Sharon Springs City Council - July 2023

August 17, 2023

The Sharon Springs City Council met in regular session Monday evening  July 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m. Those present were Mayor Patrick Gibbs, Council Members: Amber Fischer, Jay Sharp, Tim Elder, Verlan Wagoner, Dennis Mote, City Attorney Allan Hurlburt, City Clerk Theresa Hill, City Superintendent Dennis Sharp, Andrea Cross, Dustin Bozarth, Rita Williams, Quintin Flanagin, Errin Bollig and Bill Schurr.
Mayor Patrick Gibbs called the regular meeting for July 3, 2023 to order at 5:30 p.m.
Options representative Andrea Cross shared information about services that are available for victims of domestic violence/sexual abuse.  They offer services throughout northwest Kansas and now have an advocate that travels to counties to visit with families.
Ms. Cross thanked the council for donating in the past and requested $2000.00 in funding to help continue these services. Mr. Elder moved to approve $2000.00 for 2024, motion was seconded by Mr. Sharp, motion approved.
Bill Schurr visited with the City Council regarding the City spraying the weeds in the alley behind his property.  Mr. Schurr replaced part of his garden that was affected by the spray and submitted a bill for the cost of replanting. The Council would like to discuss this later in the meeting.
Rita Williams, Quintin Flanagin and Errin Bollig of WCC, Inc. presented the 2024 proposed Budget Draft and Analysis Sheets.  Rita Williams visited with Council about whether to raise the RNR (Revenue Neutral Rate) to help with inflation or leave it the same. Motion was made by Mr. Wagoner to have Rita Williams raise the RNR (Revenue Neutral Rate) for the 2024 Budget by $13,814.67,  Mr. Mote seconded the motion, motion approved.
Bed Tax had two requests – Wallace County Chamber of Commerce for $1000.00 for the 4th of July Fireworks and the second request was the Wallace County Visitors Bureau (WCVB) for $199.93 for WCVB website security.  Mr. Sharp moved to approve the Wallace County Chamber of Commerce request for $1000.00 for fireworks, Mr. Mote seconded the motion, motion approved.  Motion was made by Mr. Elder to pay $199.93 to WCVB for website security, Mr. Wagoner seconded the motion, motion approved. The payments of these requests are pending until receipts are received.
Mr. Sharp moved to approve the minutes of the June 5th regular meeting, Mr. Wagoner seconded the motion, motion approved.
Mrs. Fischer moved to accept payroll and vouchers as presented:  voucher checks – 30462-30487; manual checks – 30488-30509,  ACH #540-541; payroll checks – 30510-30528, ACH #1, Mr. Wagoner seconded the motion, motion approved.
Mr. Sharp moved to approve the requisitions as presented, Mrs. Fischer seconded the motion, motion approved.
City Superintendent Report: City Superintendent Dennis Sharp and City Attorney Allan Hurlburt discussed written and oral information of two properties needing condemned.  Superintendent Dennis Sharp presented the Council with a letter recommending the condemnation of two properties – 421 Ash Street and 404 South Elm Street. Motion was made by Mr. Jay Sharp to adopt a resolution to condemn the property at 421 Ash Street, motion was seconded by Mr. Wagoner, motion approved. This will be Resolution 2023-2. Mr. Elder moved to adopt a resolution to condemn the property at 404 South Elm Street, Mr. Sharp seconded the motion, motion approved. This will be Resolution 2023-3. City Attorney Hurlburt and City Superintendent Dennis Sharp will coordinate the language in the resolutions.
City employee Dustin Bozarth reported on his training and responsibilities at the Power Plant. Dustin requested a raise and Plant Manager title from the City Council.  The Council thanked him for his work at the Power Plant. 
City Attorney Report: Attorney Allan Hurlburt reported on the Cereal Malt Beverage (CMB) alcohol sales on Sunday and the requirements that have to be followed.  The process to vacate a portion of Commerce Street was also discussed.
Council Member Reports:  Council members viewed the bill submitted by Bill Schurr.  Mr. Wagoner moved to pay Mr. Schurr $400.00 for the expense of replanting his garden, Mr. Sharp seconded the motion, motion approved. Mrs. Fischer had been contacted about a property needing cleaned up. Council discussed giving Dustin Bozarth a raise.  Mr. Wagoner made the motion to give Mr. Bozarth a $1.00/hour raise effective July 1, 2023, Mr. Mote seconded the motion, motion approved.
City Clerk Report:  City Clerk Hill received a bill from B & H Paving with additional cost of $3844.00 for chip sealing the streets.  Mr. Sharp moved to pay the additional amount of $3844.00 to B & H Paving, motion was seconded by Mr. Wagoner, motion approved.  Mrs. Hill visited with the Council about the utility deposit for Hope Springs.  The City will waive the deposit with the agreement that Wallace County will pay the bill if it becomes delinquent. Mrs. Fischer moved to waive the utility deposit for Hope Springs with an agreement with the Wallace County Commissioners to pay the bill if it becomes delinquent,  Mr. Mote seconded the motion, motion approved. 
**UPCOMING REMINDERS:  
Next Regular Meeting ~ Monday, August 7, 2023 ~ 5:30 p.m.
Water usage report for the water wells was included in the council packets.   
Mr. Wagoner moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m.; Mrs. Fischer seconded the motion, motion approved.                                                                                                    

Patrick Gibbs, Mayor
Theresa K. Hill, City Clerk