Goessel approves debt service fee for sewer project
The Goessel City Council met April 15 at the Goessel Civic Center Community Room.
Arlen Goertzen reported that the sewer fees are adequate to cover the cost of day-to-day operation. The engineer based his figures for the debt service fee on the assumption that the sewer fund is covering its costs. The amount of the fee is figured on a KDHE revolving loan threshold requirement of 1.25 debt service. The current loan interest rate is three percent for a 20-year term. The annual debt service, based on an estimated cost of $399,000, is $26,819 per year and based on 250 connections. The monthly debt service is $8.94/month/connection.
The council voted 5-0 in favor of the process of initiating a debt service fee of $9 per connection per month for the sewer project, to be discontinued when the project is paid off.
Goertzen will contact the city attorney to have the sewer ordinance amended to include the debt service fee.
The council discussed sending a letter to all residents explaining the project and the need to implement the debt service fee.
Pete Flaming informed the council of the project that is being planned for Bethesda Home, if the tax credit application is approved. The project includes renovations to the facility to create more of a home atmosphere as opposed to an institutional facility. The cost for the resident-centered environment would be $800,000. Flaming explained the tax credit program and the benefit to the taxpayers. Flaming requested a letter of support from the City Council. The council voted 5-0 to endorse the project and write a letter of support.
The 1989 pickup sold at the consignment auction on March 20 for $1,600 because the NADA was below the amount stated in the March 2004 minutes. The snowplow attachment did not sell.
Sandi Thompson, owner of Lil' Bluebird Daycare on 618 E. Marion, informed the council of a project that she has at her daycare involving hatching some eggs. She requested a variance from the ordinance to allow her to keep the chickens through the summer as a continued project. Thompson had received signatures from most of the neighbors stating that they did not have any objections to the Thompsons having chickens.
The council voted 5-0 to grant a variance to allow Thompson to keep the chickens through 2004 if she receives permission from all the surrounding neighbors.
Chad Lindeman had questioned the possibility of placing a longer culvert along Centennial Drive in place of the small culvert leading to the ball diamonds. The council was reminded that residents are allowed 12 feet of culvert at the city's expense and anything beyond that is at the owners' expense.
City Clerk Anita Goertzen reported on the water usage and repair costs for the broken shut off were paid for 105 S. Cedar.
Council approved a software support contract with Custom Micro Works for 2004. The cost was $1,061 and will cover technical support as well as any updates to the Governmental Suite software.
Kim Walker, Court Services Officer I for the Eighth Judicial District which includes Marion County, was invited to attend the meeting to clarify what is expected of city and other organizations who provide jobs for people who have community service time to fulfill. Walker suggested that the city appoint one person to coordinate the work and keep track of the hours and report them to the district coordinator in Marion. Walker will contact someone from the community who has expressed an interest in being the coordinator for Goessel.
Shane Holthaus and Pete Koenig from Kansas Rural Water Association gave a presentation on how GPS mapping of the lines and connection points could benefit the city. They showed examples from other cities and also showed how the computer program works. Koenig explained the three main reasons for having GPS mapping: 1. Locating purposes 2. Progressing technology and 3. Never changing coordinates.
Estimated cost for the mapping of the water and sewer system plus expenses would be approximately $4,135. This amount could vary depending upon the actual time it takes to GPS all the points.
New developments and additions to the system could be updated easily. Wiens would like to locate a few of the PVC pipes in the east part of town that cannot be found by the locator before contracting with KRWA. That would give a more accurate GPS locate for those lines.
Council voted 5-0 to proceed with the GPS mapping project with the Kansas Rural Water Association.
In other business:
— The Recreation Commission requested the use of the Community Room without charge for three weeks during the summer for tumbling lessons. The instructor would bring her own mats each time.
Council voted to allow the Recreation Commission to use the Community Room free of charge for the tumbling lessons during the summer for three weeks.
— KDHE inspected the site and found some railroad ties and lumber that was dumped on the burn pile These items are not allowed; therefore, the city was found not to be in compliance and the items need to be removed and re-inspected before burning can continue. Goertzen has removed the railroad ties and lumber and has written a letter to KDHE.
The council discussed what measures need to be taken to prevent this from happening again. Lindeman stated that it is a privilege for the residents of Goessel to have a place to take their yard waste and branches and that KDHE could order the burnsite be closed if it is abused and items other that leaves and branches are left there.
It was decided that the key arrangement would remain the same until the new burnsite is opened after the sewer project is completed. Wiens will check into purchasing some cylinder-type keys that can't be duplicated to give out to the people who have given a deposit to have a burnsite key.
— Goertzen reported that the phone company has moved its box and the east side of the new street has been staked out, Westar still needs to move their pole.
— It was reported that a resident is letting their dog run loose, and the council suggested that the clerk send a letter reminding the resident of the lease law.
— Arlen commented that he would like to improve the appearance of the park and place safety material under the equipment. He will get prices for the next council meeting.
