BENTON CITY COUNCIL

JANUARY 19, 2009

The governing body of the City of Benton, Kansas met in regular session at the usual meeting place in the City at 7:04 p.m.  Mayor, Ken Gile presided and members of the governing body were present as follows:  John Gahagan, Jim Thompson, Dan Carpenter and Gene Harrison.  Kathy Gomez was absent.

APPROVE MINUTES
Dan moved to approve the minutes from the December 15, 2008 meeting.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

WASTE CONNECTIONS – Hershel West
Hershel presented a new program being implemented by Waste Connections for recycling.  The Recycle Bank is a reward program.  Customers would sign up with Waste Connections and be issued a 95 gal. cart which has a computer chip to record the weight of the cart each time it’s dumped. Coupons are then available based on the amount recycled.  An average family could get approximately $20.00 worth of coupons per month.  The cost is $3.75 per month whether or not you chose to participate.  There is no sorting or cleaning required.

Council tabled this option until information can be provided to citizens and feedback gathered.

SEWER MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
Dale presented the contract for the sewer maintenance agreement with Mayer Specialties.  It is Dale’s recommendation to accept this contract.

Dan moved to accept the contract with Mayer Specialties for sewer maintenance.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

STEARMAN ESTATES
Jeff Bridges, DeWaay Financial, presented the documents to begin the 2nd Addition of Stearman Estates:

                  Dan moved to accept the Petition for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements in Stearman Estates 2nd Addition. John seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

                 Dan moved to approve the Work Order for Sanitary Sewer Improvements for Stearman Estates 2nd Addition.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

                 Dan moved to adopt Resolution 01-09, Determining the advisability of making certain internal improvements in the city of Benton Kansas; setting forth the general nature of the improvements, the estimated or probable costs thereof, the extent of the benefit district to be assessed for the costs thereof, the method of assessment and the apportionment of the costs between the benefit district and the city at large; authorizing and providing for the making of the improvements in accordance with the findings of the governing body; and directing the publication and recording of this resolution (Stearman Estates 2nd Addition sewer improvements).  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

                 Dan moved to adopt Ordinance 2009-01, an ordinance authorizing the construction of certain internal improvements in the City of Benton, Kansas, as heretofore determined advisable and authorized to be made by Resolution #01-09 of the City, under the authority of K.S.A. 12-6a01 ET SEQ., as amended and supplemented; providing for the payment of the costs of said improvements; authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds for the payment of the costs of said improvements and authorizing and providing for the issuance of temporary improvement notes from time to time as funds are needed for the orderly construction of said improvements.  John seconded.  Motion carried 4-0. 

HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL
Chad Patton presented information and options for the 2009 renewal with Preferred Health Systems.

Gene moved to renew with Preferred Health Systems for 2009 changing to Option 3 effective March 1, 2009.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

BENTON DAYS
Dave Friesen, Benton Lions Club, discussed plans for Benton Days which will be held on April 25, 2009. 

COUNTY RE-ZONING
Butler County as a request for rezoning of property owned by Nick Belcher (SE corner of Butler Rd. and 254 Hwy.) Request is for Industrial zoning.  Council has no objections.

EMPLOYEE EVALUATIONS
Dan moved to move to Executive Session for 15 minutes.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

RECONVENE
Dan moved to Reconvene at 8:31 p.m.  Gene seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

Dan moved to approve raises of 2% for Hal, Joyce, and Dale.  And increase Charles pay to $45,000 per year with an additional 1 week vacation which is mandatory.  Gene seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

RESOLUTION 02-09,
The resolution passed in December determining property at 380 N. Wichita a dangerous, unsafe or unfit for habitation structure will be published January 22, 2009 and will be demolished 30 days from that date.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Joyce - two council seats are up for election this April.  Declaration must be filed by January 26.

Charles - update on cases. 

Charles awarded James Welch was a medal of accommodation for service.

Scott Galloway - update on code enforcement for the past year

Dale – March 24-26 is KRWA Conference.  The City of Benton sign east of town is in bad shape and needs to be removed.

APPROVE BILLS
Dan moved to approve the bills as submitted.  Jim seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

ADJOURN
Jim moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 p.m.  John seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.