City Council Meeting (June 17, 2024)

The Phillipsburg City Council met in regular session on June 17, 2024, 6:00 P.M, at 945 2nd Street, Phillipsburg, KS.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Bret Miles.

PRESENT: Councilmembers Brian Shrader; Mike James; Don Roberts; Terry McConnell; Lauren Weinert; Jeannette Harris.

ABSENT: None.

ALSO PRESENT: Tim and Shawn Ellenberger; Jason Dibble; Kim & Stan Munyon; Mike & Janice Sheid; Kyle Bauer; Brad Lare; Emily Swatzell; Gunner Gitchel; Christian Flores; Chris Muir; Cody Bogart; Andrea Cross; Galen and Jacque Wickham; Deb McConnell; Rhonda and Kerry Kellerman; Joe Jones; Levi Werner; Rachel Martin; Kirby Ross, Phillips County Review; S. Scott Sage, City Attorney; Brandi Spray, City Clerk; Tim Driggs, City Administrator.

The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States was led by Mayor Bret Miles.

Moved by James, seconded by Shrader that the city recess into executive session for consultation with the attorney for the city council or city for information deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship exception, K.S.A. 75-4319(b)(2) with the City Council, Mayor, City Attorney, Driggs, and Spray in attendance and the open meeting to resume in the city council chamber at 6:25pm. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Ellenberger’s, Dibble, Munyon’s, Patterson, Sheid’s, Bauer, Lare, Swatzell, Gitchel, Flores, Muir, Bogart, Cross, Wickham’s, McConnell, Kellerman’s, Jones, Werner, Martin, and Ross left the meeting at 6pm.

Ellenberger’s, Dibble, Munyon’s, Patterson, Sheid’s, Bauer, Lare, Swatzell, Bogart, Cross, Wickham’s, McConnell, Kellerman’s, Jones, Werner, Martin and Ross returned to the meeting at 6:25pm.

Ellace Henderson and Janice Patterson arrived to the meeting at 6:25pm.

Moved by James, seconded by Shrader to approve the June 3, 2024 minutes as written. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Moved by McConnell, seconded by Harris to approve the June 5, 2024 special meeting minutes as written. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Moved by James, seconded by McConnell to approve ordinance #1055-06-24A to pay the bills for the month of June. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Moved by James, seconded by McConnell to approve the mayor to sign the letter of arbitration with the Jansonius family. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Roberts asked who is responsible for mowing the lots where the houses have been demolished. Driggs let him know it is still the owner’s responsibility and that he will start the process of contacting the owners to get them mowed.

Roberts stated that a citizen was concerned about the city spraying 24D in the streets for weeds in front of his house as it drifts into his garden.

Weinert asked that the bids for demolishing houses should be open during the city council meetings and had questions about the order in which things happen, such as, inspections of the properties before requesting for bids. It was the consensus of the council to open bids at the council meetings.

Annette Kennedy arrived to the meeting at 6:32pm.

Weinert asked about mileage reimbursement and a per diem for meals. After discussion was held, James stated that it would have to go through JPPC (Joint Personnel Policy Committee) before coming back to council again. It was the consensus of the council to look into meal per diems.

Weinert stated that he had someone ask him about maintenance at the city park, the bathroom stalls need new curtains and the pickleball court needs something done where the two courts are split. It is only dirt and gets muddy when it rains. The RV dump station also looks like it needs a lid to cover the hole. The park committee will meet and discuss what can be done.

Harris apologized for her outburst at the previous council meeting.

Harris discussed the guidelines for public comment including the purpose of the public comment, how the speaker interacts with the council, sign up, time limits and which topics are not allowed. She recommended that we add that no anonymous written comments will be accepted. Moved by Harris, seconded by McConnell to adopt the Guidelines for Public Comment. Voting AYE: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Driggs stated that there was an incident at the wastewater plant and we had received correspondence from KDHE about possible requirements moving forward.

Driggs presented a Supplemental Agreement from KDOT for Project #AV- 5020-03. After several months of discussion with KDOT, they agreed to reimburse the city for the construction observation portion of the project. Moved by McConnell, seconded by Harris to have the mayor sign the KDOT Supplemental Agreement. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Joe Jones presented his demolition bids for 1655 Prospect and 831 8th Street.

Moved by Shrader, seconded by Harris to accept Baxter Bros bids with the change of giving them 60 days to complete. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Driggs stated that all of the easements for the Evergreen sewer project have been signed and received and he is ready to move forward. Moved by James, seconded by Shrader to put the Evergreen sewer project out for bids. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Andrea Cross, the Development Director at Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services presented information about their services and the specific services provided in Phillips County last year. Moved by McConnell, seconded by Shrader to donate $3,000 to Options. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.

Andrea Cross left the meeting at 7:01pm.

Rhonda Kellerman expressed her concerns about not spraying or delaying the spraying of mosquitos.

Joe Jones left the meeting at 7:05pm.

Levi Werner presented his research on the spraying for mosquitos.

Roberts left the meeting at 7:17pm.

Roberts returned to the meeting at 7:19pm.

Emily Swatzell, Rhonda Kellerman and Jacque Wickham left the meeting at 7:19pm.

Jason Dibble made comments and had concerns about certain rules and policies of the city.

Weinert left the meeting at 7:23pm.
Weinert returned to the meeting at 7:25pm.
Mike Sheid stated that we need to work together to move the town forward.

Max Campbell had concerns about housing and grants to help with demolishing houses that are too far gone.

Driggs stated that Black Sheep Taphouse has requested to close the street from 4th Street to the alley on G Street on Saturday August 3rd for an event. It was the consensus of the council to allow them to close that street.

Shrader stated that it is time to move forward with fogging for mosquitos and that we will look into larvae control for the future. James thanked those who came forward to express their opinions about fogging.

Moved by Shrader, seconded by McConnell to adjourn – time 7:45pm. Voting Aye: ALL. Opposed: NONE.