The City Council met April 26, and started their sesssion out with old business.
The first and only matter was utility billing write offs. Sarah Britton received write offs from Sheila Maxfield, treasurer, in the amount of $22,920.85, to be sent to collections.
Britton stated the amount is higher than in years prior. A motion to approve the amount to collections was moved and approved.
Concerning new business, council members went into an executive session to review applications submitted for City Administrator. The Member Services Coordinator from The League of Kansas Municipalities, Nikki Harrison, and City Attorney, Lynn Koehn, attended the executive session to aid council members in their decision. After an hour in executive session, the council returned with no action taken.
Furthermore, council members were given questions to vote on to utilize for upcoming interviews with potential candidates. The process was successful with assistance from Harrison.
Once business had been discussed, Britton brought up the possibility of using money out of the COVID-19 aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) in the amount of $855,000 to fund water projects in Ulysses.
The water line project along Highway 160 had an estimated cost of $135,000. The expense report for funding was due March 30, 2022, but the project was not completed until April 2022, leaving eligibility uncertain for Highway 160.
“If you can put the whole project, you’re saving bond costs,” said Ulysses City Attorney City Lynn Koehn.
Mayor Tim McCauley said the original plan was to get a bond or go to the local banks to apply for a loan. However, council members unanimously agreed to make a motion to utilize ARPA funding to pay for the water line on Highway 160 in the amount approved.
Additionally, council members discussed potentially putting ARPA funding towards the water filtering system at Bentwood Golf Course. The golf course project is estimated to cost $180,000. A motion was moved and seconded to apply ARPA funds to the water filtering system at Bentwood Golf Course.
McCauley moved forward, commending city employees on a job well done with spring clean-up. McCauley said the plan to restore the water tower is expected to begin at the end of May or early June. McCauley announced that the community garden is scheduled for constructing starting May 1. McCauley reminded members of the upcoming audit.
Terry Maas and John Duran also joined in acknowledging the hard work of city employees during spring clean-up.
Lastly, Sam Guy inquired about the proposal from Paul Rosales from April 12. All members agreed a meeting with Rosales needed to be set as soon as possible to create a concrete plan and decision.
The next city council meeting will be at 5 p.m., May 10, at City Hall in Ulysses.
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