March 6, 2017 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

March 6, 2017                                                                                                                    5:00 P.M.

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

 

Also present were Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Brian James – Fire Chief, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

PRESENTATIONS

  1. Sherman County Community Foundation – Adam Dees stated, officers present for the Foundation are President Cora House, Vice President Dale Schields and Treasurer Megan Thomas. Adam provided a list of projects the foundation assisted with in 2015 and 2016.  We hosted match day November 2016 where we planned to match $10,000 to local 501C-3 organizations.  In addition, Dane G. Hansen Foundation would match every dollar given to the Foundation, up to $50,000.  With the communities assistance we received $61,343.90 and were able to match $48,888 to local organizations.  Dane Hansen matched all $48,888 and the Foundation paid out $97,776 to community organizations.  This doubled the money in the Foundation.  We are not sure we can match this amount of money next year so we may ask for sponsorships.  Match day money went to twenty-five 501 C-3 organizations in Sherman County; the Foundation was the middleman as money was paid to the organizations.  Mayor Linin stated, what we are able to accomplish as a community is impressive.  Adam stated, we are making plans for match day again in 2017.  Commission thanked the Foundation for the report and work in the community.

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 02/21/17 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances, 2017-05, 2017-05A, and 2017-P05

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

 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 1494: Designating Depositories – Andrew stated, this resolution is routine housekeeping for the City.  The resolution designates depositories for the City and I recommend approval. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to approve Resolution 1494: Designating Depositories seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Ordinance 1702: Designating Streets – Andrew stated, ordinance is required for the street project. One of two statutes allow financing street improvements.  This statute designates certain streets as main trafficways and trafficway connections.  Ordinance does not approve the project or financing but states which streets are main trafficways for improvements.  The City previously approved an ordinance designating some trafficways.  This ordinance designates additional streets as main trafficways and trafficway connections.   ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Ordinance 1702: Designating Streets seconded by Commissioner Mai.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Resolution 1495: Authorizing Improvement of Trafficways – Andrew stated, resolution authorizes improvements of trafficways and the payment of such costs. The streets authorized for project are outlined in resolution.  This includes Eustis as discussed as a bid alternate and 25th Street that Commissioner Mai suggested we add as a bid alternate. I feel we can add both as bid alternates and the Commission can decide on final project when bids come in.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I am comfortable as these are priority streets discussed by Commission.  Mayor Linin asked, is 25th Street one we just maintain, part of it is gravel?  Andrew stated, that is my understanding; I looked at it and it is in bad shape.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Resolution 1495: Authorizing Improvement of Trafficways seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  4. Resolution 1496: Authorizing Additional Street Improvements – Andrew stated, resolution authorizes improvement for two additional streets that do not qualify as main trafficways or connectors. Statute will allow the street improvements, subject to a protest period before after resolution is approved.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to approve Resolution 1496: Authorizing Additional Street Improvements seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. EagleMed Membership – Andrew stated, item discussed at previous meeting and Commission asked to bring item back to this meeting.  I polled current employees, seventeen employees are paying for plan out of own pocket.  A few employees are getting plan because spouse’s employer is paying for plan.  If we offer payroll deduction, EagleMed will keep price at Census rate of $55 as opposed to $65 public rate.  If approved as a benefit the cost will be split by department.  Mayor Linin stated, it is a good program for anyone to have and cheap insurance policy when you need service.  Commissioner Mai stated, I feel it is a good option to allow as payroll deduction and revisit benefit option when we review budget.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to offer EagleMed Membership as a payroll deduction seconded by Commissioner Garcia. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Building Code – Andrew stated, staff would like to begin discussion to updated codes with The City is working with outdated building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical codes, some being over twenty years old.   Updating these to current code will take a lot of time, discussion and money.  Brian stated, the oldest code is mechanical, which is 1994 edition.  All codes are periodically updated nationally, except electrical which is updated annually.  The newest building code is 2015.  There are many changes, one being a residential building code.  Current code does not allow us to build structures to current national standards.  Many municipalities will get a board together to review code and make recommendation to update codes to the Commission.  On the board, I would recommend individuals of all traits, even someone without any building traits to have different opinions.  Most architects do not design to 2015 codes because they are working through issues with code so design to 2009 and 2012 codes.  Mayor Linin asked, do we have a board in place or will this be a new board?  Andrew stated, we would invite anyone willing to help with project; main thing is we want those that have time to work project.  This would be a subcommittee of other boards.  We need to know if Commission would like us to undertake project, it will take some time.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I feel we need to update; we have to start somewhere and cannot continue to ignore issue.  We need to put a board together to begin project.  Brian stated, there are parts of the code we may not want to adopt, but it needs reviewed.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I am open to project but I do not want to put constraints on future development in community.  Andrew stated, any changes to code would be presented to Commission for approval.  We will bring committee back to Commission before we move forward with project.  Mayor Linin stated, when we discussed three mile zoning we had citizens at meeting because they did not want to have to comply with City codes.  I feel we should have someone look at updates that come out every year to determine whether we should adopt the update.  Commissioner Mai stated, the challenge will be finding individuals to sit on board and review the code.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

  1. City Managers Report- 1. I attended School Board meeting.  NRP hearing is setup for March 14 at 8:00 a.m. in City Commission room.  James Foster from Kansas Department of Commerce will be present, as well as City, County and School.  If no objection, I am going to schedule City Commission to meet at 7:45 a.m. so Junior Commission can present their idea as a group.  2. City has been recognized as tree city community for the 38th  3.  The Commission discussed scheduling a goal-setting workshop; I will try to get it scheduled for late March or early April.  4. Senator Billinger and Representative Smith gave a legislative update on their tour last week.  5.  We are starting to look at seasonal hires.  6.  Chief Showalter introduced new officers Frankie Hayes and John Windle to Commission.

 

MAYOR AND COMMISSION REPORTS

  1. Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Mai – 1.  After joint meeting, I wondered if anyone considered the Armory for Dispatch.  Andrew stated, I have not had that discussion.  Mayor Linin stated, I previously had discussion with Gerry Bieker when they were looking at Armory for a Law Enforcement Center.  They felt it was too big of an expense to move the Bastille and Dispatch equipment.  When we put tower up, we believed that it would house their equipment long term.  I think what sparked the discussion was everyone has moved out of the basement.  We also talked about housing them in the Wolak Building.  Commissioner Mai stated, I feel the expansion downstairs was simply to get them by but it will come down to whether the cost is affordable.

Commissioner Farris – 1.  No Report

Vice-Mayor Fairbanks – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  I have had the request to see if we can add one more block of curb and gutter north on Cherry Street to street project.    2.  I have had a lot of citizen’s contact me regarding property valuation notices received in the mail.  I told them to contact County Appraiser, but we need to find a fix.  3. I previously talked to Adam about the Foundation supporting a proposal for welcome signs at Exit 17 and 19.  He said to submit a request and we would probably get the money.  Andrew can you talk to Suzanne about submitting the proposal.

  1. Mayors Report – No Report

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:05 p.m.

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                                Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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