April 2, 2018 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

April 2, 2018                                                                                                                    5:00 P.M.

Mayor Brian Linin called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor Jay Dee Brumbaugh, Commissioner Annette Fairbanks, Commissioner John Garcia, and Commissioner Schields responding to roll call.

 

Also present were Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Suzanne McClure – Economic Development Director, Sami Philbrick – Museum Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.  Also present from the Junior Commission are Chelsea Phillips, Emily Whisnant, and Natonya Ordonez.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Chelsea stated, the Junior Commission completed our second seatbelt survey two weeks ago. Our initial survey showed 62% of the teachers and students wore seatbelts.  The recent survey surpassed our goal of 70%, at 82% compliance.  We will be hosting a traffic safety fair May 2, We are hosting Think Fast Interactive at the school Thursday April 5th and were invited to attend SAFE conference in Topeka May 7-9.   At the safety fair, surrounding schools are attending to integrate the program in their school.

 

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Proclamation – Mayor Linin proclaimed the week of April 8 – 14 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Goodland and commend the men and women whose diligence and professionalism help keep our city and citizens safe.  Crissy Livengood, Communications Director recognized Dispatchers Darci Weis and Barbara Disney, presenting years of service certificates.  Crissy stated, this year celebrates 50 years of 911 in country.
  2. Award Presentation – KRWA Public Works Superintendent of the Year: Rich Simon – Andrew stated, I would like to congratulate Rich for receiving the Public Works Superintendent of the Year Award at KRWA meeting last week.  Rich stated, thank you for the nomination; I assure the award represents City of Goodland employees.
  3. Goodland Regional Medical Center (GRMC) Update: Chris Smolik – Chris presented GRMC financial information to the Commission. Chris stated, we are getting clients and employees from Colby at the hospital.  People are excited about the culture change we are demonstrating and the improvement in our customer service.  We have obtained engineering evaluations to renovate our infrastructure, the estimate so far is $7,000,000 and have not evaluated everything.  Preliminary numbers to rebuild hospital are estimated at $21,000,000,000.  We are trying to incorporate a wellness center but the big question is money.  The location for a new facility is a question, I would like to see the facility out by interstate then repurpose existing building with minimum dollars.  We have a lot of projects going and continue to work on culture to make positive changes.  Commissioner Garcia stated, it is obvious positive changes at hospital are a testament to your leadership and team.  Chris stated, I am blessed to be here, there is a lot of demand for change at hospital.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, if we remain at current location we will need changes with street for ease of access or infrastructure added to build new facility out by Interstate.  Chris stated, I understand all the infrastructure is out by interstate except internet services.  There may have to be drainage changes made at interstate location.  If we remain at current location, may have to ask City to abandon street to expand campus.  With current specialist and new ones coming in, we have to shuffle location of services in existing facility.  Atwood and Oakley are Centura facilities and we are working together to provide services.  Ray Stewart, from GRMC stated, we would like to see street extended to Highway 27 from hospital.  Commissioner Garcia stated, this has been a discussion of commission for some time but have run into problems.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, what location are you considering by interstate?  Chris stated, it is off Exit 19.  With neighboring Centura facilities, I would like to build the Goodland facility up to be hub for neighboring hospitals.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 03/19/18 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. 03/27/18 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
  3. Appropriation Ordinances, 2018-07, 2018-07A, and 2018-P07

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

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Bid Award: 2018 Contract Mowing – Andrew stated, the City held bid opening for mowing nuisance properties and we received three bids: Joni Guyer and Lyle Kimminau both bid $30 per hour while Nancy Gilmer bid $22 per hour. I recommend low bid from Nancy Gilmer.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve the bid from Nancy Gilmer for mowing nuisance properties in the amount of $22 per hour seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Review of Board Applicants – Andrew stated, we received three applications for the Museum Board. Mary Porterfield and Marty Melia are requesting reappointment and Heather Evert is seeking appointment to replace Jim Precht on the board.  Sami recommends approval of all three applications.
  2. Ordinance 1712: Regulating False Alarm Systems – Andrew stated, Joni and I have been working on this ordinance. Joni stated, last year the City had one hundred alarm calls, 100% were false alarms.  We have looked into ways to mitigate and address situation.  If we continue responding to businesses with false alarms, it is not taken serious and owner does not want to maintain the alarm.  This ordinance addresses both business and residential properties with alarms.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, do we require permit now?  Andrew stated no.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, do citizens let City know they have an alarm?  Andrew stated, not always, we just respond to the call.  Mayor Linin asked, what does a false alarm call cost us?  Joni stated, it depends who and how many respond to get it cleared.  This ordinance is not to make money but to keep our staff safe.  This ordinance will allow us to have a breakdown of their alarm system.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, if we respond to a false alarm, something else could be happening at same time.  Commissioner Garcia asked, how severe does a violator have to be to end up with $500 penalty and imprisonment?  Joni stated, on some calls we have home or business owners that will not even respond to call.  The calls require a lot of man power to address; we want to be able to educate the public.  Andrew stated, we asked other communities what happens when calls get to upper steps in ordinance.  They responded it does not get that far.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, I assume this process will be explained to them.  Joni stated, yes just like with the MUV’s, I will give them a copy of the ordinance and explain it to them.  Mayor Linin stated, looks like the ordinance is going the right direction, but we need to make sure we take care of the problem.  Joni stated, cost and fee schedules allowed are controlled by Statute.  Andrew stated, our intent is not imprisonment but to go down the fee schedule.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, at some point the property owner has to show some responsibility.
  3. Ordinance 1713: Parking Between Curb Line and Principal Structure – Andrew stated, this ordinance has not been reviewed by legal yet.  Ordinance addresses parking on front lawn between curb line and principal structure.  Mayor Linin asked, the ordinance limits what a driveway is, does it have to abut a building?  Andrew stated, our code restricts width of driveway and ordinance states a driveway must be finished concrete or asphalt.  Commissioner Garcia stated, if this ordinance is similar to Junction City’s, they do not have restriction of parking on grass but parking in front of house.  They allow them parking outside boundaries of the house.  Some properties in town have a driveway which extends to dirt.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, this is going to be difficult to do and need to ensure that the driveway is legit.  Are brick pavers allowed, not sure how much we want to address with this ordinance. There are properties with vehicles parked behind fence in back yard.  Some places have restriction to number of vehicles a property can have, but not sure where we want to go with this, maybe limit amount of driveway allowed on property.  Andrew stated, curb line of front yard is primary focus, corner lots will be more difficult, but cannot park other than in designated driveway.  Citations will be issued by police department and heard through Municipal Court.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, that makes sense to me, it is like a parking ticket and they are the ones driving around.  Education is the key to all of this.  Ray Stewart asked, what are you going to do with people who cannot afford to pave a driveway?  Mayor Linin stated, if vehicle is operable and legal they can park on the street.  Commissioner Garcia stated, Ray has a point, parking in the street does not improve aesthetics.  Mayor Linin stated, we have to have latitude in ordinance to enforce.  Rich stated, I would like to require the two to three foot piece for curb cut to ensure they do not destroy flow line.  Mayor Linin stated, our intent is structures with junk sitting around their house.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, can we get ahead of this by educating community with some of commission goals from work session.  The more we can educate people, the easier it will be going forward.  Andrew asked, are you asking me to reach out and get the top goals from the work session out to the public.  Consensus of the Commission is to start educating the public with the commission goals from the work session.   Mayor Linin stated, this is an opportunity to sit down with Kevin from the paper and put information in newsletter.  Andrew stated, I am going to add information to ordinance that will expand types of material to use in driveways, if there are any other changes commission requests, let me know.  Mayor Linin stated, I would like discretion on number of vehicles.

REPORTS

  1. City Managers Report- 1. There are no Department Head reports this week.  2. Cleanup week is April 9th – 13th.    The Police Department and Weather Service are having an open house on April 14th.  There are a lot of cool events planned from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  2. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Fairbanks – 1.  Do we have an update on the status of the houses NWT is constructing?  They have set stagnant for a while and I would like to know status before citizens approach us with concerns.  Suzanne stated, Randy Hrabe is frustrated with the time it has taken to complete houses.  They continue working on them.  They hope to have the inside of first one finished by end of year.  Mayor Linin stated, I agree with Commissioner Fairbanks for our own credibility.  We need to meet with all parties to finish projects.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, I just want to have information to tell citizens when they ask.  Andrew stated, I spoke with Ben today, they are planning to complete first house this spring, but may be next fall.  I will have him report at next meeting.  Suzanne stated, Randy is getting to point he may need to hire contractor to finish in order to sell houses and start recouping costs.

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  Congratulations to Rich on award.  2.  Excited with what hospital is doing.  3.  There is a pot hole on corner of 5th and Walnut that needs filled.

Commissioner Schields – 1.  I see kiosk at Van Gogh is gone and picnic table is placed at welcome center. 2.  Congratulations to Rich on award.

  1. Mayors Report – I had a request we not paint the stripe down Main Street with the new brick street projects.  Rich stated, I agree, it was done for Alumni Reunion and Flatlanders, it should not be there.

Ray Stewart stated, I have shown new hospital employees around the community, the feedback is always how nice City is.  Kudos to Commission and employee’s.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:35 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for April 16, 2018.

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

 

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