February 20, 2024

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

February 20, 2024                                                                                                                5:00 P.M.

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

Also present were Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Jake Kling – City Attorney, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager via telephone.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 02/05/24 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 02/12/24 Commission Work Session Minutes
3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-04, 2024-04A and 2024-P04

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Ordinance 1769: Authorize Sunday Sales – Mayor Thompson stated, I have read the ordinance and have concerns with Section 2 outlining hours of sale.  The hours match Kansas Statute, but I feel it is confusing and may not be clear to the public.Commissioner Showalter stated, I would like the hours for all days to be consistant to avoid confusion.  Mayor Thompson stated, Sunday hours are different in statute and we are guided by statute.  I just feel the wording can be clearer for public.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to table Ordinance 1769 authorizing Sunday sales of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverage in the original package within the City of Goodland and amending Chapter III, Beverages of the City Code until the next meeting seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
2. Resolution 1625: Cemetery Caretaker Contract – Mayor Thompson stated, the Cemetery Board recommends the City renew contract with Joni Guyer with a 4% increase for next two years.  I feel she does a good job with minimal citizen concerns.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Resolution 1625: renewal of cemetery maintenance services agreement with Joni Guyer, increasing contract price 4% seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

DISCUSSION

1. Summary report and code recommendations: Community Matters Institute (CMI) – Mayor Thompson stated, we received summary report on code recommendations from CMI.  Kent stated, the recommendations are based on interviews with City Commission, Planning Commission, City Staff and joint meeting.  The summary outlines nine categories with thirty-five recommendations.  Some recommendations staff can address while other recommendations will require work with CMI or a similar business and the City Attorney for proper wording of ordinance. 

Inconsistency of land use regulations is first category with four recommendations listed to address inconsistencies.  The second category is to amend regulations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADU’s).  They have several recommendations for ADU’s to clarify regulations in each zoned district.  The third category is to reduce lot size and amend standards in existing residential zones referencing setback, height, and lot coverage.  The reason for this is stated in recommendation 10 when they changed lot size in 2001.  There are other recommendations regarding setback requirements and standards for all districts.  The fourth category is to create a new zone district and land area for Muli-family housing.   The reasoning for this is that the R-2 zone district is mostly single-family homes.  The next category is to create mixed-use district in C-2 downtown district.  I believe the first couple items staff can complete but remaining items will require CMI to assist to address correctly.  The sixth category is to revise parking standards and they provided four recommendations to provide flexibility.  The next category is to revise design standards for manufactured or modular housing.  The eighth category is to create a small land zone district and public lands or a public zone district which may help develop districts not meeting R-1 or R-2 requirements.  The final category is to add ability to move lot lines administratively as long as no additional lots are created. 

Staff needs direction from the Commission for priority of items to be addressed in the code.  Mayor Thompson stated, this is a pretty significant list.  Some items are pretty simple that fit with other items and keep code consistent.  I feel they organized items in order to make it easier for staff to move through the list.  What scope of work to create new ordinances are within our current contract with CMI?  Kent stated, we have completed work outlined in contract.  She went over hours and donated about 25 hours.  They identified what needed to be done.  We can continue to work at their hourly rate of $140 per hour if needed.  Some of the initial work staff can create and have them provide direction whether it would work or not.  Mayor Thompson stated, I thought we were going to have an in person meeting to go over summary and determine priorities.  Kent stated, we can make it happen if commission would like.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is hard to determine cost for work required outside staff.  Kent stated, I cannot give you an idea on the time it would take and I feel CMI would say the same.  Mayor Thompson stated, my recommendation is to go through list to see what staff feels comfortable completing in house then figure what it will take using outside resources and estimated cost to complete.  Commissioner Myers stated, I agree to evaluate it step by step.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I also felt after our joint meeting the other night we were going to have an in person meeting to proceed.  It appears everything points back to category three with lot sizes and we need to get inconsistencies addressed.  A good strategy would be to address what we can.  She indicated there were other ordinances that needed addressed.  If we stay within scope of current project I am unsure how long it will take.  Kent stated, you are correct, our primary issue is lot size, and then we will have other issues.  Question is how much will it take to accomplish everything?  There are a lot of recommendations that revolve around the lot size and we need feedback from CMI.  Maybe she can attend next meeting and provide direction on topic.  Consensus of the commission is in agreement with Kent.  Mayor Thompson stated, the general idea is clear, but we need to know cost and do not want to drag it out to long. 

REPORTS

1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. January month end financial report is in the packet.  3.  Police monthly activity report is in the packet.  4.  Carol Porter will be submitting a grant application to the Sherman County Community Foundation for AED’s in the amount of $18,000 to $20,000.  5.  Josh stated, since the first of the year I have been the updating networks to accessory building.  The next phase will take place tomorrow morning where they are updating switches for phone system, so internet and phones will be down starting at 8 a.m.  6. You had a request for contractor fees and will have at next meeting.  7.  We will also have water usage information at next meeting to update commission.  8.  Mayor Thompson stated, I appreciate the police updates.  It appears the calls for service continue to go up every year, is there a pattern or reason why calls keep increasing?  Kent stated, all our officers are out of the academy and full functioning officers except one that is heading to academy in March.  Our officers are very active, but I will have Jason give update at next meeting. 
2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1. Absent, no report.

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  Would like to thank Kent for leadership in work session last week.  I feel it was a good way to work through vision of city.  2. Thank you to the Parks Department for working hard to get shade structure up.  I would like to have a ribbon cutting to recognize that the idea came from a citizen. 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Have we purchased any hotels to house immigrants?  Kent stated, we have not and I have been checking with hotels around town regularly if they were sold for this purpose.  Commissioner Redlin stated, I know we had a rumor going around town and wanted information out for public.    

• Mayor Thompson– 1.  No report

EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship –Mayor Thompson made a motion at 5:37 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship not to exceed twenty minutes.   I request the City Commission, City Attorney and City Manager be present.  Commissioner Redlin seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 4-0.  Meeting resumed at 5:57 p.m.  Mayor Thompson made a second motion at 5:58 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship not to exceed ten minutes.   I request the City Commission, City Attorney and City Manager be present.  Commissioner Showalter seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 4-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:08 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Myers.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:09 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for March 4, 2024.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk