Provision of stronger auditory storm alerts has been an ongoing subject of consideration by the Hamilton City Council. During their regular meeting held on Tuesday, Sept. 10, members of the council delved further into the subject, reviewing an opportunity to purchase a siren which was refurbished locally.
Representatives with the Invena Corporation subsidiary Emergency Fire Equipment, including Craig Olson, were present to discuss the potential sale and provide a test activation of the siren.
This siren was previously in place in Reece before township members elected to take it down due to cost of needed repair.
Olson told city officials that they were offering the unit to the city at cost and noted that all they would want from the current siren being utilized by the city was the batteries and amp. Total purchase price for the siren was shared at $5,822. Olson explained that his boss wanted to see this benefit the community and added that payments were an option. When questions were posed in regards to getting a pole, Olson noted, most of the time, Evergy doesn’t charge for setting a pole for such an item.
He recommended the council have their Clerk Daphne Rayburn call and explain what the pole would be used for. As installation was discussed, Olson shared that the city would be looking at installing this in the center of town. The siren is rated at 5,100 feet. When Walford questioned about a warranty, Olson expressed willingness for provision of the following: one year for parts and two years for labor. It was shared that this is a 2016 Rotating Vortex. The test was completed, with manual activation occurring at approximately 8 p.m. last Tuesday, with the siren in a truck bed. It was noted that sound distribution would likely be impacted by installation on a pole. Members of the council approved the siren purchase, from Emergency Fire Equipment, Councilman Christopher Ray abstaining due to company affiliation. Payment of the first half, in the amount of $2,911, will be made in October. The second and final payment is to be made by August of 2025.
The subject of Waste Connections and the upcoming increase in trash rates was discussed. Members of the council, along with city staff, began crunching numbers to identify where residential prices will need to be. As numbers were reviewed and considered, it was identified that the city has been losing a little money on rural customers. City officials are looking to bump rural rates to avoid continued loss and divide the upcoming percentage of increase over the total number of users to reduce impact to individual consumers. After extensive consideration of figures, further examination is to be held. A special meeting for further discussion, was later established for Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m.
Hamilton City Attorney Clark Allemang attended the council meeting via Zoom to discuss a proposed ordinance and progress in establishing Municipal Court. Three versions of a modular home ordinance were provided to the council by Allemang. Members of the council requested Allemang’s attendance to seek clarity pertaining to verbiage within them. Intentions of the ordinance were discussed. Council members conveyed the intention of the ordinance was to prevent 30-40-year-old mobile homes from being moved in to the city limits and noted that they would like to see existing homes grandfathered- in. In regards to concerns pertaining to existing dilapidate mobile homes being utilized for storage or sitting vacant, Allemang noted that other city ordinances could be utilized to address those posing a health hazard to the public. Allemang will be adjusting an ordinance draft, according to the evening’s discussion, and this will be reviewed once completed.
Council members next discussed a property on Main Street with violations. It was explained that the city’s certified letter sent to the address on file for the owner’s taxes had been received back an no forwarding address was available. Allemang was also told that in addition to weeds, the roof is blowing off creating a hazard. Allemang told council members to post the notice on the front door of the structure and if nothing is done, they could then mow and send it to the tax roll. In regards to the dangerous condition, the city could publish in the paper and set a hearing date. Allemang noted that if the owner does not show up, they could then follow steps to demolish the structure if wished.
In regards to animal violation, city officials conveyed they were hoping to resolve and ongoing dog issue and questioned how to proceed. In addition to ongoing noise issues, council members noted that the case also involves the dogs chasing community members and the owner not getting city tags. Options were noted by Allemang including the potential for drafting a notice stating that the dogs must be removed from the property.
It was shared that the grant application had been submitted in regards to remaining rehabilitation work for the city water tower. It was noted that letters of support from a state representative and senator had been received and submitted with the grant.
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Mitchell were present to ask that council members to consider placing limitations when it comes to untagged vehicles. City Superintendent Randy Knight noted that under current city ordinances, untagged vehicles are not permitted. Mayor Dave Harris explained that the city has never had a court system to enforce regulations and officials are working to finalize this. In regards to growing cleanup efforts, Harris noted in the beginning they had good response to mowing violation notices. Now, the city has been experiencing people not responding and the superintendent is having to mow. A mowing service has been contacted to inquire about contracting this out as it has become difficult to mow and handle other responsibilities. After discussing code violations, the Mitchell’s noted difficulty hearing the storm siren on the west side of town. After the recommendation that people have multiple modes of notification, the Mitchell’s were notified that the city was looking to test a siren later that evening.
A community member entered the meeting during proceedings and was present to comment and seek clarification regarding the upcoming increase in trash rates. This occurred prior to council consideration of increased figures. When the individual commented that he felt people weren’t well notified, city officials told him that they hadn’t been provided notice from the company far in advanced and had shared the information when they became aware. The individual suggested that, when the year contract is coming to a close, they look at other communities/options.
Establishment of a 20 mile per hour speed limit on 260th Street from KS Highway 99 to 7th Street was approved in a 4-1 vote. Councilman Joe Beeman voted opposed, sharing thoughts that this should be 25.
It was shared with the city council that Hamilton School was wanting to put in a water line and meter for their greenhouse. After it was explained that they were wanting the meter on the east side of the road, officials noted that the road was just resurfaced. The council discussed putting the new meter by the existing one to avoid impacting the roadway. Superintendent Knight was to tell the school the city is not willing to tear up the road. Knight also shared that he had been told the school is looking to put in a store in the near future.
The Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) and Budget hearings were included in last Tuesday night’s meeting. After the council entered into a budget hearing and no members of the public were present to comment, Resolution 2024-4, intent to exceed the RNR for 2025, was approved unanimously. At this time, council members approved adopting the 2025 budget.
Discussion of the Waste Water Operator was revisited. The subject of potential termination of services being temporarily maintained through the temporary licensed operator was again brought to the floor. Concluding service with him was discussed as Knight is established in the role of superintendent and is an operator in training. Council members Charlie Schlotterbeck and Rodney Dimick noted that this now seemed to be an unnecessary expense to the city. Mayor Harris discussed maintaining him on the payroll and paying on an as-needed basis until certification is completed by Knight.
