GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Joint Commission Meeting

March 14, 2022                                                                                                                               5:30 P.M.

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

Sherman County Commission Chairman Steve Evert called meeting to order with County Commissioner Rod Blake and County Commissioner Larry Enfield responding to roll call. 

Kanorado City Council members present were Mathew Windell and Valarie Veselick.

Also present from the City were Jeff Dinkel – Building Inspector/Code Enforcement, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Kent Brown – City Manager.  Also present from the County were Rachelle Standley – County Appraiser and Ashley Mannis – County Clerk.  Present from the Sherman County Community Development (SCCD) are Julica O’Harah and Jessica Bonner.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

1. Follow-up Discussion: RDG Housing Assessment – Kent stated, we previously had a presentation on housing assessment from RDG.  Julica stated, RDG cannot give direct answer for direction to head, but gave recommendations on some steps we can get started to work toward our goal.  Top three options are updating codes and ordinances, which is started.  We currently have the NRP program in place but need to determine how to better promote program.  Two new programs or incentives recommended are Land Bank and Rehabilitation programs.  Norton County has used the Land Bank program for Build Cleared Lot incentive.  This is where the individual will pay portion of land costs with a specified time to build on lot to receive tax rebate.  Another option is the Free Lot Program used in Lincoln County, where individuals are incentivized to build on lots to make the community more attractive.  Where Goodland has a lot of empty lots this would be a place to start.  The Rehabilitation Program is also done well in Norton County and Scott City.  This program rehabilitates upper levels of main street buildings.  First rehabilitation program is fix and flip for contractors.  Another program is paint the town, which is a grant for a percentage of new paint for exterior of residence to liven up homes quickly.  Next program is home and rental rehabilitation program which is a grant for a percentage on material costs spent locally.  Another option is gap financing program to start and finish projects.  We have samples of the programs from different communities to use for guidelines.  Future programs we can utilize are Kansas Moderate Income Housing Program (MIH) where money is cycled through an account or the Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) allowed by SB90 to aid developers when infrastructure costs are covered.  This is similar to Westmore Addition, but is through the State.  This is a good way to help with apartments on Main Street.  These are all programs available we can utilize in our community.  I recommend appointing a task force to review and start implementing programs.  Commissioner Showalter asked, is the home rental program private funding?  Julica stated, in other communities all community groups, like City, County and Kanorado Commissions, come together to help address and fund program to move forward.  Kent stated, I feel individual commissions need to start asking people to step forward to sit on task force to work out program details so we do not get bogged down.  The City and County Commissions need agree to a group.  County Commission Chairman Evert stated, I agree we need group to get discussion started.  I recommend individual commissions discuss to get started.  Julica stated, to work through programs it could take six to nine months because not only have to consider what is happening now but also need to look at the big picture in twenty years.  Other communities are willing to help so the region survives.  Our community is behind and will need to catch up.  County Commissioner Enfield asked, with free lot program, did the communities purchase the lots?  Julica stated, I am unsure if the City or County condemned building on lot to take over demolition of building, but there is a process.  One community valued the lot then had interested party pay a portion of lot to have skin in game, but the City or County did end of owning lots.  Mayor Thompson stated, I feel we need a representative from each board to discuss programs and bring information back to individual commissions.  County Commission Chairman Evert stated, I am willing to serve on group.  Commissioner Showalter stated, this provides more opportunities for everyone to work together.  County Commission Chairman Evert stated, we are in a unique situation with growth coming in County.    Unfortunately we have to determine where monies are coming from, nothing is free.  Mayor Thompson stated, the City Commission will discuss at meeting Monday.  County Commission Chairman Evert asked, does Kanorado have anyone interested in serving on task force?  Mathew stated, we are interested in being a part of group.  Commissioner Redlin stated, the City has to continue to update codes so we know what program will work.  Jeff stated, I plan on being part of the group.  Kent stated, there are other opportunities we could develop to ensure programs succeed but need group to look at programs that will work.  Julica stated, RDG recommended starting with easier programs and let it grow from there.  Our resources from other communities are unlimited. 
2. Sales Tax – County Commission Chairman Evert stated,we would like to promote continuation of tax, including Cities of Goodland and Kanorado but there is a lot that needs to be done before we can put question on ballot.  County Commissioner Enfield stated, one cent tax brings in about $1,350,000 per year but costs to complete projects continue to rise.  We have many miles of asphalt that needs to be done but have to get a plan.  How do we want to set up program to try to stay away from taking out a bond?  The fortunate thing about the sales tax is everyone pays sales tax.  With legislation discussing to decrease sales tax on food, we have to determine how to make up that loss.  County Commissioner Blake stated, with Kanorado we were thinking we could work projects in with ours or the City to save on mobilization costs.  We want to use dollars wisely so bills do not come in all at one time.  County Commissioner Enfield stated, if the City and County work together, I think people will vote for sales tax, but we need to determine how much we need.  Do we need only the one cent or increase to one and quarter cent?  The problem is costs are escalating so I feel we need to look at one and quarter because it will take a lot of money.  Mary stated, legislation discussion is only to exempt food sales from state sales tax; leaving the local tax option up to local entities.  County Commissioner Enfield stated, we need to set projects and prioritize what needs to be done.  County Commissioner Blake stated, Kanorado has a big project by the elevator that needs concrete, may have to complete in phases.  Timing how projects get done is everything.  Mayor Thompson stated, I like the idea but wonder how it will look in future and whose projects are more important.  I feel projects need to be on paper and the only way to make it work is to determine what percentage each entity will need.  It is a good idea to prioritize projects, but do not feel will work in implementation.  County Commissioner Blake stated, without knowing what projects and costs will be, it will be difficult to determine how much need.  Mayor Thompson stated, at same time we need to look at budget because sometimes things cannot get done with budget.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I feel we need to prioritize projects and costs to determine how to proceed.  County Commissioner Blake stated, I feel we will need to reevaluate the program as we go.  County Commission Chairman Evert stated, if we decide on one and quarter cent, we need to make sure people understand we are not raising sales tax one and quarter cent but a quarter cent because the one cent in place now is continuing.  County Commissioner Enfield asked, is everyone in favor of one or one and quarter cent?  Kent stated, we will have to consider other variables, such as inflation and if it continues we will not know what construction costs will be.  Do we complete small project each year or do a larger project?  Is there is concern with financing against sales tax.  If we complete projects up front it would provide certainty in dealing with current inflation and not continued increase in inflation.  If we wait five to seven years to do work, costs could come down, but it could also be years of inflation costs.  That may be a losing battle.  We need to determine whether we do projects up front or over time.  When you do smaller projects, unit costs go up.  Larger projects get better pricing.  County Commission Chairman Evert stated, labor costs will never go down, while oil and concrete costs fluctuate.  The idea to do projects now and pay interest may be good in order to lock in costs.  County Commissioner Enfield asked, if we agree to split the tax by percent, is it legal for the City to issue a bond for their share but the County not?  Mary stated, we will have to confirm that with bond counsel.  County Commissioner Enfield stated, it appears everyone wants to continue tax, we just need to decide amount.  Mayor Thompson stated, everyone needs to determine how much money they need, how much entities will get and how want to finance projects.  County Commissioner Blake stated, the consensus is all costs are going up and it is the voter’s decision; I feel we need to make sure we have a little extra.  County Commissioner Enfield stated, I feel if the City and County are in agreement, taxpayers will approve because they do not want taxes going up.  Kent stated, I feel each commission should refine details they would like tax to be, the percentage proposed for each entity and length of time for tax; then we can meet again to work through details.  Consensus from both City and County Commission is that is best way to proceed, ensuring Kanorado is included.  Mayor Thompson asked, does the tax have to stay with roads and streets?  County Commissioner Blake stated, no we have looked at other projects that could be included with project like Wolak parking lot, jail and alley behind court house.  County Commissioner Enfield asked, when do you need information for ballot?  Ashley stated, information needs to be complete by August, but bond counsel will need information to write ballot question.  Next joint meeting is scheduled for April 11^th at 5:30 p.m. at Wolak Building. 

ADJOURNMENT BY THE CITY COMMISSION WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:40 p.m. 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk