May 1, 2017 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

May 1, 2017                                                                                                                       5:00 P.M.

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

 

Also present were Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Suzanne McClure – Economic Development Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.  Junior Commission present are Emily Whisnant, Natanya Ordonez and Chelsea Phillips.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

PRESENTATIONS

  1. Arbor Day Proclamation – Mayor Linin proclaimed Thursday May 4, 2017 as Arbor Day in the City of Goodland. Arbor Day celebration will be 1:30 p.m. at West Elementary on May 4th.
  2. Strategic Doing: Cora House – Cora stated, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation is offering a program to Sherman County Community Foundation and their twenty-six affiliate counties. The Foundation is hiring Betty Johnson to present Strategic Doing project from Purdue University.  We do not have start date, but Hansen Foundation wants all counties to have program available to community.  The Foundation will pay expenses, we have to provide meeting room and maybe some food.  They want to have big projects moving ahead in Sherman County.  If there is a project we want to see happen, we need to get it on the agenda to see if we can get money.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked do you have an idea of when it will begin?  Cora stated, they have not set a date yet, but want to do multiple counties in area when they get to this side of State.  Commissioner Garcia asked, would Wolak Building work for meeting?  Cora stated, it is an ideal facility for meeting.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, how often will the program meet?  Cora stated, I believe monthly meetings, but will let you know as soon as we know.  Mayor Linin stated, I appreciate you providing information; it is wonderful that the Foundation provides opportunity.  Dale Schields, Sherman County Foundation Board Member stated, on March 23rd I went to Hays where she provided on overview of project.  She indicated strategic planning is talking but strategic doing is a collaboration for more people to get involved for better input.  The Foundation made a commitment to move ahead and some future funding is contingent on completing project.  Suzanne stated, I have been wanting to bring Strategic Doing to Sherman County, I feel this is wonderful opportunity for everyone.  Emily asked, the Junior Commission has been trying to get a Dry Bar for young people, can we get involved with process?   Dale stated, yes we want all ages involved.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 04/17/17 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances, 2017-09, 2017-09A, and 2017-P09

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

 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1703: Authorizing Sale/Issuance of Bonds – Andrew stated, Ordinance 1703 and Resolution 1507 support each other where the ordinance authorizes the bond sale and the resolution provides terms and actions for bonds.  This is the last step in process to approve bonds.  The City received an A+ bond rating from Standard and Poor. The City had seven bidders at bond sale today.  The winning bid was from UMB Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Missouri.  We estimated interest rate 2.79%, bid was 2.07%, which allows to grow project by funding alternates and decreasing annual payments.  Funds will be available May 18, 2017.  I recommend approval of the low bid and supporting documents.  Commissioner Farris asked, what is total interest over ten years?  Andrew stated, just over $317,000, bid tabulation is in packet.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to accept low bid from UMB Bank, N.A., Kansas City, Missouri and approve Ordinance 1703: Authorizing Sale/Issuance of Bonds seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  Mayor Linin stated, I have had people from the community commend the Commission on maintaining our infrastructure, this is one of the most important things we do as Commission.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  2. Resolution 1507: Providing Terms of Bond Sale – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Resolution 1507: Providing Terms of Bond Sale seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

 

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Engineering Contract: Street Project – Andrew stated, this contract is with EBH for Street Project. Cost of services in contract are built into bond project.  Adam Schart, EBH Engineer stated, contract costs are broken out more with bid alternates.  The contract is maximum not to exceed amount to cover unknown items we may experience.  Design is complete for all bid alternates to determine what can be completed based on bids received.  The costs are built into the bond.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve EBH Engineering Contract for Street Project seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

  1. Airport T-Hangar Rent – Andrew stated, Airport Board met last week and discussed current rent for T-Hangers at airport.  The rate is $75 per month.  The City operates in the red by the time we pay property tax and insurance on the hangars; that does not include any maintenance costs. The Board recommended an increase to $125 per month with the understanding there are no additional increases for some time.  They would like to see some longevity in rate recommending.  The Commission needs to decide if this rate is reasonable.  Rate change will take effect when annual leases are renewed.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, we have discussed this a long time, current rate is cheap and we are losing money.  I feel it will not hurt to increase rate to break even.  Mayor Linin stated, I think the breakeven point is about $127.  Some tenants have told me they would pay $150 per month; it has been at $75 for a long time.  We need to set rate where needs to be so do not raise it again soon.  Andrew stated, Darin Neufeld was at meeting and indicated FAA funds hangar grants last, requiring runway maintenance be complete first.  We have discussed traditional funding for hangars, even using Hansen Foundation but none appear attractive at this time.  Rate change is not a means of terminating lease.  Commissioner Garcia stated, if the board wants longevity we need to determine rate we need to invest in hangars so can give some longevity.  Andrew stated, there is a lot of variance in rental rates for hangars in the area, $130 to $150 are more common in area.  Mayor Linin stated, looking at the payout for a new hangar, rate should be about $200.  Our federal funding is based on activity at airport so want to make sure we balance the activity to get adequate funding for grants.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I feel lowest rate should be $135 but can go up to $150.  My storage unit is $75 and is much smaller.  Commissioner Garcia stated, my storage units are $150 and much smaller.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I know $150 doubles the rent but have not changed price for many years.  We can make commitment to leave as long as can, but we cannot guarantee.  Mayor Linin stated, if we set at $125 I feel there should be a percentage increase built in periodically.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I do not feel $150 is unreasonable.  Andrew stated, none of the options are going to make the City rich; the money goes back to funding airport.  Mayor Linin stated, the Commission consensus appears to be $150 so we can take action on item next meeting.  Andrew stated, I will contact board to let them know Commission plans to discuss at next meeting if they would like to attend.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

  1. City Managers Report- 1. Trying to set up goal setting and strategic planning workshop with Commission.  Need to discuss time of day as Jake would like to give an open meeting refresher.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, we need to discuss ideas but I will be gone all next week.  Mayor Linin stated, I will be gone the 9th and 10th.  Looks like there are many openings the next week.  Consensus of Commission is to hold workshop May 16th from 11a.m. until 1:00 p.m.  2. Proud of our Electric Department with power outages this weekend during storm.  Our plant ran for twenty-one hours to keep public from being in the dark.  Our crew went above and beyond for the public.  Mayor Linin stated, we have thirty-five locations in our company, half of them were down.  Oakley just got their office back up today and I heard Colby has been down.  This is a big deal and we pay to maintain plant for this reason.  City does not let citizens know often enough how important it is to maintain our plant.  Rural customers are still out of power in some places.  Dustin stated, we have two employees working in Oberlin through mutual aid program today as they are still out of power with over thirty poles down.  We may send more help and another truck tomorrow.    The pool cover has been purchased, City cost ended up being just over $2,000.  4. Spring cleanup has been delayed one day with the weather and personnel stranded out of town.  We will begin tomorrow.  5.  Run for the Wall will be in town May 20th; we will have a proclamation next meeting.

 

MAYOR AND COMMISSION REPORTS

  1. Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Mai – 1.  Absent, No Report

Commissioner Farris – 1.  No Report

Vice-Mayor Fairbanks – 1.  I would like to thank crews working during the storm.  I would also like to thank Suzanne for the nice signs on the building and at Highway 24/27 intersection.  I understand previous sign will be used at Police Department.

Commissioner Garcia – 1.   I would like to thank crews working during the storm.  2.  I have had positive reports on the street project also, which are good to hear.  Mayor Linin stated, at a Rotary program, Adam encouraged members to visit the businesses on Main Street where maintenance is being done to let them know we appreciate their business.

  1. Mayors Report – I would like to thank crews working during the storm.  Appreciate if message gets passed on to employees.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                                Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

 

Contact Us

Important Information

Community Links

Skip to content