The Hamilton City Council meets on the second Tuesday of each month. The following report was generated from the official minutes, which were approved during their June meeting.
The Hamilton City Council called their regular meeting to order at 6 p.m. on May 13 followed by the flag salute. The bills and minutes were approved.
The board approved to reinstate Linda Snyder for a four-year term to the Recreation Commission Board. The board also approved the construction permit for the city park shelter house. The concrete is scheduled to be poured before the July 4 Party In The Park. The board tabled discussion regarding playground equipment behind the community center until more details have been gathered.
Barricades for Hamilton Days and a $100 donation for Party In The Park were approved. It was also noted that Mayor David Harris will donate hot dogs and popsicles.
After a citizen complaint, the board reviewed animal ordinances and discussed the need to review and update them to include consequences. The council will further discuss issues with the city attorney.
Kara Nutsch was present to present the Library Report. After noting the library board is lacking enough members for a quorum, the board made a motion to approve Leah Lilley as a new board member. The council also approved to draft a charter ordinance that the board requirement be reduced from 7 members to 5 members. Nutsch noted the library would not be asking for budget money this year and also gave a report on the Easter Egg Hunt, the Summer Reading Program on Friday mornings in June and July and an Art Studio planned for one Saturday.
During new business, the council approved for the city clerk to include votes on motions and accepted the resignations of Council member Charles Schlotterbeck and City Attorney Clark Allemang. After an interview with Attorney Stewart Symmonds, with Symmonds and Symmonds Law Firm from Emporia, the council held an Executive Session for 10 minutes. (No subject or justification were given) After returning to open session, the council approved to hire Symmonds as the Hamilton City Attorney.
Superintendent Randy Knight submitted his resignation. He mentioned health insurance, Fridays off and pay increase as reasons for changing jobs. The council discussed options on how to move forward. Mayor Harris, City Clerk Daphne Rayburn and Treasurer Cindy Hardin were checking into health insurance options.
During old business, discussion from the March meeting regarding the Madison water rate increase. After discussion, the council approved to rescind Ordinance 363. A motion was made to raise the water rates for Hamilton residents, however, it died for lack of a second. After further discussion was held, the council approved the new Ordinance 369 for water rates and establish the minimum of $27 for the first 1,000 gallons, $2.50 per 100 gallons after the first 1,000 gallons and $3 bulk water per every 100 gallons.
Other discussion was held for the following items: fire station building discussion was tabled to the next meeting; paint choices for the water tower (aluminum for the water tank, safety red for the tank roof and black for lettering); clean-up efforts were tabled to the next meeting and approved to donate $100 to the Lamont school drive.
Superintendent Knight told the council he has been researching ordinances and writing down the names of those in violation.
After councilman Larry Walford addressed concerns of semis using jake brakes, the council discussed the need for law enforcement around town. Other council concerns were discussed regarding lawn furniture on the sidewalk at Holmes Sundry; the sidewalk that was removed is still in need of repair and future needed repairs for the Library and City Hall.
Councilman Rodney Dimick mentioned the idea of beginning to plan for the July 4, 2026 festivities for the nation’s semi-quincentennial and how it would be a good opportunity to reveal a Veteran’s Memorial site in town. No decisions were made. The next regular meeting of the Hamilton City Council will be held on July 8 at 6 p.m.
Special Meeting
A special meeting was held on May 20 at 6 p.m. regarding fines and ordinances. The council discussed updating various ordinances and codes to include fines for non-compliance. The council agreed to table the discussion to a later date due to not having a code enforcement officer at this time.
The council discussed and conducted a final review of the sewer rates and Ordinance 369 regarding water rates that was passed at the May 13 meeting. After further review, the council approved to rescind Ordinance 369. The council also approved to rescind Ordinance 359 regarding sewer rates.
After discussion, the board approved the water rates Ordinance 370 to establish the minimum of $26 for the first 1,000 gallons, $1.75 per 100 gallons after the first 1,000 gallons and the rate of $3 per 100 gallons for bulk water purchased.
The council also approved the sewer rates Ordinance 371 to charge of $20 per month when in use for the first 1,000 gallons of metered water and a $4 charge for each additional 1,000 gallons of water metered. Both ordinances 370 and 371 will take effect on June 4, after public hearing and after publication twice in The Eureka Herald.
Even though discussion regarding the possibility of offering health insurance as an additional benefit to employees in order to retain qualified personnel was not listed as an item to be discussed for the Special Meeting, the council expressed concerns regarding the financial impact of implementing health insurance benefits. The council analyzed the potential costs associated with offering such benefits and the subsequent effect on the budget. The council agreed to revisit the proposal in the future when hiring personnel due to its financial implications.
