June 3, 2019 Commission Minutes

June 3, 2019 Commission Minutes

June 3, 2019 Commission Minutes

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GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

June 3, 2019                                                                                                                     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, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Sami Philbrick – Museum Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.

 

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. James Ross citizen stated, the VFW has been here since the 1920’s and for demographic reasons we are having financial problems. I am one of our officers so I can discuss problems.  We currently have a new management team to see if they can determine what needs to be done.  It is mostly demographic reasons.  In past we had 300 memberships, now it is about 150.  The building has not changed and we had several maintenance problems recently which depleted our bank accounts.  If anyone can think of ways to help reduce our expenses we appreciate it.  We provide a lot of service to the community, from the recent Memorial Day service to Veterans Day Service and hanging the flag at football games.  We still do military services at cemetery for burials, but these are all volunteer.  Commissioner Garcia asked, do you have a Christmas event?  James stated, yes we bag candy and invite Santa Clause, but it involves volunteers to go around and get donations.  Our new Commander is Tom McBriarty.

 

Another project idea for a nice rainy day is a bike path from Pioneer Park down Highway 24.  A bike path could promote safety for those that walk from the park to Enterprise Road and the students from NWKTC.  This is a safe way for people to get exercise because it is difficult to walk in Goodland without a continuous sidewalk.  This is different from the hike-bike path being planned.  Other Cities have a bike path.  I am uncertain what project cost would be.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, I am on the committee organizing the hike-bike path around the parks.  The project has three phases in the plan.  Plan A is in progress, Plan B is taking path downtown and to Enterprise Road, the Plan C is out in the country.  Hopefully we will be able to be complete all phases.  This is a good idea, just hard to get across the highway.

 

PRESENTATIONS

  1. Health Insurance First Quarter Review: Rhonda Fernandez – Rhonda stated, the runout with BCBS at end of last year showed the City had five claims exceeding stop loss limit which means any claim over $30,000 is paid by BCBS, those claims under limit are paid by City. The City still is in black with funding for the third year in row.  For current year the City has two claims at stop loss limit but claims are running fairly close to maximum amount year to date.  The June Benefit Buzz states for non-grandfathered groups in 2020 the maximum out of pocket expenses are $8,150 for single or $16,300 for family.  The threshold an employee can pay toward their benefit is 8.24% of net income.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, when is earliest we will have information from BCBS concerning our rates?  Rhonda stated, the City is March 1 anniversary and they will not release numbers more than ninety days in advance.  I have requested information on early final but they have and do not typically allow.  We will start looking at numbers with other carriers before that.  I will continue to keep Andrew up to date.  I would like to start sooner but request is typically denied with groups under 100 members.
  2. City Wellness Program: Chas Fernandez – Chas stated, Priority Wellness understands the City is interested in incorporating a wellness program.  Our program is built on specific needs for your business; implementation may not be until next year because of the timing. We typically begin with an employee committee to relay information to employees.  We have a wellness website to take assessments and provide information on other topics people are looking for.  We provide personal and group reports on health assessments and incorporate data for biometric screening by use of a blood draw.  Health assessments have shown monetary
    affects with health care claims and absenteeism.  A 10% risk reduction can save about $87,000 on a plan.  It is about getting people active to get a return on your investment.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, is there a way that if employees pay in to health plan, they get a credit back on plan for being active in wellness program?  Does BCBS consider a wellness plan when establishing rates?  Rhonda stated, reinsurance carriers consider if a wellness plan is in place, but BCBS does not; however, if you have data to send in it may be a factor because it reduces claims.  You need to move into a plan gradually and not go head strong first year.  Over time you will see changes in plans if a wellness plan is in place.  Chas stated, every year we do a screening we find out something someone is not aware of.  It is scary that underlying conditions are unknown and it makes people aware of what is going on with body.  Andrew stated, we started looking at this and knew Commission’s interest in getting proactive with health care plan.  We want to get proactive element on health care so employees can do what can to keep premiums down.  Rhonda stated, in time, with reinsurance carriers and self-funded plans this information will play a part in plan renewal.  The information will be shared with all insurance carriers.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, at some point it has to make a difference, but the information is in the claims.  I want to know what interest there is from our employees if we participate.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 05/21/19 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances, 2019-11, 2018-11A, and 2018-P11

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Schields.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Adopt-A-Highway – Andrew stated, I am asking for direction on how to proceed cleaning up Highway 27 in front of Walmart.  If we agree, we need to complete a simple application and they will put up a sign.  There are stretches of highway they do not want sponsored for safety reasons.  Highways are adopted in two mile stretches.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, what does two mile stretch cover? Andrew stated, from south of I-70 to 8th street.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, can we divide the stretch up with different groups.  Andrew stated, yes, you can divide it into pieces.  Commissioner Garcia asked, did you talk about promoting adoption using organizations like Kiwanis, Rotary and such, some may want to participate.  Has the City signed the liability statement before?  Andrew stated, the City has not but going to have to make sure all parties are aware of liability with traffic on highway.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, they adopt highways all over state, just have to be careful with traffic and safety.  I indicated we need to have the Commission take a half mile strip then promote with organization.  Andrew stated, I will reach out to other civic and youth groups then report back
  2. FY 2020 Preliminary Budget Discussion – Andrew stated, last year I distributed forms to solicit Commission priorities for budget. I feel this year we should discuss it as a group.  We are meeting with department heads Tuesday and Wednesday, then would like Commission to provide input and direction as to what you would like to see in budget.  We also need to set a date for budget presentations.  We set June 24th on budget calendar.  Commissioner Schields stated, I am unavailable June 17-24 so would June 25-28 work?  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, will meeting be in morning or evening?  Andrew stated, whatever is convenient for Commission.  Consensus of Commission is to tentatively set budget meeting for June 27th at 5:00 p.m.  Andrew stated, you have a handout showing where budget is for selected funds at end of May.  What does Commission see as priority this season?  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, at the last meeting I indicated my concern with turnover.  I had Andrew do a wage comparison in January and feel we are low in wages but high in benefit.  I feel this may be wearing off and need to get that straightened out.  If we get to point we need to have employees contribute, have to be at a level to allow them to be able to contribute.  We were 10-12% low and need to become more competitive in our base pay, especially the police department.  Turnover is costly and hurts moral.  We may feel like we are spending more but would have improvement with moral and employee buy in on the program.  I do not know how much we can do, but need to begin somewhere.  We cannot continue to lose people and need to be able to attract new employees.  Commissioner Schields stated, I agree we need to look at wages, last year the increase was very minimal.  Down the road if we ask them to pay part of the premium, their wage has to be competitive.   It is evident by reaction of employees that they like the plan they have as tax free benefit.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I would like to see us get aggressive on the economic development side of things.  We do not have incentives, but it is hard to speculate until we get numbers.  It will be interesting to see how it works.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, we talked about incentives for interstate businesses, but what about incentives for small businesses to be on Main Street, which is the heart of what we have.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, I would like to see signage like Leon presented to us.  We need to get information out on assets we have like Walking Trail, Dog Park, Welcome Center and Van Gogh.  We need the people up and down the interstate to pay for these things.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I agree and would still like to see signs on exits.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, the first impression makes a big difference to get people here.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I drove around Colby and Burlington last weekend, we are doing a good job.  Anything we can do will continue to improve, but it reflects that we are moving that way.  Andrew stated, we need to add payback of dispatch center into budget which is a new expense.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, we need to continue working on the sales tax issue.

 

REPORTS

  1. City Managers Report- 1. We had a progress meeting today on the Street project.  Eastridge is finished, they plan to begin pour on Eustis tomorrow, which will take four weeks then they will move to 4th Street and Sherman.  Project is behind with rain delays, everyone is behind.  Today KDOT approved a delay to begin Main Street Brick project until June 17.  2. Dispatch project is moving ahead, doors are in, installed new window and drop ceiling.  They are tiling the bathroom.      Fly Kansas Air Tour is excited to participate in event late September.  We need to plan the educational component but we are glad to be selected for event.  4. In last update sent out for airport, the Public Works Staff demolished the building in the object free area.  They have reroute of fence to complete.  5.   Joint meeting on June 28th does not work for the County Commission.  They would like to reschedule for June 18th at lunch to have County Attorney present.  We are working with Attorney General’s office for fire discussion and this time works for them.  Commissioner Garcia asked, where is the meeting?  Andrew stated, we did not discuss the details, we need to get date set first.  Consensus of Commission is to schedule meeting on June 18th from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
  2. City Clerk: Mary Volk – 1. Shauna is giving presentation at KMEA meeting in Kansas City on our Tantalus system.  I feel it is an honor that we got asked to give a presentation.    Working on budget, getting ready for meetings with Department Heads Tuesday and Wednesday.  3.  We have implemented a new credit card system for customers to pay by credit card and check online.  4.  We are finishing up an audit with the State on KPERS.
  3. Museum Director: Sami Philbrick – 1. Visitor numbers look good so far this season.  Storage shelves are complete and inventory is done.  3.  Junior gardeners program has started.  4.  The passport program is in place.  5.  June 15th we have a Kansas Humanities speaker on the Civil Rights movement.  6.  Part time staff continues working on scanning and digitizing documents.  7.  The Board is discussing update of the building facade and help fix wall and entry way to make museum more inviting.  8.  Driving tour signs are installed, I encourage people to explore their own back yards.
  4. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Fairbanks – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  Good meeting, it is good to see motel construction started.

Commissioner Schields – 1.  When will Ossuarium be up at cemetery?  Andrew stated, the pad has been poured, scheduled delivery of structure is July.

  1. Mayors Report – Absent, No Report

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2019.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Jay Dee Brumbaugh, Vice-Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk