CITY OF TIPTON – CITY COUNCIL MEETING – Monday, April 7, 2025
The regular meeting of the Tipton City Council was held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, 2025 at City Hall. Those present were Mayor Jarrod Shivers, City Clerk Brigit Gasper, City Superintendent, Rod Barker and City Council members Sara Dilley, Jessica Krier, Michael Ohnsat, Mark Towner and Ben Avery.
Mayor Jarrod Shivers called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Minutes from the March 3, 2025 meeting were reviewed and approved.
There were 2 late fees charged for utility bills. The sales tax receipt for March was $5412.13.
The quarterly alcohol tax distribution for March was $462.10. The City of Tipton received a refund in the amount of $502.54 for property tax paid on blocks 61 and 48 purchased last year from the Salina Diocese. Tax exemption on those blocks was applied for and was just confirmed so the property tax paid in December 2024 was refunded.
March receipts were $21,360.16 and disbursements were $33,154.15. In addition, an invoice was presented at the meeting from TREB Construction for concession stand building construction. A check will be issued from the City of Tipton to TREB Construction for payment of the invoice and the City will be reimbursed from the Tipton Community Foundation.
The invoice from TREB Construction, distributions and receipts from March in addition to the General Ledger report year to date were reviewed. Ben Avery made a motion to pay the bills; Jessica Krier seconded. Motion carried.
Brigit reported that the Dream Big 2.0 Meeting for the community will be held on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:00 pm at the Community Building. Betty Johnson from Dane Hansen will be present. The City will be granted a $10,000.00 grant for holding this meeting to discuss the community. Every town in Mitchell County has this opportunity with the Dream Big program.
Brigit reported that she had spoken with a spouse of an alumni who had passed away and they were interested in making a donation towards an item for the park area in memory of the alumni with funds given from the class. She will call and visit further about options.
A representative from KMIT will be in Tipton on May 21 to meet with Rod and Brigit on guideline and requirements for the KMIT Workmen’s Compensation Insurance.
The City of Tipton received a letter stating that the burn site at the dump has been inspected and is in compliance.
Notice was received regarding the remaining amount from the Dane Hansen Grant that is to be used for work on the Community Building owned by the City of Tipton and managed by the Knights of Columbus. Brigit contacted Todd Brummer who had compiled the information and work to be completed for the grant and told him that the reporting deadline was coming up. The firm doing the work has been unable to complete the work due to weather and time restraints.
Brigit received applications for the Fr. Norbert Dlabal/City of Tipton Scholarship from Tipton Catholic High School seniors. Sara Dilley made a motion to grant the scholarships to 2 students; Jessica Krier seconded. Motion carried. The City will present 2 seniors with $500.00 scholarships; $250.00 for each semester of their first year of college. The scholarships will be presented at TCHS graduation.
The City of Tipton Land Lease bids were to be received by April 1. The City received one bid from Clinton and Dalton Schmitt, DBA Schmitt Brothers. Mark Towner made the motion to accept the bid; Ben Avery seconded. Motion carried. Brigit will prepare the lease and send to Schmitt Brothers for signatures.
Jarrod reported on the concession building progress. The contents the city owns in the restaurant building were also discussed and appliances will be offered for use in the concession stand. Other items will be sold to interested parties.
Rod added to the concession building progress report to inform the council of the progress on the grass area with the possible installation of a sprinkler system for watering around the area of the building and the dirt work that needs to be done. Rod was given approval to install the appropriate lines for a sprinkler system. Interior work and work on water lines and electricity and plumbing at the site continues.
Rod also reported on the cemetery and a grave needed for an upcoming service. With the cemetery not being completely mapped out, it was difficult to come up with a spot in the proposed area and had to dig in multiple spots to find a site. An increase in digging fees was also discussed and is needed due to the complexity of finding appropriate spots for graves and the machine work and labor involved to get the grave done in a timely manner. Mark Towner said he would bring this to the next parish council meeting since they work directly with the funeral homes setting the prices for services related to the funeral plans and cemetery arrangements. It was unanimously agreed that there needs to be an increase in the fees for digging for both cremations and graves.
Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm. Next meeting will be held Monday, May 5. 2025 at 7:30 pm.
Brigit Gasper, City Clerk