MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS                                    February 22, 2022

The Minneola City Council met in regular session February 22, 2022, in the Civic Connection. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., with the following council members present: Marvin Jensen, Dustin Laudick, and Chad Kirk. Mayor Carol Sibley presided.

Alan Luttrel, EBH, gave an update on the waterline project. The progress meeting was held today. The railroad bore is in for the Coop loop and has been paid for by EBH. It only took 2 days for the flagman and observer. APAC should be done in 3 weeks with the waterline project. Wayne Cook should be starting in 1-2 weeks. The SCADA System is not running yet. He presented APAC pay estimate #10 for approval. Marvin made a motion to approve pay estimate #10, Chad seconded, motion passed 3/0.

Brian Marshall discussed Cottonwood Street issues with the Council. Brian handed out some drawings and a survey for reference. Things that were talked about were the cul-de-sac, curb and gutter, storm water inlets, and easement for storm water drainage. Brian presented a drawing of items he would like to see happen including the relocation of Cherry Street cross over bridge and building a new one, concrete sidewalk, alleys, and fencing. Brian also indicated that the actual ditch that runs along Cherry Street belongs to Rooney and the City has from Cherry Street curb to the top of the ridge before going down to the ditch. Brian is also concerned with the farming being so close to the homes that the farming is a fire hazard, creates dust, and pesticide spraying. The Council advised Brian that the ground is grandfathered in as farming. The Council told Brian that all of the information would be sent to our Attorney to review and advise the City on how to proceed.

Minutes of the January 18, 2022, meeting previously mailed out were reviewed. Dustin made a motion to approve the minutes as written, Marvin seconded. Motion passed 3/0.

Computer print-outs showing the financial status for the month of January were reviewed. There were no questions.

EMS was reviewed. The following was discussed: review of the protocols to date, untimely fashion of review, training of new protocols, leadership, the work group between the City, Hospital, and EMS, recruiting, and scheduling of new classes. The City is concerned at the rate the protocols are being reviewed, it will take a long time to be finished. The other concern is that it takes approximately 8 months to become an EMT and we have 3 that will be going off the board at the end of this year. If classes are not started next month, we will not have replacements.

Law Enforcement officer for Minneola, previously tabled, was continued to be tabled.

There have been calls received about Northend Disposal’s trash service not picking up receptacles on the designated date. Northend has been having some truck breakdowns and new drivers. Northend has not been communicating their issues with the City. Patrick Williams will contact the Northend Disposal manager.

Spring clean-up day will be on April 30. The spring clean-up will be in the alleys or where you usually place your trash cart. There are items that they will not pick up. Information and notices will be placed in the Post Office, Hometown Market, Centera Bank, City website, and Facebook in April.

The Council agreed to hold the citywide garage sale on June 4. Sign up information will be posted in May.

The City is applying for a BASE Grant. The grant is due February 28 and is economic based. There are several big businesses going in the Dodge City area, but there isn’t enough housing in Dodge or surrounding areas to accommodate the number of employees the businesses will bring in. Patrick handed out a housing study done by Wichita State University. The study shows that Minneola needs more housing in the mid to upper level. We are working on setting up a Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) that would help pay for part of the infrastructure. The grant has a 25% match, which Minneola should already meet with items that we recently completed. Awards are announced at the end of March beginning of April.

Marvin made a motion to go into executive session for 30 minutes to discuss acquisition of real estate. Dustin seconded, motion passed 3/0. Council, Mayor, Patrick Williams, Brenda Stewart, and Tyler Knox were in attendance. Council went into executive session at 8:40 pm and came out of executive session at 9:10 pm.

A bill was presented for design by Christian Brothers. Dustin made a motion to split the bill with the Economic Development group and pay $1250. Chad seconded, motion passed 3/0

Marvin made a motion to approve the bills as presented, Dustin seconded, motion passed 3/0.

Chad made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Dustin seconded, motion passed 3/0. Meeting adjourned 9:35 pm.

City Clerk