City Council Regular Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on March 11, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Bowman, Ramsey, Vogel, Borland and Custer. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman and City Clerk, Dawne Bowman. Other visitors were Phil Preston, Jeff Godwin, Deputy Pafford and Colleen Larimer.

Bowman made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Vogel made a motion to approve 2/25/19 meeting minutes, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. Borland made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve February 2019 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

There was a discussion held on the alley at 101 East Kansas Street. Kitzman had researched other communities regarding vacating alleyways and found that some of them do have an application process but they all must prove the alley is not needed for public use or vacating the alley would not deny abutting property owners access. Phil Preston was present and discussed a couple of residents on that block that utilize the alley to get campers in and out and that he does not want to see it vacated. Preston also discussed maintenance of the alley, as it is in poor condition. Kitzman stated that the City does not necessarily maintain alleys; however, if the alley is used by the City, we will fix what is needed. It was also noted that an alley is available to the public. It was the consensus of the council to not deny access to other residents. Bowman made a motion to not vacate the alley at 101 East Kansas Street, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeff Godwin with Snyder & Associates was present to discuss the Bioswale SRF sponsored project, which is a 30 foot wide trench filled with rock that is located on the school property and maintained by the City. Kitzman was assured the water runoff would not affect the soccer fields at the sports complex.

At 5:45 PM a Public Hearing was held for Proposed Budget for FY 19/20. There were no comments heard from the public. Bowman motioned to close the Public Hearing at 5:31 PM, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Vogel made a motion to approve Resolution 19-11 Authorizing Bids for Lenox Bioswale SRF sponsored project, seconded by Custer, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve Resolution 19-07 Establishing Natural Gas Fees, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 19-08 Increasing Rates for the Lenox Gas System from $.11 per CCF to $.016 per CCF for usage of 1 to 40,000 CCF and from $.05 to $.06 for usage above 40,000 CCF, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve purchase of 2019 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD for the gas department, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. This purchase will not take place until July 2019 but the City must sign a purchase agreement now to order the truck.

Custer made a motion to approve IAMU Operator Qualification Plan revised 02/2019, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Resolution 19-09 Budget for FY 19/20, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve Resolution 19-10 to Establish Grade II Wastewater Operator Agreement Rates with the City of Bedford, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Bowman made a motion to approve Delta Dental Plan renewal, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve reappointment of Drew Thompson to the Board of Adjustments for a term of 5 years, expiring 04/2024, seconded by Bowman, all ayes, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford discussed STEP week coming up.

Ramsey moved to adjourn the meeting, Borland seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:15 P.M.