June 21, 2021 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

June 21, 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 Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, 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, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Cherise Tieben – Interim City Manager.

Mayor Garcia led Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of Agenda – ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to approve Agenda as presented seconded by Commissioner Howard.  MOTION carried to approve agenda as presented on a VOTE of 5-0. 

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 06/07/21 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. 06/14/21 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2021-12, 2021-12A, and 2021-P12

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

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Ordinance 1741: Discharging of Fireworks – Cherise stated, at your previous meeting, Commission requested to extend timeframe to discharge fireworks.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to approve Ordinance 1741: Discharging of Fireworks seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

FORMAL ACTIONS

1. Authorization to Apply for Dane G. Hansen Grant and Provide Matching Funds – Renner Field Rd. Improvements –  Andrew Brunner, EBH Engineer stated, Renner Field Road has been discussed for some time because of drainage issues around hangars and object debris that is a safety hazard.  FAA and KDOT do not consider this project a priority for funding.  We are requesting submission of a grant to Dane Hansen Foundation.  Airport Board recommends the City pay 20% of project costs, which is estimated at $85,062.  We would like authorization to apply for funding and utilize 20% City funding for project.  Mayor Garcia stated, I am in favor of moving forward.  Commissioner Howard stated, this has been a long term need at airport, I am in favor of project.  Commissioner Thompson stated, I feel it a good use of City funds since our current FAA grants are funded at 100%.  Andrew stated, there is potential for additional City funding but we do not want to jeopardize future projects.  Commissioner Farris stated, the airport is an asset we need to keep building.   ON A MOTION by Commissioner Thompson to authorize application for Dane G. Hansen Grant, providing 20% City match in funding for Renner Field Rd. Improvementsseconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
2. KDOT Aviation Grant Agreement: Phase 2 Taxiway B – Andrew stated, this is the formal agreement for Phase 2 of Taxiway B improvement, which is a 90/10 grant.    ON A MOTION by Commissioner Farris to approve KDOT Aviation Grant Agreement: Phase 2 Taxiway B seconded by Commissioner Thompson.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. Andrew provided the Commission an update on Phase 1 Taxiway B project.    
3. Tower Point Lease – Cherise stated, I have read through information from Alan Lanning and discussed lease with Jake Kling, City Attorney.  It appears to be a good agreement for $50,000 up front.  The only risk is if they do not put any additional services on tower.  Jake stated, they can add other utilities to the tower and City receives 50% of the lease payment above current monthly rate.  Mayor Garcia asked, how do we know when new customers are added?  Jake stated, Tower Point is obligated to notify City of new customers and rate per the agreement.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh to approve proceeding with process on the Tower Point Lease seconded by Commissioner Farris.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

• City Manager Recruitment – Cherise stated, we have options for filling the position.  The Commission can hire consultant or the League which you have had experience with in the past, or conduct in house search.  We just went through this process in Dodge City.  I received information for the process.  We will get advertisements out this week, contact public administration programs at WSU and KU and contact Kansas City Manager Associations for eligible candidates.  The testing and interview process are all done in house.  Commissioner Thompson stated, if we are confident process can be done in house without adding too much stress to staff workload then we should to save money.  Commissioner Howard stated, I agree. Commissioner Farris stated, I agree good idea.  Mayor Garcia asked, when the process was done in Dodge City, what was time element?  Cherise stated, about three months but we had a very qualified candidate along with other qualified applicants.  In the process we can state review of applicants will begin immediately to get ahead in process as applications come in.  This tends to expedite the process so you do not wait an extended time frame to review applications.  Consensus of Commission is to proceed with in house search and keep Commission informed on status of process.   Cherise stated, we will get advertisements started then start putting together application packet. 
• Building Official Opening – Cherise stated, we will not have a Building Official August 1^st.  The Fire Merger is effective July 1^st and the County granted us use of Brian’s service for thirty days.    The City has a new individual in Code Enforcement but he is new and learning position.  I can check with consultants for plan review but it will not work for inspections, so it limits our possibilities.  I would like to visit with Colby City Manager to see if they can provide physical inspections temporarily.  Will have to progress rapidly and feel Colby is best option, even though there are politics between two Cities.  The best solution is when Code Enforcement officer catches up to train them as Building Official also, with clerical assistance.  At this point he is still new in code enforcement and needs time to learn position.  Commissioner Howard stated, I would like an individual willing to get licensed or is already licensed in position.  If not it can hurt the City.  Cherise stated, I agree with you.  Commissioner Farris stated, they can make or break a City but we need a good one.  Mayor Garcia asked, with Brian James having experience, do you think he will be too busy to do spot checks like Colby would be doing?  At one time I believe he thought he would be able to help out.  Cherise stated, Brian indicated the City would have thirty days but I can visit with him again.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, it is frustrating because we sat on merger for so long that now we are in a pinch.  Mayor Garcia stated, I feel we would be better served if we can utilize Brian’s services.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, I thought we would have a learning curve after merger.  Jake stated, we did the contract to merge fire services and there was not a push on what to do with inspection services.  Merger or not, an employee can give notice on any job.  In this position we need something to fill that void.  Just because you have a full time code enforcement employee hired, they are not obligated to stay.  He is doing a great job in the position but need to explore a failsafe if he does not take on Building Inspection services.  Cherise stated, I will try to get some information and let Commission know.

REPORTS

1. Interim City Manager – 1.  City has very good staff and an impressive community.  2.  Want to remind Commission on June 26^th of the Shindig at the Smokey.  It is not a public meeting, but if there is a quorum at event, no business will take place.  We need to make sure the notice is posted that it is not a public meeting.
2. City Commissioners

Commissioner Thompson – 1.  No Report 

Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Farris – 1.  Things are looking good in town.  They started on 2^nd Street today.

• Mayor – 1.  Reminded Commission of Strategic Doing June 22^nd at the Elks.  2.  I appreciate Cherise’s bullet point communication to keep us informed. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh seconded by Commissioner Farris.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for July 6, 2021.

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ATTEST:                                                                               John Garcia, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk