November 20, 2023 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

November 20, 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 Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, 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, Shauna Johnson – Deputy City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Unfit Structure: 122 W. 14th Street – Mayor Thompson opened the public hearing for the Unfit Structure at 122 W. 14th Street at 5:01 p.m.  Kent stated, resolution 1617 set this hearing date.  Zach informed the commission that property owner Mr. Ed Banda spoke with him about the direction he would like to take the property.  He would like to push this property out until March, 2024.  Mayor Thompson reminded the commission this is the apartment building on 14th Street that the City has tried several times to contact the owner.  Zach stated, the property has been boarded up.  Commissioner Showalter asked, is there any paperwork to prove an engineer had been to the property advising it is sound?  Zach stated, I have not received any information other than what the owner sent via email.  Mayor Thompson stated, I am glad contact has finally been made and a few things have been done with the property.  Zach stated, in my opinion there needs to be a strict deadline for future improvements.  The property owner was unable to join on zoom so called by telephone to talk with commission.  Mr. Banda stated, I had a gentleman in Goodland hired to take care of the property.  I was not aware of some of the issues at the property.  Once I became aware of the issues, I came to Goodland with a crew to cut the grass and secure the property.  At that time, I also had a structural engineer look at the property.  I am having an architect draw up a plan for the property that will be done in March.  Once the plans are done, I will contact the city to get appropriate permits and begin work in the summer.  Commissioner Showalter asked, can the engineer provide documentation from his inspection?  Mr. Banda stated, I can get that information and forward it to Zach.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, why is it taking so long to get the blueprints and what happens if your grant is not approved?   Commissioner Redlin asked, why did it take so long for you to have interest in the property?  Mr.Banda stated, I have to wait for approval from the federal government and a need for Section 8 housing.  Commissioner Showalter asked, are you aware the City and County had a study done that indicated what the housing needs were in the community.  Mr. Banda stated, I was not until it was brought to my attention.  Commissioner Showalter asked, are you aware the study showed that Goodland did not need any more low-income housing.  We are not trying to stifle any kind of economic development, but as elected officials our concern is the condition of the property, especially with the location next to a park where children play.  It is also on a main thoroughfare through town and we have had concerns from citizens concerning the condition of the property for the last three years.  Now we have to have a public hearing to discuss the property with you who has not shown any progress on property in last three years.  Either way, the commission would like to see some progress on this property.  Mr. Banda replied, I have full intentions of moving forward with this property.  Mayor Thompson thanked Mr. Banda for joining the commission and stated the commission would take into consideration the timeline he presents for this project into future decisions the commission decides to make.   Mayor Thompson closed the public hearing for the Unfit Structure at 122 W. 14th Street at 5:18 p.m. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Craig Loveless: GRMC Update – Craig stated we recently took the budget to the board and to date it has not been approved.  When it is approved, I will report that information back to the commission.  We recently hired an HR Manager who will be working on recruiting employees.  The hospital did have higher numbers in 2023 due to a large receivable from Medicare. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 11/06/23 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2023-22, 2023-22A, and 2023-P22

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

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Sherman County Community Foundation: Playground Shade Grant Award – Ron Schilling President of SCCF, along with Stephanie Kling, Director and members Jessica Cole and Melanie Daise were present.  Stephanie reminded the commission about shares month.  The goal is to raise $70,000 for the endowment fund.  Everything raised will stay in Sherman County and with that there will be matching funds from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Patterson Family Foundation.  When the goal is reached the total with all three could reach $240,000 to be spent in Sherman County. Stephanie presented a check to the Commission for the grant award in the amount of $15,000 for the playground shade structure in Steever Park.

ORDINANCES & RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1768: Amending Chapter 9, Sections 19-501 and 19-502 of the Zoning Regulations – Zach stated, language in Chapter 9 did not match the language in zoning regulations causing difficulties in the Site Plan Review.  This ordinance clarifies and revises the language.  The Planning commission also wanted a 20/30/50 outlet requirement added.  Mayor Thompson stated, I did find in one section the number of RV vehicles allowed was eleven and in another section, it was ten.  Zach stated, it should be ten in both sections.  The Planning Commission has reviewed and recommends approval of ordinance.    ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve Ordinance 1768: Amending Chapter 9, Sections 19-501 and 19-502 of the Zoning Regulations with the amended sentence under Section 9-113 to reflect ten not eleven. seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Resolution 1618: Stop sign Main & 11th Street – Kent stated, at the last meeting the Commission requested a resolution providing for the replacement of stop signs at the 11th and Main Street intersection. The stop signs will be located on the Southwest quadrant and Northeast quadrant.  Kenton had mentioned the bricks are set up as a stop line on the north and south bound and would need to be changed out to a different color.  Dustin also indicated to remove the stop lights it would require removing cross arm and the electric wires.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 1618: Stop sign Main & 11th Street seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Request to purchase playground shade structure – Kent stated, we received a quote from USA Shade in the amount of $27,123.68 for the shade structure to cover the large playground equipment at Steever Park.  This is the same company that supplied the shade at Steever Water Park.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I would like to thank Paige Ely for her work on this project.  Mayor Thompson stated, if you have an idea that you think is worthwhile, sometimes it is worth your time to bring it to the city.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve the purchase of a shade structure for Steever Park from USA Shade in the amount of $27,123.68 using the Grant of $15,000, $10,000 from Special Parks fund and remaining $2,123.68 from CIRF  seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. Request for plan approval to set up nativity scenes in Rosewood Park – Kent stated,John Mosbarger and a citizens group would like to request approval to set up the nativity scenes in Rosewood Park.  John asked for this project in August and met with the Park and Recreation Board, who made some recommendations.  John has contacted many of the residents in the area.  Most of these responses have been positive with a few negative.  John has provided a map of where the scenes would be located and reviewed locations Danny and Kent.  Mayor Thompson stated, John has followed through with requests made which is appreciated.  John stated, there was a change in location on scene one then lights and a timer will be added sometime after Thanksgiving.  Scene seven is currently missing a top, which is in the shop and should be added in the next couple of days.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the plan to set up nativity scenes in Rosewood Park seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. Request to extend utilities to a parcel outside city limits – Kent stated, per code if the commission feels it is in the best interest of the city to extend utilities outside city limits, services may be furnished.  Bryce and Jessica Cole at 621 Eustis have requested utilities for a new residence they are building.  Staff has reviewed extending utilities, city code and annexation or deferred annexation with property owner.  Staff is reviewing variables including sewer, water and additional properties that could be served and development costs.   Mayor Thompson asked, how are other properties in that area outside the city limits receiving utilities?  Kent stated, decisions made at that time allowed some properties on the system.  Mayor Thompson stated, one of the benefits of being inside the city is getting utilities the City provides.  Paying city taxes helps maintain utilities.  If we provide utilities when they are outside city limits who pays for something if there is a problem?  Kent stated, there are additional meter costs for utilities served outside city limits, but minimal.  Utilities are supposed to operate independently but the city offers other benefits.  If you are on our utilities you should be part of the city.  You want them part of the city but you also do not want to do something that does not benefit the City when they are right outside the City.  Mayor Thompson stated, I feel it brings up a larger issue than handling each item individually.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I believe we have the same issue across from the airport.  Commissioner Myers stated, I feel we need to have a policy rather than a case by case basis.  Kent stated, the leverage point for the City is when the property owner requests our utility services; once they have the service there is no benefit to annex.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, what about having property owners come to meeting to answer questions.  Kent stated, I will ask the property owner to make a formal request for services to the City, then discuss issue.   
  2. NRP Renewal 2023 – Kent stated, the current extension for the NRP plan expires December 31, 2023.  The Commission will need to review the plan and advise staff of any changes.  The County Clerk has asked if the City has any changes.  This inter-local agreement has worked well.  Consensus of Commission is to proceed with existing plan for three years.      
  3. Daycare Facility – Mayor Thompson stated, last meeting this was an item for discussion, does anyone have any thoughts.  My personal thought is I am unsure we have any property that would be a good fit for their needs.  If they found a place and needed help setting up utilities, that may be a better fit.  Commissioner Redlin stated, I would be open to seeing what properties they feel fit their needs.  Mayor Thompson stated, on our list of properties available, there were only two options I could see; one next to Topside Manor which had utilities close and the other was property located north of West School.  I believe this property would be best option for what they want.  Commissioner Myers asked, are these properties big enough for their needs.  Mayor Thompson stated, they would be for what they want now, but not take into consideration future growth.  Commissioner Showalter asked, have they had a chance to review the property to know if one would fit their needs.  Consensus of the Commission is to have them look at property list to see if there is one they believe will fit their need. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. Monthly police activity report is in the packet.  3.  I discussed the Lockbox Project with the City Attorney, the legal ramifications of the project needs to be worked through with the County and their attorney.  4. The roof to the standpipe is currently on the ground.  The plan is to paint and replace the roof next week.  5.  NWKTC was looking at using the leased property south of Holiday Inn; however, even though Yellow has filed for bankruptcy, they have not violated the lease.  The City and County Attorneys feel the college needs to contact a representative from Yellow for permission to have an MOU for property.  6.  The interviews for the Community Matters project are complete.  A report summarizing the information will be forthcoming.  7.  Need to schedule a joint meeting between the City and Planning Commission in January. 8.  City loader will be delivered to Colby Wednesday.  There are a few items missing from the loader, which will be added at a later date.  The loader should be delivered to the City November 30th.. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  Thank you to all the departments for what they do.

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  I would like to clarify my thoughts on the Day Care issue.  I  am only interested in gifting land because this is a need in the community and was also a goal for the commission.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

EXECUTIVE SESSION –

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters of non-elected personnel – Mayor Thompson made a motion at 6:30 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel not to exceed ten minutes.   I request only City Commission be present.  Commissioner Redlin seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:40 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2023.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Shauna Johnson, Deputy City Clerk

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