Monthly City Council Meeting Unofficial
Draft/Copy
Council Meeting September 11, 2023
Council Chambers:
ROLL CALL: The City Council of Lincoln Center convened in regular session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Travis Schwerdtfager presiding. Councilmembers present: Angela K. Corpstein, Hayden Howard, Elijah Keever, Melodee K. Larsen and Mark Luce. Officials present: Attorney Jeffrey A. Norris and Clerk Heather N. Hillegeist.
VISITORS: Others in attendance for all or portions of the meeting: Darcy Couse, Dan Metz, Kelly Gourley, Dale Romesburg, Austin Biggs, Vicki Hook, Tawnya Seitz, Dena Donley, Roger Hisle, David Gerstmann, Bill Huehl, Jyll Phillips, Christine and Thomas Strickland.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: There were no amendments to the council meeting agenda.
MINUTES: Upon motion by Larsen, seconded by Corpstein, Minutes of the August 14, 2023, regular meeting were approved as written. Corpstein made a motion to approve Minutes of the August 16, 2023 special meeting, seconded by Keever. Larsen made a motion to approve Minutes of the August 21, 2023 special meeting, seconded by Corpstein.
PAYROLL VOUCHER: Payroll Voucher No. 23-08, for August wages and salaries in the amount of $82,907.17, was presented. A motion by Keever, seconded by Larsen, to approve said Payroll Voucher, carried.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Accounts Payable lists were reviewed. Invoices prepaid in August totaled $4,684.87. Unpaid invoices received to date totaled $157,889.16. Upon motion by Keever, seconded by Corpstein, all said invoices in the amount of $162,574.03, were approved for payment.
DELINQ. ACCNTS.: The Governing Body reviewed a list of seven (7) delinquent utility accounts totaling $3,023.06.
OATH OF OFFICE: Clerk Hillegeist administered the oath of office to newly-appointed Councilmember Hayden Howard.
ANIMAL PERMIT HEARING: Mayor Schwerdtfager opened a hearing to hear comments regarding Christine and Thomas Strickland’s application for an animal permit for twenty-five (25) chickens and twenty (20) quail on the property located at 622 N. 2nd Street. All property owners within 200 feet of the property lines were notified of the hearing as specified by the city code. Neighbors and citizens representing the Lincoln County Hospital Board and Foundation showed in opposition regarding the animal permit and four letters were received. Mayor Schwerdtfager closed the hearing. The animal permit was denied.
REC BALL FIELD IMPROVEMENTS: Recreation board member Dale Romesburg requested to extend water services at the east ball field to add another hydrant closer to the new field that is being constructed. Romesburg was
asked to visit with Superintendent Ahring about the location of a new hydrant. The city agreed to extend water service to the new field as part of the project. The governing body was assured the recreation board still plan to make improvements and continue to use the west ball field.
PERSONNEL: Clerk Hillegeist requested the Governing Body consider an additional increase in the raise given to Robin Wolf and Ethan Curnutt that had successfully completed their 6-month training period. After discussion, no change was made to the approved $.25/hour increase in pay.
Clerk Hillegeist informed the Governing Body that she had researched a couple of companies regarding employee background checks. Hillegeist explained both companies are comparable in cost and both companies only require payment if you use the service with no minimum monthly fee. Hillegeist recommended using the company Verified First over ICU Detective simply because they have an “in house” legal team and handle the authorization forms for the employee background checks. Keever moved to engage in an agreement with Verified First for employee pre-employment background checks for all future employees. Motion seconded by Larsen, carried.
Councilmember Keever shared a memo detailing correspondence between himself and William Carothers regarding his termination pay. It was reported that Carothers has been paid all wages for hours worked and $500 housing allowance; moving expenses, as approved at the August 16, 2023 special meeting, have not been paid since no receipts have been provided to the Clerk’s Office to date.
GAAP WAIVER RES. #23-03: Resolution No. 23-03, entitled “A RESOLUTION BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN CENTER, KANSAS, CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR THE CITY OF LINCOLN CENTER, WAIVING GAAP,” was presented. Said Resolution waives the requirements of K.S.A. 75-1120a (a) regarding the financial statements and reporting for the year ending 2023. Larsen moved to adopt said Resolution, seconded by Corpstein. Motion carried.
NUISANCE REPORT: The Governing Body reviewed a list of nuisance properties.
IIMC REGION VII MTG: Clerk Hillegeist reported she would be attending the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) Region VII Meeting in Kansas City September 13th – 15th all expenses would be reimbursed by the City Clerks and Municipal Finance Officers Association (CCMFOA).
ADJOURN: There being no further business, Luce moved to adjourn. Motion seconded by Corpstein, carried. Council adjourned at 7:03 p.m.
/s/ Heather N. Hillegeist, MMC
City Clerk
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