MINNEOLA CITY COUNCIL MEETS                                    November 20, 2023

The Minneola City Council met in regular session on November 20, 2023, 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, Chad Kirk, and Debbie Buckley. Mayor Carol Sibley presided. Also present were Tyler Knox, City Manager and Brenda Stewart, City Clerk.

Wyatt Williams discussed concerns over the East entrance into Minneola and the number of wrecks that have occurred at the curve over the last few years. The latest crash happened on November 13, and he has a video of it. The guardrail that is currently there helps but it needs to be extended and should be on the north side of the ditch. Joel Krosschell with EBH Engineering spoke that he had talked to the state a few years ago and they (the State) were going to look into it. The Council asked Tyler and Joel to work together and gather evidence on the crashes that have occurred and send a letter to KDOT.

Pat Friess, Kennedy McKee, reviewed the 2022 audit. There were no questions. Pat then talked about the need to revise the City’s 2023 budget. Our RHID projects were capital projects and now they are special purpose funds. Special purchase funds have to be shown in the budget. He handed out the revision to the budget. Dustin made a motion to approve the amendment, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0. Brenda will have page 4 published, and the budget hearing will be held on December 18 at 7:00 pm in the Civic Connection.

Joel Krosschell, EBH, presented a revised layout drawing for the RHID Cottonwood project. Joel also had plans ready for water, sewer, and streets. In the bidding process, we are going to ask for Magnolia Street to be the base bid and then alternates to add Cedar and East Spruce. He also noted that he added one-way valves, so water doesn’t back up. The Council asked that the base bid and alternates be priced out using asphalt and concrete. Chad made a motion to approve the plans, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0. Tyler needs to get some sewer information to Joel. Once that is received, Joel will submit the drawings to KDHE for approval and then we can go out to bid.

Howard Wideman, County Commissioner, stated that the County is going back to a 10-year tax abatement starting January 1, 2024. He reminded everyone that you must apply for the abatement prior to doing anything. Howard mentioned that the County approved distributing $15,000 to each City to help with demolition of properties. The County Attorney is writing up the agreement and the rules that must be followed.

Debbie made a motion to approve the minutes from October 10, 2023, Marvin seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Computer printouts showing the financial status for the month of September were reviewed. There were no questions.

KDOT does not want the City to withdraw from the CCLIP project. We received a revision to the CCLIP contract, with a maximum out-of-pocket cost by the City, of $30,000. Dustin made a motion to remain in the project and to sign the revision to the contract, Debbie seconded, motion passed 3/1.

There were no appeals for the property at 103 Maple. The City received two bids for demolition. Marvin made a motion to accept the bid from Mammoth Materials, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0. Attorney Love will write a letter that will need to be served on the owner preventing the owner from stopping progress.

Reminder that the City Council/Employee Christmas party will be on December 16.

There was a sewer back up around Locust and Poplar. The City of Meade came over and assisted in clearing the line.

The transfer switch for the City Hall generator has been received by Stegman Brothers Electric but has not been installed yet.

Tyler updated the Council on the County Commissioners meetings.

Brenda passed out a spreadsheet with financials for the last five years of the swimming pool. Receipts this year were about half of what usually is received. The Council asked Tyler to start looking and advertising for a pool manager.

The Council reviewed Carol Tedford hours working at City Hall while Brenda was out. Chad made a motion to pay for the hours at $20.00 per hour, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Health insurance will be reviewed at the end of the month during open enrollment. Rates appear to be going up. We will also look at an umbrella policy, Freedom Plains Management.

The City received letters from the USD 219 Basketball Tournament and the SPIAA Basketball Tournament inquiring about financial support. Marvin made a motion to donate $500.00 towards the Minneola tourney, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Tyler presented an invoice for the fire engine pump test. The City has usually split this bill with the fire department. Marvin made a motion to pay ½ of the bill, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.

The Council reviewed the funds left from the ENEL donation in 2021. Tyler and Brenda were asked to distribute those funds in the form of Minneola Bucks.

Marvin made a motion to approve the bills as presented, Debbie seconded, motion passed 4/0.  

Dustin made a motion to go into executive session for 20 minutes to discuss personnel matters, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0. Executive session started at 9:15 pm with the Mayor, Council, and City Manager present. Executive session ended at 9:35 pm.

Marvin made a motion that the City Clerk may call Carol Tedford in for assistance as needed but to not exceed 300 hours a year, Dustin seconded, motion passed 4/0.

Dustin made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Chad seconded, motion passed 4/0. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 pm.

City Clerk