January 16, 2024 Commission Minutes

January 16, 2024 Commission Minutes

January 16, 2024 Commission Minutes

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GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

January 16, 2024                                                                                                                       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 Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Neal Thornburg – Director of Water and Wastewater, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Jake Kling – City Attorney, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Unfit Structure: 516 W Hwy 24 Lot 406 – Mayor Thompson opened the public hearing for 516 W. Hwy 24 Lot 406 at 5:00 p.m.  Zach stated, this property has been discussed since July.  All cats are removed.  The trailer is owned by Joann Brigham who would like the opportunity to remove personal items from trailer.  With the weather she has not been able to remove items so would like to have trailer stay until able to get transportation to haul items.  Joann stated, I cannot fit furniture in my car so I will have to wait for help from my son.  I understand why they are removing trailer but asking for more time.  I am using that mailbox for my social security and not in position to pay for a post office box.  I am in another house in town that is about as bad as this trailer.  Without that mailbox I do not get my social security.  At my age and the weather it is not easy to get a job in town.  I live off $912 a month with social security.  Mayor Thompson stated, we will give you a reasonable amount of time to have the opportunity to remove items if property is safe.  Hopefully in near future weather will cooperate for you to remove items.  As far as address and mail box that is between you and the owner of trailer park.  Zach stated, as soon as you schedule to remove items we should be able to remove trailer.  Mayor Thompson closed the public hearing for 516 W. Hwy 24 Lot 406 at 5:11 p.m. 
  2. Unfit Structure: 1319 Cherry Ave. – Mayor Thompson opened public hearing for 1319 Cherry at 5:11 p.m.  Zach stated, she was there Thursday to remove stuff but I recommended she focus on trailer as it will be removed first.   The bids for demolition will take a month so she has more time to remove her personal items at this property.  Joann stated, I have items at this place.  Mayor Thompson stated, you need to focus on trailer because you have time before demolition bids for will be opened.  Mayor Thompson closed public hearing for 1319 Cherry at 5:13 p.m. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Donna Swager and Janice Shaner Sherman County Childcare Coalition – We are concerned about lack of child care in community and with new businesses there is a need for the service.  We would like to request City donate lots to put structures on and assist with getting utilities to the properties.  Mayor Thompson stated, you are asking for two lots north of Topside Manor and two lots by West elementary.  Donna stated, yes we feel there is a need for four units with twelve spots in each unit.  Our next step is to collaborate with school, hospital and County.  Hopefully this will open more spaces up.  Mayor Thompson stated, we will discuss next meeting.  Donna stated, we ask that you discuss the details that will go into project and we will come back next meeting. 
  2. Joann Brigham informed the commission she paid taxes for 1319 Cherry this year. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 01/02/24 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-02, 2024-02A, and 2024-P02

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 1622: Unfit Structure Notice 516 W Hwy 24 Lot 406 – Zach stated, resolution sets timeline for property.  Mayor Thompson stated, resolution provides thirty days which should be plenty of time to remove personal items.   Joann stated, my daughter’s appliances are in trailer and I have no way to get them out.  Mayor Thompson stated, thirty days is a fair amount of time if the items are important to you.  Joann stated, with weather I need additional time.  Mayor Thompson stated, the motion for the resolution will set timeline.  The resolution presented is a thirty day timeline.  I feel that is plenty of time if the items are important to them.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 1622: Unfit Structure Notice for 516 W. Hwy 24, Lot 406 seconded by Commissioner Showalter stating, we have been discussing property since July.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Resolution 1623: Unfit Structure Notice 1319 Cherry St. – Mayor Thompson stated, this property is same situation with 30 day timeline in resolution.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Resolution 1620: Unfit Structure Notice for 1319 Cherry seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Resolution 1624: Set Public Hearing for 122 W. 14th Street – Zach stated, this resolution sets March 4, 2024 as the date for a public hearing for property at 122 W. 14th Street.  Property owner contacted me and his plan now is to demolish property not renovate.  He is asking for a 45-60 day extension, but we have been waiting three years.  I feel we need to set another hearing date in the event nothing is done with property.  Mayor Thompson stated, I agree that is the right thing to do on property.  We have had contact with owner and nothing he said happened.  He has had plenty of time to complete the process.  Zach stated, I talked to his demolition contractor and he asked the right questions for a demolition, but it has been an extended period of time.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve Resolution 1624: Set Public Hearing for 122 W. 14th Street for March 4, 2024 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Planning Commission Application: Mary Coumerilh – Kent stated, Mary Coumerilh submitted an application to serve on the Planning Commission.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve the application of Mary Coumerilh to serve on the Planning Commission seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. Cemetery Board Appointment: Renewal of Jan Lohr – Kent stated, the appointment of Jan Lohr on the Cemetery Board has expired.  Jan has agreed to a reappointment to the board.  Mayor Thompson stated, she has been an active member on board since 2015.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve the reappointment of Jan Lohr to the Cemetery Board seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Kansas Rural Water Association Voting Delegate – Kent stated, KRWA requests delegates from member city’s at their business meeting.  Neal recommended designating Leslie Killian as voting delegate and Brandon Kenny as alternate delegate to the KRWA annual meeting of the membership in March.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to designate Leslie Killian as voting delegate and Brandon Kenny as alternate delegate at the KRWA annual meeting of the membership seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. Article III Alcoholic Liquor, Section 3-305: Sale at Retail; Forbidden on Certain Days – Kent stated, this was brought up by Mayor Thompson last meeting because the law changed a couple years ago.  The change allows City’s to extend days of sale for CMB and alcoholic beverages.  If you want, have to adopt by ordinance.  If there is a protest, it will require a vote.  Mayor Thompson stated, the law changed so I feel our ordinance should mirror state law and if the business wants to sell alcohol, we are not in their way.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I agree it should be up to business owner.  Consensus of commission is in agreement to mirror local ordinance with state law. 
  2. Presentation on Housing Discussion Interviews with Community Matters, Inc. – Kent stated, this presentation was presented planning commission last week.  There is a follow-up questionnaire we ask you to complete within next couple days.  Better land use regulations attract the land uses community wants and preserve property values.  They are tools that shape the community and preserve values characteristic of the community.  Zach and Kent presented the housing study power point.  Kent stated, not much has changed in housing available since 1997.  The commission needs to complete your questionnaire to continue process with Community Matters Institute (CMI) at joint meeting with planning commission on January 29th.  Kent stated, housing is a broad topic but conversations we are having pertain to regulations for codes and zoning types want.  It is basically what will encourage the type of activity we want to see.  Mayor Thompson stated, we are basically setting ground rules for city.  These are good questions and look forward to joint meeting.  Kent stated, CMI would like to have responses by end of this week to prepare for joint meeting on 29th. 
  3. Street Department: Motor Grader Request – Kenton stated, the State put out list of graders available.  Our grader is a 1985 that needs upgraded and the State had a 2002.  I called them because this seemed like good option.  State gives municipalities the option to purchase equipment prior to auction.  We looked at grader, not able to test because still had summer fuel so gelled up.  They say it was in good shape.  I reached out to Caterpillar salesman to see what is on their lot.  He has a 2013 model identical to our 2009 priced at $83,000.  Not being able to run it concerned us when we could see there is used equipment available on dealer lots.  This budget season I am going to put a used grader in the budget.  We cannot afford a new one.  Mayor Thompson stated, I agree we need to look at what is available on dealer lots for used equipment. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. December month end financial report is in the packet.  3.  Police monthly activity report is in the packet.  4.  Municipal Court case load summary is in the packet.  5.  Kenton provided commission an update of the street department. Kenton stated, last week on Monday we chained up equipment and got everything ready.  I sent everyone home at noon.  There were some concerns of drifting so a few of us came in and worked emergency routes before rest of crew came back at 5:00.  We did all east and west residential streets, finishing about midnight.  They then came back in at 4:30 a.m. to finish residential streets and help clear around the schools.  The water and electric department helped haul snow away so my crew could get some rest.  Then we came back in to finish hauling off snow.  Guys only had about 6-8 hours of overtime.  We asked radio to inform public to have vehicles on emergency routes moved because they are difficult to plow with cars.  For this snow storm we used about 1,000 gallons of diesel at about $4.00 a gallon.  I filled city diesel tanks with diesel at about $3.75 per gallon.  We did not have much snow at the airport because it blew off.  With storm yesterday we were called out to clear runway for Eagle Med.  Mayor Thompson stated, I appreciate the hard work to get town open.  You should be proud of what your guys do.  Kent stated, this storm had more wind which caused more problems than normal, especially on 8th Street.  The Commission thanked City crews for their work.  6.  Elementary School submitted responses to naming different equipment.  I will provide information to commission to make recommendations.  We have five pieces of equipment between the loaders and snowplow.  Mayor Thompson asked, how does that work?  I feel guys driving equipment should have input.  Kent stated, they have also been provided information.  7.  Commissioner Showalter nominated me to submit an application to the 2024 Leadership Kansas program.  There is an application fee and the program is seven months costing $3,000.  I am asking if the commission supports my application.  Consensus of Commission is for Kent to submit application for program.  Commissioner Showalter stated, this is a good program to interact with different business people across state. 8.  Jason stated, we are in process of amending our current contract for body and dash cameras.  We had to purchase two additional cameras for new cars.  Our current body cameras are two piece and we are looking at going to a one piece that has many more capabilities.  They have ability to live stream, GPS history, take pictures and face time.  I will have ability to log into the officers camera and see what they are seeing and communicate with officer.  The new cameras have a lot of useful updates.  We paid 4th year of existing contract so they will credit us difference.  We will owe additional $6,271 out of new equipment line item.  In 2025 our payment will be about $19,000 for the 5th year of contract and remaining years of amended contract will be $9,721 a year.  This amended contract is to have additional capabilities with the new model.  Kent stated, the extra wire on old cameras gets in the way of other equipment the officers have to wear.   9.  The City received a couple thank you notes from youth for the commission.  10. Joann asks for an extension as she does not feel 30 days will be enough time.  Mayor Thompson stated, the time line has been approved, we will try to work with you but if it is important to you 30 days is plenty of time.  You need to make contact with the other property owners.  The discussion is over at this point because the resolution is approved. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  I would like to thank all city employees for all you do keeping utilities on with wind and snow.  It is nice we do not have to worry about these things. 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Echo comments, especially with snow removal.  We do not realize what we have until you look at other communities.    

  • Mayor Thompson– 1.  Echo Commission comments.  Thank you to all employees.  

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship – Mayor Thompson made a motion at 6:35 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship not to exceed fifteen minutes.   I request the City Commission, City Attorney and City Manager be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:50 p.m.  Mayor Thompson made a second motion at 6:51 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship not to exceed ten minutes.   I request the City Commission, City Attorney and City Manager be present.  Commissioner Showalter seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 7:01 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 7:02 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2024.

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ATTEST:                                                                                Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk