December 4, 2016 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

December 4, 2017                                                                                                                        5:00 P.M.

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

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

PRESENTATIONS

730. Arts Center: Abby Killingsworth – Abby stated, the Art Center received a $23,000 grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to renovate our gallery space. We have had some interior water damage resulting from the last hail storm.  In addition to the grant, the Art Center has pledged $2,000 and the City $2,730.  We are currently in the bid process with plans for work to begin first week in January, 2018.

Commissioner Gary Farris reported to meeting.

 

1. GRMC Update: Chris Smolik – I have been at the hospital sixty days.  As of October month end, we almost ended at a breakeven but ahead of last year.  The hospital is falling apart and within the next two months we will be spending in excess of $300,000 to bring hospital in compliance with Federal Standards.  An Emergency Preparedness drill is being planned for December and we would like to include City and County on drill.  By end of October 2018 we will be ahead of everyone in area in technology.  We continue to pursue the avenue of a new hospital but it is a long process.  The hospital has a lot of young talent that will continue into future.  A lot of good things happening with a lot of hard work.  Andrew stated, Chris and I have been discussing a number of items that need to be addressed, one being what the grey hound is doing to the hospital.  Chris stated, the big issue with the bus is safety and security of our employees and law enforcement.  Greyhound has been asked not to stop in Burlington and Colby but Goodland has not asked them to discontinue stopping in Goodland.  It is becoming a liability issue to our hospital.  The thought process with our medical staff is to get a coalition with City and County to talk to McDonald’s and Greyhound so that Goodland is no longer a bus stop. My fear is the hospital will end up in an incredible law suit at some point.  Goodland is not a licensed bus station to handle the bus and stopping in a parking lot is not in our community’s best interest.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, has the situation with the bus gotten worse for law enforcement?  Joni stated, it has not but our dealings with the bus are different than for the hospital; they have mental health concerns.  Chris stated, we are bound by regulatory issues where law enforcement is unable to help us due to liability.  There needs to be a concerted effort to better manage situation.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, has there been discussion with Scott Angelos from McDonald’s and Greyhound?  Andrew stated, not to date, that is reason issue has not been brought to Commission.  Chris stated, we need to get a more joint effort for resolution.  I would like to thank the City for their support, especially from law enforcement.  Andrew stated, we will plan to bring information back to Commission at a later date.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 11/20/17 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2017-23, 2017-23A, and 2017-P23

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 1513: Amending Section K-2 of the Personnel Manual; Open and Concealed Weapons – Andrew stated, our personnel manual does not align with state statute.  We cannot regulate open carry unless we have security at every entrance, so we need to allow employees ability to conceal carry on public property.  An important distinction is that conceal carry is not within scope of employment so an employee takes on own liability with conceal carry.  The policy states a handgun must be in immediate control of employee or put in safe and secure place that only the employee can access but it is not the responsibility of the City to supply.  Workman’s Compensation does not cover an injury as a result of conceal carry.  Commissioner Garcia stated, it is cost prohibitive to put security posts at all entrances so this is logical way to proceed.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve Resolution 1513: Amending Section K-2 of the Personnel Manual; Open and Concealed Weapons seconded by Commissioner Farris. MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
2. Resolution 1514: Mutual Aid Compensation Policy – Andrew stated, this outlines how compensation is paid by requesting entity for employee as a result of being called on mutual aid.  I recommend approval of resolution. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to approve Resolution 1514: Mutual Aid Compensation Policy seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

1. Airport Board: Three Vacancies – Andrew stated, the Commission previously reviewed four applications for three board vacancies. We received a fifth application from Donald Wade, Hospital CFO.  Current board member’s Jon Yost and Dustin Stephenson provided their recommendation to the Commission.  Commissioner Mai stated, we have five great applications and this is a good problem to have.  I want to thank everyone for applying.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to appoint Jonathon Collett, Ben Schears and John Topliff to the Airport Board seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I have been contacted by some citizens that are concerned with the appointment of Jonathon due to his interest at the airport and restaurant.  Mayor Linin stated, I feel we have five good applications.  There is no quorum on the board but we have the recommendation from current members.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-1 with Commissioner Farris casting the dissenting vote. 
2. Airport Board: Ex-Officio Member – Andrew stated, this is not a decision required today, just asking Commission for consideration.  My opinion is we need to appoint a Commissioner that will be continuing through next term.  Mayor Linin asked, does anyone have interest in serving in this capacity on board? Andrew stated, the board’s next meeting is January.  EBH is finishing Master Plan and plans are to be done in January.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to table appointment of Ex-Officio Member to Airport Board until January, 2018 seconded by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
3. Tree Board: Todd Trzcinski – Andrew stated, we received an application from Todd to serve on Tree Board.  With appointment, one vacancy remains on board. I recommend approval of appointment.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Mai to appoint Todd Trzcinski to Tree Board seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

4. NWTC Scholarship Program – Andrew stated, as Commission requested, Ben Schears and I discussed money in the budget for the college. Ben stated, the direction and vision of the college is for two types of scholarships, expendable or endowed.  An expendable scholarship is similar to cash in, cash out during current school year.  An endowment scholarship is used to shape college and plan beyond one year.  We want to plan for the future.  When an endowment contribution totals $10,000 it is endowed and moderately invested to offer scholarships up to 4.5% to 5 % of interest earned.  Anything above amount goes back in to grow corpus.  This will allow us to have the scholarship in perpetuity and grow scholarship dollars.  We pride our college on keeping our students out of debt or focus on limiting debt to allow the students to graduate and earn a good salary.  We want to keep the students rooted in NW Kansas.  We have 97% placement in all our programs.  This year we experienced 10% growth by focusing on schools within our seventeen county region.  In January we are starting an entrepreneurial program to help with business planning.  Keeping the financial burden off the student allows them to start up a business easier.  Commissioner Mai stated, I appreciate keeping them rooted and your entrepreneurial program.  I was considering incentives to start a business in Goodland by applying some of the money toward student loans.  Ben stated, we feel the only way to allow them to start up a business is to keep their debt low.  I would ask the City to consider incentives to start up their business.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I like the concept of the endowment scholarship.  How would you pick the number of scholarships to award?  Ben stated, we meet with entity providing funding to set up guidelines and select number of scholarships to award.  Over time, the endowment will give more scholarship money than a cash in, cash out scholarship.  Our endowment board focuses on allocating endowment funds based on needs for the college from general academic restricted scholarships to facility improvements and emergency funding.  Andrew stated, in discussing the process going forward, the City and College would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding outlining guidelines if funds are approved.  Ben stated, we want to get the entity involved in the selection process.  Commissioner Garcia stated, over the years we have given a lot of money to college and I like getting the City involved in process.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, if we are giving money to college and Ben is telling us the endowment scholarship works best for the students, I am in favor of supporting the scholarships.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve a $10,000 contribution to the NWTC Endowment Scholarship Fund, giving Andrew the authority to work with Ben to outline guidelines of program seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
5. Contract Award: Cemetery Caretaker Services – Andrew stated, current caretaker services expire February 28, 2018.  For 2018 we budgeted with potential of hiring an employee if bid process did not work.  Bids received for Caretaker Services are as follows: Joni Guyer in amount of $41,500; 2. Patrick Fitzgibbons in amount of $53,500; 3. J. J. Howard in amount of $90,000.  Changes in contract were made to allow two year contract with the option to renew an additional two years; contract price be locked in for two years then negotiate new price for additional two years; a termination clause in agreement to allow a ninety day termination clause if the City is not pleased with services provided.  The Cemetery Board met and did not want price to be only factor in selecting contract.  They interviewed all bidders and recommend Patrick Fitzgibbons.  Dick Hayden, Cemetery Board Chairman stated, we discussed all three bids after applicants were interviewed to recommend Fitzgibbons.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I did not talk to applicants and appreciate all the board has done.  I am concerned that there is a significant difference between bids for Fitzgibbons and Guyer.  Over two years that is almost $24,000.  In the budget we allocated money to hire full time employee for the City.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, why did you choose Fitzgibbons bid over Guyer?  Dick stated, Fitzgibbons indicated that he would quit his full time job and focus on cemetery, we are not aware this would be the case with Guyer.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I feel Joni has done this type of work and should be given opportunity to provide services, if she cannot complete job she will need to let us know.  I cannot vote in favor of a higher bid with this difference.  Joni stated, I have worked on family farm and have equipment needed for cemetery.  I have a passion for the cemetery, spend time out there with family plots and decorating other graves.  This will be my full time job.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, is there a difference in expertise with chemicals and grass between Guyer and Fitzgibbons?  Joni stated, I spray for the farm and do some chemical application for properties in town.  When I had flower shop I dealt with chemicals.  I have the equipment and deal with chemicals daily.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I believe you would not have put in application if you did not have time and support to take care for cemetery.  Joni stated, the cemetery is a very passionate area for me and you will not have to babysit me with cemetery care.  Dick stated, the caretaker is invited to our board meetings to discuss cemetery items.  Commissioner Mai stated, I do not want to dismiss the board recommendation.  Commissioner Farris stated, both applicants are capable; we took bids and need to accept low bid.  If we are not going to take low bid we should not have requested bids.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, if the low bid is qualified and has manpower and equipment for services, we need to accept bid.  Dick stated, the board will be fine either way.  We have a plan to get grass reestablished.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to accept the bid from Joni Guyer in the amount of $41,500 for Cemetery Caretaker Services seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
6. Renewal of CMP Licenses – CMB renewals for 2018 are as follows: Consumption on the premises: Pizza Hut and Seven C’s LLC d/b/a Gambino’s and In original and unopened containers not for Consumption on the premises: Travel Shoppe #6, Circle K Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Casey’s, Cowboy Corner Express.  All applications have been approved by the Police and Fire Chief.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve 2018 CMB applications for Consumption on the premises: Pizza Hut and Seven C’s LLC d/b/a Gambino’s and In original and unopened containers not for Consumption on the premises: Travel Shoppe #6, Circle K Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Casey’s, Cowboy Corner Express seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

REPORTS

1. City Manager – 1. The Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on November 29^th had the most participants ever for the event.  I would like to thank Suzanne and Network Kansas for their work on making the event a huge success.  2.  Reminder our next meeting on December 18^th will be a joint meeting with Sherman County and School Board.  Right now we have NRP and Dispatch Center as agenda items. If there are matters you would like on that agenda to discuss, please let me know.  The meeting will be at the Wolak Building at 5:00 p.m. with the City Commission meeting following joint meeting.  3.  City Hall will be closed December 25, 26 and January 1 for Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.    We had an individual contact Economic Development to open a business in Industrial Park.  The Commission needs to keep in mind there are lots for sale but there is no utility or road infrastructure which makes it difficult to market the lots to prospective businesses.  We do what we can to offer them another available building in town.  Commissioner Garcia stated, we have offered incentives in past if businesses make an impact on the community.
2. Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Mai – 1.  Thank you for the street work on east side of town.

Commissioner Farris – 1.  No Report

Vice-Mayor Fairbanks – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  Thanks for the candid conversation on tough issues.

1. Mayors Report – No Report

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk