1 Hope City Council Meeting August 10, 2015
The Regular meeting of Hope City Council was called to order on August 10th, 2015 at 7:00pm by Mayor
Larry Ryff. Roll call showed council members Carol Lauxman, Gordon Hunnicutt, David Wendt. With
Jared Morgan and David VanHook Absent.
Mayor Ryff lead the council in the pledge of alliance.
Minutes of 1st special meeting were approved. Motioned by Carol Lauxman and 2nd by David Wendt.
Minutes of 2nd special meeting were approved. Motioned by Carol Lauxman and 2nd by Gordon
Hunnicutt.
David VanHook arrived at 7:06.
Appropriation Ordinance 1050 was approved as submitted. Motion by David Wendt, 2nd by Gordon
Hunnicutt, Motioned carried.
The treasurer report was submitted by Heather Stackley, City Treasurer. Heather reported the general
fund had increased and sewer fund matured 8/4/2015. Council discussed options for sewer fund. Carol
Lauxman made a motion to let sewer fund CD rollover for another year 2nd by Gordon Hunnicutt.
Sheriff report by Dickinson County Officer Steve Davis. Sheriff's office reported 29 calls and 115 hours
which includes traffic stops as well. Gordon Hunnicutt ask about road blocks during the parade to keep
people from driving down Main Street at the Fall Festival. Steve suggested the call Chancey Smith the
Emergency Management Director.
Visitors: Pat Helbach, Jerome Hyman, Pat Coup
Pat Coup- Addressed which streets will be blocked for the Parade. Which includes West 3rd Avenue
from Main St to the alley, West 2nd Avenue from Main Street to 1st Street, East 2nd street to the High
School, just to the alley so emergency vehicles can get threw if needed and will line up on Broadway. Pat
also ask about numbering the streets for the people in the parade. She also inquired about the light on
the pole by the stage and if it worked. She was also wanting the city to spray the park for bugs. The final
meeting is September 2nd she would appreciate any volunteers to help set up. David Wendt would
check to see if the Co-op had some cones to put on the streets and would see if they could spray the
park for the Festival. She was concerned about Phat Daddy's building and thinks we should put some
tape up around the problem area so pedestrians cannot walk near that area. The Mayor had spoke to
Allen Shelby the owner of the building, he said he was leasing the building and the repair to the
collapsing wall was part of the deposit and rent, with work resuming in 2-3 weeks. The Mayor Larry Ryff
suggested some barricades be put there to make the possible danger more noticeable. Carol Lauxman
motioned to close streets during the Festival, Gordon Hunnicutt 2nd.
Mayor Larry Ryff reminded the Council of the Maintenance Person does work extra hours during the
Festival and payroll would reflect that.
2 Hope City Council Meeting August 10, 2015
New Business:
Mayor Ryff brought up The Ladies Lounge has 2 broken windows. He has taped up the window on the
south side so it will not fall out. He spoke to Allied Insurance which is Gary Coup. We have a thousand
dollar deductable. He talked with Interstate Glass in Junction City met with him. He will mail 3 estimates
to look at. He also has spoke to another contractor that will send an estimate. According to Allied if you
replaced the windows as is, he is guessing around $2000.00 for single pain glass window. That is what
the insurance company will cover. If the Council would like to upgrade and replace the window with a
more modern type window it can be disused. The Mayor also suggested talking about charging a fee for
the use of The Ladies Lounge for certain groups that are not Non-Profit.
Last October we went in with the Dickinson County Economic Development Group out of Abilene and
we appointed Gary Coup to represent The City of Hope. Gary Coup has decided to resign this position
therefore we need to appoint another person for the remainder of his term, which will end in
December. Carol Lauxman motioned to accept Gary Coup's resignation, David Wendt 2nd the motion.
Carol Lauxman made a motion to table the discussion for Septembers Council Meeting. David VanHook
2nd the motion..
Pat Coup came back in and had questions about an extra dumpster for the Fall Festival. I will call. Also
will need to get in touch with dig safe for setting up the tent. Maintenance man will contact them.
The Mayor brought up the appointment of the new City Clerk : Joni Rikard Gordon Hunnictt moved to
approve appoint of Joni Rikard as City Clerk and David VanHook 2nd motion.
Mayor passed out Building permits for North Central Kansas Co-op. The Co-op is planning to build a new
office building on the Co-op property. Gordon Hunnicutt made motion, David VanHook 2nd motion. The
Mayor Larry Ryff spoke about a sewer line under railroad track for the Co-op as well. Mayor Ryff spoke
to the City Attorney to let them handle it. The City Attorney wanted a copy of the building plans to help
explain the situation. There has been contact made with the railroad company but we do not have an
approval as of yet. The update is that the City Attorney is working on getting the necessary paper work
approved by the railroad company.
Gordon Hunnicutt inquired about training for the new City Clerk. The Mayor said there will be eventually
there could be. The Mayor spoke to Judge Barker and the Judge suggested that I go to Abilene to learn
some of the Municipal Court proceedings. The Mayor feels like I can learn from looking threw different
files and that there is no specific "City Clerk" training because of the differences in how we do certain
things. Just like typing up the meeting minutes. LOL : ). Mayor Ryff said I could call Heather Stackley if I
have problems. Heather suggested that I call other City Clerks around the area as well to get different
questions answered. Sequoyah is also a resource I have access to. The issues there is trying to get a hold
of them.
3 Hope City Council Meeting August 10, 2015
The Mayor reported we had 10 delinquent water bills, of which 6 paid. We cut off 4 and now we are
down to 1 that had the meter removed because they went out and turn the water back on and that is
not acceptable. Until they bring their bill up to date it will remain this way.
2016 Budget Hearing: The budget has not been changed. It was published the way it was approved. This
is the official way of approving the budget. If any citizens have issues this is the opportunity to speak up.
One of the visitors ask about monies set aside for demolitions projects, Mayor Ryff stated that there was
$7500.00 side aside for that. The Mayor would like to see a better break down of the budget using the
Sequoyah software. According to the budget it is a 1 mil increase. A visitor had a question about the
Special Highway column listed on the budget sheet. Mayor Ryff said that we get special funding from
the state for Highway 4 which is an offset for the city street lights.
There was no other questions so Mayor Ryff continued with the meeting.
Maintenance report: Mayor Ryff reported that Phil McBride had taken a couple vacation days to pick up
his children. The Mayor requested that the city purchase a load of rock to be put on the road north of
the city shop to 700 ave. David Wendt made motion to buy rock, Gordon Hunnicutt 2nd motion.
Mayor Larry Ryff would like to get a water tower light replaced. He suggested we get a hold of Lonnie
Schrader at the Abilene Maintenance department to find out what kind of bulb we need. We need to
check with McGuire the tower maintenance company first to see if our agreement covers light
replacement. Mayor Ryff said he was for warning the council to fix the light could possibly incur climbing
fees as well as the cost of the light bulb.
The Mayor also wanted to update the council on the nuisance letter that was sent to Phat Daddy (Allen
Selby) Allen stated that he was sub leasing the south side of the building to a contractor and the deposit
and 1st month's rent was to be the repair of the collapsing wall on the south west corner of the building.
He told the Mayor that it would happen in the next 2-3 weeks. David VanHook ask what the next step
would be if Selby does not get the building repaired. Mayor Ryff said that he could be ticketed and that
would force him to appear in court. Then it would be up to the Judges desecration. Or bring it to the
council and see what suggestion they have.
Back to Maintenance Phil found a 120 Volt on demand water heater for city hall for $160.00 from
Lowes. The water pump on the tractor went out it has been fixed. Phil did buy the power washer.
Back To 2016 Budget Hearing: David VanHook made motion to accept budget and Gordon Hunnicutt
2nd. The City Clerk will submit the 2016 Budget before August 25, 2015.
Back to regular meeting: Mayor Ryff brought the water billing back up. He talk about the removal of the
water meter and that the resident has not been heard from since then. The Mayor ask Phil the
maintenance man to go back and check to make sure nothing had changed since removing meter.
Gordon Hunnicutt questioned the current water violation letter. The Mayor responded by stating that
the issue was inherited by the City of Herington water plant. Pat McCool came from Kansas Rural Water,
he explained that there is a bit of metal content in the water. Pat said he would get a hold of the City of
4 Hope City Council Meeting August 10, 2015
Herington's water department to see if there was a way to filter the water or a change the process. The
TTHM results are from nine months ago. So the State makes us send out letters to inform the public. Pat
is to let Phil and the Mayor know when the problem has been taken care of. Pat said that there is no
danger in the drinking water.
Carol Lauxman ask about changing the council meeting back to the first Monday of the month. The
Council discussed the issue.
Carol Lauxman motioned to Adjourn 2nd by Gordon Hunnicutt.
_________________________________Larry Ryff, Mayor
Attest:
_________________________________Joni Rikard, Clerk