January 2, 2018 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

January 2, 2018                                                                                                                           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 Rich Simon – Director of Public Works, Joni Showalter-Police Chief, Mary Volk – City Clerk, and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 12/18/17 Joint Commission Meeting Minutes
2. Appropriation Ordinances, 2018-01, 2018-01A, and 2018-P01

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

 

BOARD AND COMMISSION APPOINTMENTS

1. Tree Board: Randy Gavin – Andrew stated, Randy has agreed to serve three-year term on board. I misspoke last meeting as he will be the fifth member of a six member board so there remains one open position on board.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Garcia to approve the appointment of Randy Gavin to the Tree Board seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

1. NWKTC Scholarship MOU – Andrew stated, changes in memorandum are in the selection process.  It states that ten applications will be provided to City for review.  I am not certain the Commission was set on number of members on the selection committee, so I indicated the committee would consist of two City employees and one City Commissioner. It does not include a member from college.  MOU does not require recipient be a resident or graduate from Sherman County.  I recommend approval pending changes.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I think memorandum looks good and having three on selection process is good number to make recommendations to Commission.  Commissioner Garcia asked, do you think we need a representative from college?  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I do not feel it is necessary as I understand no name is submitted with application, so college will only be able to tell us about applicant.  Andrew stated, with incoming students the college does not have a lot of information about the applicant.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks asked, is it better to have an odd number?  Mayor Linin stated, I am mixed on it as the college representative could lead discussion.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I thought the Commission determines how process is structured.  Commissioner Garcia stated, Mayor Linin has a good idea that would promote team work with college.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I do not have an issue with it, just do not feel it is necessary.  Mayor Linin stated, regarding scholarship applicant being from Goodland, I thought interest was bringing people to town.  Commissioner Garcia stated, we would certainly want the dollars given to a local individual.  This is first stab at process we can revise later as needed.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I feel the scholarship is a welcome for someone that is not local.  Andrew asked, does commission want to amend number on the review committee?   Commissioner Garcia stated, contact Ben to make a recommendation.  Commissioner Mai asked, who is eliminating applications to ten?  Andrew stated, the college will do that.  Commissioner Mai stated, then they reviewed applications from their end and are sending recommendations to the City.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, for our first attempt the MOU looks good.   ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Fairbanks to approve the NWKTC Scholarship MOU seconded by Commissioner Mai.  Commissioner Garcia stated, I really feel we need a representative from the college on selection committee because they are important to our economic base.  If we are going to open up relationships we need to have someone from college.  Mayor Linin stated, I see what Vice-Mayor Fairbanks is saying, but it is a difficult process to eliminate applications so I would like to have someone from the college for input on what is best for them.  We can always amend MOU later.  I feel ten applications are a lot and would like to see that number decreased.  Commissioner Garcia stated, in the spirit of working together, I do not want to give college the idea we are diversified in putting someone from college on board.  Commissioner Mai stated, I do not see it as a matter that we do not want them, but a matter of simplicity to implement plan.  Commissioner Garcia stated, do you have one good reason not to have college representative on board.  Commissioner Mai stated, they are already involved in process; it does not mean we do not want them to be involved.  They did their part in process and the City is putting money up for scholarship.  If we add a fourth person I feel we need a fifth person for tie breakers.  Andrew stated, the City can structure process how we want.  Commissioner Farris stated, they are more informed in what is going on at college.  Vice-Mayor Fairbanks stated, I understand but do not believe it is a big deal.  We are reaching out with the scholarship so I do not see them being upset they are not sitting on committee.  I think they know we are on board with the college.  Mayor Linin asked, what is our thinking in funding, one scholarship until corpus grows?  Andrew stated, yes that is what Ben recommends, start by funding one then as corpus grows we can fund additional scholarships as money is available.
   MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-1 with Commissioner Garcia casting the dissenting vote.

 

CORRESPONDENCE

1. City Managers Report- 1. As a reminder, we will meet January 8 at 5:00 p.m. to install new Commissioners and hold Mayor/Vice-Mayor elections.  Outgoing Commissioners will need to attend this meeting please.  City offices will be closed on January 15 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, so next regular meeting will be moved to Tuesday, January 16.  2. The self-removal taking place at 1601 Kansas is coming along slowly. We still have not seen any progress at 1619 Kansas. We will have discussions about upcoming unfit structures at the January 16^th  3.  Members of the Police Department have been exposed to TB, which alerted us to the need for a policy.  I have a TB exposure policy and an ordinance that would “consolidate” some of our advisory boards that will come before Commission for discussion in coming weeks.  With current board structure, we need sixty-eight people to staff all boards.  I feel we need to consider downsizing boards and work flow.  4. The 2018 Legislative Session begins January 8^th.  I will keep you updated on items of interest. The League of Kansas Municipalities will be having their Local Government Day in Topeka on January 24^th, please let me know if you would like me to register you for this event.  5.  The Commission needs to determine the direction to go on unfit structures in 2018.  Motel 7 is a sizeable project so need to determine if want to proceed with one large project or a number of smaller properties.  6.  Free dog tag day is January 16^th in lobby.  7.  They are setting the retractable roof at power plant tomorrow so road is blocked off and they are bringing in crane for project.  8.  Bids for street project are going out next week.
2. City Commissioners

Commissioner Mai – 1.  Thank you to Andrew, it has been a year since you moved to Goodland.  I am pleased with what you have done for City and keeping projects running.  It was a pleasure to work with Andrew and Commission.  Well wishes to Jay Dee Brumbaugh and Jacque Schields. Commissioner Farris – 1.  When we approve extensions on nuisance properties, it appears the property is never touched.  Repairing the roof on the building on Main Street was expensive, there are many more buildings like this, what are you going to do about all these big buildings needing repairs?  2. In our meeting with School Board and County Board President Cole talked about the number of members on School Board and City compared to County.  It should not be our concern, but Sherman County’s as they do the taxes.  3.  Everyone should read the book Dismantling America by Thomas Sowell.

Vice-Mayor Fairbanks – 1.  Wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope we continue doing good things in 2018.

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  No Report

1. Mayors Report – Thank you to Commissioner Farris and Commissioner Mai for your service.  Appreciate working with you.

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Commissioner Garcia seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting Adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk