October 6, 2025 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

October 6, 2025                                                                                                                    5:00 P.M.

Mayor Jason Showalter called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Ann Myers, Commissioner Sarah Artzer and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call. 

Also present were Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Tina Wolak, Sherman County Community Foundation – Tina Wolak, Executive Director stated, we want to inform city what the Foundation is doing for matchday on December 2nd.  The Foundation is celebrating 25th anniversary soon and this is 10th anniversary for matchday.  Dane Hansen foundation has established sustainability for us.  This year we are requiring everyone that wants to have a matchday donation to have a fund with foundation to create sustainability.  That is how Dane Hansen started his foundation.  I feel it would be beneficial for the city to have a fund for the cemetery, pool, tree, topside trail or parks.  The trail committee is active and it would be good to have a fund because people donate to the trail.  By having a fund people can donate money, grain, retirement funds, etc.  To establish an endowed fund there is a $10,000 minimum requirement.  This year the Hansen Foundation and Sherman County Foundation will each contribute $2,000 and city will have four years to contribute remaining $6,000 to the fund.  I feel it would be supported.  Mayor Showalter asked, are there any city entities that have funds set up?  Tina stated, the Main Street Beautification has one through the city and the Museum is going to set one up this year.  It is your fund and you decide how money is spent.  Let Kent know if you are interested, it does not have to be this year.

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 09/15/25 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2025-19, 2025-19A and 2025-P19

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

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Letty White, Options: Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation – Letty introduced herself along with Board Member Crystal form Colby office.  Letty stated, Options helps victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other related incidences.  We rely on the community to get our word out as we are not allowed to approach the public.  We are asking the city to declare October as Domestic Violence Month in hopes to eliminate Domestic Violence in Kansas.  Mayor Showalter stated, it is a pleasure to partner with you, especially with recent issue in Hays.  Mayor Showalter proclaimed October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the City of Goodland.
  2. Public Power Week Proclamation – Mayor Showalter proclaimed October 5th through October 11th as Public Power Week in the City of Goodland.  Mayor Showalter stated, Goodland is blessed to have the crew we have to keep power on in Goodland.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Follow up on Resolution 2025-20: Unfit Structure at 404 Harrison – Zach stated, Debra Bennet has continued to communicate with me but it is the same story.  The Housing Authority had a place for them, but they did not have the funds to move in.  The husband is no longer in the home and last week Adult Protective Services told her she needs to find a new place as well.  We reached our 60-day timeframe for the property Friday.  This leaves the next step as an invitation for bid.  We are aware the home owner plans to demolish the structure, but we need to keep the process moving ahead.  This would also require me to post notice that they are no longer able to be on property.  Mayor Showalter stated, I do not like this option but I support moving ahead on property.  It has been an ongoing issue the community and neighbors have been dealing with.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we do not like to be put in this position, but we need to proceed.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to proceed with the nuisance structure process for 404 Harrison seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Merchant McIntyre: Presentation on Federal Funding Action Plan – Merchant McIntyre (MM) representatives Julia Angelotti, V.P. Legislative Strategy and Thomas Corddry, Government Relations Associate joined the meeting virtually.  Julia stated, thank you for the opportunity to join your team and explained MM and how the federal funding relations team works in DC.  The city entered into a 90-day agreement based on certain deliverables.  We did a comprehensive needs assessment of the city through discussions with Kent, Chief Erhart, City Engineer and other staff.  We did a resource inventory to take stock in priorities of city funding and find availability of funding and determine how it aligns with federal spending.  The federal funding strategy identified notable strengths of the city with a strong approach to priorities.  The city has experienced staff with a good understanding of community needs through success with previous federal grants.  There is a strong relationship with Fort Hays State/NW Tech, whom we currently work with.  MM can provide growth opportunities for the city by expanding federal partnerships.  We look at ways to review a project regionally to maximize our partnership with the city.  The city will have increased grant writing capacity because we find and write grants then submit the application.  We understand what the federal agency would like in the grant for the city.  Priority funding areas are those that are immediate grant targets for us to accomplish.  Thomas stated, the first priority is Economic Development Administration (EDA) Disaster Supplemental Grant Program, for the project identified as the Industrial Mill and Bakery project.  There is a range in the grant award; we are looking at an award from $2M to $7M.  The second priority is FY27 Congressionally Directed Spending (Earmarks) process for capital expenditures through Senator Moran’s office.  There is no cap on these projects, but we recommend $3.5M target for the city.  For this we are working with Kent, Mary and Andrew for the additional entrance to Industrial Park.  The third priority is DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) which will follow a two-phase approach.  The first is a planning and demonstration grant, followed by the implementation grant.  Release of this funding is spring so we plan to apply for a planning grant, followed by a second application for implementation of the project.  Julia stated, the grants grid is a comprehensive look at all federal grants where the city has eligibility and could be competitive.  We narrowed scope to the three priorities outlined by Thomas.  Some grants are annual or as often as every two to four years.  In the first 90-day period, we have spent considerable time presenting an impact and engagement summary to determine projects EDA wants to fund.  The Industrial Park project fits EDA needs.  EDA wants to leverage significant private investment in the project which will be a huge benefit for a competitive application.  We will continue to work with Mark Werthmann, Regional Coordinator for Kansas to create application.  Mark advocates projects for his region.  In a similar way, we will work with Senator Moran on EDA.  He is chair of sub-committee and is very interested in the work force in western Kansas.  Your ability to be awarded federal grants align with our work in developing award worthy applications through a partnership.  We have done bi-weekly coordination meetings with staff to remain connected, update application status and strategize the next step for proposals.  Kent and I discussed the opportunity for a contract extension of a year.  In our discussion, we decided to narrow our scope to a six-month contract extension and reduce retainer to $5,000 per month.  We would finalize the EDA application within this time frame and work on congressional spending project with Senator Moran, with the hopes to get information submitted.  Mayor Showalter asked, what is timeline for EDA?  Julia stated, it does not have a deadline, but is on a rolling basis.  I feel it will be sooner than the six months.  Other economic development representatives in the country have started advocating projects in their regions.  There is a bucket of money and once money is gone the program is closed.  I feel it will be before the end of year.  Mayor Showalter asked, is there something else we can do to be at the top of the list?  Julia stated, come to Washington to advocate your project and/or invite the Senator or his staff to your project location.  You can also leverage support of local and regional elected representatives.  Mayor Showalter asked, if we decide to proceed with 6-month extension, will it cover SS4A?  Julia stated it will cover EDA and Earmarks.  Thomas stated, spring of 2025 was the last deadline for SS4A so 6-month extension will not be enough time to complete SS4A application.  Mayor Showalter stated, we appreciate your work and the discussion.  Kent stated, they have provided a lot of information and discussed options to focus on for next six months.  Staff will need direction and we can take formal action at next meeting.  Did they provide information commission requested?  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, yes, they have done a lot of work.  Commissioner Artzer stated, they have provided information I need but I am concerned how we will pay for this if we do not get awarded any grants.  Kent stated, we are paying out of electric reserve now and would do the same for the extension.  This is a more focused approach and we will find out more when project starts construction.  The process to apply for funding takes a long time, it is not just receiving the grant award.   Mayor Showalter stated, the conservative approach is smart with the two bigger requests.  If we focus on SS4A, it will take focus away from the big project.  I feel we have a good chance for an award with Senator Moran and would like to see extension of agreement for six months.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I would like the 6-month extension.    Kent stated, in reference to SS4A grant, we need to plan and determine how we want to get people to our only grocery store.  It is not as much of a priority as the other two projects.      
  2. Review Proposed RV Park Text Amendment – Add as Conditional Use in Residential Zoning District before sending to Planning Commission –Kent stated, staff included current code on RV Parks and put together the start of an amended ordinance.  It does not include all the language; however, it does the definitions that need to be identified.  High-lighted areas will need to be discussed.  It is a more appropriate to discussion at the Planning Commission.  We will have to make a number of changes in code if RVs are added as a conditional use in residential zones.  Mayor Showalter asked, is the sunset clause provided in the information?  Kent stated, no, it will need to be added.  This is just a starting point and it will need to be added.  Mayor Showalter stated, this is a good starting point, do you need direction from commission?  Kent asked, do you want to send information to planning commission to begin working through?  When they have a working model, we will have a public hearing then report back to city commission.  At that time, commission can decide to approve as presented, or send back to planning commission.  Commissioner Artzer stated, time line appears to be 60-90 days, will people still be looking for places?  Kent stated, that is unknown.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I do not want to go through process if we do not need it.  Mayor Showalter stated, last meeting they indicated projects will take 1-2 years.  Kent stated, we had a discussion with one of the park owners and encouraged him to express his concerns at the planning commission where the work is done.  He does have concerns about the ordinance in what is required to be functional and how it affects neighbors.  With testimony received last time he asked if it would go to planning commission.  I informed him they will have the lengthy discussion to evaluate information.  Mayor Showalter stated, it appears consensus of commission is to see what planning commission decides, but that we need to do something.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I feel it is important to proceed the correct way. 
  3. 8th Street Project: Bond Financing Schedules – Kent stated, this is for the bond financing of 8th Street Project.  A couple months ago commission adopted a Charter Ordinance to exempt debt for this project from the city’s debt limit.  We need to determine amount of financing for bond, based on engineer estimate for project.  Sales tax collections began and will total about $1M by end of 2025.  This information provides financing examples for $6.12M or $6.625M.  With the money we collected on sales tax to date and the water line improvement completed through the water fund, project costs will be slightly reduced.  Staff is looking for direction of amount to put forward by bond counsel.  We will not know total cost until we open project bids next spring/summer.  We are trying to save interest costs and from having to issue temporary notes prior to final financing.  Original estimate for project provided three alternates.  One alternate was to connect to Highway 27, one is improvement from Caldwell to Cherry Street, and unsure of last alternate at this time.  There is a process if costs exceed financing to get additional financing.  We feel safer with the $6.625M issue then if bids come in less as we can use excess to pay off bond.  Consensus of commission is to proceed with $6.625M issue.
  4. Report on implementation of Ordinance 1802: Temporary Community Event Permit at Flatlanders – Kent stated, all reports are the event went well.  Jason stated, it went very well, there were no issues at the event.  I feel we made something legal that was already happening at the festival.  Commissioner Redlin asked, did we get feedback from permit holder?  Jason stated, all went well.  Commissioner Artzer asked, do we see issues with multiple applicants next year?  Jason stated, he indicated he would bow out if someone else wants to try it because one vendor for the event is sufficient.  It would be difficult to patrol multiple permit holders.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo, September month end fund balance and Municipal Court 3rd Quarter Report are in the packet.  2. The MIH grant application and tax credit information have been completed and submitted by deadline on Friday.  3.  Recently completed the pickle ball courts.  Park staff, with help from other staff, prepared the area for the vendor.  Staff also installed the basketball goals last week.  The two old goals are being donated to north school for the children.  4.  Fog seal project was completed right before Flatlanders.  School coordinated their parking lot with our project. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Received an email request for classes on electric scooters and bikes.  Kent stated, we have a bicycle rodeo every year for the public.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I know it continues to be an issue.  Jason stated, we have the bicycle rodeo every year where I can include scooters.  Problem is attendance was higher in the past.  I promote the event on Facebook as much as I can.  Commissioner Artzer asked, so we need to advocate for the event.  Jason stated, it is held every summer on college property.  We can make it bigger and get more donations to see if get better attendance.  Kent stated, might be more we can do with the messaging.  For events like this, many times people attending are the ones that already comply with rules.  Jason stated, it is more education of the parents, than the children.  We need everyone’s help to get the information out.  There are some strong parents who immediately addressed some recent problems we faced.  We have some pretty good donations but have not had the attendance.  With the mock accident scene, we talked to JR/SR High students on rules for scooters.   I will contact the school principals to see if we can discuss information with students.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I want to prevent someone from getting hit.  Jason stated, we want to keep kids safe, yet not take away their fun.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Myers.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:25 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2025. 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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