their group’s activities. They are planning to have a haunted house at the pool facility on Halloween like they did last year. A mock Election is also planned at the high schools. The Jr. members got to ride in the buckets of the Cities lift trucks this past week and admitted that while they enjoyed the activity they are glad the City employees have to do this and they don’t.
Five items were listed on the Consent Agenda including the August 5, City Council minutes, Appropriations 8B, Ordinance No. 2050 Standard Traffic Ordinance, Ordinance No. 2051Uniform Public Offense Code and Revolution 16-2008 setting a public hearing for unfit structure located at 117 W. Main.
Councilman Foeman asked what a Micro Utility Truck is and why they are allowed to operate on city streets. Attorney Gantenbein explained the designation and said they are vehicles that look like golf carts. While they can’t operate on highways they can drive on city streets and he doesn’t consider this a violation. They do have to have a tag and insurance to do this.
Foreman also asked what had been done about funeral picketing. Gantenbein said they have been outlawed by the court system but an appeal has been filed.
As there were no further comments or concerned voiced, Mayor Koster called for a vote and the council approved the Consent Agenda in full.
Ordinances addressed included Ordinance No. 2052 FY2009 Budget Adoption
Ordinance No 2053 Property Tax Revenue and Ordinance No. 2054 Neighborhood Revitalization Act.
Councilman Craig Cousland wanted to make it clear that they were not the ones raising the Property Tax Revenue. This is happening because the property value in the county has gone up. The City is budgeted to receive approximately $901,414 in property tax revenue for 2008 and is budgeted to receive approximately $909,650 in property tax revenue for 2009.The three Ordinances were approved.
Two resolutions were voted on including Resolution 17-2008 on the Unfit Structure located at 611 W. 3rd. Administrator Gerber explained that although the Public Hearing had been held, the property owners still have 60 days to act on this. They can come to the next Council meeting and offer a plan to fix the property up.
Mayor Koster asked about the common garage that stands between this property and the one next to it and if it would have to be torn down too. Jones said the garage is not addressed in this Resolution. The Council approved this resolution and also Resolution 18-2008 naming Carrie Benson officially as the City Treasurer since this was not done at the last meeting.
Under Formal Actions the Council approved two year terms for Lloyd Littrell to serve on the Board of Directors of the Kansas Municipal Gas Agency to represent the City in affairs dealing with that agency with Doug Gerber appointed as the alternate director.
A sewer contract was approved for Mike and Rose Grey in to amount of $12,275.28. It will be placed on the City property tax role and the City will provide the labor and equipment to complete this project.
The Council held two separate 15 minute closed sessions with Adm. Gerber and Atty. Gantenbein present for both sessions for preliminary consideration of specific personnel matters concerning non-elected personnel. Mayor Koster announced after each meeting that there were no motions or decisions made during the meetings.
During the work session the July Community Development Report was accepted as presented. During the Police report, Chief Frank Gent noted that the police Tazors he ordered for his department have been received. All of his officers have been certified and are carrying a Tazor.
Administrator Gerber reminded Council members that the questionnaires he handed out are needed so they can be used in the newsletters. Sgt. Ryan Stocker was commended for his work on catching the juveniles who broke into the municipal swimming pool. They will be prosecuted.
Adm. Gerber said the Annual meeting of the League of Kansas Municipalities to be held September 12 through 14. All Council members are invited to attend. He gave an update on the job openings the City has at the present time. They have interviewed four people for the job as water plant operator. Nine interviews have been conducted for people applying for the job of Deputy City Clerk. Three applications have been received of the opening of police officer and they are waiting on two more yet to come.
The Council adjourned the work session to visit the Municipal City Pool in Chautauqua Park. New Council members expressed a desire to visit the different facilities throughout the City.
Beloit City Council for September 2, 2008
Reported by Charlene Watson
At their meeting last night, the members of the Beloit City Council voiced concerns and discussed ideas to make this City a better place to live. Not only did they give praise where praise is due, they looked for new and better ways to approach the problems that need to be resolved.
During the Council reports, Councilman Denis Shumate responded to Mayor Becky Koster’s comments about the completion of the Mill Street Project. Shumate said the work that has been done on Mill Street and Hershey reinforce the value of leadership of the Council and the support of the voters who voted to raise the sales tax to make this work possible.
Shumate also said he was not aware of the situation on Chestnut Avenue that resulted in the land owner to made the decision not to continue work on his property. He asked if there was some way the County might facilitate that situation so that the construction might continue.
Councilman Bill Foreman said the work the Railroad Company did on the tracks on south Mill Street are butter but you still know they are there.
City Administrator Doug Gerber praised the City Department for being able to finish the work on Mill Street. He said they are now actively working on the project on Sunflower Avenue but work was stopped today because of a funeral in the morning and the wet weather. Speaking of the comments from Councilor Shumate about the construction project on Hershey Avenue, Gerber said they would try to move that situation along if possible. Gerber also introduced Youth Council member Rachel Waddell who was present at the meeting.
During the public comment portion of the agenda Rod Pearson expressed concern about tree limbs and branches hanging down so low that they obscure the speed limit signs on several streets in the City. He asked that this be taken care of. Councilor Tom Maxwell also added that there are tree branches covering St. John’s Westbound flashing school signs that need to be trimmed up. This will be done.
A public hearing was opened on the unfit structure located at 114 E. Main owned by Jerry M. Dean. No one came forward to speak on this subject so the hearing was closed and Council moved on to Resolution 19-2008 relating to the Unfit Structure in question. Councilman Maxwell moved this resolution be adopted and the structure on that property be repaired, removed or demolished and the premises be made safe and secure. Council voted 8 to 0 to pass this resolution.
The Council approved the bid for CRS-h asphalt emulsion oil from Vance Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $2.93 per gallon. This will be a direct cost of approximately $17,645 for the 6,000 gallon purchased plus $65 pump charge.
The Council discussed the Special Event License applied for by the Beloit Eagles for permission to set up a Beer Garden during their car show on Sept. 13. The garden will be placed on south Mill St. in front of the Laundromat. The application was approved on a 7 to l vote of the Council with Councilman Craig Causland casting the No vote.
Delegates to represent the City in the conduct and management of the affairs of the League of Kansas Municipalities Annual Conference to be held on Tuesday, October 14. The City of Beloit has two voting delegates and two alternate delegates. Tom Maxwell and Denis Shumate were appointed as delegates and Craig Causland and James Crowley were named as alternates.
Councilmen Craig Causland, Dennis Shumate, Pat Struble, and Tom Maxwell. Adm. Gerber and City Attorney Harry Gantinbein plan to attend all or part of the conference.
During the work session, a letter from the General Manager of the KYLE Railroad Co. was discussed regarding the repair of railroad crossings located on Hersey Ave, Mill St. and Asherville Road. Kyle Railroad said it would have Hersey Avenue crossing repaired prior to September 1, 2009. Repairs to the Mill St. and Asherville Rd. crossings will be part of KYLE Railroad’s 2009 Capital Improvement Plan and be completed prior to July 1, 2009.
Adm. Gerber said at least they have made some promises in writing so this is more than they have had in the past and they did respond in a timely manner after Attorney Gantenbien pointed out it is the Railroads responsibility and they are accountable to the State for their actions.
Gerber said they have two new employees who will be starting their job this week. Scott Evans will be starting a job at the Water Department and Amanda Lomax will be taking over the job of Assistant City Clerk. There are five applicants who will be interviewed for jobs with the City police department later this week.
Upcoming events Gerber mentioned were the Arts in the Park this coming Tuesday that will include good music and lunch. They have over 100 youth from Beloit and outlying communities who will be in the Beloit Recreation Department’s Flag Football program.
The Council discussed that they think the City should take some action on the matter of sidewalks on the north side of the Beloit Elementary School on both sides of the street. Councilman James Crowley brought this matter to the Council’s attention at their last meeting. It is hoped a plan can be worked out to see that a sidewalk is installed at least to 13th street if not as far north as 15th street. Adm. Gerber said it is hoped the City can act as a partner by furnishing the concrete and materials with the school or property owners furnishing the labor. Appling for a Safe Route To School Grant to help with the expense was also discussed.
Concerning the parking places in front of the Porter House
building brought up by Councilman Maxwell at the last meeting, the Council decided to a two hour parking limit on those spaces might deter the residents of the Porter House from leaving their cars out front on the street instead of in their parking lot in the back of the building. It was felt that with winter coming on this situation would complicate the City crew’s job of snow removal. Attorney Gantenbein will draft a resolution to set up the two-hour parking limit.
Work session items for discussion included the following:
UTILITY RATES. Council members were given copies of Ordinances 1482 and 1858 that adopted electric and water/wastewater rates for the City in September 1979 and May 1998. The Council members were asked to review the ordinances and come prepared to provide feedback to help City Attorney Gantenbein to draft the appropriate language for the adoption of new rates at the next meeting.
Adm. Gerber presented a Power-point spreadsheet drawn up by Lloyd Littrell to help the Council get a visual picture of what is being proposed. Jerry Blass was also present to answer questions. Gerber said they would put the numbers in front of them at the next meeting in Ordinance form. The finished proposal will be published in the County Newspaper and that will give people a heads up as to what the increases that will be taking place.
The Council as a whole is specifying that the increase in funds be placed in a reserve fund to be used only for emergency purposes as specified by the Council. This is being done to keep the reserve funds from being used up as they are at the present time. The Council members want this fund to serve as a safety net or an insurance policy for the future.
Some members felt the funds should be tied down so they could not be used to pay for anything else. They want something in writing saying this is this present Councils intent without completely locking the fund down so they couldn’t be used in a future emergency.
A final draft of the Resolution Power Purchase Agreement for cities participating in the MKEC Baseload Power supply was passed out to the Council. The agreement spells out the amount of power Beloit and other Cities involved in the Agreement can receive. The resolution will be discussed at the next meeting after the Council reviews it.
The final item on the agenda was the Evaluation Form used to evaluate the City Administrator. Gerber asked that members review it and if they have any questions they are asked to make suggestions of possible changes in the agreement. Then, the Council Members and the Mayor will go into a closed session to discuss the evaluation. The agreement will be finalized at the October meeting.