November 19, 2018 Commission Minutes
GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
November 19, 2018 5:00 P.M.
Vice-Mayor Jay Dee Brumbaugh called the meeting to order with Commissioner Annette Fairbanks, Commissioner John Garcia, and Commissioner Jacque Schields responding to roll call. Mayor Brian Linin was reported absent.
Also present were Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.
Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh led Pledge of Allegiance
PUBLIC COMMENT
PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS
- GIS Demonstration: EBH Engineering – Andrew Brunner EBH Engineer stated, we have been collecting data to produce GIS mapping. We located all water valves, meters and lines in town along with sewer manholes, lift stations and lines for the mapping. Zoning is also included in project. We are 99% complete. Andrew Brunner gave the Commission a demonstration of GIS mapping system for the City of Goodland. Andrew Finzen stated, the information is survey grade previously located on que cards or in employee’s head. Big part of project was translating information for City benefit.
Mayor Linin reported to the meeting.
CONSENT AGENDA
- 11/05/18 Commission Meeting Minutes
- Appropriation Ordinances, 2018-22, 2018-22A, and 2018-P22
ON A MOTION by Commissioner Fairbanks to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
- Resolution 1541: Boundary Description 2018 – Andrew stated, resolution is the legal description of City boundaries required with annexation in 2018 to cleanup Highway 27 and behind Holiday Inn Express. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Resolution 1541: Boundary Description 2018 seconded by Commissioner Schields. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
- Resolution 1542: Mowing Fees – Andrew stated, resolution increases administration fee for nuisance mowing. When mowing is complete, we bill property owner for mowing along with $50 administration fee. We do not feel $50 is enough of a deterrent for nuisance mowing so recommend increase. In 2018 the City sent 242 letters for weeds. There are a lot of repeat offenders but process requires only one letter. Intent of increasing fee is to get property owners to become accountable for their property. We are recommending increase in administration fee to $100. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to approve Resolution 1542: Mowing Fees seconded by Commissioner Schields. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-1, with Commissioner Garcia casting the dissenting vote.
FORMAL ACTIONS
- Unfit Structure at 1116 Caldwell Avenue – Andrew stated, this property was damaged by fire and Commission has been working with property owner for improvements. Street view of property has improved but there is still some work to be done on property. We do not feel it is a visual blithe any more. There is no power to structure as owner still has electrical work to be done. Recommend Commission remove property from the nuisance process to give owner time to finish improvements. Before power is restored the property will require an inspection. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to remove property from the nuisance process at this time seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
- Ossuarium Proposal: Cemetery Advisory Board – Cemetery Board members present are Dick Hayden, Jan Lohr, Ron Weber, Jackie Elliott and Mitch Tiede. Andrew stated, the cemetery board has been working diligently on this proposal at monthly meetings. An ossuarium is a pre-built structure housing cremains. Cremations are becoming more popular way of burial. This is way to provide service by individual purchasing a nitch in the structure. Each nitch holds two urns. A columbarium is a series of nitches but the ossuarium has a shoot for communal burial if someone does not want to purchase a nitch. Proposed ossuarium has eighty nitches and will be located in triangle property behind chapel. Mayor Linin asked, if we get close to having all nitches purchased, will we purchase another structure? Andrew stated, yes but we do not know what the time line will be. Mitch stated, we are locating this structure so that we will be able to purchase two more structures. Commissioner Schields asked, what is cost of a nitch? Andrew stated, this is an ongoing discussion because we need to address other burial fees to set pricing up for this. Total cost for completed product is $70,400. Money is budgeted for 2019 but price increases 5% after December 5th. We have money and budget authority available in cemetery improvement fund for 2018. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Fairbanks to authorize purchase of total project in the amount of $70,400 seconded by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. Mayor Linin thanked cemetery board for their work.
REPORTS
- City Managers Report- 1. Santa school house will be open December 1-2, 8-9 and 15. 2. The small portion of 15th Street has been opened. Andrew Brunner stated, Sporer indicated they will not be back till first of December but will watch weather. I suspect the project is done for winter and will resume in spring. Joint meeting has not been rescheduled. We are discussing December 11th or 18th as possible dates for early morning meeting. I will keep Commission informed. 4. Reminder offices are closed for Holidays November 22nd and 23rd then December 24th and 25th. 5. City Christmas party is December 15th at VFW; RSVP deadline is November 27th. 6. Bike Across Kansas will use Goodland as host city June 8, 2019. 7. There was a false active shooter incident at Northwest Technical College last Tuesday. Commend officers for response.
- Police Chief Report – Joni gave Commission update on training events hosted this past year. All training that costs, our officers get free by hosting event. We continue monthly in house training. Joni provided statistics on high risk calls addressed this year. We had good response to false active shooter call. Joni stated, we have had two officers graduate from KLETC with honors and another officer currently attending. We are currently participating in a high school shadow program and were able to host an open house last summer with weather service.
- Commissioners
Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1. No Report
Commissioner Fairbanks – 1. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. 2. Both dates for joint meeting work for me.
Commissioner Garcia – 1. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. 2. It was good to have the film crew here for the VanGogh. 3. What are safety cones on 8th Street between Arcade and Harrison Streets? Rich stated, annually Johnson Services rod sewers, we got ahead of them and they broke down.
Commissioner Schields – 1. In the future I would like to see Santa School House open the weekend after Thanksgiving. 2. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
- Mayors Report – Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.
ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Schields. Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2018.
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ATTEST: Brian Linin, Mayor
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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk