The Madison City Council meets bimonthly on the first and third Mondays of the month. The following report was generated from the official minutes of the Feb. 2 meeting, which were approved at a recent meeting.
Madison City Council opened their meeting at 7:01 p.m. The agenda, Jan. 5 meeting minutes and Accounts Payable were approved as presented.
After a concern in regards to the condition of the road in front of 501 West Lincoln during Open Forum, it was determined that gravel would be put down. Also during Open Forum, Marcie Harrison was present to discuss senior cruise night that will be held on April 16 and is sponsored by the Lyons Club. It was requested that the streets be blocked off.
Clerk Alice Grimm provided the council with the Advantage software proposal. After discussion, the council approved the prepaid contract in the amount of $5,000.
Clerk Grimm informed the council that a resident was interested in rock at the end of South 3rd. St. to build a rock wall. After discussion, the council declined at this time.
Councilman Tony Fankhauser told the coun-cil that Custom Tree Cutters would need 24 hours to remove more trees and to remove the trees off the top of Sherman. Mayor Paul Dean noted that he stopped at Driggs and they mapped out the area on Second Street to possibly widen it. After discussion, the council approved to have Driggs survey the property with an approximate cost of $1,200-$1,500.
Discussion was held regarding parts for the truck at Hoyts. It was suggested by Mayor Dean to look at replacing the truck. Dean noted that there is a website that contracts with the State of Kansas and the council could receive the same contract rate.
Mayor Dean discussed submitting a letter of support to the state regarding the potential of a Terra-Power plant being located in the Madison vicinity. Dean noted that his understanding is TerraPower is interested in the north transmission line. He also noted that, if located in the Madison area, it would have financial advantages and potentially grow the population. Dean will work on the letter for approval.
Other items discussed were filters at the pool needing changed and floats for the fishing dock.
Fankhauser spoke to the council regarding the generators that Torgerson Electric has not yet returned. Evergy will not allow multiple meters. To help reduce costs, they will use the overhead line. The most expensive portion of the project will be the copper wiring. Fankhauser expects to have more information by the next meeting.
Councilman Evan Casey informed the council that he believes the culverts are 12 inches in diameter. He expressed concern about how deep they will need to dig, noting that, from what he remembers, the northwest end of that tube is already buried. Casey stated that if the west side of the road is cut properly to allow correct drainage, he believes a 12-inch tube will be sufficient. Fankhauser said he will have someone install it.
Fankhauser also discussed the area from Paul Station down to Wilma Hess. He suggested waiving the trash bills for several months due to ongoing construction, which would affect six residents. Councilman Daryl May suggested starting with two months and revisiting the issue if construction continues. Mayor Dean suggested waiving trash service from the first house on the east to two houses east of the standpipe.
Fankhauser made a motion to waive the trash bills for three months. Casey seconded the motion. The motion carried 3–0.
The council held a 5-minute executive session for non-elected personnel. (No subject was given for the Executive Session which is a violation of the Kansas Open Meetings Act, which could result in a fine of up to $500 per commissioner per Executive Session violation.) After returning to open meeting, no decision was made.
The next meeting of the Madison City Council will be held on March 16 at 7 p.m.
