City of Baldwin City Council
AMENDED MINUTES January 20, 2015
The Baldwin City Council met in Regular Session at 7:00 p.m. at the Baldwin City Public Library, 800 7th
Street, with Mayor Marilyn Pearse presiding. Council members Darnell, Gerstner and Starkey were
present. Council members Mock and Wagner were absent. Also present were City Administrator Lowe
with staff members Community Development Director Bielser, Finance Director Smith, Lead Lineman
Croucher, Power Plant Operator Culley, City Attorney Hoy and Police Chief Neis.
CONSENT AGENDA:
Council member Gerstner moved to amend the Consent Agenda to add a liquor license. Staff confirmed
the license met the necessary requirements. Council member Darnell seconded the motion. Motion
carried. 3-0.
Motion by Gerstner, seconded by Starkey, to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried.
3 - 0.
A. The Draft Minutes of the January 5, 2015 Regular Meeting were approved.
B. An Appropriation Ordinance No. 2015-01B: Claims against the City for Goods provided and
Services Rendered was approved.
C. The 2014 Pool Report was approved.
D. Liquor License; Kansas Belle Dinner Train was approved.
SPECIAL REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS:
A.
Digital Ally Body Camera Pilot Project was presented.
Chief Neis provided a history of the product and how the Baldwin City Police Department came to
be chosen as a pilot for the organization. The Governing Body was shown details of how the
product can protect both the officer and the City. The vendor then shared a video which
displayed how the cameras and microphones benefitted both the officers as well as those
contacted by the officers. It was noted that the Ferguson incident has motivated President
Barack Obama to call for $75 million in federal spending to get police to wear the same body
cameras that record their interactions with civilians. The Chief closed his presentation by sharing
that along with significant cost savings of over $30,000 gained by participating in the pilot
program, Baldwin City has been using the product long before the Ferguson Missouri incident.
B.
Year End Financial Report was presented.
The Finance Director presented the Governing Body with the 2014 Preliminary Financial Results.
He informed everyone that the annual audit would be performed in the spring and he would return
then with a final report. The Mayor thanked Mr. Smith for his efforts in providing the Governing
Body with a clear and concise record of the city’s current financial status.
C.
Possibilities Associated with the Creation of a Neighborhood Revitalization Act District
were discussed.
The Community Development Director presented the Governing Body with an overview of the
Neighborhood Revitalization Act. Council directed staff to continue researching the program with
the Community Development Committee.
COMMITTEE/COMMISSION REPORTS:
A.
The Community Development Committee
Council Member Starkey indicated the Committee’s discussion regarding the sidewalk was on the agenda
under Discussion Items and could be discussed at that time.
Council Member Darnell presented a brief report on the Sister City arrangement.
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
There was none.
NEW BUSINESS:
A. A Resolution 2015-03 authorizing the City Administrator to Execute a Firm Service Electric
Allocation Agreement with the Western Area Power Administration was considered.
The City Administrator presented the Governing Body with a brief explanation regarding the current
agreement with WAPA and its benefits to the City.
Motion by Gerstner, seconded by Darnell, to approve Resolution 2015-03 authorizing the City
Administrator to Execute a Firm Service Electric Allocation Agreement with the Western Area Power
Administration. Motion carried. 3-0.
DISCUSSION ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS or STAFF:
A. Discussion of County Correspondence Regarding Sidewalk Project.
Mayor Pearse opened the discussion by presenting a January 16, 2015 email to City staff from County
Administrator Craig Weinaug (entered for the record). The Mayor asked those present if they would
consider a postponement of the discussion until all members could be present to participate. Council
member Darnell noted there was a quorum present. A lengthy discussion ensued between the three
attending councilmembers.
Motion by Darnell, seconded by Gerstner, authorizing an 8’ sidewalk to be constructed by the City along
US 56 Highway, between the Baldwin City U.S.D. 348 Intermediate Center at 100 Bullpup Drive and 11th
Street.
Council member Starkey stated for the record that those present consider the fiscal responsibilities and
potential impacts this decision may have on future councils as well as the school district.
YEA: Darnell and Gerstner. NAY: Starkey. Passed 2 – 1.
PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
The City Administrator provided a report on the current happenings in the Kansas House and Senate.
The Chief of Police provided a report regarding the upcoming presidential visit to Lawrence, Kansas and
how the City of Baldwin City would be providing additional service support to the Lawrence community.
SCHEDULE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Public Works Committee Meeting: 4pm, January 26
Public Safety Committee Meeting: TBD
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Gerstner, seconded by Darnell to recess into Executive Session for 5 minutes under the
Personnel Exception. The following person(s) to be in attendance: City Administrator and City Attorney.
The meeting recessed at 8:48. The meeting reconvened at 8:53 with everyone present.
ADJOURN
Motion by Darnell, seconded by Starkey, to adjourn. Motion carried 3-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:55
p.m.
Anna-Marie Keena
City Clerk
Approved by the Governing Body February16, 2015
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