CITY COUNCIL MEETING

October 27, 2008
7:00 p.m.

The Governing Body of the City of Edwardsville, Kansas met in regular session on Monday, October 27, 2008, at 7:04 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

The following Councilmember’s were present with Mayor Heinz Rodgers presiding:
 Chuck Adams  Craig Crider   Doug Danner
                  John Eickhoff                                Patrick Isenhour

The following staff members were present:
 Michael Webb, City Administrator
 Reed Walker, City Attorney
 Phyllis Freeman, City Clerk
 Mark Mathies, Police Chief
 Cliff Lane, Fire Chief

APPROVE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14, 2008

Councilmember Adams moved to approve the minutes. Councilmember Crider seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

STATEMENT OF BILLS - $158,786.77

After discussion Councilmember Isenhour moved to approve the statement of bills. Councilmember Danner seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

REQUESTS OR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

Gary Carpenter, 11030 Riverview inquired about property on 110th Street that had been abandoned. It is blight to the neighborhood. Possibly the city should consider hiring professionals to negotiate for the city to get development.

Administrator Webb stated there is an established process regarding action on abandoned property.

PRESENTATION BY COCHRAN, HEAD, VICK & COMPANY, PC
REGARDING 2007 AUDIT FINDINGS AND
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF SAID AUDIT FOR THE
YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2007

The City Council had been provided a copy of the audit.

Dave Cochran of the firm presented the Governing Body with a power point program.

After a lengthy discussion and questions Councilmember Adams moved to table action until the November 10, 2008 scheduled meeting. Councilmember Isenhour seconded.

Mr. Cochran confirmed that a member of the firm will be in attendance.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED
ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF ITS INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS
FOR THE TRICOR PROJECT IN AN APPROXIMATE
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $5,500,000
(THE “BONDS”)
THE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR
PROPERTY CONSTRUCTED OR PURCHASED WITH
THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS

Mayor Rodgers opened the public hearing at 7:41 p.m.

Scott Anderson, Gilmore & Bell the cities Bond Counsel stated the notice was published in The Chieftain as required by law. Certified notification was sent to Unified School District #204 and Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas regarding the public hearing.

Mr. Anderson stated after reviewing the cost benefit analysis that was prepared by Steve Robb, Pittsburg State University it is the most common ratio with no financial responsibility by the city. The applicant Tricor is responsible for paying all costs associated with the issuance of the bonds. Tricor is requesting that the bonds for the project be issued in January 2009. The term of the property tax abatement will be for the calendar years 2010 through 2019. The bonds for the project will not to exceed $5,500,000.

Mayor Rodgers asked if there were any questions from the public. With none presented Councilmember Adams moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded. Mayor Rodgers declared the motion carried.

CONSIDER ORDINANCE NO. 874
REGARDNIG ISSUANCE OF INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS
FOR THE TRICOR PROJECT

Councilmember Isenhour moved to adopt Ordinance #874. Councilmember Adams seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion carried unanimously.

CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE PROPOSED
ISSUANCE BY THE CITY OF ITS INDUSTRIAL REVENUE BONDS
FOR THE VANBOOVEN INVESTMENTS PROJECT
IN AN APPROXIMATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF $825,000
(THE “BONDS”)
THE EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR
PROPERTY CONSTRUCTED OR PURCHASED WITH THE
PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS

Mayor Rodgers opened the public hearing at 7:50 p.m.

Scott Anderson, Gilmore & Bell stated the notice was published in The Chieftain as required by law. Certified notification was sent to Unified School District #204 and Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas regarding the public hearing.

Mr. Anderson stated the process began in 2005 for a landscape business at 10021 Woodend Road. A resolution of intent was approved for the project. It provided for a 10 year 50% property tax abatement.

Mayor Rodgers asked if there were any questions from the pubic.

Gary Carpenter, 11030 Riverview asked what is VanBooven.

Administrator Webb stated the bonds are issued at the completion of construction of a facility. The applicant is a landscaping contractor.

Mr. Anderson stated the time line for construction of a project has been no longer than three years with no problems from previous applicants. The city can establish a policy regarding completion of projects that are asking for industrial revenue bonds.

After further discussion it was agreed that a 3 year time line is appropriate.

Councilmember Danner moved to close the public hearing. Councilmember Crider seconded. Mayor Rodgers declared the motion carried.

CONSIDER A PROPOSAL BY RLS ATCHITECTS TO PERFORM
A SPACE ANALYSIS AND COST ESTIMATES FOR
IMPROVEMENTS TO CONSOLIDATE THE SPACE FOR THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT AND CITY HALL

Administrator Webb stated funds are available to do the study.

After discussion Councilmember Isenhour moved to table action until the November 24, 2008 meeting. Councilmember Adams seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion carried unanimously.

SCHEDULE JOINT MEETING WITH KANSAS CITY AND
BONNER SPRINGS FOR OCTOBER 30TH, AT THE
GEORGE MEYN CENTER, 5:00 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.
NO FORMAL ACTION WILL BE TAKEN

Councilmember Adams moved to approve scheduling of the joint special meeting. Councilmember Isenhour seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion carried unanimously.

ADVISORY REPORTS

CITY ADMINISTRATOR

Administrator Webb reported:

Municipal Leadership Academy is offering a class on “Ethics” on    November 21st at the Shawnee Civic Center. Information available.
 

Regional Suppers is being offered by the League of Municipalities.
 November 19th in Paola, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 The purchasing policy was established in 1997 allowing the City   
 Administrator and department heads to make purchases.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney Walker requested an executive session for 10 minutes regarding Attorney/Client privilege and possible litigation matters to be held at the end of the meeting.

Councilmember Adams moved to hold the executive session as requested by City Attorney Walker. Councilmember Crider seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion carried with a vote of 4 to 1, with Councilmember Isenhour opposed.

CITY ENGINEER

Administrator Webb reported:

 Woodend Road is progressing in a timely manner.
 The 110th Street committee met, a brief summary will be taken.

COUNCIL AND MAYOR COMMENTS

Councilmember Crider suggested allowing the historical society use of the old city hall building to house the history and memorabilia regarding the city. There were safety concerns from the public because the building is so close to the railroad tracks and crossings.

Mayor Rodgers recommended a walk through of the old city hall building and the possibility of a different location.

Councilmember Eickhoff asked about an animal control officer.

Chief Mark Mathies stated it was not appropriate to hire someone due to budgetary issues at this time. The previous animal control was done two hours a day. Public Works employees pick up dead animals from city streets. If necessary a police officer can get the animal control vehicle to address serious issues.

Councilmember Eickhoff asked if school zone tickets were doubled when issued.

Chief Mathies stated a new fine schedule has been adopted and placed on the new tickets.

Councilmember Eickhoff asked to have public works fill pot holes at 110th Street and I-70.

City Administrator Webb agreed.

Councilmember Isenhour stated he voted against having an executive session but with discuss the matters with the city attorney.

Mayor Rodgers stated Vaughn-Trent has requested the annual appointments of Harold “Woody” Berry and Phyllis Freeman be appointed to serve another year on the Board of Directors.

Mayor Rodgers recommended the appointments.

Councilmember Adams moved to approve the appointments. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

Mayor Rodgers requested a roll call vote. The motion carried unanimously.

Mayor Rodgers informed those in attendance that Golden Living Kaw River will award a PAC sponsorship to Chris Steineger at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday, October 28th.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Rodgers adjourned to the executive session to return at 9:10 p.m.

RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION

Mayor Rodgers reconvened regular session at 9:10 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

Councilmember Adams moved to adjourn at 9:11 p.m. Councilmember Eickhoff seconded.

Mayor Rodger declared the motion carried unanimously.

Phyllis Freeman
City Clerk