Kiowa's city council met for their March meeting Monday night at 8 p.m., the time they use during Daylight Saving Time, which starts Sunday at 2 a.m.
Mayor Brandon Farney started the meeting with a word of prayer for all the firefighters battling grass fires. Members present included: Bill Watson, Russell Molz, Brian Hill and Tom Wells. R.L. Simpson was absent. Kiowa City Administrator Lou Leone sat at the council table as did City Clerk Marlo Rugg and City Attorney Laurel McClellan.
The public agenda had a pit bull ordinance on it. Leone said he was told by the municipal judge that after her hearing LaTisha Fitzwater had requested to be on the agenda. However, she did not attend the meeting.
Later in the meeting under council items, Councilmember Molz said, “Pit bulls are still in town. It's no good to have an ordinance if we don't enforce it. Pit bulls cannot be a service animal. It's a fact.” Leone verified saying the Kiowa City Council put a ban on pit bulls since 1987. (Just to clarify, the pit bull/service animal issue does not involve Fitzwater.)
At the end of the meeting, the council held a 20-minute executive session. Upon return to open session the council took action, Leone said. That action was to amend a city employee policy. That policy requires city employees to live within 15 miles of Kiowa. The change made is that any employee living beyond the 15-mile radius of Kiowa will receive no pay raises.
The council held another 10-minute executive session to discuss confidential data. Leone said they took no action.
Citizen Requests Jury Trial
McClellan apprised council that a jury trial is set for this Thursday in Barber County District Court at 9 a.m. Leone explained the basics of the case. He said that Kiowa resident Paul Tilley was issued a citation for driving with improper tags (Leone said the vehicle had no tags). He was also issued a citation for having no vehicle insurance. This was in April of 2016 and Kiowa Police Officer Warren Howerter issued the citations, Leone said.
Tilley went before Municipal Judge Richard Befort and lost his argument in May 2016, Leone said. About two weeks later Tilley appealed to the district court. Leone said that by law a person has a right to have a jury trial.
Other City of Kiowa Business
The Kiowa Public Library listed new hours for the council's approval: Mondays 7–9 p.m., Tuesdays 2–5 and 7–9 p.m., Wednesdays 12–5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
The library board received the council's approval for their changed rules and regulations.
Bi-annual trash days were approved: April 6 for the north end of town; April 13 for the south end of town. This is for bulk item trash and not intended for appliances with compressors, tires or construction materials.
Police Chief Steve Johnson said things are running smoothly. Leone said they need to work on the uniform policy for the KPD. The council left it to the chief and administrator to work out details.
In the administrator's report to the council, Leone said the returns of the rest of the low-to-moderate income surveys have stalled. The feedback is that some citizens don't want to share income levels. He's considering hiring a third party to finish the surveys.
The LMI surveys help the city in obtaining CDBG and other finances for projects like generators or major water line replacement.
He said as the city does a conversion, the electricians are pulling 4,160 transformers as the city's voltage changes to 14400. There is a market for the used transformers from other towns, Leone said.
Leone said he's working with other entities (schools, hospitals, police, fire departments and county EMS, etc.) to conduct an emergency drill between March 14-16. This is in preparation for the live drill April 18.
The city's email addresses have changed. The city owned domain site is kiowaks.org. Leone's is cityadmin@kiowaks.org.
The council approved Leone attending the KRWA Annual Conference and will pay appropriate expenses.
Work on the baby pool at Kiowa's swimming pool has remedied a drainage problem and leak. There is no longer a fence separating the baby pool from the large pool.
“We should have a good lookin' pool by May,” Leone said.
Leone confirmed he is still looking for a vehicle for the water department to replace the one hit by a train. Insurance paid the city $30,000.
Kiowa Tree City USA for 21 Years, Arbor Day April 27
Carolyn McGinley represented the Kiowa Tree Board at the council meeting, giving the annual report.
She said the Tree Board put a plaque on a tree they planted in Progress Park in memory of longtime member Melvin Conrad who served as president for 20 years.
Since formation of the Tree Board in 1996, they've planted 184 trees and bushes. McGinley said that for the 21st consecutive year, Kiowa is considered a Tree City USA.
Mayor Farney signed their proclamation declaring April 27 as Arbor Day in Kiowa.
Members McGinley, Carra and Mike Mayberry and Bev Miller were approved for another term from 2016-19. Miller continues to do maintain the downtown pots of flowers that adorn the sidewalks.
The council was willing to give them more, but the Tree Board requested $300 from the city, which they were granted. The council thanked tree board members for their beautification efforts to the city.
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