February 16, 2016 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

February 16, 2016                                                                                                                        5:00 P.M.

Meeting was called to order by Mayor Brian Linin with Vice-Mayor Annette Fairbanks, Commissioner Gary Farris, Commissioner Gwen Mai and Commissioner John Garcia responding to roll call. 

 

Also present were Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Joni Showalter – Police Chief, Suzanne McClure – Economic Development Director, Alex Weis – Code Enforcement, Brian James – Fire Chief, Mary Volk – City Clerk, Gerry Bieker – City Manager and Jake Kling – City Attorney. 

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 02/01/16 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances , 2016-04, 2016-04A, and 2016-P04

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

ORDINANCES

  1. Ordinance 1689: Amending Number of Firemen – Gerry stated, the proposed ordinance was discussed by Commission at last meeting. The ordinance eliminates the maximum number of firemen in order to structure additional leadership on City Fire.  Brian would like to move officers from Rural Fire to City Fire, then do same with Rural Fire to guarantee officers are available for every call.  Commissioner Garcia asked, are there currently restrictive measures to prevent adding officers?  Gerry stated, current code does not allow additional officers.  This is simplest approach and management will have to control firemen costs.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to approve Ordinance 1689: Amending Number of Firemen seconded by Commissioner Mai.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Unfit Structure: 120 Walnut Avenue – Alex stated, property owner is not present and we have had no contact from owner.  Gerry stated, Commission discussed property with owner at public hearing and we do not see any outside items have been addressed.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to proceed with demolition process on property at 120 Walnut Avenue seconded by Commissioner Garcia.. Commissioner Mai asked, is the City considering doing demolition work or are we bidding out work? Gerry stated, we need to bid work to alleviate load on City Staff.  Our staff could address but it is cleaner if we have competitive bidding.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Unfit Structure: 316 East 2nd Street – Gerry stated, progress has been made on this property and we would like to give property owner another month to continue improvements on property, then have owner come before Commission. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to give property owner at 316 East 2nd Street another month to continue property improvements, then appear before Commission seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Unfit Structure: 515 West 9th Street – Gerry stated, Alex has had conversation with property owner and he plans to tear house down but save the garage.  Ben Bliss property owner stated, I have contacted Brian Rippe and Mike Yarger for demolition bids. I will take lowest bid.  Gerry stated, we recommend giving the property owner another month to complete property demolition.  Mayor Linin stated, we appreciate you coming before the Commission and encourage you to continue keeping communication open.  We are trying to clean up town not to tear down property that owner may want.  Gerry stated, we encourage Ben to complete demolition if he wants to keep the garage because if the City completes demolition, we clear the property.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to give property owner at 515 West 9th Street another month to continue property demolition seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  4. Unfit Structure: 408 West 6th Street – Alex stated, the property owner and I discussed the list of items in your packet that need to be addressed.  Brian and I completed interior inspection on property.  To date, nothing on list has been done.  Summer Sharon property owner stated, our tax refund should be in within fourteen days so we are starting to get people lined up to do exterior work.  Brian stated, you have to make sure you have licensed contractors perform work.  Commissioner Mai asked, is there stuff on list that you can do until you receive your refund?  Summer stated, yes we can.  Commissioner Mai stated, it looks like there are a number of items that can be done to clean up property to make it more presentable.  Mayor Linin stated, it is really important you communicate what you are doing with property to Staff and the Commission. If we do not hear from you we will assume you do not care or if you do not come to meeting we will proceed to next step.  Gerry stated, you need to be aware some items on your list appear to be expensive improvements, so you need to make sure you plan to continue improvements if you put money into the property.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to give property owner at 408 West 6th Street another month to continue improvements on property seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  5. Approval of Bid for 19th Street Improvement Project 91KA-4139-01 – Gerry stated, we received bids that ranged from $1,106,882.24 to $774,127.10. KDOT tentatively approved bid from Sporer Land Development as an adequate bid.  We will continue project once get concurrence from KDOT.  Mayor Linin asked, this is street that is parallel to Highway 24 and runs to Agro Liquid?  Adam Schart EBH Engineer stated, yes, project is from Main Street to Cherry Street.  Gerry stated, the bid from Sporer Land Development is $774,127.10, then design and construction engineering is in amount of $57,500 so total project cost is $831,627.10.  We received a KDOT grant in the amount of $375,000 and Agro Liquid is paying $100,000 leaving City responsible for approximately $356,627 on project, which is below our budget.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve the low bid from Sporer Land Development in the amount of $774,127.10 contingent upon KDOT approval seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  6. Approval of Bid for 45’ Digger Derrick – Gerry stated, this equipment was scheduled to be purchased five years ago. We received one bid from Altec for $165,000 after trade in of the 2004 Altec in the amount of $35,000.  The bid does not include optional items essential for the truck.  Maintenance costs for mechanical issues have been high and money is in MERF for purchase.  Dustin stated, we purchased the current truck in 2004 but it was not put into service until 2005.  With options and trade in, total cost of truck is approximately $194,000.  Truck will take nine months to get into operation and must meet load requirement and di-electric testing.  Mayor Linin asked, since we only received one bid do you feel this is a competitive price for the unit?  Dustin stated, yes, the other company we visited with was going to be about $60,000 higher and Altec is a good brand.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve the bid from Altec for the 45’ Digger Derrick in the amount of $165,000 seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  7. Approval of Kansas Electric Utilities Task Force Strategic Assistance Agreement – Gerry stated, agreement is presented through KMU and allows the City to have mutual aid agreements with rural electrics. The agreement structures how assistance will work.  Before now there have been mutual aid agreements with municipalities but this brings in rural electrics also.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to approve Kansas Electric Utilities Task Force Strategic Assistance Agreement seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  8. Approval of American Public Power Association (APPA) Mutual Aid Agreement – Gerry stated, this is the other piece of previous agreement to tie entities together.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to approve American Public Power Association (APPA) Mutual Aid Agreement seconded by Commissioner Garcia. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

 

CORRESPONDENCE

  1. City Managers Report- 1. Strategic planning meeting is scheduled for February 23rd at 5:00 p.m. in City Commission room.  In meeting with Kansas Department of Commerce, the plan could have real potential community wide.  2. I have been sharing legislative information with the Commission that could have a real impact on City, especially the tax lid concept because of the way it is structured.  This could make a difference when we are cleaning snow and other costs that continue to go up even though your budget cannot.  It will be hard to plan for improvements without cutting your budget.  Everyone needs to take time to evaluate the legislation.  Another issue of concern is that they are not allowing us to use tax money to inform public if there is a tax increase.

 

MAYOR AND COMMISSION REPORTS

  1. Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Farris – 1.  Crews did a good job with snow removal.

Commissioner Mai – 1.  Echo Commissioner Farris comment with snow removal.

Vice-Mayor Fairbanks – 1.  Echo Commissioner Farris comment with snow removal.

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  Echo Commissioner Farris comment with snow removal.

  1. Mayors Report – Echo Commissioner Farris comment with snow removal.  2.  Appreciate work-session discussion for unfit structures; the Commission has to be clear on process and how we proceed.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

  1. Under the authority of KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnel – Vice-Mayor Fairbanks made a motion at 5:43 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A. 75-4319 (b)(1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnel for ten minutes. I request the Commission and Gerry be present.  Commissioner Mai seconded the motion.   MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5 to 0.  Meeting resumed at 5:53 p.m.    

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Vice-Mayor Fairbanks seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                                Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

Contact Us

Important Information

Community Links

Skip to content