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City of Ramona
Council Minutes
April 8, 2013
Ramona City Hall

Presiding: Mayor Byron Noeth

Council Present: Art Stroda, Billy Alcorn, AJ Svoboda, Rachel Mealor

Staff present: Jessica Gilbert, Kathy Matkins

Others in attendance: Rohani Alcorn, Jim Thompson, Cassy Thompson, Terren Thompson, Jayme Brunner

The meeting was called to order by the mayor at 7:00pm

Swearing in of Officers
The following officers were sworn into office by Clerk Clerk Gilbert: Mayor Noeth, Council members Billy Alcorn, Rachel Mealor, Art Stroda and AJ Svoboda.

Reports
The City Clerk read March meeting minutes.

Motion:  Billy Alcorn moved to approve the March 2013 minutes. Art Stroda seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.

Kathy Matkins read the Treasurer’s report and presented the bills for payment.

Motion: Art Stroda moved to accept the treasurer’s report as read; motion seconded by Billy Alcorn, and passed unanimously.


Mayor’s Report
Mayor Noeth thanked Rachel Mealor for her fine job in orchestrating the city Easter egg hunt in the park.  

The mayor reported that a dog complaint is under investigation concerning the dog of Ron Kidd (who lives in the trailer to the north of Shelia Mercer’s home.) Mr. Kidd’s dog was let off the chain and it headed across the street to the home of Jennifer Makovec and the dog was seen by 2 witnesses to kill the Makovec’s cat.  

Clerk’s Report
Burn ban: Clerk Gilbert reported that the State of Kansas has declared April a “no burn” month. Gilbert checked with the State to verify that citizens were allowed to burn in their private barrel, and they are.

Sewer bills: The second reminder will be sent later in April for everyone who pays twice a year, or residents who have not made any sewer payments since September 2012.  Gilbert said a News Flash will be included about the dumpster coming into town and about the lock box on the city building where people can leave their sewer payments.

Miscellaneous Business
Fuel Tanks: Councilman Alcorn asked Council to contemplate getting a fuel card at Cardie Oil and at the gas station in Herington, so David Staatz could get fuel as needed, in 5-gallon container, rather than keeping fuel in the large tank down at the shop. Billy said that the fuel tank is a temptation to thieves, and the fuel also gets old.  Councilman Stroda suggested this matter be tabled until a future meeting. Councilman Alcorn said he’d inquire about the process for applying for a fuel card from the Herington gas station.

Cleaning culverts: Councilman Alcorn reported that he and David Staatz had checked the culverts at the time of the big rain downpour.  He also spoke with the Rains family about their east fence line, which was full of debris and restricting the flow of water through the culvert.  Clerk Gilbert informed Alcorn that the culver needed on 4th street by Sondergards is scheduled to be delivered within 10 days.

Dumpster on Weber property: Councilman Alcorn brought to the Council’s attention the dumpster on the Weber property downtown, which is filling with water and spilling over. Clerk Gilbert suggested a letter be sent under the Mayor’s signature, alerting Barb Weber Stinchcomb (who is executor of the Weber property in Ramona) about the situation.

Youth Council Report
Cassy Thompson reported that the Youth Council plans to have an event in the City Park on Saturday, May25 from 7pm-midnight. The event is being called an out-of-school dance; a squirt gun fight and basketball game is planned prior to the dance.  Kids under 12 will be asked to go home before the dance commences. If Ramona teens invite a friend to the event, the resident is responsible for the friend.  Councilman Alcorn and Rohani Alcorn will be the adult sponsors. Cassy said that a flyer will be distributed to all town residents informing them of the event.

Motion: AJ Svoboda moved to approve the Ramona Youth Council games and dance event for May 25 in the City Park.  Seconded by Art Stroda.  Motion passed unanimously.

Ms. Thompson also informed City Council that the Youth Council has moved their monthly meeting to the first Monday of the month, 7pm at City Hall.

Cassy said that the Youth Council will be offering drinks at their 4th of July concession, and they’re adding a volleyball competition in the afternoon of July 4th, and they’re discussing a paintball event in the morning. The over-21 sponsor for the paintball will be former city councilman Jayme Brunner.  The teens will also be overseeing the 50/50 drawing.

Dumpster for Clean-up
Clerk Gilbert reported that the cost of the dumpster will be $425 and will come from Waste Management of Salina.

Motion: Councilman Alcorn moved to schedule a 40-yard dumpster from Waste Management of Salina for May 6-14, 2013, for a town clean-up event. Councilman Stroda will have a metal recycling trailer and barrels for toxic waste.  Seconded by Rachel Mealor. Motion passed unanimously.

Fair Housing Month
Motion: Councilman Svoboda moved that April be declared Fair Housing Month in Ramona and that the Mayor sign the Proclamation stating this. Seconded by Art Stroda.  Motion passed unanimously.  (See attachment)

Railroad Crossing Resolution
Clerk Gilbert presented a resolution, requested by the State Department of Transportation, regarding the installation of an automated railroad-crossing bar at the F Street crossing.  The resolution states that the City will ensure there are railroad crossing signs at the crossing prior to the work commencing, and that the City will work with the State and Union Pacific Railroad representatives.  

Motion: Councilman Art Stroda moved to table the resolution until the May meeting so the City Clerk can get the following questions answered:
1. Would they put asphalt down to join F Street?
2. Does the City have to publish anything in the newspaper?
3. What signage is the city’s responsibility?
4. Will they pay the city’s maintenance person to put up the signs?
5. Are they going to be blocking the roads?
6. If they damage the roads will they repair?
7. Why are they doing this project now?

Motion seconded by AJ Svoboda.  Motion passed unanimously.

Motion: Councilman Alcorn moved to adjourn the meeting at 8pm.  Motion passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8pm.
City of Ramona
Treasurer’s Report: APRIL 8, 2013


GENERAL FUND
Beginning Balance             19,964.59

INCOME
    State of Ks.-Retail tax    793.77
    Westar Franchise     167.69
    Marion Road/Bridge    36.57
    Marion Ad Valorem    2,110.44
    Sondergard (bldg. rent)    40.00
    
Total Income        3,148.47

Balance prior to expense            23,113.06

EXPENSE
Ck 4075   Office Max (Ink, supplies)    122.93
Ck 4076   Copy Co (siren cards)    10.32
Ck 4077   Westar (park, shop, etc)    85.85
Ck 4078   Olive Garden Gift Card (Stroda)    100.00
Ck 4080   Copy Co. (newsletter)    176.40
Ck 4082   Atmos Energy    64.16
Ck 4083   Rural Water    47.42
Ck 4084   CNH Capital (Kan Equip)    24.12
Ck 4085   IRS (1st Quarter taxes)    162.34
Ck 4086   F. Leach (Treasurer wage + attend)    56.56
Ck 4087   K. Matkins (Treasurer wage + attend)    81.73
Ck 4088   D. Staatz ( attendance)    27.71
Ck 4089   J. Gilbert (wages + attendance)    365.25
Ck 4090   Jessica Gilbert (mileage)    46.08
Ck 4091   Billy Alcorn (council comp)    82.50
Ck 4092   void
Ck 4093   Brendan Bailey (council comp)    60.00
Ck 4094   Jayme Brunner (council comp)    82.50
Ck 4095   Byron Noeth (council comp)    112.50
Ck 4096   Art Stroda (council comp)    97.50
Ck 4097   A.J. Svoboda (council comp)    90.00
Ck 4098   Jim Thompson (council comp)    22.50

Total Expense        1,918.37

Balance as of April 2013            21,194.69
Investment Funds    5,000.00
                26,194.69



 
April 2013

SEWER FUND
Beginning Balance        `    11,120.61
INCOME
    Sewer Fees    90.00
    2012-2013     $90.00
    
    Thompson $10
    Leach $20
    Calif. Sisters $40
    Gilbert $10
    Thornhill $10
    
    Marion Co. Ad Valorem    1,107.23

Total income        1,197.23

Balance Prior to Expense            12,317.84

EXPENSE
Ck 4079   Westar    51.72
Ck 4081   Napa Auto Parts (light)    46.29

Total Expense        98.01

Balance as of April 2013            12,219.83

Investment Funds:     30,000.00
    42,219.83

HIGHWAY FUND

Beginning Balance            13,772.40

INCOME
None
Total Income        -0-
Balance Prior to Expense            13,772.40

EXPENSE
None
Total Expense        -0-

Balance as of April 2013             13,772.40

Investment Funds:    5,000.00
    18,772.40



Reserve Funds
Reserve Fund:  Park Improvement    458.58
Reserve Fund: 4th of July    1,513.74
Reserve Fund: Memorial Bench repair    500.00
Reserve Fund: Youth Council    417.82