October 2, 2023 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

October 2, 2023                                                                                                                                5:00 P.M.

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

Also present were Jason Erhart – Interim 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. Jim Ross: VFW – Jim stated, the VFW is reaching a membership crisis where most of our members are aging.  Our current membership is 114 where in the 1950’s we were over 500 and 1990’s 300.  We have a big building with a lot of bills, like utilities.  VFW represents the member has served in a foreign war.  We are looking at reducing our footprint.  We have no intent to close building but looking to cut costs.  How do we do that in this building?  We are evaluating a way to have a building that reflects our membership.  We are not asking for extra money or assistance at this time.  Recently we changed from membership to a public liquor license to help increase sales.  Unfortunately it increased our cost.  We are trying to be ahead of what we need to do.    Mayor Thompson stated, thank you for the update, please keep us informed.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 09/18/23 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2023-19, 2023-19A, and 2023-P19

ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

1. Options Proclamations:  Domestic Violence Awareness Month –Alicia Gines and Meagan Zampieri-Lillpopp represented Options.  Meagan stated, we are honoring survivors of domestic violence in the hospital lobby tonight and turning the hospital purple.  It happens in all communities.  We work hard to honor those that went before, but also recognize survivors.   Mayor Thompson proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Goodland. 
2. Public Power Week Proclamation – Mayor Thompson proclaimed October 1^st through 7^th as Public Power Week in the City of Goodland. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Resolution 1617: Unfit Structure 122 W. 14^th – Zach stated, property was presented to Commission at August 7^th meeting.  Three days later the police department contacted me because people were breaking into property.  Original letter to property owner was May 11^th and they indicated their plan was to demolish property and build new apartments, but there has been no further contact or progress to date.  After being contacted by police I sent final notice to property owner and would ask commission to set hearing for the property.  Mayor Thompson stated, this property has been dilapidated a long time and in a prime location next to the park and downtown.  I would like to see what can be done with property.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve Resolution 1617: Unfit Structure 122 W. 14^th seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

REPORTS

1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. In addition to league conference, they are hosting City Forums on October 17^th and 18^th.  They will be in Scott City and Oberlin on the 17^th then Hays the 18^th.  Let staff know if you want to attend.  3.  Zach stated, to update you on recent properties, we have not found a home for the cats.  We tried to see if owner would sign ownership of cats over to city so we can remove trailer.  She will not authorize unless we guarantee none of them will be put down.  Owners of 508 W. 15^th have agreed to demolition and are getting utilities disconnected.  At 708 E. 8^th they are past deadline but continue making progress demolishing trailer.  At 820 W 16^th they are living in the garage because cats have taken over the house.  However, I cannot prove they are living in garage.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, it would be nice to get that cleaned up.  Zach stated, they have started and everything in the yard they want to keep when rebuild garage.  Mayor Thompson stated, I drove by and it appears the pile is smaller.  Zach stated, one of the neighbors is providing a trailer and truck for them but it is going slow.  4. Kenton stated, we are fog sealing Wednesday morning for all streets chip sealed.  In the past we were able to save money going through Cobitco; however, they backed out so we are using B & H Paving.  We have contacted funeral homes regarding North Main so they did not schedule funerals.  Caldwell will be closed until it dries.  It takes two to four hours to dry, depending on weather.  We have also been replacing alley behind library.  We did not do north end of alley because when we do 8^th Street project they would tear it out.  We are finishing with south end of alley, adding an ADA ramp at 9^th and Broadway and sidewalk to library.  5. Neal stated, Maguire Iron got bid to replace roof on standpipe.  They plan to be here 3^rd week of October and it will take week to ten days.  It will have more of a pitch to it than original roof.  Kent stated, they will have a crane setup for project but it will not affect water system or neighboring businesses.  Doing it at this time we will not have issue with watering or winter.  Neal stated, they are building roof on the ground then lifting to attach and coat new roof.  Commissioner Redlin asked, will you have a video on the sewer work.  Kent stated, it will be presented at a future meeting.  6.  I talked with Andrew from EBH, the Cost Share and Base grant documents are being prepared for bidding.  We are waiting for award agreements from the State on both projects.  Plan is to bid projects in November for work to start in spring.  Kent stated, we have had one vendor contact us to do water and sewer portion of project over winter.   7.  We received signs for water conservation promotion in city.  Information is posted on website.  When one identifies all five locations and submit form to City Hall, you will receive a small gift.  We will move signs around after we have some winners.
2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  Thank you to Kenton and Jason for work at flatlanders the other night. It is tough to work on weekend. 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  Absent, No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

• Mayor Thompson– 1.  No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2023.

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ATTEST:                                                                                Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk