The Madison City Council meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. The following article was created from the official minutes, which were approved during the July 15 meeting.
Council President Daryl May called the July 1 meeting of the Madison City Council to order at 7 p.m.
Following approval of the agenda, Bob Kimberlin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of minutes from the previous regular meeting, accounts payable and water adjustments were each approved.
Open Forum
Heather Dobbs requested an extension in regards to violations on the property she inherited from her grandfather, located at 215 N. 5th Street. After providing an update on progress toward cleaning up the property, including removal of cars, the council agreed to an extension. Officials approved the extension until Thursday, Aug. 1.
Dale Fox talked to the council about his violations pertaining to an inoperable vehicle. He explained that the truck is tagged, insured and he has moved it. Fox also sought clarification on items that he could have at his property at 424 N. 6th Street. The tractor located on the property was noted in discussion. Fox shared that the tractor has been there for 10 years. When Fox noted he had hauled all the lumber out of the carport on the property, officials noted that it would be okay to put lumber and the tractor under the carport. Before concluding discussion of this item, Fox said he will continue clean-up efforts.
Fox next talked to the council about reimbursement for sewer line he repaired and the issue was later found to be on the city’s end. While work was being performed in efforts to address the issue, the main was determined to be plugged. Fox questioned if the city would pay for the line that was put in which he didn’t need. Fox had contacted the city the first time issues were faced. At that time, it was believed the problem was on Fox’s side. Council member Evan Casey noted that the second time issues were had, Fox should have contacted the city before going to this extreme. During discussion it was also noted that this had been cleaned out, but issues have persisted. After intentions were shared for additional efforts to be made to address this, the council decided to table the matter until Mayor Paul Dean was available to be present for discussion.
Jan Steinbach talked to the council about getting an extension for 704 S. 4th Street. She has hired help for the cleanup, and she is working on getting the tractor moved. Steinbach shared plans for adding a deck with a roof to her house and her husband was bringing down the plans. Clerk Alice Grimm advised her that the city had not received anything yet. While present,
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Steinbach also posed questions in regards to city easement as the post on her front porch needs replaced. May said he didn’t believe this would pass the easement. Casey added that he thinks the sidewalk is an easement. Officials voted to approve providing Steinbach with a violation extension. She now has until the first of August.
Kimberlin re-approached the council about Henry Ott spraying and it again making him sick. Kimberlin said Ott has sprayed three times since May 2, each time spraying 30 gallons. Casey reassured Kimberlin he talked to Ott and he is following the guidelines for Round Up. It was shared that some of the sprays Kimberlin says he is allergic to is caused by a health condition.
Michael Schroder from ASC Engineered Solutions, appearing via Zoom, talked to the council about putting up three signs to increase awareness of the forklift entering and crossing the roads for loading and unloading. Schroder said that ASC would pay for the signs. No opposition was voiced, providing ASC follow Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Members of the council approved for ASC to put up signs in accordance with DOT regulations. Staff Reports Grimm presented a request for extension and discussed progress to the property at 428 N. 6th Street. The property owner had asked for an extension until July 15 and expressed the intention of keeping the city updated on progress. The requested extension was approved.
Anticipated progress towards abating the siding on 207 N. 5th Street was reported. No official start/ completion date was relayed to the city. In light of the communication received, the consensus was to follow up on this item later.
Grimm reported that she had spoken with the owner of 601 W. Sherman, which received a violation for inoperable vehicles and weeds. These were to be moved within the next couple of weeks. Council members approved giving the individual until Aug. 1 to get the property cleaned up.
It was shared that the violation at 410 N. 6th Street was abated. The inoperable vehicle at 116 W. Main has been fixed and is no longer there. This was referenced as abated. Grimm advised the council that they are working on putting a transmission in another vehicle, but they do not plan to have it there more than 30 days.
Plans for removal of the inoperable vehicle at 212 W. Main Street were shared with the city.
Grimm shared that she had spoken with Chris Hysom in regards to his inoperable vehicle and junk. During discussion, Fankhauser said this was not an inoperable vehicle as it was a trailer and the statue does not outline anything about these. As improvements to the given property were noted, this was referenced as abated.
A two-week extension was approved for 606 W. Madison Ave. Deadline was approved for July 15.
Grimm shared that the resolution passed June 17 as number 24-1 should have been 24-03. An amendment was approved for this to be corrected to Resolution 2403.
Grimm talked to the council about Dirt Roads Network. To the question of who is responsible for cleanup and repair of the sheet rock that was ruined, Fankhauser suggested the city is responsible since they allowed that to go on. May advised Dean has talked with JCE about putting plywood up. It was shared that six weeks had passed and nothing was up yet. Grimm told the council that Glassworks came out and the metal was in and they would begin on the molds. It was anticipated that the city would see some work by the second week in July. Casey said he has been approached by Dirt Roads Network and they are supposed to be having classes starting in August. After concerns were expressed in regards to the timeline, Casey said he would call Glassworks for clarification on the project.
The subject of accountants for the library was discussed. Grimm shared that the cost for services through Colangelo & Taber, PA was quoted at $85 for a quarterly fee for preparation and monthly payroll would be $25 per month. Leach requested to see a price comparison. Fankhauser said he would go by the library request this. This was slated for inclusion on the meeting agenda for July 15 under old business.
The bathroom at the RV camping site was vandalized. Casey suggested that the frames be metal with a metal door. Council member Bekah Leach proposed making repairs to materials currently in place and seeking prices for a more secure door.
Grimm talked to the council about the citizen complaint received on June 17 for dumping in the creek by Bobby Randolph’s land. Grimm told the council James had looked at it and said it is Randolph’s land. Officials approved to send a Health Nuisance violation in regards to this complaint for 414 S.W. Blvd.
Approval was requested for the Charter Resolution for the library. Grimm advised this was needed as no one made a motion during the last meeting. Council members voted to approve this item.
Casey sought clarity pertaining to the camp host report. Grimm advised the council she had talked with the camp host about this, who noted there was not enough space provided to write everything out. Adding another sheet of paper to provide more room had been suggested. Discussion was had in regards to the items the host has at the lake including a camper, enclosed trailer, and a golf cart, which had been noted when the individual was interviewed for the position. Casey noted that there is now a camper, enclosed trailer, golf cart, 4-wheeler, boat and at least two vehicles. When questions were posed in regards to how long this had been there, 60 days was noted by the council. The camp host was requested to be present for discussion on July 16.
The mowing ordinance is slated for review.
To avoid risk of damage to the city mower, Randy Harris proposed the city check into getting a weed eater.
Old Business
Tony Fankhauser talked to the council about the water plant needing some things replaced. Fankhauser said he has talked to John Hudson about some of the items and directed Hudson to replace them. Fankhauser said the wind caught the roof and he and the adjuster looked at it and a 1/3 of it needs replaced plus the beams inside that were bowed. The guys put tarps over the tanks, so they don’t get fiberglass in the tanks.
Grimm advised the council the city is not eligible for the CBDG grant due to being at 50% instead of 51% due to the water rates and the Low to Moderate Income (LMI) survey needs to be completed.
The council went over some streets that may need to be done with the chip and seal. May suggested coming up with streets that need done. Casey suggested Mc-Curry Street due to it being a heavy traffic street. May suggested having a list by the next meeting to go over it with Dean.
Fankhauser talked to the council about the fire hydrants, Fankhauser said Hudson is going to do them and the first one needs to be at the FFA building.
Standpipe repair is slated to be completed.
In regards to generators, it was reported that the city is currently waiting for approval from Evergy so installation can be finalized.
The city backhoe is in the shop due to an injector issue. It was taken to Wamego to get worked on. Fankhauser’s recommendation was to get it fixed and trade it in on a skid steer.
Sealed bids were opened for the depot and pool roofs. Bids were received from one company, Shull Construction. This followed weeks of advertisement in newspapers. Totals included: Depot roof $38,844.95 for the removal and replacement of the wood shingles; For regular shingles for the depot $26,777.54; repair of the pool roof $20,000. The council decided to table this item until Dean is available at the next meeting.
Fankhauser shared that he had found a place in Yates Center that could complete sand blasting and painting work to the pool.
Council Reports
A quote from Alexander Pump & Service for repairs at the water plant were presented and approved. This included the following: Switch overheads, two injectors and two large roto meters totaling $6,000. Installation was quoted at $1,280 and the mobilization charge was $376. Overall total for project completion was quoted at $7,656.
The council held a special meeting on Friday, July 19, at 6 p.m., with their next routine bi-monthly meeting being slated for Monday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m.
