April 3, 2023 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

April 3, 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 Frank Hayes – 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 COMMENT

  1. Jerry Becker – Jerry stated, I have lived in Goodland about seven years and noticed the front of post office is dirt.  People from the post office indicated water pipes were broken a few years ago.  I recommend you meet with Senator Billinger to contact federal government to landscape front of building.  I would like something done because it does not look good for Goodland.  Another thing, with Arbor Day some of the trees are at end of life cycle but it does not appear we have a plan to help replace trees being cut down.  I am glad to sit on a committee if there is one available.  Mayor Thompson thanked Jerry for his time and stated, we have a park, recreation and tree board.  You can check for an opening on the board. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 03/20/2023 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. 03/29/2023 Special Commission Work Session Minutes
  3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2022-07, 2022-07A, and 2022-P07

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

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Proclamation: Goodland Cowgirls Basketball Team State Championship Day – Mayor Thompson read and signed a proclamation to congratulate the Goodland Cowgirls varsity basketball team and proclaim April 3rd as Goodland Cowgirls State Championship Day in the City of Goodland. 
  2. National Public Safety Tele-communicators Week – Mayor Thompson signed a proclamation declaring the week of April 9th through 15th as National Public Safety Tele-communicators Week in the City of Goodland.
  3. Western Kansas Child Advocacy: 2024 Budget Request – Don Rivera – Don provided Commission an explanation of services for the child in an abusive situation.  Don stated, we service thirty-four counties.  In Sherman County we have seen 92 children with 658 services, so we are in the community.  If we receive a call, we are there for the child and family.  We work with Frankie and the Sheriff.  We bring services to the community and provide services free to the family.  Mayor Thompson asked, do you have an amount you want us to consider?  Don stated, $2,000 is our request.  Mayor Thompson asked, do other municipalities donate to services?  Don stated, we get some federal grants but we never know when those will be cut.  We do have other communities that donate to our services.  Mayor Thompson stated, I personally know families that have received services and it is always a positive outcome from services provided.  Commissioner Showalter asked, how long has the medical RV been in operation?  Don stated, I am uncertain how long, but understand it was one of the top priority services of our founders.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I feel it is something that will be utilized so people are not transported to another community for services.  Don stated, we also have a doctor on staff.  Commissioner Showalter stated, the services they provide are extremely important to our community and the children need them.  I recommend we continue funding at the current $1,500 level.  Consensus of Commission is in agreement.    

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Alternate #1 from Snow Removal Equipment Bid – Darin stated, since the last meeting the Airport Board met to discuss the bid alternate.  The board and staff recommend the approval of Alternate#1.  Total award for the base bid and alternate #1 is $970,677.  Anticipated delivery time on equipment is summer 2024 so the City will not have to carry an expense.  FY24 grant money will be available.   Using full BIL funding amount, the Federal Government will pay $873,609.30 and City pays 97,067.70.  With age of current snow blower, staff feels it is wise to get new equipment utilizing grant monies.  The City will still have money available from the FY25 and FY26 funding.  The bid for the airport seal project was under estimate so even if we can do additional sealing, project will still come in under bid.  Mayor Thompson asked, where is the blower used?  Kenton stated, it is mostly needed with snow at airport.  Mayor Thompson asked, how much time will be saved having the blower instead of hauling snow?  Kenton stated, we have never hauled snow at airport, but it will take a while.  Mayor Thompson asked, what does it mean to blow snow over lights?  Darin explained the process to remove snow considering the runway width and length, and where snow is required to be blown.  With the size of our runway, it is required to blow snow 110 feet, this one will blow snow 150 feet.  With new plow you can push snow closer to end of runway then make one trip to blow snow.  We have a 100 feet wide runway and planes have to be able to see the lights.  Mayor Thompson stated, so there is no good spot to push snow without covering up lights.  Darin stated, we can push snow to side and out to ditches but have to make sure do not hit lights.  Mayor Thompson asked, does the current blower work?  Darin stated, it is still functioning but not at peak and not sure how long will last.  With this option, grant money pays 90%.  Mayor Thompson stated, I understand but there are a lot of projects airport board wants to complete and someday we will not be able to keep replenishing funds from City.  We have had more snow than usual this year, but blower is still functioning and if we can get by without spending money, we will just spend more time clearing snow.  Commissioner Redlin asked, we will still have $247,000 to spend?  Darin stated, yes if we have approval from the FAA for funding.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I am trying to determine if this is a need or want?  Kenton stated, we have to repair old snow blower before we put it up.   I do not have maintenance costs for it with me.  It broke down last time used but we got it fixed.  It always makes me nervous because we do need it at the airport.  With this option, the City only pays 10% of the cost.  If we need to use old one in town we have it, so we can keep this one at airport.  Darin stated, in an emergency if we need it in town the airport manager can grant permission to bring blower to town.  Kenton asked, were there concerns from airport board?  Kent stated, they were in favor of purchasing blower.  Kenton stated, it is tough because we need to get runway cleared to get Eagle Med out quickly.  Commissioner Showalter stated, that was one of the first concerns I received when elected to commission.  Darin stated, the size of equipment needed takes into consideration size of primary and secondary runway using a federal criteria to get minimum size needed for your airport.  With this equipment the airport will be cleared in two hours.  This equipment is slightly oversized but the next smaller one will not meet criteria.  The two hours starts from the time you can get out to start moving snow.  Kent stated, with our last snow a plane buzzed the guys clearing snow in early morning hours to check surfaces for landing.  This was personnel for hospital and they landed shortly after runway was open.  Commissioner Showalter stated, my thought process changes when we have to work on current plow every time.  When it comes to emergency equipment I feel we need to spend the money, especially if we get federal funding for 90% of cost.  Darin stated, in an emergency situation the guys need to work to get snow moved so Eagle Med can get out, but need to get it over lights for required functioning and clearing of runway.  There are 200 feet between lights, but cannot push snow off end of runway because of lights at end of runway.  The alternative is to push snow between the lights.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter Bid to approve Bid Alternate #1 for the snow blower in the amount of $237,141, contingent upon FAA approval seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-1, with Mayor Thompson casting the dissenting vote. 
  2. Airport Hangar Lease Termination: Amberican Aviation, Inc. – Kent stated, American Aviation is seeking to terminate hangar lease effective end of March.  He has spoken to Scott’s Flying Services to purchase equipment and work out lease for same area.  The airport board recommends approval of the termination of lease.   ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve mutual termination of lease with Amberican Aviation seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Hangar lease: Scott’s Flying Service – Kent stated, lease is for lots 1-2 at airport to Scott’s Flying Services at the same rate as previous lease for same lots.  This is third entity to lease this location.  Lease requires hangar construction begin within twelve months; completion within two years.  Airport Board recommends approval of lease.  There were a couple parties interested in this lease so we are going to put together a policy for termination of property lease and new lease.  Scott’s Flying Service currently operates out of Burlington and has a need for the hangar.  City Attorney has reviewed the documents.  Jake stated, most of these operators operate on as need basis for services.  Less of these businesses own airplanes but contract services with other businesses.  I believe these businesses get the lease then want assurance have business to cover investment of building a hangar.  This last year there were no services available.  That is why it is important to keep clause in lease and have airport board make recommendation.  I understand this lease is because Burlington will not hold two of his planes, so it is more of an incentive to base operation in Goodland.  Kent stated, when he builds the hangar specifications have to be approved by the airport board and meet codes.  It is a big project but Jake is correct, they have to have business lined up that benefits building a hangar.  Darin stated, hangars built over the last several years are larger than before so we will have to open up more lots.  If we increase our runway length it makes our airport even more appealing.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the hangar lease with Scott’s Flying Services seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  4. 2023 Utility Charge Offs – Mary stated, annually the City reviews utility customer accounts for charge off.  The accounts were turned over to collection and even though the accounts are charged off the collection agencies and the City continue to attempt collection.  Total utility charge offs for 2023 is $38,039.81.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve 2023 Utility Charge Offs in the amount of $38,039.81 seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. 1523 Colorado Avenue: IFB to remove – Kent introduced Zach Hildebrand, Building Inspector.  Zach stated, this property was in front of commission in 2018, then again the last two years.  I went to property, he did clean it up some but still no utilities.  Owner says he has a job so will have utilities soon.  The one trailer he claims to have sold but required to dismantle for sale.  Mayor Thompson stated, we have tried hard to give him opportunities to come up with a solution.  He always has a reason why he cannot complete, he has had many excuses.  I feel like we have had the run around on this property.  Commissioner Redlin asked, what is time frame with bid process?  Kent stated, two to three weeks to get bids then time for contractor.  Both trailer houses and the house on corner are without utilities.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, to make it habitable you have to provide heat and running water.  If it does not have water it is not habitable so need to address all properties.  Mayor Thompson stated, this is first time we talked about house as we have been focusing on trailers.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I recommend we move forward with trailers and they have to have utilities for the house to be habitable.  Zach stated, by removing trailers there may be some motivation to get utilities to house.  Consensus of commission is to proceed with removal process for both trailers.    

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  The manager memo is in the packet.  Because of the timing for meeting a couple of department head reports were not included.  2. Introduced Zach Hildebrand as the Building Inspector.  Zach stated, I am excited to be back and start working in this position.  Mayor Thompson stated, we look forward to working with you, this is a busy position.  3.  Are there any thoughts, concerns or comments from the KMEA 101 work session?  Consensus of commission is the work shop was very informational and beneficial.  Commissioner Showalter stated, it helped me understand our current contract.  Kent stated, I felt it was very productive and we can use it as a foundation.  Mayor Thompson stated, I felt it was productive knowing the options available to get power to your city.  If we want to pursue some of these projects we need to start discussions soon.  I feel we should have discussion later this year to determine how to move forward.  Kent stated, I felt an important fact is that Goodland’s power plant has value that will continue to grow the way they run the industry.  4. We have scheduled spring cleanup for May 4th and 5th.  5.  Ground breaking for Diesel Tech Building addition at college is tomorrow 11:30.  The Commission is invited.  6.  The County placed a burn ban until further notice.  7.  Chief Hayes has informed me the first part of COPS grant has been submitted.  Then he was also contacted by Senator Moran’s office on availability of another grant.  Frank stated, they have allocation of funds to be released FY24 and asked if I wanted to be considered for the money; I submitted the application today for new portable radios.  Our current models are obsolete and it is tough to get parts.  I am uncertain when they announce awards.  The grant request was for a little more than $50,000.  I feel confident since they contacted me.  Commissioner Showalter asked, is it to replace car radios also?  Frank stated, I do not need to change out car radios.  By 2024 we have to have all radios in compliance with State requirements but the change can be done with the car radios.  On the COPS grant, the second step for submission is due May 11th.  8.  As a reminder we scheduled planning work session April 11th at 5:00.  The regular planning commission meeting is 6:00 same day.  Does Commission think it is possible to have work session if I move planning commission to 7:00?  Mayor Thompson stated, we have had enough discussion that I believe we can be done in time for planning commission to meet.
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  I am extremely interested in having City-County joint meeting to discuss hospital plans to move forward with Mr. Loveless.  People appreciate we are willing to start conversations.  Whenever he is ready, I would like to have a presentation. 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Myers.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.  Next work session is April 11th and regular meeting is scheduled for April 17th.  

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                                Aaron Thompson, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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