MORAN The Moran City Council kicked off 2020 by taking care of a loose end of the citys 2019 budget.
Council members approved a $6,198.34 transfer from its fire mutual aid budget to a fire equipment replacement fund.
The transfer is necessary because the mutual aid budget must be at zero at the end of the year.
Former Mayor Phillip Merkel, who stepped down midway through the meeting when new Council member Jim Mueller was seated, noted the city has looked into whether the funds can be transferred automatically at years end. Probably not, Merkel said in response to his own proposition.
With the transfer approved, and books closed, the budget will now be reviewed by auditors.
One face was absent from Mondays meeting.
Jerry Wallis, elected via write-in vote as Morans next mayor, was not in attendance because of illness.
In his stead, Councilman Bill Bigelow administered the rest of the meeting.
Because of Walliss ascension to mayor, his old Council seat is now vacant.
The mayor will appoint a new member, subject to confirmation by the other Council members.
OTHER TOPICS of discussion:
Council members agreed to host a dog tag clinic sometime in March for dog owners to renew their licenses and vaccinations. The date will be announced later.
Approved a resolution maintaining the citys support of the Moran PRIDE-Thrive organization. The resolution aids PRIDE-Thrive in various grant applications, City Clerk Lori Evans noted.
Approved a request from Police Chief Shane Smith to attend a training conference hosted by the Lyon County Sheriffs Department. Cost is $60, and goes toward Smiths continuing education as part of his law enforcement certification.
Heard a plea from Smith for either discarded carpet remnants, mud flaps or similar materials to be used for the citys dog pound. The materials are ideal for protecting the kennels from exterior elements, Smith explained.
Discussed briefly with Assistant City Superintendent Craig Miller the condition of city streets along blocks subject to a higher-than-normal amount of heavy truck traffic. While some over-the-road drivers park their trucks near the citys old grain elevators, Moran has no designated parking area for trucks, Mueller noted. Miller said he would continue to monitor the condition of the streets.
Heard a suggestion from Mueller that Moran periodically send a representative to County Commission meetings on Tuesday mornings to keep open better lines of dialogue between the city and county. With three retirees in elective office, Mueller suggested they rotate visits to Iola during the Tuesday morning county meetings.
