December 4, 2023 Commission Minutes

December 4, 2023 Commission Minutes

December 4, 2023 Commission Minutes

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GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

December 4, 2023                                                                                                                 5:00 P.M.

Mayor Aaron Thompson called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Jason Showalter, Commissioner Ann Myers and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call. 

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Neal Thornburg – Director of Water and Wastewater, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Burton Pianalto, Sheriff and Milton Varney Undersheriff – Burton stated, I am purchasing a traffic trailer that posts radar controlled speed to bring awareness to the public.  We are asking for an exemption for law enforcement so we can leave the trailer parked in one spot for extended period of time.  The equipment logs information to show what happens when law enforcement is not present.  The trailer will be marked as law enforcement equipment.  Mayor Thompson asked, what brought you to this purchase?  Burton stated, I have been looking at them for a number of years to put around schools but cost prohibitive so felt it would be easier to move trailer around to different locations for awareness.  Milton stated, we can move the trailer anywhere in the county.  Burton stated, I have seen the equipment in different towns and they do encourage people to control their speed.  Commissioner Redlin asked, what is the cost of a trailer?  Burton stated, I do not know, probably close to $7,000.  Commissioner Myers asked, the equipment logs information but does not take picture to mail ticket later?  Mayor Thompson stated, to clarify, the purpose is only to encourage people to slow their speed.  Burton stated, yes, we are at the schools daily but this equipment will encourage people to slow down when they see how fast they are going.  We can use equipment in the county also.  It is more for information but want to utilize in both the city and county.  Mayor Thompson stated, thank you we will take under consideration. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 11/20/23 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Acceptance of Election Certification
  3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2023-08, 2023-08A, and 2023-P08

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 1619: To Set Public Hearing Date for 1319 Cherry Street – Zach stated, you have been discussing these properties since the beginning of August.  Kathy Schermerhorn, Animal Control and the veterinary have been contacted and started removing cats from property.  We have twelve so far.  This resolution sets the hearing date to get the process started.  Mayor Thompson asked, are the cats being put down?  Zach stated, the veterinary said cats at this address can be rehomed so we are working on that.  Cats at the other address will have to be put down. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Resolution 1619: To Set Public Hearing Date for 1319 Cherry Street seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. Resolution 1620: To set Public Hearing date for 516 W. Hwy 24, Lot 406 – Zach stated, we have been able to capture some cats at this address but they are not healthy enough to rehome.  We have put seven down so far and will continue to address remaining cats.  Mayor Thompson asked, the costs will be considerable, will they be assessed to the property.  Zach stated, it will be part of the demolition costs.  Kent stated, the owner will not be able to pay the bill.  Mayor Thompson stated, the trailer park owner has been removing the trailers, will this be the same situation.  Zach stated, I feel it will be but we need to go through the legal process.   Kent asked for clarification on address.  Zach confirmed it is lot 406.   ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 1620: To Set Public Hearing Date for 516 W. Hwy 24, Lot 406 seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  3. Resolution 1621 NRP Amendments and Extension – Kent stated, Ashley Mannis, County Clerk brought to our attention the NRP expires end of 2023.  Commission discussed last meeting with no changes.  The resolution authorizes an extension to the NRP Agreement for three years.   ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 1621: NRP Amendments and Extension until December 31, 2026 seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Goodland Public Library Contract – Kent stated, this is the annual renewal of library contract with Sherman County and the Library Board of Trustees.  It sets up relationship with Sherman County and the library.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve the contract with Sherman County and the Library Board of Trustees for providing library services to residents of Sherman County seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. 2024 CMB Licenses- Kent stated, request to approve CMB licenses for Pizza Hut, Mom’s Kitchen, and Goodland KOA for consumption on the premises.  In original and unopened containers not for consumption on premises we request renewal of Casey’s General Store, 24/7 Travel Store and Cowboy Corner Xpress, LLC.  In addition, we request approval for Corner Market, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Dollar General and Goodland Travel Center pending inspection approval.  Commissioner Showalter asked, what do we inspect?  Zach stated, I review for safety, the police perform a background and fire is fire safety.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve the 2024 CMB Licenses for Pizza Hut, Mom’s Kitchen and Goodland KOA for consumption on premises; CMB licenses for Casey’s General Store, 24/7 Travel Store and Cowboy Corner Xpress, LLC in original and unopened containers, not for consumption on the premises; and licenses for Corner Market, Wal-Mart Stores, INC., Dollar General, and Goodland Travel Center in original and unopened containers not for Consumption on the premises, pending Inspection Approval seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. 2023 Budget Amendment: Health and Sanitation Fund – Kent stated, city clerk has brought to my attention a budget amendment is required for Health and Sanitation fund because of contract change with In the Can approved after the 2023 budget was approved.  We increased revenues and expenses for sanitation effective March, 2023 so an amendment is required for budget authority.  We would like to set public hearing for December 18th, so will need to publish this week.  Once amendment is approved we will submit information to State and County.  Mayor Thompson stated, there is nothing different financially just we have collected more revenue to cover increased expenses for sanitation services.  Kent stated, correct the increase in expenses is from $560,250 to $605,150.  Commissioner Showalter asked, we will hold hearing at meeting, then have a vote on amendment.  Kent stated, yes just like approving the budget. ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to direct staff to schedule budget amendment for the Health and Sanitation fund for next meeting seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.   
  2. Former Police Chief’s Pickup to Water/Wastewater – Kent stated, Jason and Neal have discussed this idea to utilize an existing vehicle.  Jason stated, the Chief’s pickup is not good for patrol or city driving.  City purchased vehicle in 2020, bluebook value is $24,000 to $26,000 with 33,000 miles.  I spoke with Neal who has $25,000 set aside in MERF for a new vehicle and we would like to transfer this vehicle to the water/wastewater departments and transfer the money set aside to the police department to purchase an additional vehicle from KHP.  We feel it will help out another department, rather than sell the vehicle on purple wave.  We will have to come up with $4,000 to complete cost for the second vehicle.  Kent stated, the money is set aside in MERF, they are asking to transfer the money set aside to the police department from water/wastewater.  Mayor Thompson asked, Neal agrees with trade?  Neal stated, yes we have a ¾ ton pickup used for meter reading and changing out meters so it makes sense to downsize. It is a win for both departments.  Consensus of Commission is for the water/wastewater department to utilize the pickup and transfer money in MERF from water/wastewater to police department.    

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. November month end financial report is in the packet.  3.  The Street Department has completed construction of the airport gate; however, we are waiting delivery of the opener.  The new gate is to prevent unauthorized access on tarmac.  We have had more than couple instances of people driving on to tarmac that did not understand what they were doing.  4.  Standpipe Roof project has made significant progress today.  Neal stated, the roof is back on.  They will come back when weather allows to paint.  They will clean up in morning and chlorinate it so we will be able to use it.  The old roof will be cut up and removed tomorrow.  5.  The committee requesting the Nativity Scene in Rosewood Park had indicated they were using solar lighting and would not require electricity.  Once the scene was setup, the solar lighting did not do what they wanted and they are now requesting electrical.  Dustin stated, when I received the request I checked to confirm we had enough capacity for the lights.  The wire is big enough and all the lights in park are LED so there should be enough capacity but not sure who is responsible for installation costs.  Kent stated, I feel this will be a project for next year, not this year.  In order to get lighting to each scene there would have to be additional runs and outlets which will be additional costs.  We are unsure of price tag and whether it is a cost to the community or the committee.  Dustin reminded me they did a lot of work on hospital property to set scene up there.  Dustin stated, that electrical is still in place.  Mayor Thompson stated, I am not sure why hospital was not approached to set the scene up since it was there previously.  Commissioner Showalter stated, they expressed the area had a lot of wind and vandalism.  Maybe that would be a good project for the community foundation to fund.  Kent stated, I feel it should be a project for next year. 6.  Commissioner Showalter asked, has any documentation been presented for the apartment building across from Catholic Church?  Zach stated, no information provided to date.  7. The stop lights were removed on 11th Street and Main intersection.  The Street Department is installing more permanent stop signs for the intersection.  8.  In previous meeting commission approved the request for new radios and equipment for water plant and towers.  We found out there will be additional costs incurred.  Josh stated, the software that runs the SCADA system was purchased in 2010 and they overlooked updating the software.  The cost will be about $5,745 to update the software.  There has been an increase of cyberattacks on the PLC business software.  There were a few water systems attacked recently because of software issues.  None of ours are internet based as they are behind numerous fire walls.  Kent stated, we will move ahead with purchasing updated software.  Josh stated, we are also segmenting the software to minimize possibility of attacks. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  I have been receiving phone calls about the stop light like everyone else.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

  • Mayor Thompson– 1.  Topside Tipoff is this weekend.  There are numerous ways to volunteer for the event. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters of non-elected personnel – Mayor Thompson made a motion at 5:42 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel not to exceed fifteen minutes.   I request only City Commission be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 5:57 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for December 18, 2023.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk