GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Special Joint Commission Meeting

City Commission and Sherman County Commission

July 8, 2024                                                                                                                         6:00 P.M.

Sherman County Chairman Steve Evert called the meeting to order with Sherman County Commissioner Rodney Blake and Sherman County Commissioner Harvey Swager responding to roll call. 

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.  Sherman Chairman Evert thanked the City Commission for joining the meeting.

Also present from the City were Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.  Also present from Sherman County are Bret Mangan – County Attorney, Ashley Mannis – County Clerk, Eric Albright – County IT Director, Brian James – County Fire/EMS Director, Oura Garrett – County Assistant Fire Chief and Chris Zimmerman – County Assistant EMS Director.

DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS

1. Wolak Building – Sherman Chairman Evert stated, we would like to discuss the Wolak building and equipment.  Brian stated, in 2012 rural fire was growing out of their building east of County Road and Bridge and the hospital gave EMS to the County.  City fire was also growing out of their building.  The City and County joined in remodeling this building to house Fire and EMS.  Previously the building was a grocery store that had a fire.  The City purchased the building, trying to get another grocery store.  Adronics used the building until 2007, then the building was vacant until 2012 when the City and County agreed to utilize the building for fire and EMS.  The agreement is $1 a year for 30 years.  The City is responsible for parking lot and sidewalk and also carries insurance on building.  The County insures their equipment inside the building.  City and County started serious discussions in 2020 to merge fire departments.  Effective January 1, 2022 they became a county department.  In the building, EMS has their day room which is their kitchen and office area then three bunk rooms.  On a daily basis there are a minimum of three EMS staff on duty, Chris and I.  Fire department is a paid per call department.  Each fire call is $28, then $12 an hour when call lasts longer than three hours.  City still owns six pieces of equipment.  Our first new engine purchased jointly is scheduled to arrive in November.  We will sell old engine two from city at auction.  Sherman County has eight pieces of equipment, then Kanorado and Brewster house their own equipment.  Kanorado and Brewster have their own district in Sherman County; however, Goodland fire responds to every fire call because we are the bigger department.  Goodland fire has twenty-nine firemen, Kanorado has five and Brewster has twelve to fifteen.  Sherman Commissioner Blake asked Brian to discuss future plans fire has for facility.  Brian stated, the County Commission previously decided to use this room for community events.  The problem is this is the emergency operating center (EOC) for the county, with secondary EOC at police department.  Emergency Management needs to keep equipment in room but are not able to keep room setup for operation with public using the room for events.  County Commission recently voted that the room will no longer be used as a community room.  The main purpose for the room is training and EOC.  Plan is to build stadium seating like in the Murray Center with conference room.  Chris stated, the building has not been touched since 2012; improvements are needed to invest in the building and keep programs moving forward.  Brian stated, the floor has some issues being level because of heavy equipment Adronics had on the floor.  We need to do something more permanent like carpet squares which are low maintenance.  County Commission has instructed us they do not want to invest in building because we do not own property.  We do not see city taking building back after agreement expires without a major expense.  The interior of the building is specifically designed for a fire house.  It seems we are stuck on this thirty year agreement when facility can be turned over to one entity.  County Commissioner Blake stated, looking at reports, the City and County have spent equal amounts of tax payer money to improve building.  What does City think since you own the building?  Mayor Thompson stated, it is a long term lease with renewals built into the agreement.  We cannot speculate if in the future it is still suitable for fire.  County invested in building at beginning of lease, since then the use has grown beyond initial thoughts.  You now have EMS staying in facility.  Brian stated, that was plan from beginning.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is all tax payer money.  I am trying to find benefit for City to sign property over to the County.  We do not have a reason to get out of lease, it is working great and merger was a good step.  I do not see it changing in near future.  County Commissioner Blake stated, picture it like you are renting house.  Are you going to make improvements if you do not own the house?  Ownership is a big deal.  I would not have spent the money for improvements the County did if I did not own the building.  County Commissioner Swager stated, fire wants to remodel and we agree to changes but city owns building.  Where do we go since City owns building?  Mayor Thompson stated, the lease gives county right to make changes; they just need to let city know.  County Commissioner Blake stated, the lease has worked, what does rest of City Commission think?  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, there are pros and cons to both sides.  City has insurance on building so County does not have to insure building.  I understand county does not own it.  Usually on a commercial building you can remodel as needed, just have to put back when leave.  It is all tax payer money.  I really have no problem with it.  County Chairman Evert asked, what is life expectancy on ladder truck?  Brian stated, it should last a while because we maintain it, but it is a 1997 model and we have to have the truck.  Engine 1 is 2007 model and same situation.  Fire and EMS equipment are not cheap.  Fire does not bring in money but funded by tax payers.  County Chairman Evert stated, if engine goes down is city going to replace or does county have to?  Mayor Thompson stated, we allocate money in budget annually to pay the county.  County Commissioner Blake stated, the amount paid was agreed upon in 2020 and what has the cost of equipment done in last four year?  Brian stated, the amount cannot go over 2020 budget.  Mayor Thompson stated, the percent was based on 2020 budget.  If you need more money you need to present it to City by first of June for budget.  County Commissioner Blake asked, is this something we want to review every year to prevent a large increase?  We will have odd years for purchases and then some years no equipment purchased.  City is paying for general operations and county is purchasing new equipment.  County Chairman Evert stated, when you purchase a truck, delivery is 785 days.  We need to look at it annually because it will take a lot of money.  Mike Cochran, Fire Board Member stated, our budget is in decent shape.  Our new piece of equipment is scheduled to arrive November 25^th.  We have to look toward future.  We have been trying to purchase off lease units, but so is every other department.  Going forward we will probably need to look at new units.  Departments are not releasing their units but hanging on to them as long as they can.  We are watching budget close and Ashley reviews budgets with us quarterly.  We have city and county funds separated, but we are getting close to the point funds will be in same fund.  Mayor Thompson stated, I understand money city pays also goes toward equipment.  As far as ownership of new equipment, need to review what agreement states.  County Commissioner Blake stated, I understand consensus of city is to retain ownership of building.  Mayor Thompson stated, we will discuss it, we are not going to make a decision today.  It is all tax payer money.  I have to look at what is best for the city.  I will think about it but right now I do not see value to city giving up ownership.  Agreement states county can make changes, you just pay for them.  County Commissioner Blake asked, does agreement state if building returns to city that county has to return in same shape as originally leased?  Commissioner Showalter asked, is there something you want added to agreement to give county a better feeling about agreement?  There may come a day the department outgrows this building.  County Chairman Evert stated, there has been discussion for county to purchase lots across the street for growth and storage.  Commissioner Showalter stated, in end it does not matter who owns building; purpose of building is fire and EMS.  Only time it will matter is if we end up with building.  Brian provided information as to how much each entity in Sherman County is being used.  Kent stated, the idea w city owned apparatus is that eventually the county will own the equipment.  That will take some time.  Mary asked, previously it has been discussed to title all city equipment to county because of additional work required for county employees to drive city equipment, but it has never been approved.  Brian stated, it would be a cleaner transaction.  I know it is tax payer money but it makes it easier.  Commissioner Showalter asked, would county want equipment titled to them?  County Commissioner Blake stated, these are all steps to clean up merger.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I appreciate the job Brian has done since he took over the two departments.  It is a professional and very efficient operation.  County Chairman Evert stated, I agree, everyone is cross trained and he has done a great job making sure officers respond or are on standby when needed.  Mayor Thompson stated, it has been awhile since we got together, thank you.  County Chairman Evert stated, we need to look at late March or early April to review budget changes. 

ADJOURNMENT FOR SHERMAN COUNTY COMMISSION WAS HAD ON A MOTION County Commissioner Blake seconded by County Commissioner Swager.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk