Mayor Brendan Coulter opened the Fall River City Council meeting at 7 p.m., with council members Dave Vance, Norma Jones and Sue York present. Also in attendance were City Clerk Jody Thomas, Mandy Vanderhoof- Fogle, PRN Employee; Cathy Ivey, Treasurer; John Schouten, Water Manager/ Fire Chief and City Attorney Alleen VanBebber. Council member Gary Brown was absent. Vistors included: Jim Cude, Haskell Fogle, Ron Fogle, Lori McCaffrey, Ron and Melody Billings and Helen Taliaferro with JCT Insurance.
Danny Williams turned in his resignation to grade roads. Joe Simon will take over the position. The city plans to follow up with Coyote Culvert and Billy Ecton for pricing.
It was noted that the ponds were full. Schouten planned to take samples and discharge. With the city still losing water, Jason Soloman, with Kansas Rural Water Association, was called out to check for leaks.
There were two fire calls between the February and March monthly meetings. Work has started on the fire station.
Abram Zook would like to be paid half of the $5,500. The council approved to pay Zook $2,500 upfront. The council then discussed pricing for a new door but decided to table it. CPR training was held at the fire station.
The minutes from the Feb. 12 regular meeting, as well as the special meeting, also on Feb. 12, were approved.
Treasurer Ivey reported all statements had been reconciled. Treasurer Ivey noted she had called the auditors at First Oak Bank in Fredonia and they will be coming in April to perform the yearly audit.
Treasurer Ivey presented the bills and informed the council that she would be adding the check for Zook and the check for the annual PO Box fee. She also informed the Council she would be adding the budget authority columns to her report before the next meeting.
Council member York reported that the Library receives $4,062 each year but this year by completing a list of things to do, they will receive just over $7,000. For their raffle this year, they planned to stop collecting donations on March 28. Tickets for the raffle were then sold with the drawing being held on April 20.
Discussion was held regarding gathering price quotes for a possible ceiling replacement at the community building.
Treasurer Ivey informed the council that spring cleanup would be held in April.
At the February meeting, the council gave a 10-day notice to the Billings’ at 324 Traders Avenue to bring their animal count into compliance. The council approved moving forward with legal steps regarding the violations that need to be brought into compliance.
In discussing an Opioid Naloxone grant, it was noted the fire department would be taking the lead, with Fogle and Cude serving as point persons.
A 10-minute executive session was held for personnel, no subject provided, with the council. No action was taken.
In new business, Taliaferro with JCT Insurance presented the new insurance quote for the year. The premium is down a bit this year but the State has raised the wind/hail deductible from $5k to $10k. The council approved to pay the insurance premium.
Cude and McCaffrey were sworn into their positions as council members.
It was approved for new City Clerk Thomas to be set up in Sam.gov.
The council approved an ordinance for providing municipal court as proposed by City Attorney VanBebber.
A motion was also made and approved to purchase a new camera for council meetings.
In correspondence, an insurance claim was made for tree damage, with the city waiting on the insurance company to respond.
The council held a 30-minute executive session with Attorney VanBetter to discuss proposed litigation. No action was taken.
The meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
The council meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m.
The above report was generated from the official minutes of the March meeting.
Their next scheduled meeting is Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m.
The above report was generated from minutes approved at the council’s April meeting.
