January 3, 2022 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

January 3, 2022                                                                                                                    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, Sami Windle – Museum 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 Kent Brown – City Manager.

Incoming Commissioner present were Jason Showalter, Brook Redlin and Ann Myers.

Mayor Garcia led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

1. 12/20/21 Commission Meeting Minutes
2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2022-01, 2022-01A, and 2022-P01

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

COMMISSIONER TRANSITION

1. Recognition of Outgoing City Commissioners –  Commissioner Farris stated, it been a pleasure serving and very interesting.  Did any local business get opportunity to bid catering for Christmas Party?  Kent stated, they contacted a couple businesses.  Commissioner Farris stated, they are not local and we need to support local businesses that pay taxes.  Vice-Mayor Brumbaugh stated, I appreciated the opportunity to represent my community.  Good luck to the incoming commission.  Mayor Garcia stated, I want thank the Good Lord for the ability to serve the community for such a length of time.  I would also like to thank the tax payers and constituents that allowed me to serve.  We have accomplished many things.  I would like to thank the department heads and employees for their commitment to the City.  Best advice I can give elected officials is when you make a decision for the City, you need to consider the balance between the people that elected you and the municipality.  Congratulations to Jason, Ann and Brook.  We hired Kent who is a professional individual.  Kent stated, thank each of you for your service.  You take a lot of phone calls and comments from constituents.  Kent recognized Mayor Garcia, Commissioner Brumbaugh and Commissioner Farris well on the trails they are going on.  Kent presented outgoing Commissioners with gifts awarding their service on the City Commission. 
2. Oath of Office and Installation of New City Commissioners – Mary administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Showalter, Commissioner Redlin and Commissioner Myers. 
3. Election of Mayor – Kent stated, Commission elects a Mayor to serve one year term.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to appoint Commissioner Thompson as Mayor seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.  Mary administered Commissioner Thompson the Mayor Oath of Office.  Mayor Thompson stated, I appreciate the support of commission.
4. Election of Vice-Mayor – ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to appoint Commissioner Howard as Vice-Mayor seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.   Mary administered Commissioner Howard the Vice-Mayor Oath of Office. 

FORMAL ACTIONS

1. Approve Airport Capital Improvement Plan: Darin Neufeld, EBH Engineer – Darin stated, before we review the formal planning document I would like to go over the history of the airport.  Thank you to the City of Goodland that we are able to improve airport, we have completed a lot of projects to keep it in good shape.  In the last twenty years we have replaced all asphalt at the airport with concrete except the cross wind runway but process is beginning in April.  Goodland is the oldest concrete white topping pavement on main runway, which was laid in 1974.  The FAA is amazed it continues to remain in good shape after almost fifty years.  Three funding sources for airport projects are self-funding, which is 100% City; KDOT Aviation which is a 90/10 split and you compete with other airports for projects that do not fit under FAA guidelines; and FAA funding which is also a 90/10 split.  Currently we are planning FY23 which starts October 2022.  Each year the City receives $150,000 in entitlement money that the FAA banks for you.  You can bank up to four years or $600,000.  If a project goes over the $600,000, like the crosswind runway project, then you compete with other airports in the four state central region for available discretionary funding.  When the board requests projects such as extending the runway, the FAA determines when discretionary funding is available to fund the project.  The Airport Board has reviewed the plan being submitted.  The board would like to move acquisition of snow removal equipment to third priority, unless the FAA will approve both the equipment and runway/taxiway extensions.  The board would like to move extension of the current runway from 5,500’ to 6,800’ to top priority.  One of the benefits Goodland has is that it is the only precision instrument landing system between Denver and Hays.  With jet traffic in and out, the 5,500’ comes close to not being enough.  FAA approved master plan about five years ago, allowing extension in the future.   The second priority is to extend the parallel taxiway to the same length.  The next priority is the building to house snow equipment.  All prices stated are estimated project costs four to five years in the future.  The next project would be to do apron work.  Priorities laid out are recommended by the board and they would like commission to approve submission to FAA.  Commissioner Showalter asked, what is economic impact of extending runway?  Darin stated, it will produce a lot more itinerant traffic.  A few aircraft sold by Dustin Stephenson or the aircraft that John Topliff flew are right at this limit.  Not necessarily going to get additional aircraft based out of Goodland, but will pick up itinerant traffic which will help fuel and restaurant sales.  The big thing is getting more aircraft traffic in Goodland and once we get larger aircraft traffic you tend to see increase in smaller aircraft.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the Airport Capital Improvement Plan for FY23 as presented seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
2. KDOT Taxiway B Reconstruction Change Order #2: Miller Construction – Darin stated, construction on project finished late fall but we had to do core checks to finalize project.  Change order is a contract increase for Miller Construction in the amount of $30,146.51.  The major reason for additional costs was adding turning radius where Taxiway B connects to 5 end runway.  FAA requested this be added to this project after project was bid.  Another $5,000 were adjustments to steel costs when purchased after project was bid and another $5,000 for additional dirt work for drainage with project.  Original application to KDOT was $429,000 for Phase I of project, then KDOT approved adding Phase 2 which was a total contract of about $675,000.  The first change order was to add Phase 2 and this change order finalizes costs with adjustments.  Mayor Thompson asked, where do funds come from?  Mary stated, Airport fund, as a reminder current FAA projects are being funded at 100%.  Mayor Thompson stated, we have come out well the last couple years with funding.  Darin stated, the same thing happened with stimulus money in the past because we had projects that were shovel ready.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve KDOT Taxiway B Reconstruction Change Order #2 with Miller Construction for a net increase of $30,146.51 seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.   Darin stated, the City turned in a KDOT Aviation application for another grant but they have not released awards. 
3. Police K-9 Training Request: Frank Hayes, Chief of Police – Jason Erhart, Assistant Chief of Police stated, Goose started with Goodland Police Department in 2021 as a single purpose canine from Johnson Brothers in Colorado Springs.  Goose is certified by National Police Canine Association in narcotics detection.  Single purpose canines are strictly detection dogs, which is what Goose is now.  We are looking to make Goose dual purpose canine to include detection work, tracking, apprehension, patrol functions and evidence/article recovery.  Police Service Canine Training considers handler selection, initial training, maintenance training, annual certification and daily maintenance training with dog.  Officer Mader is constantly training with Goose and documenting training so if dog goes to court we have documentation to support certification and canine behavior.  He has to be certified in narcotics and he is actually going to Colorado Springs for annual certification this week.  He is not only called out by the City, but KHP and other cities that need service and this all has to be documented.  Making Goose dual purpose is everything pertaining to patrol functions, as well as tracking.  Tracking does not just go off smell of human odor but also ground disruption and crushed vegetation.  Dual purpose has several functions such as apprehension where canine is trained to bite and hold on to suspect until handler can get there to release dog successfully.  Deploying the dog is dependent on the crime they are suspected of committing.  The dog is used for building searches if we find an open door, it is safer to send in dog rather than an officer. We give out multiple calls before we send dog into a building.  Area search is when someone runs from officer to an open area or field.  The dog would be on a line to have control.  Control from vehicle is taught with a remote to deploy dog if incident meets threshold to protect officer.  Handler Protection is if dog is out and suspect does something to officer, canine is trained to attack which is similar to guard function.  To be a guard dog, the dog must be obedient.  The handler’s life is dedicated to the canine, being available for callouts anytime and daily training of dog.  We do public relations through demonstrations and school searches.  The benefits of having a canine are that personal contact with suspect is not required, they are useful around blind corners, can be deployed without giving officer location so we can be discrete and canines are faster, stronger and can cover a larger area than officer.  A canine is the only resource that cannot be taken from the officer and only resource that will alert handler of danger.  They are also the only tool an officer can recall if situation changes.  A huge misconception is that canines are vicious dogs.  Johnson Brothers hand pick their dogs and require that dogs be in control.  Dual purpose canine is an outstanding deterrent as opposed to using force.  Commission er Myers asked, how long are canines typically in service?  Jason stated, eight to ten years but depends on dog.  Hips are a big thing with the dog, jumping in/out cars.  Commissioner Redlin asked, were there previous instances where a dual purpose would have been beneficial?  Frank stated, Jason had a place where suspect had a warrant and we could not find him but heard him in the garage.  We walked in garage and he was above us.  Suspect was brought down at gun point, but the canine would have found him before us.  The suspect could have done a lot to us.  This will benefit the entire community.  Commissioner Redlin asked, are there complications being dual purpose?  Jason stated, no they interchange, most dogs are dual purpose.  The canine provides the ability for article and evidence recovery.  This is useful if the suspect lost or buried evidence, the dog can track the evidence for us, which proved useful in a recent domestic call where the suspect buried a gun, he located it.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, where are you paying for service in budget?  Frank stated, the money will come from the VIN fund where we pay training and it does not affect general budget.  Commissioner Redlin asked, how often does Goose go back for training?  Jason stated, the Johnson Brothers have maintenance days and we send him as often as we can.  Commissioner Redlin asked, is there a lot of daily training?  Jason stated, yes and being dual purpose, Zach will expand training.  Commissioner Redlin asked, are we required to meet so many hours?  Jason stated, no requirement but Zach likes to train at least sixteen hours a month.  Commissioner Redlin asked, what is the cost for dual purpose training?  Jason stated, it is $6,000, but they gave us a $1,000 discount, so $5,000.  Then we will have lodging and meals, so estimate $7,000.  Commissioner Showalter asked, what about future training costs in budget?  Frank stated, Goose will be trained so just have maintenance training in future, so no impact on budget.  Commissioner Redlin asked, what is cost for days of maintenance training?  Jason stated, only cost is gas because it is a day trip to Colorado Springs for training.  It is good network training for Zach to train with other officers and dogs.  Mayor Thompson asked, in a year how many times do you think you would have used a dual purpose dog?  Jason stated, many times it is a deterrent, for bite and hold our previous canine Flex was used.  Mayor Thompson asked, does Sheriff’s Department have dual purpose dog?  Jason stated, yes and we have used it but their dog is older.  Zach stated, a Sheriff’s Deputy has indicated he had about another year or two.  Mayor Thompson asked, where did we get Blade?  Jason stated, a company out of Pennsylvania.  Mayor Thompson stated, we had incidents with him so I am hesitant on this.  We tried retraining him, had another incident and ended up housing him in the shelter for an extended period of time.  Jason stated, when I was training with him I as well as another trainer was bit.  He did not have a good temperament to be a canine.  Goose is a different dog with different temperament and have not had an incident with him.  I tried to work with that vendor on Blade and it did not end well.  Frank stated, because of Blade I was very apprehensive.  I have Flex since he retired.  He was a bite dog and still has the heart.  Watching Goose he has the temperament and focuses on what he does.  When he is off the incident, he wants to play, which is how Flex was.  Blade was not that way, you could see it in his eyes.  I waited a year to watch Goose and I have no apprehension making him dual purpose.  Jason stated, Blade had a lot of additional training but he continued to bite the handler; it should have been taken care on the first incident.  Mayor Thompson asked, so Goose is currently doing a good job?  Jason stated, yes.  Frank stated, it is amazing what Goose can find.  Even Johnson Brothers said they would have kept him if we had not purchased him.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, does Zach feel Goose is the type of dog for this mission.  Zach stated, yes I would not recommend it if I did not feel comfortable.  I got bit by Blade multiple times and even after the last bite, you could tell he wanted another opportunity.  Jason stated, Goose has the bite instinct now so I feel comfortable moving forward with training.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redline to direct staff to set up the agreement and schedule training for the Goodland canine unit to become a dual purpose canine seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-1 with Mayor Thompson casting the dissenting vote.
4. Welcome Center Lease Agreement – Kent stated, this is renewal of the lease between City and Sherman County Community Development (SCCD) Board for use of Welcome Center.  Part of the agreement is to house the services in a City building.  Initial lease was approved last January.  Mayor Thompson asked, other than the restrooms, has it worked out well?  Julica Oharah, SCCD Director stated, it has worked well.  We do not have public restrooms at this time but we are looking for funding to install them.  It is tough to get the funding.  The location is great and we have talked to organizations to help brighten up facility.  Danny stated, staff is also trying to look at options to get a restroom.  Kent stated, they are starting to be serious discussions.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the Welcome Center Lease Agreement seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

A.  Review of Museum Board Application – Kent stated, David Branda submitted an application for Museum Board.  He previously served on board and would like to serve again to fill unexpired term of Lynda Welch.  We will have another application in near future to fill unexpired term for Jason Showalter.  The Museum Board recommends approval of the application.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the appointment of David Branda to fill the unexpired term of Linda Welch seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

B.  Scheduling Special Meeting for Commission Goal Setting – Kent stated, after election a good practice is to have a Special Meeting to discuss priorities and goals.  I would like to setup a time for a work session.  Consensus of Commission is to have a work session Monday January 10, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.  Kent stated, it is a work session with no official action.  Mayor Thompson stated, it will work good to get Commission on same page.

REPORTS

1. City Manager – 1.  Next Commission meeting is January 18^th in observance of MLK Day.  2. Commission packets are delivered electronically, if you want a written copy let us know.  3.  We will have a request for joint meetings with County in near future to review Housing Study results and the sales tax discussion.  They want to revisit issue from November election and set tentative time in February.  4.  Fire Department is a merged department under the County effective January 1.  We had a good meeting between City and County regarding financial details and how it occurs.  The agreement was an overall picture and we worked details out with staff.  We are in route to a good resolution, not only for Brian James to become a County employee but also merging reserves, department, vehicles, and insurance.  5.  We had an emergency landing at airport on Saturday without incident.  They needed fire, EMS and police on standby.  This is another reason to keep airport in good shape.  6.  The employee party is January 15^th at VFW.
2. City Attorney – Jake Kling, City Attorney – Jake is sick and unable to attend meeting.
3. Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1. Welcome to the new commissioners.  2.  I appreciate employees and what they do. 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  I appreciate the opportunity to serve the City.  I like to see the department heads at the meetings.  2.  I attended the grand opening for the coffee shop; the owner indicated incentives were the reason they located in Goodland.

Commissioner Myers – 1. I appreciate the opportunity to serve and look forward to meeting new people.

Commissioner Howard – 1.  I appreciate opportunity to serve and the hard work of city crews.   . 

• Mayor Thompson– 1.  Thank you to the outgoing commissioners and your service.  The last couple years were crazy but I feel we are in a good place

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Howard seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for January 18, 2022.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk