June 1, 2026 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

June 1, 2026                                                                                                              5:00 P.M.

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

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Alex West Vice-President of Goodland Raceway stated, we would like to see if the city has money available to help out at the track.  We have a list of projects with first races June 27th & 28th continuing through Flatlander Fall Festival.  Don Bolt is helping us promote races this year.  Mayor Showalter stated, we will discuss your request during budget to see if there is money available.  It would work better if you have a project to focus on. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 05/18/26 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2026-11, 2026-11A and 2026-P11

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1821: Extended hours for alcohol during World Cup from June 11 to July 19 – Kent stated, State Legislature passed legislation to allow for extended hours for the sale of alcoholic liquor and cereal malt beverages as discussed last meeting.  Geremy Cloyd requested city to consider approving the legislation.  Commissioner Artzer asked, have any other businesses reached out about the ordinance?  Kent stated, none we are aware of at this time.  Mayor Showalter stated, if ordinance is approved, I would ask Chief Erhart to inform us of any issues that arise with ordinance.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Cloyd to approve Ordinance 1821: Extended hours for alcohol during World Cup from June 11th to July 19th seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Chip Rock Bid Award – Kenton stated, this is the annual request to haul rock for chip seal of streets.  This year we are requesting 850 tons of rock.  Bids received were Lance Ihrig for $12 per ton and Frontier Ag for $10 per ton.  Staff recommends the bid from Frontier Ag for $10 per ton for a total amount of $8,500.  Rock will be hauled from Syracuse.  Commissioner Artzer asked, is this the normal amount of rock for project?  Kenton stated, last year they hauled 950 tons at $6 a ton.  Prices for oil and application have increased this year.  Kenton gave a list of streets for sealing project.  We included Caldwell from 8th to 17th because cracks are showing up and our engineer recommended getting the cracks sealed.  This is an emergency route.  Budget is about $190,000 this year, which is about 5,000 square yards less than last year. Sealing of streets is on a 12 to 14-year rotation, which is a long time.  We keep emergency routes in good shape.  Funding for sealing is from fuel tax funds.  I feel we apply a good product to the streets.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Showalter to approve the bid from Frontier Ag for $10 per ton for total amount of $8,500 seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Wayfinding Sign Project: SCCD Request – Matt McKenzie, SCCD Board President stated, we are updating the directional signs to a modern design.  We would like to continue on the project with the sign at entrance of Cattletrail and Highway 27, but we are at the end of our budget.  We could pay for the sign from SCCD monies, but it will discontinue other projects for the rest of the year.  We are asking for $10,000 from both the city and county to finish project.  The county approved their $10,000 last week.  Bert Mosier, Economic Development Director stated, we applied for a grant for this sign but funding was turned down.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, what will sign have on it?  Matt stated, it has community organizations on it, but it is the welcome to Goodland sign.  Commissioner Artzer asked, with your other project’s, have you turned down anyone that has requested to update the sign?  Why are you replacing if it was not in your original budget?  Matt stated, it does not match other signs.  Commissioner Artzer asked, can you use transient gas tax (TGT) money?  Matt stated, yes, we have not paid for the entire project and will use the money.  By adding the sign, total project is $81,000.  Commissioner Artzer asked, how much have you spent of TGT money?  Matt stated, funds are paid to us quarterly.  Last two payments were good because of extra people in town but future projections are lower and do not show we would be able to complete project with TGT funds.  At the end of May we have about $55,000 to $60,000 remaining.  We have $39,000 remaining to pay on signs and other activities budgeted so there is no money in budget for welcome sign.  Mayor Showalter asked, do we have money available to assist them on sign?  Kent stated, yes, we have money in CIRF for signs, we budgeted a 3% increase for SCCD that we did not pay and funds in MERF Christmas lights.  SCCD purchased the new decorations and we have minimal expenses for repair of lights.  Commissioner Artzer stated, the signs look good but we have a budget to follow.  If this was part of the budget you planned, other projects need to understand they are not part of the budget.  I know being part of our budget planning for one year, how tough it is to plan.  To me you guys are on budget and this is not breaking your budget.  This is making room for other things for the budget.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, is our available money able to be spent in other areas?  Kent stated, the two items are for SCCD and the money stays with economic development.  With Christmas lights, we have the money because annual repair of lights is minimal and SCCD purchased our new decorations.  Commissioner Artzer stated, if there is money specifically for SCCD in the budget, then I am fine with giving the money but I am not comfortable reaching into other budgets for the $10,000.  Mary stated, the new decorations were purchased by SCCD.  They asked if the City could help fund the decorations and we only funded $5,000.  The decorations are normally purchased by the city.    Mayor Showalter stated, this is really a municipal project to fund, as opposed to SCCD and the county.  I feel we should support them.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, they are bringing other things into town that are staying and helping out the community.  Mayor Showalter stated, it makes more sense for SCCD to fund the projects they do as opposed to the organizations coming to the City.  Commissioner Artzer asked, so we have the money in our budget and it will not cause other problems?  Kent stated, yes, we do.  We have to make adjustments each year in our budget for a number of things.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Cloyd to approve the payment of $10,000 to SCCD for the welcome sign at the entrance of Cattletrail and Highway 27 seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. Water Conservation: Review of City Code and Drought Monitor –Kent stated, drought monitor is in packet.  Recent rains have not affected the monitor much.  Even on days it rains, we use over 1,000,000 gallons of water.  Our winter average is 300,000 gallons per day.  We are still three to four times our winter usage.  The park sprinklers have been off for two weeks.  Danny stated, that is correct, we have not watered parks for two weeks.  Kent stated, we need to continue encouraging conservation.  Ground Water Management District had hearing on LEMA last week.  They continue to hear comments until June 10th.  Recommendation is to provide regulations on municipal users, as well as farmers.  Mayor Showalter stated, Jenifer Sanderson reached out to assist with water conservation tips.  Kent stated, they are proceeding ahead with individuals on the playas.  Mayor Showalter stated, we continue to ask residents to monitor usage. 
  3. Draft of 2027 Budget Presentation: General Fund Expenditures – Kent stated, we are beginning budget discussion early this year because of the way our meetings fall.  We will discuss some of the general funds; however, we will not have valuations until June 15th.  Our objectives are to secure reserves and sustain operations.  We make investment in our staff, facilities and infrastructure.  City has made capital investments to diversify our revenue base, like what is currently happening with the grain and mill bakery.  1.  In police budget, the department is fully staffed which is tough and a good thing.  There are some increased costs in the budget.  Contractual services are slightly higher for professional services.  Commodities have increased in vehicle maintenance, but it is a small amount for 10 vehicles.  The concern for all budgets is cost for gas, it is a tough number to determine what is enough?  The AXON payment caused the $49,000+ increase in capital outlay for body cameras.  2.  In municipal court the judge has moved to a contractual position and salary for clerk is split in three departments.  We need to keep amount for prisoner care because of the expenses involved.  3.  Animal control has no personnel services.  They are contracted services for the pound and animal control officer.  We have had discussions about the pound and how long we will be able to continue to use facility.  The budget is similar to last year with second payment toward a pound on city property.  Currently it is on private property.  Commissioner Artzer asked, how much do we expect pound to cost.  Jason stated, it is difficult to determine until we know details needed for facility.  Current officer is available all the time but when you hire someone you are limited hours.  4.  Van transportation had 405 riders in May, it is busy.  We have two part time drivers.  The van had transmission replaced this year and paid expense from MERF funds to purchase new van.  In 2025 we had 6,900 riders, in 2026 to date we are at 2,500.    5.  Fire is a combined department and we pay the county our share.  Fire Chief Brian James has summarized department for the commission.  They are asking for 3% increase to fund department.  It is getting difficult to get volunteers and may have to increase the pay per call rate. Bunker gears, SCBA’s (self-contained breathing apparatus), and fire equipment are all increasing in cost at a rate that exceeds inflation. Bunker gear was $2,500 per set 20 years ago. Now, it is about $4,500 per set. Fire board puts $35,000 per year aside for the Goodland district apparatus.  6.  Street and alley is similar to last year’s budget.  Kenton always recommends putting money aside to crush concrete and chip seal to extend use of streets.  The transfers to CIRF and MERF are items that are typically reduced when we need to cut budget.  7.  Airport in the general fund has had quite a bit of maintenance expenditures this year for the building.  We do not set enough aside for maintenance of the administration building and hangars.  We increased the CIRF transfer to assist with maintenance items.  8.  Parks is similar to last year.  We have a lot of parks for the department to cover.  We do not put much money aside in outlay or CIRF for park improvements.   We have liquor tax money in Special Parks that assists with projects, but it is minimal and only covers a portion of one project per year such as the shade project over playground, irrigation system in one park, etc.  9.  Cemetery budget is similar to last year with slight increase for maintenance of buildings.  Cemetery Improvement Fund is outside general fund where revenue for lot sales and burial permits are recorded.  We are transferring $15,000 in CIRF to purchase additional land for the cemetery.  Mayor Showalter asked, when do you anticipate, we will need to buy land?  Kent stated, about 10 years.  Commissioner Artzer asked, will we be able to buy land in same area?  Kent stated, that will be a process we will have to take.  10.  Recreation is very similar budget to last year with increase in amount to redo tennis courts.  We worked with school last time because it is a combined effort.  There is an amount set aside to replace the net over the playground at the ball complex and we will need to replace the roofs on structures at both ball parks.  11.  Waterpark is similar to last year.  It is getting difficult to budget staffing.  We have a quote in the amount of $51,000 to repair and coat the slides.  New slides are $200,000 to $300,000 so we need to make sure the slides last.  The pool is an amenity that costs money and runs in the red.  We cannot raise fees to cover cost of slides.  Overall, we are not expecting to increase staff and contracts will be covered. We need to strengthen revenues long term or we will have to cut services. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. Joint City/County/School Board meeting is Monday 5:00 p.m. on June 8th.  Location is most likely the City Building.   3.  League of Kansas Municipalities is hosting a city forum in Oakley June 3rd.   4.  Harold Mayes from Agler Gaeddert will present audit report next meeting.
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  Cemetery looked good for Memorial Day.  The rain helped the grass.

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  We have been to the pool a few times, it is busy.  It is a much-needed amenity for community.

Commissioner Cloyd – 1.  Echo Vice-Mayor Howard’s comment for the cemetery.  Thank you to everyone involved in Memorial Day and dedication service to unknown Veterans.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Absent, No Report 

Mayor Showalter– 1.  No Report 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship – Mayor Showalter made a motion at 6:30 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body which would be deemed privileged in the attorney-client relationship for a period of ten minutes. I ask the City Manager and Attorney be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 4-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:40 p.m.
  2. Action from Executive Session – Mayor Showalter stated, Commission would like to direct staff to present Commission a month-to-month lease agreement with Eagle Med, including language in the lease that they cannot be an absentee renter.  An airplane must be housed in hangar.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Howard seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:42 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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