City of McFarland
Council Meeting
April 10, 2008
Mayor Perry Piper called the meeting to order with council
members Cliff Hund, Connie Havenstein, and Stanley Havenstein present.
Arlan Miller arrived shortly after meeting started. Council member Tim
Snowden was absent. Also present were Terry McDaniel, Ervan Stuewe, J.D. &
Marie Miller, Randy Cossel, Aaron Miller and Tom Dillingham.
JD Miller discussed with the council several issues. Did the
council wanted him to continue mowing the cemetery and was there a
possibility of a raise. In addition, he voiced concern about drainage of his
property to the ditch and the moving of buried cable and a telephone raiser
box. The City Council requested employee McDaniel to contact Embarq / Dave
Zeckser on getting information / time frame on relocation of buried cable
and the raiser connection box. Council discussed issues concerning drainage
ditch running along Fourth street, cleaning the drainage ditch by Joe
Torneden residence, along with the county replacement schedule of stone
culverts with tubes.
The council also exchanged views about the removal of Monkey
Bars at the City Park due to safety concerns; ground covering for play area
made of recycled material and two request dates for reserving the City Park,
May 3 & 16.
Randy Cossel addressed the City Council with flooding
concerns in and around his property and adjacent properties. He also
requested to remove loose gravel from the streets for personal use. The City
council agreed to the loose gravel.
The council heard discussion and exchanged views about
drainage issues with the properties of Cory Thompson and Mike Newton on Main
street including possible solutions. Additional discussion was heard from JD
Miller on maintenance needed on driveways at the cemetery to address ruts in
the roadbed. Council agreed to have McDaniels blade off the high spots and
fill in the ruts with rock.
Mayor Piper gave the council an update on current Municipal
Court proceedings and the outcome of the hearing with Fred Beavers. The
Honorable Blaine Carter, Municipal Judge, strongly urged the city council
and residences to file complaints on all inoperable vehicles within the
city.
Minutes of the previous meeting held March 14th
were read and approved. Connie Havenstein moved to pay the bills. Seconded
by Miller, motion passed with all voting yes.
McDaniel gave his monthly report:
Water: Discussion on computer software for water and sewer rates. Needs to
pull well pumps.
Gas: Will be attending classes at KCC for re-certification. Installation of
new anodes.
Sewer: Metal siding is in for completion of wall.
Parks: Nothing new. Still have limbs and branches to pick up.
Equipment: Nothing new.
Misc: Council heard discussion concerning concrete blocks for drainage ditch
at 4th and Wheeler and who will be hauling them. McDaniel
visited with certain persons involved with the on-going efforts at the
retention dam, construction of a trash rack and specific individuals
required being present when a camera is used to scope the retention dam
tube. McDaniels reported that a digital camera and docking station would run
$200. Miller moved to approve this purchase, Hund seconded the
motion. Motion carried with all voting yes.
Discussion will be heard next meeting concerning a “city
credit card” through Stockgrowers State Bank in Alma, for expenses.
Tom Dillingham discussed concerns of a dead walnut tree on
Kenneth Piel (Jose Piel) property and if further action is required by the
city to address the issue.
In new business, council discussed a pay raise for JD Miller
for mowing and use of City Park by Myrna Gleue. Council approved use of the
park. Connie Havenstein held a discussion concerning cemetery lots
available versus what is shown on the books.
Hund moved to approve a pay raise for JD Miller $1 an hour
raise and will be paid $65 to mow the cemetery. Seconded by S. Havenstein,
motion carried with all voting yes.
Discussion of a new computer for the City Clerks office will
be tabled until the next meeting.
City wide clean up day will be May 17th, city will
retain the scrap iron.
Council member Hund moved to reappoint the following:
Stockgrowers State Bank as the official bank, The Wabaunsee Co. Signal
Enterprise as the official newspaper, Norbert Marek, as the City Attorney,
Larry Senne as the City Clerk / Utilities Clerk, and Angela Boeckman as the
City Treasurer. Miller seconded motion. Motion carried with all voting yes.
At 8:45 Hund moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by
Miller. Motion carried with all voting yes.
Larry Senne, City Clerk