December 17, 2018 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

December 17, 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 Jacque 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, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Christopher Douglas, City Employee stated, we would like to thank Commissioner’s for commitment to be a Commissioner.  I have been employed by City seven years, am currently Power Plant Foreman. I work with many good people at the City.  Many enjoy working for City and continue to work because of the good benefit package.  Your benefit package is what keeps long term employees.  We appreciate Commission doing due diligence on making a decision on the insurance.  We understand you have not made a decision but when you make the decision please consider the employees and what you want to make them pay for the benefit.  Many of the employees live pay check to pay check and cannot afford to pay four times the amount for health care.  We appreciate you being good stewards.  During budget process 15% increase was budgeted for renewal but it showed no increase and you are now researching options.  We ask you to consider the employees when approving the benefit.  Mayor Linin stated, we will take it under advisement in our decision.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 12/03/18 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. 12/11/18 Joint Commission Meeting Minutes
  3. Appropriation Ordinances, 2018-24, 2018-24A, and 2018-P24

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

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Approval of CMB Licenses – Andrew stated, annual action is required to approve cereal malt beverages in City.  Applications are reviewed by Police Chief and Fire Chief and passed inspections. Applications for 2019 are Wal Mart, Travel Shoppe #6, Pizza Hut, Gambino’s, Casey’s, Circle K, Cowboy Corner Xpress, and Goodland 24/7 Travel Store.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Fairbanks to approve 2019 CMB licenses for Wal Mart, Travel Shoppe #6, Pizza Hut, Gambino’s, Casey’s, Circle K, Cowboy Corner Xpress, and Goodland 24/7 Travel Store seconded by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Unfit Structure 418 E. 17th Street – Andrew stated, unfit structure at this property was tabled last meeting as in process of demolition.  The demolition has been complete and recommend removing property from unfit structure process.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to remove property at 418 E. 17th Street from unfit structure process seconded by Commissioner Garcia. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Review of Board Applicants – Andrew stated, the Housing Authority has recommended the reappointment of Mary Yanez to the Housing Authority Board. Shelia Barnett, Housing Authority Director recommends appointment.  We will have an opening on the Cemetery Board as Connie Hatcher is not seeking reappointment.
  2. KORA Ordinance – Andrew stated, the sample ordinance in packet includes recent KORA updates.  Previous policy was outlined by resolution in 2009.  This ordinance follows state law in obtaining and inspecting records.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, what are changes? Andrew stated, I will put together list of changes before next meeting.
  3. Public Transportation Hours – Andrew stated, this discussion has been brought up by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh through interactions from hospital.  As I discussed with him, we have two part time employees so expanding hours will require additional help or us to offer benefits since working more hours.  Discussion has led to expanding hours.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, dialysis patients do not have a choice in time and sometimes run late if things do not work timely. They may not get a ride home from dialysis after 2:30.  It is causing problems with treatments so they asked if we could extend hours even by half or even an hour.  Andrew stated, I indicated problem if extend hours is additional expense of benefits.  I question whether there is opportunity to change hours to begin later.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, how many people use services between 8:00 to 8:30?  Andrew stated, average a dozen per week and typically people going to work.  We spoke to drivers about possibility of changing hours and one would seek other employment.  I do not want that to drive discussion but this is a difficult position to fill.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, is that case even if change by half hour?  Andrew stated, yes it would.  I would not advise extending hours to 4:00, with everything that needs to be done for next day.  It has been pretty routine they clock out later than hours set now.  If you look at changing hours, need to look at what losing on other end.  Mayor Linin stated, there is a lot of demand but operate service at a cost to tax payer’s maybe need to increase fee to open up spots.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, my concern is people riding are those that cannot afford otherwise and I feel it is a service to community and need to keep costs reasonable.  Commissioner Garcia stated, while we remain sensitive to underprivileged, we have to be conscience of those with health concerns also.  If you have them done with dialysis and it is difficult for us to pick them up, we have set hours in which we operate.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, can they get a standing appointment?  Mary stated, yes as long as they are ready for pickup at set time as we have other customers.  We do not cut time off at 2:30 that is time we start monitoring schedule for taking additional pickups.

 

REPORTS

  1. City Managers Report- 1. We are working on end of year and budget review.  Evaluations are being given to employees and department heads.  2. As a reminder offices are closed for the Holidays December 24th and 25th and January 1st.    We completed Santa Schoolhouse and received good feedback.  It was a good way to utilize the schoolhouse.  4. Free dog tag day is January 15th at City Office.  5.  The Fire Department fought their sixth structure fire this weekend.
  2. IT Director – Joshua stated, this is my busy time of year as the best time to do major upgrades and update servers is when others are not on computers.  I am also working with Andrew and Eric Albright and Crissy Livengood from County on specifications for dispatch center renovation.
  3. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  The tree trimming by Public Work’s out past KOA is looking good, makes a difference.  2.  Appreciate support of benefit package, my whole take on this is we just need accurate numbers and a second bid for one of the biggest line items in our  budget.  I just want facts to compare.  I understand we have a good package because employees are not paid comparable to other municipalities, which I have asked Andrew for those numbers.  I want employees to know I understand you get what you pay for and I want Goodland to be paid better because we reap the benefits.  That is how we attract the best people. It is very clear we have people taking care of departments by the way they watch budgets.  They can stretch a dollar pretty far.  The hardest thing is people are promised something and it changes the next year, which is what happened to me.

Commissioner Fairbanks – 1.  I have had employees stop to visit about benefits.  I have tried to assure we will do what is in the employee’s best interest.  I appreciate what staff and Rhonda have done for us in past.  We are just gathering information should we ever change it.  I also appreciate that the employees have worked hard to keep cost down.  You all work hard for the City.  The Commission is behind employees and are not in big hurry to make a change.  I feel it will work out.  2.  Do we know anything on property at 1008 Main, it worries me?  Andrew stated, the owner sold it on eBay.  When new owner found there was a $30,000 lien, he did not file deed and took loss on property.  We have tried to reach out to individual with no success.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, it is a reflection of our community and I am concerned building is deteriorating but they pay enough taxes to keep it off tax sale.  I know City is in bad spot but will have to do something sooner or later.  Andrew stated, we have had difficulty contacting either owner on property.  Commissioner Fairbanks asked, can we visit with Jake to see where we are.  Mayor Linin asked, do you want to get a hold of eBay owner and see if we can reimburse him $8,000 to get property in our name?  Andrew stated, if Commission wants to go that route I will proceed.  Commissioner Garcia stated, we had a structure study done on property.  Andrew stated, yes I have the report and it is a sound structure even though there is damage inside.  I will visit with Alex and try to reach owners to see where property stands.

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  Thanks to the employees, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Appreciate what Chris said, that is correct it is a balancing act.  We shaved $800,000 off budget last year, Chief wanted assistance but we could not find it.  We appreciate all you do, it is a tough decision and we will keep an open mind.

Commissioner Schields – 1.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, thank you to all as I know you work hard.  Appreciate you supporting the benefit package; I believe it is part of your wage and important for discussion.

  1. Mayors Report – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.  I would have liked to be at party but could not make it with family commitment.

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 7, 2019.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

 

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