November 11, 2018 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

 

November 5, 2018                                                                                                                       5:00 P.M.

Mayor Brian Linin called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor Jay Dee Brumbaugh, Commissioner Annette Fairbanks, Commissioner John Garcia, and Commissioner Jacque Schields 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, Samantha Philbrick – Museum Director, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Andrew Finzen – City Manager.

 

Mayor Linin led Pledge of Allegiance

 

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Community Improvement District – Mayor Linin opened public hearing at 5:00 p.m. With no public comment, Mayor Linin closed hearing at 5:01 p.m.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Museum Driving Tour – Samantha stated, in conjunction with the Big Kansas Road Trip we would like to host a driving tour featuring twenty five sites in Sherman County.  We are working with the college to develop an App for audio with information regarding each site.  Megan Thomas, Museum Board Member stated, we would like permission to put signs up at each site, many of which are property owned by City.  Samantha stated, at this time we are uncertain what size sign we will need.  Consensus of Commission is in support of the idea to promote Sherman County.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 10/15/18 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances, 2018-21, 2018-21A, 2018-21B, 2018-P21 and 2018-P21A
  3. Letter of Support: KDOT Transportation Grant Application

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

 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1718: Holiday Inn CID – Andrew stated, this ordinance establishes the community improvement district with a 2% sales tax for twenty two years or $8,000,000 to reimburse property owner for improvement. There is an amendment to development agreement outlining the $2,000 application fee and 5% administration fee.  We recommend approval at this time.  Doug Irvin, property owner, stated, I am happy to answer any questions of Commission.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Fairbanks to approve Ordinance 1718: Holiday Inn CID seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  Ann Zuspann citizen stated, I have been in the tourist business for forty years.  Who is going to fill the rooms?  You are building a hotel on the edge of town with City money.  Mayor Linin stated, the City is not giving any money for the project.  We are approving a community improvement district which is an instrument used by many municipalities for improvements.  The business that wants the improvement agrees to collect an additional sales tax at their business in the district to reimburse construction costs.  Ann asked, does it have to be for specific purpose?  Doug stated, yes, this is to reimburse infrastructure costs.  Many municipalities have done projects with CID’s.  Ann asked, does the City have right to say whether you build hotel?  Doug stated, no they do not.  Mayor Linin stated, CID is an incentive to help reimburse property owner for costs of infrastructure and improvements.  The cost is to the consumers of the business in the district.  Ann stated, when you build at edge of town you create another nuisance in town.  Doug asked, why would you want another community to build the hotel?  Ann stated, the other hotels cannot afford to maintain their hotel when you build something nice on edge of town.  Goodland already has two hotels in town falling down.  It is not a plus for the community.  Commissioner Garcia stated, you have valid points but that is what free enterprise is all about.  They have the same latitude to use benefit to fix their hotel. It is all about marketing.  We have a gentleman willing to invest in Goodland and pull traffic off I-70 to spend money in our community which helps sales tax.  Mayor Linin stated, if one of the older hotels came to the city to develop a district, we would encourage it for them to have a nicer hotel in town.  We have a current CID at Arby’s and Comfort Inn.  Ann stated, this is not in Goodland but on south side of interstate.  If I stay on edge of town when I travel, I do not go into town which does not generate revenue in the community.  Kelly Rippe citizen asked, the hotel he is putting in is in the City limits?  Mayor Linin stated, yes it is.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Ordinance 1719: Distributed Generation – Andrew stated, ordinance provides City alternative energy policy with ability to recoup fixed costs without burdening other customers.  Dustin and I have worked with KMEA to develop policy with a $2.00 per kW capacity charge.  The customers still have grid access even though they use an alternative source.  This makes it fair to the City and other customers.  We have customers interested in alternative sources.  Commissioner Garcia asked, do other communities have policy? Andrew stated, not many on this end of state but many have policy on eastern side of state.  All policies are assess different charges to their customers.  Kelly asked, if I put solar energy in my home can I sell excess or do I pay City?  Mayor Linin stated, you cannot exceed your usage, we have policy set up to be net zero policy.  You are allowed to set up alternative source for your usage, we will use your excess or credit when you are short.  Kelly asked, so if I generate excess, you establish a credit on my account?  Andrew stated, we are in a long term contract with Sunflower which restricts our ability to buy electricity from alternate sources.  The panels on your property have to be load appropriate.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to approve Ordinance 1719: Distributed Generation seconded by Commissioner Fairbanks.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. December Utility Discount – Andrew stated, the City offered an electric discount in the past to encourage seasonal lighting.  My concern is our electric revenues are down over 5% so I recommend we do not offer discount this year.  My recommendation will not be popular. It is a good gesture if revenues are up but when they are down we have to be wise in our decisions.  Last year the budget impact was approximately $45,000.  Mayor Linin stated, I agree and understand situation.  Commissioner Fairbanks stated, I agree with our recent budget discussions, cutting budget to the bone.  I feel we need to evaluate each year but this year we cannot afford the discount.  Kelly asked, why are revenues down?  Andrew stated, it is a state wide trend since people are becoming more energy efficient with appliances and LED lights.  We had to make some tough calls this budget season.  Kelly asked, what is your plan to counter?  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, our plan is we have to draw the line on expenses and get more businesses in town.

 

REPORTS

  1. City Managers Report- 1. With the help of Sherman County Community Foundation, the museum school house will be utilized as Santa’s schoolhouse this season.  It will be tied to the Museum so it will be an experience from the 1900’s with many photo opportunities for families to enjoy.  We have had many people in office volunteer to help with the project.  2. Sporer is pouring 15th Street Tuesday and next week will seal and open the street.  The contractor will be on another project for three weeks then determine if the weather allows them to continue on our project.  The project will be complete next spring.    The joint meeting will not work for November 13th.  We have looked at alternative dates but we are still looking at schedule options.  4. November 9th is the land dedication for the veteran area at the Smokey.  5.  City offices will be closed Monday November 12th in honor of Veterans Day then again November 22nd and 23rd in honor of Thanksgiving.  6.  YEC is scheduled for November 28th at 10:00 a.m. Wolak building, public is invited to support student’s projects.  The event is a partnership between USD 352, Economic Development and Network Kansas.  Prize money is awarded for winners.  7.  At the November 19th Commission meeting we will have a demonstration from EBH on the GIS and a proposal from the Cemetery Board for a columbarium.
  2. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  I had a call on the grain piles, is there a chance they can enclose them?  Are we following up to see if something can be done?  Andrew stated, I have a meeting setup with Scoular this week to find a resolution.

Commissioner Fairbanks – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Garcia – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Schields – 1.  No Report

  1. Mayors Report – No Report

 

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS

  1. Under the authority of K.S.A. 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnel – Mayor Linin made a motion at 5:41 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A. 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters for nonelected personnel not to exceed twenty minutes. I request only the Commission and Andrew be present.  Commissioner Garcia seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:01 p.m.

 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh seconded by Commissioner Garcia.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:01 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2018.

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Brian Linin, Mayor

 

 

 

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

 

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