Mayor Richard Clark called the Howard City Council January meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 2, with council members Martin Hunter, Derek Cookson, Erica Cordell and Gary Harrod present. Also present were Sarah Evans and Joanna Hunter. Council member Jerrad Pope was expected to be late.
Moton by Harrod, seconded by M. Hunter to approve minutes of Dec. 18, 2023 meeting. Carried 4-0 Re-elected council members Harrod and Cookson were sworn-in to office for their terms ending in January 2028.
Motion by Harrod, seconded by M. Hunter to approve payment of City bills $91,276.80 which included December payroll. Carried 4-0 Motion by Cookson, seconded by Harrod to adopt the annual Resolution for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP Waiver). Carried 4-0 and numbered Resolution 2024-01 Motion by M. Hunter, seconded by Harrod to approve City Council meeting dates and holiday closing dates for 2024. Carried 4-0 Motion by M. Hunter, seconded by Harrod to set the 2024 mileage reimbursement at $0.67/ mile. Carried 4-0 Motion by Cookson, seconded by M. Hunter to agree to engage Rodney M. Burns, CPA for the 2023 City Audit and to engage Burns for 2025 Budget Preparation Assistance. Carried 4-0 Motion by M. Hunter, seconded by Cordell to recess into executive session to discuss individual employees pursuant to the nonelected personnel exception, KSA 75-4319(b)(1). The open meeting to resume in the city office at 7:45pm. Carried 4-0. Council member Pope joined the meeting at 7:36 p.m. At 7:45 p.m, motion by Pope, seconded by Harrod to extend the executive session until 7:55 p.m. Carried 5-0.
Regular meeting resumed at 7:55 p.m. Motion by Harrod, seconded by Pope to set wages for Evans at $17 per hour, J. Hunter at $25 per hour, Mick Holt at $18 per hour and Steven Kraft at $18 per hour. Carried 3-0 with Cookson and M. Hunter abstaining.
Other discussion: Checking to see if generator owned by the City can be used at the Cox building; Open position on council to be filled by March 08; Cox building maintenance; City duplex maintenance & costs; City Clerk received notice of Certified Municipal Clerk designation; Fire Department update; Waterless toilet at lake to be further researched by council members; Signs and posts at lake boat ramp were stolen and city will try to replace by spring; Thank you note was read for work on storm drainage; Councilmember will check on vehicle for CDL testing; City will continue to look for a qualified public officer/code enforcement; Additional discussion on security cameras; Deputy Clerk Evans is working on a grant for play surface and benches. In the future, Sheri Kaminska may speak with the governing body about a walking trail to the city lake.
Outgoing council member Cordell was recognized for her service to the city, and she expressed her appreciation to the council and City.
Motion by Cordell, seconded by Cookson to adjourn. Carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
The council also met on Jan. 15. Their next meeting is slated for Monday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m., at city hall.
Submitted by: Richard P Clark, Mayor Joanna Hunter, City Clerk
