June 7, 2021 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

June 7, 2021                                                                                                                              5:00 P.M.

Mayor John Garcia called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor Jay Dee Brumbaugh, Commissioner Aaron Thompson, Commissioner J. J. Howard and Commissioner Gary Farris responding to roll call. 

Also present were Frank Hayes – Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Neal Thornburg – Director of Water and Wastewater, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks and Mary Volk – City Clerk.

Mayor Garcia led Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to amend agenda adding Fourth of July Fireworks as a discussion item seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried to approve agenda as amended on a VOTE of 5-0. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Andrew Brunner updated Commission on the Street Improvement Project.  We had preconstruction meeting today.  Tentative start date on 2^nd Street is June 21 and 17^th Street will begin spring 2022.  It will take three to four weeks to complete 2^nd Street, weather pending. 
2. Kenton Keith stated, the street sealing packet was sent to Commission but I understand it did not come through.  Kenton informed Commission of streets included in project.   Mayor Garcia asked, when does the project begin?  Kenton stated, around July 28^th.  Mary stated, we will email the list to Commission. 
3. Annette Fairbanks stated, I am representing the Animal Shelter Board to discuss the shelter’s policy regarding a pit bull or pit bull mix.  We do not agree or disagree with Commission.  If a dog remains unclaimed in pound five business days they offer the dog to the shelter if it is adoptable.  Unfortunately the shelter cannot take a pit bull or pit bull breed because there is no outlet for them.  It is unfortunate the outlets are full because it is not bad dogs, but bad owners.  We cannot afford to keep the dog if there is no outlet.  No rescues are accepting pit bulls or a pit bull mix.  I am very confident you have visited with those that enforce the policy.  It may become an expense for the City if the dog has to be euthanized.

PRESENTATIONS

1. Police Department Presentation – Frank stated, I have been researching salary information across the State for a few months.  A few months ago a commissioner stated in a meeting that we need to financially take care of our employees.  This is my presentation to take care of the Police Department.  I compared the population, caseload and starting pay over a two year period for departments around the State to our department.  In information provided, starting pay for City’s included represent a non-certified officer.    Certified or experienced officer’s starting wage is higher.   With nine full time officers in Goodland, including me, there is one officer to 479 people.  In the information, average starting wage is $17.00 per hour, then you add benefits.  I am proposing this with a tier so that experience matters in starting wage.  At this time, I recommend increasing all wages $1.60 per hour.  The impact on budget is $31,408.  The cost to send an officer to the academy for fourteen weeks is $19,348, but the real number is around $21,000 to add in wear and tear on vehicle.  This does not include equipment, which we have adequate equipment now.  However, if we do not have a uniform to fit officer, we have to include cost of uniform.  Businesses around town are offering starting wages higher than the City for a police officer.  I am not asking for me, I am taking care of my people.  They work a lot of hours and working for less than someone at a convenience store or Walmart.  The officers want to succeed and I do not want to lose their enthusiasm.  Once it is gone, they will move on.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, very good presentation, I have same thought and have said same thing.  On year two and further, what are you considering?  Is it the same increase as remaining employees?  Frank stated, this is a starting point to help consider officer experience.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, so budget increase will go on top of this amount.  Will this be reflected in the budget presented for revisions this year?  Frank stated, I gave information to Alan and he was going to bring up in discussion but it is not included in budget at this time.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, I would like to see these numbers in the budget presentation next month.  Mayor Garcia stated, I concur, we have a good group of people that put their lives on the line.  Frank stated, I appreciate that you recognize that fact.  Commissioner Farris stated, problem I see is what inflation is going to be with budget this year.  The dollar does not go as far as it did in past.  Frank stated, that is why you need to see the cost of academy so we can keep employees.  Commissioner Thompson stated, nice presentation, you do not make enough money for what you do.  The cost of living and wage gap has been increasing.  This is good information.  I noticed rates were mostly higher but are there any that made less?  Frank stated, there are some in presentation but you need to look at case load of officer.  Commissioner Thompson stated, we tend to have more cases per capita.  I would like to hear reasoning behind the case load.  Frank stated, it could be that they may not pull a case for something that Goodland does.  There are times Goodland pulls a report for future information if needed, others may not do it this way.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh asked, do you think being on interstate has something to do with it?  Frank stated, a large portion of our cases come from in town.  There are some from interstate but it is very sporadic.  Mayor Garcia stated, we have a sector of people going through on I-70 and make Goodland home base for a while.  Frank stated, we get a lot of calls at motels or for people that have crossed state line and think marijuana is still legal.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, how long has starting wage been at 15.40?  When Commission approved the dollar increase for starting wage it should have increased to 16.40 at that time.  Mary stated, they should have gone up at that time.  Commissioner Howard stated, great presentation, appreciate what you do.  Commissioner Farris stated, keep inflation in mind, we are losing buying power every day. 
2. 2020 Audit Report: Harold Mayes, Agler & Gaeddert – Harold presented the City Audit report for 2020.   Harold stated, the City did not have any statutory or budget violations.  Mayor Garcia asked, on liabilities for leave on retirement, how can we budget that?  Mary stated, for a number of years we look at employees eligible to retire in next five years and discuss employee intentions.  If we feel an employee will retire, we include in the liability in the budget. 

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 05/17/21 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 05/19/21 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
3. 05/24/21 Joint Commission Meeting Minutes
4. 05/26/21 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
5. Appropriation Ordinances: 2021-11, 2021-11A, and 2021-P11

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Ordinance 1740: Inter-local Agreement for Merger of Fire Services – Mayor Garcia stated, we have all received the merger agreement, Jake is present if you have questions.  I am satisfied with the agreement.  Commissioner Thompson stated, I agree, feel there may be hiccups to work out but we can do that.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve Ordinance 1740: Inter-local Agreement for Merger of Fire Servicesseconded by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

1. Acceptance of Audit Report –  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to accept 2020 Audit Report seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
2. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – Mary stated, the Act provides payments to local governments to respond to the COVID-19 emergency and provide resources for recovery.  The City has been notified we will be receiving money from the State of Kansas but guidelines for the program are still being set out by the State.  As of Thursday, Cities will have to complete an application to receive money from the State and approve authorized signors and contacts for the program.  At the current time, the application has not been made available to the City.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to approve completion of the application for funds from the State of Kansas under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and appoint Mayor Garcia or Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh as the authorized signors and Mary Volk as program contact seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

1. Ordinance 1739: Repeal Breed Specific Regulations – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve Ordinance 1739: Repeal Breed Specific Regulations seconded by Commissioner Thompson.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
2. Fourth of July Fireworks – Commissioner Howard stated,residents are requesting to extend time to detonate fireworks from July 2^nd to July 4^th, extending deadline on 4^th to midnight.  If they attend Freedom Festival, it is difficult to have own show.  Jason Erhart, Assistant Chief stated, I have had request to extend to 5^th with 10:00 p.m. deadline.  Consensus of Commission is to prepare ordinance for next meeting allowing fireworks from July 2^nd to July 5^th, and extending deadline on the 4^th to midnight. 

REPORTS

1. City Commissioners

Commissioner Thompson – 1.  No Report 

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Howard – 1.  Cemetery looked nice for Memorial Day.  Appreciate work done out there.  2.  Appreciate hard work of employees. 

Commissioner Farris – 1.  Everything looks good. 

• Mayor – 1.  Employees are doing good job without a manger under department head direction.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters of nonelected personnel – Mayor Garcia made a motion at 5:49 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 the Commission and City Attorney be present. Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:09 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:26 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for June 21, 2021.

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ATTEST:                                                                                John Garcia, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk