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Udall City Council approves library board changes, mower purchase and two ordinances
Summary
At its March 12 meeting, the Udall City Council approved library board appointments, adopted Ordinances 587a and 702, renewed ICI insurance, approved a retiree policy and voted 3–2 to buy a new Grasshopper mower; the council also agreed to assist the local school with a damaged pole.
The Udall City Council met March 12, 2025, at Udall City Hall and approved a series of personnel and administrative actions, including two ordinance adoptions and a split vote on a maintenance equipment purchase. Mayor Matt McAllister called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and a quorum was present.
The council voted unanimously to replace Library Board members Desiree Wilson and Denise Kistler with Melody Brooks and Lauren Hanson after a motion by Councilmember Randy Hoffman and a second from Councilmember Craig Hopkins. The council also tabled a Historical Society item presented by Ron Beard.
In a contested item, the council approved purchasing a Grasshopper 725DT mower with a 61-inch deck from Oxford Saw and Mower, applying a $5,500 trade-in and resulting in a net purchase price of $12,144.55. Randy Hoffman moved the purchase and Craig Hopkins seconded; the motion carried 3–2, with Jim Caywood and David Franz recorded as voting no.
The council adopted Ordinance 587a, the Wheatstate franchise contract, after a motion by David Franz and second from Jim Caywood; Councilmember Randy Hoffman recused himself from that vote. The council also approved Ordinance 702 on records retention on a unanimous vote after a motion by Hoffman and second from Caywood.
Councilmembers voted to renew the city's ICI insurance as presented, following a discussion about coverage and cyber insurance; David Franz asked that next year the insurer present multiple deductible and coverage options. The council approved a retiree policy in accordance with KSA 12-5040 after the city clerk made on-the-spot edits and returned the revised document; the motion passed unanimously.
During council reports, Mayor McAllister relayed a school request to repair a pole behind a baseball backstop. Wheatstate offered to donate an anchor; the council voted to provide supplies and manpower to assist the school district (motion passed 4–1, with Franz recorded as nay). The council also approved registration and hotel for three members to attend the City Leaders Academy April 11–12.
In staff reports, the Police Department said blocking a curve by the gym for a March 28 school food-truck carnival would not be a problem, and the council approved several routine maintenance purchases, including light tops, diesel oil and hydraulic fluid. The office was granted $350 for Easter candy and prizes.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Library Board appointments (replace Desiree Wilson and Denise Kistler with Melody Brooks and Lauren Hanson): Motion by Randy Hoffman; seconded by Craig Hopkins; outcome: approved (all ayes). - Mower purchase (Grasshopper 725DT, net $12,144.55 after $5,500 trade-in): Motion by Randy Hoffman; seconded by Craig Hopkins; outcome: approved, 3 ayes, 2 nays (Jim Caywood, David Franz). - Ordinance 587a (Wheatstate franchise contract): Motion by David Franz; seconded by Jim Caywood; outcome: approved (all ayes) with one recusal (Randy Hoffman). - Ordinance 702 (records retention): Motion by Randy Hoffman; seconded by Jim Caywood; outcome: approved (all ayes). - ICI insurance renewal: Motion by Jim Caywood; seconded by Craig Hopkins; outcome: approved (all ayes). Council requested multiple deductible/coverage options next year. - Retiree policy under KSA 12-5040: Motion by Jim Caywood; seconded by David Franz; outcome: approved (all ayes). - School assistance for pole anchor and guidewire (materials/manpower): Motion by Jim Caywood; seconded by Craig Hopkins; outcome: approved, 4 ayes, 1 nay (David Franz).
Next steps: staff to process appointments and ordinances per adopted motions; clerk to finalize records and retiree policy documentation; administrative staff to arrange mower procurement and insurance documentation. The council will follow up in later meetings as needed.
