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Regular Business Meeting December 5, 2022

Regular Business Meeting

DECEMBER 5, 2022

President of the Council, Rob Lessen opened the meeting at 6:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance was stated by all present. Roll call was taken and the Mayor Rock Anderson was absent. The minutes from the previous meeting were presented. Carma Burns stated that the rates were not on salaries but insurance rates that needed to be corrected. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Carma made the motion to accept the revised minutes. Gary Pommier seconds. The motion was approved. Under Agenda a change on Unfinished Business Item E) should be Insurance Rates and under New Business Item C) Garage Heater in old Fire Station was added. Gary Pommier made the motion to approve the revised agenda. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved. Appropriation Ordinance #11 was brought forward by Carma Burns. Carma made the motion to approve Ordinance #11 for payment. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

REPORTS

Police Chief report; A written report was handed out to the Council. Howard Camp read aloud the report since Chief Holtz was not present.

Tom Gorman City Superintendent was present to go over his monthly report. Tom Hayes had not sent Charles Vilia the letter but would have it out this week.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

HOOKIE POND GRANT

Tom Gorman reported on the 13,787.91 grant and that the City's portion is 4,595.97. KS Wildlife and Parks awarded the grant to Arma. Gary Pommier made the motion to table this issue. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

UTILITY RATE INCREASE

Bette Lessen went over the information provided to the City Council on the 2021 and the 2022 periods for Electric, Water and Sewer. Bette stated that Water and Sewer should be considered for a rate hike for 2023. Rob Lessen stated that the members should review this information and continue discussion at the next meeting. Richard Kerley made the motion to table this topic until Dec. 19th meeting. Howard Camp seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

CHICKEN REGULATIONS

Brenda Banks addressed the Council that she was in favor of allowing folks in Arma to raise chickens in their backyards. Brenda also volunteered to take care of any chickens that were deemed in harms way or running loose. Tom Hayes stated that he had reviewed other City's regulations on chickens and these regulations follow them. Gary Pommier made the motion to adopt the regulations and to have the City Attorney present a City Ordinance on owning/raising chickens in Arma. Carma Burns seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

SCOTTEN TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION/PERMANENT MAINTENANCE EASEMENT

Jim Zibert had revised the previous easement for the Council. At this point Tommy Scotten has not seen the new easement so he will need to review and agree to before the mayor signs the easement. Richard Kerley made the motion to table until Tommy Scotten has reviewed and approved. Carma Burns seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

INSURANCE RATES

Carma Burns wanted to go over the cost for each division so that the public watching the streaming will know the amounts instead of speculating.  Carma read out aloud the rates.

ARTICLE 3-OPEN BURNING

At the previous meeting the Fire Chief and Assist Chief presented a revised article 3 to the Council.  City Council discussed the changes and additions to the current article but at the end the decision was to not take any action of this issue.

NEW BUSINESS

BEER LICENSE

Bette Lessen stated that Dollar General has submitted their paperwork for a 2023 Beer License. Richard Kerley made the motion to allow the 2023 license. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

EMPLOYEE CHHRISTMAS DONATION

Bette Lessen stated that in the previous years the City Council has given the employees an extra day or half a day for Christmas. Howard Camp made the motion to give Dec. 23rd with pay to each full-time employee. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved by Gary Pommier, Howard Camp and Richard Kerley. Carma Burns and Rob Lessen abstained from voting.

GARAGE HEATER

Tom Gorman stated that the heater unit in the old fire station is not working correctly. Tom asked Aaron Croizer to look at the unit. Aaron reported that a new unit should be installed for a cost of $2,578.80 along with a 1-year maintenance and parts agreement plus a 10-year exchange. Richard Kerley made the motion to have Tom Gorman get 2 more estimates for the next meeting. Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Gary Pommier stated that he appreciated the employees help and honesty.

Carma Burns stated that she had contacted the KS League of Municipalities and spoke to the attorney on the matter of she and Rob Lessen being married to employees of the City and she and Rob's participation when voting on issues such as health insurance. Carma stated that they are allowed to vote because this is a group issue not an individual issue. Carma was also told anytime a question arises please call the League.

Rob Lessen addressed the matter of picking up trash and that there will be a Christmas Light contest this year so get your house decorated.

COMMUNICATIONS

Carma Burns made the motion to accept and approve all communications and to have them placed in file. Richard Kerley seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

PURCHASE REQUEST

Carma Burns made the motion to allow the requested items Gary Pommier seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

Gary Pommier made the motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Carma Burns seconds the motion. The motion was approved.

 

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Bette Lessen, City Clerk