March 2, 2020 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

March 2, 2020                                                                                                                        5:00 P.M.

Mayor John Garcia called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor Aaron Thompson and Commissioner J. J. Howard responding to roll call.  Commissioner Jay Dee Brumbaugh and Commissioner Gary Farris were reported absent. 

Also present were Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Sami Windle – Museum Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Andrew Finzen – City Manager. 

Mayor Garcia led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 02/18/20 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2020-05, 2020-05A, and 2020-P05

ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Thompson to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 3-0. 

Commissioner Farris reported to the meeting.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. CMB License Application: Dollar General Store – Andrew stated, application is to approve a CMB license for Dollar General in original and unopened containers.  City Code requires first time applicant to have individual present at meeting.  Michael Lehman is present for Dollar General.  All inspections are complete and recommend approval.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve CMB License for Dollar General seconded by Commissioner Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. Revised Web Hosting Agreement with Sherman County – Andrew stated, the Commission previously approved the agreement but the County Attorney recommended minor language amendments to the contract.  Jake has no problem with the changes.  The County Commission approved the contract with amendments.   ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Thompson to approve the revised Web Hosting Agreement with Sherman County seconded by Commissioner Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Housing Rehabilitation Program – Andrew stated, a priority item from our goal setting workshop was to provide citizens incentives to rehabilitate properties within City limits.  I have provided a draft proposal for the program.  I recommend starting the project with initial funding of $10,000 from Professional Services in Building Inspection.  The purpose is to assist homeowners bring property into compliance with health and safety issues.  I have set a minimum of $1,000 in repairs, with 50% match from homeowner.  Maximum City share per property is $3,000.  I have modeled eligibility requirements for the program after similar programs in other communities.  Mayor Garcia asked, what is classified as low income?  Andrew stated, there are different standards with every program.  If it is our program, we can establish the limits.  I would be in favor of having a box they can check for low income to have that be a qualifier down the road if necessary.  If the program is only low income, I do not think some will apply.  Mayor Garcia stated, I agree with the minimum requirement and the fact that the homeowner has to have an investment in program.  Commissioner Howard stated, I was involved in a similar program in another community where the homeowner had to provide tax returns and live in home for ten years.  Their program was scaled for the amount property owner paid based on income level.  I feel we do not need to include fencing or driveways in program, only the structure.  That program concentrated on heating and air conditioner, then the bath for mold issues, then windows.  Mayor Garcia stated, those items cost more than $1,000.  Mary stated, the previous CDBG grant required property owner to live in house after rehabilitation for period of time or they reimburse money used.  Vice-Mayor Thompson stated, I like the idea of the owner residing in house after improvement and a benefit based on scaled income level.  This is a good start to move forward on.  Commissioner Farris stated, I feel if they have to put money into the project, they will cut down on purchasing their medicine because they cannot afford both.  Andrew stated, we can continue to discuss in future meetings.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  County Commission approved waiver of landfill fees for spring cleanup April 20th through 24th.  2. The attorneys have met to discuss fire merger.  It was a good meeting to get framework for paperwork.  3.  Topside Trail project is moving forward; they are working on strip behind tennis courts to tie into Cherry Street.  We have paid about one-third of the contract to date.  4.  Dakota Roubideaux is at residential inspection certification this week and Brian James is at fire inspection school.  5.  Airport Board met and there is not much savings to delay KDOT Taxiway B project so we will complete project this fall to align with agriculture sprayers.  Mayor Garcia asked, have you found dates to meet with County Commission for joint meeting?  Commissioner Howard stated, it needs to be a night meeting.  Andrew stated, I have not at this point but will do if Commission would like a meeting.  6.  I distributed information where City ended in FY19 on utility and general funds. 
  2. City Clerk – Mary stated, we worked with PIC to hold employee meetings for all benefits and ensure compliance with Affordable Care Act.  Agents for American Fidelity and AFLAC have met with employees and necessary changes are being made.  We are in process of bidding property insurance, assisting Parks and Street and Alley departments with interviews, updating meter reading system, working with Tantalus and normal daily operations.  Trying to begin budget information.   
  3. Museum Director – Sami stated, in 2019 visitors were up to 4,244, donations totaled $5,115.07 and gift shop sales were $463.52.  We currently have Imagination Playground exhibit and are working on a WW II exhibit and the cemetery tour.  Our fundraiser is scheduled for March 28th at the Elks Club.  On February 25th the Museum Alliance met in Washington DC to share facts on Museums.    
  4. IT Director – Joshua stated, normal day to day operations to keep system running.  I have been working on backup and recovery processes to insure they keep working.  I am reviewing security logs and preparing bids for phone and internet services.  Recently I merged the Go Goodland, Goodland Chamber and See Goodland websites into Go Goodland and traffic has increased.  Vice-Mayor Thompson asked, are we working on process to move ahead with a video of meetings?  Joshua stated, the problem with live video is someone is required to be present each meeting to video.  We have done preliminary checks on equipment but it will be a delay video.  If we do live stream, your audience will disappear because people will watch it online.  We also have to consider budget and see where money will come from.  Mayor Garcia asked, have you estimated the cost?   Joshua stated, for equipment used about fifty hours a year for delay video, about $1,500 to $2,000 for startup.  That does not consider services to host videos.  We can host on website but will run into speed issues.  Mayor Garcia asked, if livestream what are costs?  Joshua stated, probably an additional $1,500 but numbers are estimated.  Mayor Garcia stated, so $6,000 to $7,000 would cover costs?  Joshua stated, most likely, yes.  Vice-Mayor Thompson stated, I would like to see live feed as it is better to have more people watching to be informed.  Andrew stated, Joshua and I have been discussing this for a while and our intention is to bring proposal to you, but we have nothing concrete at this time.  Joshua stated, we also have to have policies in place for open records and retention. 
  5. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Thompson – 1.  We talked about a purchasing policy and getting bids, I want this to remain a priority.  2. After going over the contracts, I feel we need to have a special meeting to go over contracts to discuss what we would like to continue or change in future. 

Commissioner Brumbaugh – 1.  Absent, No Report. 

Commissioner Howard – 1.  I had a few residents ask why we used a back hoe to put in water line in at Gun Club instead of trenching.  Rich stated, because project was low priority and completed as we had time and help.  I did not want to leave ditch open for long period of time.  Commissioner Howard asked, it would have taken four hours to trench.  Rich stated, probably but if we did not have help to work on project, the trench would remain open.   Commissioner Howard asked, do we have a trencher to do work?  Dustin stated, Rich asked me to trench it, but our trencher is not wide or deep enough plus there are a lot of underground utilities that would have required backhoe work.   2.  All departments. seem to be doing good which I like to see. 

Commissioner Farris – 1.  What are wages for the van drivers?  Mary stated, low, around $8.25.  I have a note to discuss with Andrew during budget.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. Executive Session – Under the authority of KSA 75-4319(b)(1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnel –   Mayor Garcia made a motion at 5:45 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of  K.S.A.75-4319 (b)(1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnelnot to exceed forty-five minutes.   I request only the Commission be present. Commissioner Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 4-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:30 p.m.  Mayor Garcia made a second motion at 6:31 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b)(1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnelnot to exceed twenty minutes.   I request only the Commission be present. Commissioner Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 4-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:51 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Farris seconded by Vice-Mayor Thompson.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for March 16, 2020.

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               John Garcia, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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