Monthly City Council Meeting Unofficial
Draft/Copy
Council Meeting October 12, 2020
Council Chambers
ROLL CALL: The City Council of Lincoln Center convened in regular session at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Travis Schwerdtfager presiding. Councilmembers present: Angela K. Corpstein, Lisa S. Feldkamp, Brennan Johnson, Elijah Keever, and Melodee K. Larsen. Officials present: Attorney Daniel D. Metz and Clerk Heather N. Hillegeist. Also, present: Superintendent Jesse C. Meyer.
VISITORS: Others in attendance for all or portions of the meeting: Robert White, Jyll Phillips, Kelly Gourley, Michelle Hair, Bruce McMillan, Scott Day, Jim Gabelmann, Brendan Mackay and Robert Weatherley.
AGENDA AMENDMENTS: There were no amendments to the council meeting agenda.
MINUTES: Upon motion by Feldkamp, seconded by Larsen, Minutes of the September 14, 2020, regular meeting were approved as written.
PAYROLL VOUCHER: Payroll Voucher No. 20-09, for September wages and salaries in the amount of $64,834.42, was presented. A motion by Larsen, seconded by Keever, to approve said Payroll Voucher, carried.
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE: Accounts Payable lists were reviewed. Invoices prepaid in September totaled $33,719.99, and unpaid invoices received to date totaled $131,034.29. Upon motion by Keever, seconded by Johnson, all invoices, in the amount of $164,754.28, were approved for payment.
DELINQ. ACCNTS: The Governing Body reviewed a list of eight (8) delinquent utility accounts totaling $948.06.
CHAMBER BUSINESS BOO: Chamber Boardmember Michelle Hair asked the Governing Body for permission to block Lincoln Avenue from 3rd Street to the Rec Building, on North 4th and 5th to the alley as have been done in past years on October 29, 2020 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Keever moved to approve the request, seconded by Corpstein.
LINCOLN AVE BRIDGE: County Commissioner Jim Gabelmann and Director of Highway Department Brendan Mackay addressed the Governing Body with a proposed request for financial support with the Lincoln Avenue Culvert repair planned for 2021 to complete in February 2022. The County has applied for a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) Cost Share Program for the estimated $163,000 project. The County will be responsible for $65,500 of the project cost. Gabelmann asked the Governing Body to consider contributing 25% of the amount as it would also serve a benefit to the City repairing the adjoining sidewalk. No decisions were made.
NHRV PUBLIC HEARING: At 8:00 p.m. a public hearing was held to consider the adoption of a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, effective for the years 2021 through 2024. No public comments were received.
NHRV ORDINANCE #727: An ordinance entitled “AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PLAN AND DESIGNATING A NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION AREA,” was presented and considered. A motion was made by Feldkamp, seconded by Larsen, to pass said ordinance. Upon call for vote, the following Councilmembers voted Aye: Corpstein, Feldkamp, Johnson, Keever, Larsen. Nays: None. The ordinance was declared passed, was approved and signed by the Mayor, assigned #727 by the City Clerk, and ordered to be published once in the Official City Newspaper.
INTERLOCAL AGMT: Keever moved to approve the Interlocal Agreement between the City, USD 298 & Lincoln County regarding the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan, seconded by Corpstein. Motion carried.
HEALTH INSURANCE: Scott Day, Day Insurance Solutions, LLC, presented the Governing Body with a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) for the city employees. Day explained that the umbrella plan would still be Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBS) with a $6,500 deductible. However, the city would contract with Freedom Claims Management (FCMI) and use MERP claims funds to pay the difference from the $6,500 deductible down to the $3,750 deductible/coinsurance amount. Day explained there is potential for the city saving money if we have a healthier group, if all employees had a major health issue the city would be liable for $55,000 for current employee population. Following discussion, Keever moved to accept the proposal with Day Insurance Solutions, LLC for the health insurance year beginning December 1, 2020. Motion seconded by Larsen, carried. Feldkamp abstained.
HEALTH REIMB: Scott Day explained that the City is eligible for a health reimbursement arrangement because we are participating in a Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan (MERP) as governed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Code Section 105. Only employers with 20 or less employees may use the MERP to reimburse Medicare premiums. It could be an option to offer full time employees or their spouse that are on the current insurance plan that are 65 or older a choice. Employees would choose to remain on the City’s group health insurance plan, or they can elect to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, a Medicare Supplement, & Medicare Part D (drug) coverage. The plan is a reimbursement plan so, employees would pay the premium and send documentation to Freedom Claims Management Inc. (FCMI) for reimbursement of premiums. Day felt the city could potentially save money if they would
approve to allow this reimbursement at the current percentage they are paying insurance premiums for employees & dependents. The current percentage is 100% for employees and 80% of premium for dependents. The employee is responsible for 20% of the dependent’s premiums currently. Keever moved for the city to amend the personnel policy to allow for the Medicare reimbursement option as proposed. Motion seconded by Johnson, carried. Feldkamp abstained.
CDBG CR CONTRACT: Kelly Gourley, owner of Prairie State Properties LLC discussed the Architect Contract regarding her grant project for commercial rehabilitation of the property at 113 W Lincoln Avenue with the Governing Body. Gourley explained since the City was the applicant on her behalf the Department of Commerce stated the City would also need to be a signer on the contract. Gourley reminded the Governing Body that there is a contract in placed insuring the City will not be held liable for any expenses. The City will however receive bills and pay bills on behalf of Gourley. All monies for this project are grant funds and Gourley’s responsibilities. Keever moved for the Mayor to sign the Architect contract between the City of Lincoln Center, Prairie State Properties LLC and Bruce McMillian AIA Architects P.A. on behalf of the City. Motion was seconded by Corpstein, carried.
PHONE/INTERNET: Robert Weatherley, Eagle Communications Inc. aka Vyve Business Services presented a proposal for installing phone/internet options in the pool & park area. After discussion, the Governing Body tabled the decision.
POOL BIDS: After discussion, the Governing Body tabled the pool paint bids and suggested making repairs to the bath house instead.
PERSONNEL: Superintendent Meyer notified the Governing Body that he had hired a new employee, Travis Baird as a Maintenance Worker. Baird started on October 7, 2020 at the starting wage of $13.00 per hour. Keever moved to approve the hiring of the employee, seconded by Johnson. Motion carried.
Superintendent Meyer and Clerk Hillegeist reported they had their employees complete the job description task as the Governing Body requested.
TRANSFER FUNDS: Upon motion by Keever, seconded by Feldkamp, the transfer of $250,000.00 from the Electric Fund, $60,000.00 from the Water Fund and $4,000.00 from the Solid Waste Fund, to the City’s General Fund, was approved.
NUISANCES: Superintendent Meyer update the Governing Body on the nuisance list.
CITY HALL WINDOW PROJ: Clerk Hillegeist updated the Governing Body on the City Hall window project, the announcement for bids will be in the Lincoln Sentinel Republican on October 15, 2020. Bids are due to City Hall by 5 p.m. on October 29th. Feldkamp moved to have a special meeting on October 30th at 7:00 p.m. to open bids for the project. Motion seconded by Larsen, carried.
ADJOURN: There being no further business, Larsen moved to adjourn. Motion seconded by Keever, carried. Council adjourned at 10:13 p.m.
/s/ Heather N. Hillegeist
City Clerk
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