January 5, 2026 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

January 5, 2026                                                                                                                    5:00 P.M.

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

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, 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.

Incoming Commission present was Angie Cloyd.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 12/15/25 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2026-01, 2026-01A, 2026-P01 and 2026-P01A

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

COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TRANSITION & OATHS

  1. Recognition of Outgoing City Commission – Kent recognized Commissioner Myers and thanked her for her service on the Commission, presenting a walking stick and hat as she sets off on happy trails.  Mayor Showalter thanked Commissioner Myers for her four years of service.  Commissioner Myers received a round of applause.
  2. Oath of Office and Installation of New Elected City Commissioner – Mary administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Showalter, Commissioner Redlin and Commissioner Cloyd as new elected City Commissioners.  Mayor Showalter welcomed Commissioner Cloyd.
  3. Election of Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to appoint Commissioner Showalter as Mayor for 1 year term seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.      
  4. Oath of Office: Mayor – Mary administered Mayor Showalter the Oath of Office.
  5. Election of Vice-Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to appoint Commissioner Howard as Vice-Mayor for 1 year term seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  6. Oath of Office: Vice-Mayor – Mary administered Vice-Mayor Howard the Oath of Office.

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Introducing Corporal Conde – Jason and Assistant Chief Tim Wright introduced Corporal Conde to the Commission.  Jason stated, Corporal Conde has successfully met requirements of Corporal.  Jason read a letter written to Corporal Conde, congratulating him on the promotion.  Corporal Conde was pinned with the Corporal badge and pin.  Mayor Showalter thanked him for his continued service to the community.
  2. Kyle Railroad Presentation: Rail Upgrade Project – Ross Lane, AVP Genesee and Wyoming Railroad presented information on the railroad history and information on short line railroad which is classification for Kyle Railroad.  Much of the rail infrastructure we operate on is over 100 years old.  Thomas Novitske, General Manager Kyle Railroad stated, the Kyle Railroad is 500 miles of rail from Limon, CO to Scandia, KS.  The routes are not highly profitable for revenue but important for the community.  Kyle Railroad began in 1980 with the deregulation of railroad.  Prior to that, it was Rock Island Railroad.  We are still operating on rail from 1919 and would like to update as much as can for a safe railroad.  We can only afford to do so much a year, which is reason we are here.  Goodland is our western terminal and we are a big supporter of the Scoular plant west of town.  We are looking for continued support in future.  Ross stated, States, Cities and Counties are in favor of keeping short line railroads operating.  Without rail, there is only truck transportation for commodities and without competition, costs for trucking will escalate.  Our project will see new rail, ties and surface to increase speed, safety and upgrade crossing services, with end result of a more competitive reliable service.  Project is estimated at $100 Million and will be split in two phases.  Our plan is to obtain two different grants with Kyle Railroad matching 50%  at each level.  The first is Federal Discretionary Transportation Grant and the second is the BUILD grant through the US Department of Transportation.  Phase one replaces a lot of rail and phase two replaces ties and crossing work.  Each phase is about $48 Million.  This is an economic tool customers rely on.  We hope to be competitive for grants.  The BUILD grant is extremely competitive, most of time awarded to multi-mobile projects, but it also funds rail projects.  Kyle Railroad cannot apply for grant as it requires a public entity partner to apply for grant.  We are asking city to consider serving as the public entity on behalf of Kyle Railroad.  We hired an engineering firm to apply for the grant so the City’s role is only to submit application in system.  Then we enter a flow down agreement with city if awarded grant.  This relieves the city of any financial responsibility.  You are strictly a pass-through agent for the railroad.  We have successfully worked with other agencies in the other communities.  They have seen the value of the project and know the economic impact for the community.  Application deadline is February 24th.  We will apply for first grant to get project started.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, how much time do you predict project will take?  Ross stated, from submitting application to award is nine months, then from agreement until construction is complete is another two years.  Phase two will double time line.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, what speeds are you talking for the rail?  Tom stated, up to 25 mph with commodities we handle.  We will operate at 25 mph because of our classification.  Mayor Showalter asked, if you receive grant, city is pass through.  What is time commitment for our staff?  Ross stated, we hire an engineering firm to do legal work, inspections and paperwork required so our goal is one hour a month to simply pass paperwork through system.  Mayor Showalter stated, I am in support of project, please work with Kent to work out details and bring information back to commission to approve.  Ross stated, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me.  Mayor Showalter stated, we appreciate the partnership.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1813: Amend Chapter 4, Section 202 to include penalty for commencing work without a permit – Zach stated, this amendment adds language to current code.  The penalties were discussed last year and have been reviewed by the Contractors Board of Trades and Appeals who recommend approval.  This allows us to double cost of permit if work is done before a permit is obtained to ensure proper inspections are completed.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve Ordinance 1813: Amend Chapter 4, Section 202 to include penalty for commencing work without a permit seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Welcome Center Lease – Kent stated, the previous contract extension expired December 31, 2025.  This request is to confirm the annual renewal with SCCD under the same terms.  Staff is requesting no changes to the agreement.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve extension to the Welcome Center Lease  seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. USD 352: Transfer of Property – Kent stated, Bill Biermann would like to be here to discuss transfer of 321 Broadway to the school.  We will reschedule discussion until next meeting. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. 4th Quarter and yearly building permit information is in the packet.  3.  Zach stated, I would like to update commission on different properties.  1319 Cherry demolition is almost complete.  Owners of 621 W. 17th Street are working with me.  I feel we should allow them to continue working on property for another 60 days.  On the trailer in Lot D5, we had tenant accessing the property, so landowner is taking legal action to proceed.    4.  Chief Erhart is submitting a grant application to the Dane Hansen Foundation for a drone.  Jason stated, a drone could have been utilized numerous times in recent past.  The drone will withstand 45 mph wind speeds and have a spotlight.  The cost is estimated at $60,000 and will work with AXON equipment recently purchased.  Mayor Showalter asked, is grant 100% funding?  Jason stated, I feel I will need to go numerous places to get full funding but I am starting with the Foundation.  I spoke to SCCF but equipment is too expensive to cover 100% of cost.  It will be used in multiple ways.  Kent stated, if we have an application requiring commission approval we will present at meeting.   5.  All inspections for CMB licenses are complete.  6.  Veteran Connection Tour is January 20, 2026 in Oakley, flyer is in packet.
  2. City Attorney: Open Meetings Act Information – Mayor Showalter stated, Commissioner Artzer is absent and I feel this information needs to be presented to the entire commission.  I recommend rescheduling presentation until next meeting.
  3. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  I would like to thank Commissioner Myers for her service.  Welcome Commissioner Cloyd to the commission.

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Absent, No Report.

Commissioner Cloyd – 1.  No Report.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2028. 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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