Minneola Community Foundation has been selected to participate im the Community Foundation's "Giving of the Green" matching funds challenge.
Community Foundation will match all cash or checks given during the period from now until March 17, 2021 at $.50 on the dollar, up to $1,000.00.
You must give notice to the Community Foundation of Southwest Kansas of your intention to participate no later than March 1, 2021.
Community Foundation phone number (620) 225-0959 Minneola City Hall phone number (620) 885-4331
MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS January 25, 2021
The Minneola City Council met in regular session January 25, 2021, in the Civic Connection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following council members present: Carol Tedford, Wesley Orr, Marvin Jensen, Shawn Conard, and Dustin Laudick. Mayor Carol Sibley presided. The Council met with COVID 19 regulations being met.
Minutes of the December 21, 2020, meeting previously mailed out were reviewed. Marvin made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Wesley seconded. Motion passed 5/0.
Computer print-outs showing the financial status for the month of December were reviewed. This is the year end statement. There is enough in general fund to transfer $30,000 over to the Capital Improvement Fund. The Council approved this transfer.
Guests
There were no guests.
Unfinished Business:
The Council reviewed the mask ordinance that was passed in November. 60 days have passed since the ordinance took effect and the COVID rates have gone down. The COVID shots have started being administered. Side effects to the COVID shot have been minimal. Marvin made a motion to remove the mask mandate, but the City still strongly encourages citizens to continue to wear a mask, and businesses still have the option to require a mask while on their premises. Shawn seconded, motion passed 5/0.
Reminder that the February meeting date has been moved to February 22 due to President’s Day landing on the regular date.
New Business:
The City has enough in equipment reserve to pay off the backhoe and the fire truck. By paying them off 15 months early, the City saves over $3500 in interest. Wesley made a motion to pay off the backhoe and fire truck, Marvin seconded, motion passed 5/0.
Per the schedule that EBH Engineers put together in order for the City to make the future bond payments on the water project, the City must raise water rates this year. Rates will be as outlined in Ordinance 2021-01. Wesley made a motion to approve Ordinance 2021-01, Carol T. seconded, motion passed 5/0.
The water project has gone out to bid and the bid opening is on February 18, at 1:30 pm, at City Hall.
Elections for 2021 are coming up. Mayor Carol Sibley and Councilmen Carol Tedford, Wesley Orr, and Shawn Conard terms are up for election. Filing deadline is June 1 at 12:00 pm in Ashland.
Patrick Williams, City Manager, arrived 7:30 pm.
The west and north well houses were discussed. The City has occupied the property since the wells were installed. We have the deed to the west well but cannot locate one for the north well house. Our lawyer is working up the paperwork to finalize the City’s ownership of the property.
The burned house at 331 S. Main was reviewed. The City does have an ordinance where part of the insurance proceeds goes to the City, instead of the owner, to insure the property is cleaned up. The insurance company has issued a check to the City. The Council agreed to use our Environmental code, Chapter 8:2A, to start the process of clean-up. The violation will be sent to the Insurance Company, the Bank, and the Owner. They will have 45 days from t