Kiowa City Council removes term limits and more
February 21, 2018
Kiowa’s City Council took lots of action at their regular February meeting. As reported in the Newsgram last week, council did not accept the letter of resignation from Police Chief Steve Johnson. Instead they voted 4-1 to terminate Johnson’s employment with Brian Hill casting the no vote.
The council also voted to do away with term limits for those serving on the council. The vote was 4-2 with Hill and Mayor Ron Rohr voting no, as they wished to keep term limits. City Administrator Lou Leone placed this issue on the agenda as he said the matter has come up several times. He gave several examples of why he thought the council should not have term limits, such as fewer and fewer people even file to run for a position. The ordinance passed in the form of Ordinance No. 18-018.
Before calling the meeting to order new Mayor Ron Rohr led the chamber in The Lord’s Prayer and The Pledge of Allegiance.
All members attended: Rus Molz, Hill, Tom Wells, R.L. Simpson and Bill Watson. Leone, City Attorney Laurel McClellan and City Clerk Trish Brewer also sat at the council table.
Watson was reelected as council president.
Leone spoke briefly of the cash and budget report, saying finances at the first of the year are good and expenditures are below the 8.33 percent mark which he said is good.
Leone updated council on the future of the city hall building that has roof problems and serious mold issues. He said the building next door that is currently an art studio is available to purchase by owner John Terwort. The idea is to gut and remodel the buildings and house the city and police department.
When Leone said he spoke to Erikson Steel about a 100 X 150 foot metal building for the city shop, Hill said, “This is more building than we need.” Mayor Rohr said. “Let’s move on gentlemen.” Leone is to get roof estimates.
Since there is a burn ban in this drought-ravaged area, council postponed setting a spring burn period.
The council unanimously approved Ordinance No. 18-450 to specify who hires/fires employees. This week the legal description of the ordinance was running in the Kiowa News.
Kiowa’s Tree Board representatives Carra Mayberry and Carolyn McGinley attended the meeting. The purpose was to clarify the best way for the tree board to continue using the city’s tax ID number with the Kiowa First State Bank merger with Alva State Bank. They worked it out without the headache of paperwork. The tree board’s expenditures are so small to purchase new trees each year, they’ll work it out through the city’s petty cash.
The council appointed Brewer as their Director No. 2 position for KMEA. They also approved paying expenses for her to attend several trainings and meetings.
Leone’s Administrator’s Report
Presenting his monthly report to council, Leone reminded that J-turns on Kiowa’s Main Street are illegal because it is a state highway.
He said unused medication should be taken to the police department or sheriff’s office to be disposed of properly. He said if flushed, some of the medications can harm bacteria in the sewer lagoon.
The administrator advised people needing help to call the Barber County Sheriff’s Office dispatch. The phone is 620-886-5678.
City staff was holding a safety training session yesterday.
The 2018 Low Income Assistance Program applications are available.
The city is just 120 surveys away from the needed number required for the Low to Moderate Income Surveys. Those are needed as part of the application process to seek funding for municipal projects.
The city pool house may not have to be totally rebuilt. Leone is working with insurance and others to determine what has to be done.
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