October 20, 2025 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

October 20, 2025                                                                                                                  5:00 P.M.

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

Also present were 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, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Unfit Structure Public Hearing: 621 W. 17th Street – Mayor Showalter opened the public hearing for the unfit structure at 621 W. 17th at 5:01 p.m.  Zach stated, the property has had a few small repairs to roof.  No permit was pulled, so no inspection completed.  I do not believe it is necessary to repair roof because the floor for that section of building is not good.  Mayor Showalter asked, has property owner kept in touch with you on progress?  Zach stated, she wants to use property as storage building.  Bertha Agular, property owner stated, the property is mine.  The back portion of house has gone downhill but I want to restore it to keep building.  It is an old building in the addition where they built railroad houses.  The structure is in good condition.  I already have purchased materials and recruited help.  In reference to permits, it is my property so I should not need permit.  Mayor Showalter asked, have you had conversation with Zach regarding expectations to bring up to code?  Bertha stated, he gave me a small booklet, but I do not see the purpose if I use it for storage only.  I keep my taxes paid and it is my property.  I am unsure why I cannot improve it.  Mayor Showalter stated, is there a portion of ordinance that you disagree with?  Bertha stated, if I use it as storage, I do not need lights, water and gas.  If I want to make improvement’s I should be able to.  Zach stated, as far as bringing house up to code, you have to be able to bring it up to code for half the value of the structure.  Mayor Showalter asked, if she uses it as storage, does she need to make improvements?  Zach stated, she still needs to follow code, same as a dwelling; however, if used as storage she does not need utilities.  Bertha asked, can I bring it up to code for a dwelling?  Zach stated, you can but it will take a lot of money.  Bertha stated, that is my prerogative.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, Zach is trying to say you need to make property nice, not a dilapidated structure.  Zach stated, all structural improvements require a permit, regardless who owns the property.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, a roof is not upkeep.  I have to have a permit on my properties.  Zach stated, I have received calls from insurance agents asking if a permit was issued for roof repair.  If a permit is not, they will not insure the roof.  Commissioner Myers asked, what timeframe do you need?  Bertha stated, I have been working about 80 hours a week but it should slow down with weather cooling down.  Mayor Showalter stated, if you are using property for storage, you need to make improvements to make it nice.  If there are structural improvements, you will need a permit.   Mayor Showalter closed the public hearing for the unfit structure at 621 W. 17th at 5:09 p.m. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 10/06/25 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2025-20, 2025-20A and 2025-P20

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 2025-27: Unfit Structure 621 W. 17th Street – Commissioner Artzer asked, since her materials are purchased and help is acquired, can we get a deadline from owner.  If the outside gets repaired and using for storage not certain we need to declare structure as unfit.  Mayor Showalter stated, in the past we went ahead and declared structure as unfit to start timeline for nuisance process on structure.  Do you have a timeline you expect for repairs?  Bertha stated, I put time into the property every week but it depends on weather.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we do not want process to drag out but get improvements done timely.  Bertha stated, I would like to have it winterized.  Kent asked, when was first action on this property?  Was there a previous action on property with previous owner?  Zach stated, not on this property.  Mayor Showalter asked, when did we start with this property?  Zach stated, I sent a letter last fall regarding the shed.  Bertha stated, the shed is coming down but from conversation with Zach, I understood I need to work on house.  Zach stated, the shed is an accessory structure that needs to be cleaned up as well as the house.  Bertha stated, I need to winterize house.  Zach stated, I believe resolution states sixty days but if you make improvements, the commission can lengthen time line.  Mayor Showalter stated, you want to have home winterized, that will be within next sixty days.  We need to move ahead to keep property on timeline.  Nothing personal, we just need to start legal process.  Commissioner Artzer stated, we are asking for you to take steps, not complete all improvements in sixty days. We will review what has been done in sixty days.  Bertha stated, there will be steps completed in sixty days.  Jake stated, it is worth noting that you are the property owner and responsible to know codes that apply to your property, just like any other property owner.  If cost to improve property is more than 50% of the value for your property, it is not feasible per code to complete improvements.  If we allow this to move forward using steps, I would propose we go back to other structures where we allowed specific tasks be completed using a time line.  That gives the property owner a safety net to complete improvement and a safety valve that the property owner will not be allowed to make improvements over 50% of the value of the house.  Mayor Showalter stated, I propose moving forward with resolution and allow the property owner to sit down with Zach for a timeline on improvements.  Commissioner Artzer stated, the resolution presented states forty-five days.  I would like to change that to sixty days.  Zach stated, I can bring a schedule back to next commission next meeting.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve Resolution 2025-27: Unfit Structure 621 W. 17th Street,amending forty-five days to sixty days seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  2. Resolution 2025-28: Authorizing Certain Improvements to 8th Street in the City of Goodland, Kansas; and Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the City to Pay Such Costs – Clayton Kelley, Financial Representative from Piper Sandler stated, the resolutions presented move the process with your project.  Resolution 2025-28 authorizes 8th Street Project for the city.  Resolution 2025-29 allows us to proceed with financing and interest rate information on the project.  Bond sale is November 17th to allow for closing and availability of funds by December 11th.  Interest rate in proposed information is 4.5%, but market rate is currently 4%, so it will be better than information presented. Commissioner Artzer asked, when do we anticipate project start date?  Kent stated, we have to get engineering contract to complete design for project to bid in spring.  Andrew stated, this project is a long strip of street so our hope is to have a portion bid out and work started by fall 2026.  Our hope is to complete work on project in phases.  Final details will be presented to commission.  My plan is to bring contract to city in December to begin project design work. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Resolution 2025-28: Authorizing Certain Improvements to 8th Street in the City of Goodland, Kansas; and Authorizing the Issuance of General Obligation Bonds of the City to Pay Such Costs seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  3. Resolution 2025-29: Authorizing the Offering for Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025 – ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Resolution 2025-29: Authorizing the Offering for Sale of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2025 seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  4. Ordinance 1802: Adopting and Amending Chapter 1, Article XI – Open Records Policy – Mary stated, ordinance amends Chapter 1 Article XI of the City Code for Open Records Policy as recommended by the League of Kansas Municipalities.  The basic changes to the law were that charges for open records have to be “actual” costs not a base charge, present itemized statements of costs and interactive communication requirement with the requestor if charges exceed five hours or $200.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Artzer to approve Ordinance 1802: Adopting and Amending Chapter 1, Article XI – Open Records Policy seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  5. Resolution 2025-25: Appoint Freedom of Information Officer – Mary stated, this resolution remains the same as previously approved by the Commission outlined in City Code.  The League of Kansas Municipalities recommends approval by resolution not ordinance.    ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve Resolution 2025-25: Appoint Freedom of Information Officer seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  6. Resolution 2025-26: Record Retention Policy – Mary stated, Statutes do not outline a clear retention schedule for municipal records.  The League of Kansas Municipalities recommends following policies approved by other Municipalities.  This resolution follows policy previously approved by the City of Greensburg, which staff has used as a guide.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Myers to approve Resolution 2025-26: Record Retention Policy seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Limited-Service Agreement with Merchant McIntyre – Kent stated, Merchant McIntyre discussed this agreement last meeting.  They reduced monthly cost to $5,000 per month to complete items identified in agreement.  The first project is working through the economic development grant process for grain mill and commercial bakery project.  The second is supporting submission of congressional spending request for same project.  Commissioner Artzer asked, was BASE grant from Merchant McIntyre?  Kent stated, no that was work already completed in Industrial Park.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve the Limited-Service Agreement with Merchant McIntyre seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. County Request on Property Adjacent to Topside Manor – Kent stated, the county has a particular need upcoming and is requesting a piece of property directly to the west of Topside Manor.  The land is a slice of property from fence line to where their property starts, all the way up to 2nd Street.  City has the parcel included in the Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID).  The developer has submitted application for Moderate Income Housing (MIH) and Kansas Housing Incentive Tax Credit (KHITC) grants for the two lots north of manor to begin housing development, if the grants are received.  Those lots, as well as parcel for the waste ponds for water treatment plant, are included in the RHID.  The manor needs the property for a storage building for equipment and materials.  Topside Manor is looking at the south half of their property to duplicate another building to extend services if needed.  The initial request from the County was the entire slice of property down to the sewer manhole, but there is a sewer main in between the water treatment plant and the waste ponds, so do not recommend we include that section.  We are uncertain of the timing for property and their current needs.  Staff recommends a joint meeting for clarification of property needed.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, if it ever develops out there where would we tie in sewer?  Andrew stated, the sewer across from Topside Manor is too shallow so they would have to tie in on 2nd Street, which is a little deeper.  If there is more development, may have to go west to the main out by highway.  Kent stated, there is not a definitive answer for the parcel on the sewer yet.  Andrew stated, when Topside Manor was developed, they tied to the sewer in front of their property.  If there is further development west, we need to evaluate the property for depth to tie in sewer.  Mayor Showalter asked, if we give county the property, what are our top concerns?  I always want to work with county but we have to maintain our interest and cannot make a decision that will hurt city down the road. Jake stated, one concern is if the county decides they want more than just a storage building.  Kent stated, we have access to the ponds from the water treatment plant but access between the waste ponds further down could be a concern.  Without the rest of the property being developed, I am unsure what utility or other future concerns may come about with property.  We do not have many concerns directly west of where manor exists now.  Mayor Showalter asked, I would think if we were looking at expansion, we would want to start to the west rather than worry about what is on that sliver of land between the waste ponds and their property.  We can have a joint meeting to discuss their request to ensure we can work with them yet maintain our interests.  Kent stated, one thing on the south of their property that cannot be seen from aerial is the drainage pond on their property.  Mayor Showalter stated, we need to have the aerial available for the joint meeting.  Commissioner Artzer asked, does the County own Topside Manor?  Kent stated, yes, they do.  Mayor Showalter stated, get available dates from them and bring back to commission please. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo and police monthly activity report for September are in the packet.  2. Transportation van grant application has been submitted. 3.  The electrical department at the college is moving forward with lighting on Topside Trail.  Danny stated, they are working on it daily.  Completing the section from Arcade to swim pool by winter, then will move inside park next semester when ground thaws.  4.  Kenton stated, main intersection in Industrial Park is getting destroyed with traffic.  We completed some of it but we still have a chunk to replace.  I would like to complete this project with funds set aside in CIRF for remaining Cherry Street improvement.  If I wait to finish this intersection it will be two years.  If a new drive is added to park, will need to complete that intersection at that time.  Kent stated, the remaining improvement for Cherry Street is from railroad to 19th Street.  Kenton stated, Cherry Street from 19th Street to Highway 24 was deteriorating fast but this section is not deteriorating as fast.  If we seal it next year it should last a couple more years.  We are trying to work with current traffic in park for the intersection.  5.  Zach stated, the commission previously deemed 1319 Cherry Avenue unfit.  We were dealing with property owner who is now deceased.  They were going to donate property to landbank but did not complete paperwork.  I would like to request bids for demolition on property.  On the property at 520 W 16th Street, the foundation has shims and the wall is pulling away on east side, falling under the house.  The porch is not connected to ground and windows are not installed properly, along with many other items.  They want to remodel but it goes back to the 50% value rule.  We will have it on agenda for next meeting.    6. Informing commission the GAC is submitting a grant application to redo dugouts and install permanent fence for main softball field at complex.   I included the letter of support I signed on behalf of the city for the application. 7.  The Cemetery Board and Daughters of American Revolution received a grant award to reestablish unknown veterans’ section at cemetery.  8.  The city passed pre-application status on the grant for generator at Armory Building for backup 911 sight.  We are working with consultant hired by state to start process to submit actual grant application for generator.  Application deadline is middle of November. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  Have safe Halloween and watch for children.

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  I attended the last SCCD meeting and recommend anyone interested to attend.  The next meeting is November 12th at 1:30 at old school administration building on Main Street.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Howard seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for November 3, 2025. 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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