January 3, 2023 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

January 3, 2023                                                                                                                     5:00 P.M.

Mayor Aaron Thompson called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Jason Showalter, Commissioner Ann Myers and Commissioner Brook Redlin 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, Jeff Dinkel – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Jake Kling – City Attorney, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Unfit structure: 106 N. Caldwell – Mayor Thompson opened public hearing for unfit structure at 106 N. Caldwell at 5:01 p.m.  Jeff stated, we board up broken window to secure property.  There were no animals inside property.  Property is in same state as previously discussed.  We have three parties interested in getting property cleaned up.  Brenda Fisher stated, we are interested in obtaining and improving property to avoid a vacant lot.  We are prepared to bid on property.  We do not want it torn down.  Mayor Thompson stated, remember the City does not own property.  We are holding public hearing because of unfit structure.  Mayor Thompson closed public hearing for the unfit structure at 106 N. Caldwell at 5:03 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Craig Loveless: GRMC – Craig stated, GRMC has finished the year strong, final numbers will be in next report.  Salaries seem to be a big item and we still have some openings.  Hospital and community are one and need to work together, which we do pretty well.  Mayor Thompson asked, has the phone system been updated?  Craig stated, the new system is in place.  We are working to roll out the next step which are direct line contacts so the public knows which department is contacting them.   

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 12/19/22 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2023-01, 2023-01A, and 2023-P01

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

COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TRANSITION & OATHS

  1. Election of Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to appoint Mayor Thompson as Mayor seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Oath of Office: Mayor – Mary administered Mayor Thompson the Oath of Office.
  3. Election of Vice-Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to appoint Vice-Mayor Howard as Vice-Mayor seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  4. Oath of Office: Vice-Mayor – Mary administered Vice-Mayor Howard the Oath of Office.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1763: Solid Waste Collection Fee Increase – Kent stated, last meeting Commission authorized increase in rates for the contract with In the Can, LLC.  This ordinance increases customer charges the amount of the increase in contract.  Rates will take effect March 1, 2023.  Commissioner Redlin asked if he needed to abstain from conversation.  Jake stated, this only reflects fee changes in code.  He does not need to recuse from discussion, but needs to abstain from vote.  Mayor Thompson stated, the amounts in ordinance are more than stated, in contract so a small portion of rate goes to City.  Kent stated, that is correct for billing and franchise fees; those amounts for the City are not changing.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Myers to approve Ordinance 1763: Solid Waste Collection Fee Increase seconded by Mayor Thompson.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0 with Commissioner Redlin abstaining from the vote.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Welcome Center Lease Agreement – Kent stated, SCCD rents welcome center from City, it is working out and recommend extension of lease agreement.   ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the extension to the Welcome Center Lease Agreement seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. Nemechek Farms Lease Agreement – Mary stated, this extends the current lease agreement for the airport farm property with Nemechek Farms.  The lease has same terms with addition of the land purchased by the City in 2020.  Kent stated, the City owns property around airport because FAA tells us we need to own the property around the airport.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Nemechek Farms Lease Agreement seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. CMB License Renewal – Kent stated, Cowboy Corner Express submitted CMB application for renewal.  Jeff stated, they have a few items to resolve from fire inspection.  Staff recommends approval contingent upon approval of fire inspection. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve renewal of CMB license for Cowboy Corner Express, contingent upon approval of fire inspection seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  4. Unfit structure: 106 N. Caldwell – Jake stated, with unfit structure hearing, the Commission has to take formal action as to whether the structure is unfit.  The purpose of hearing is to put public on notice that property is being considered as unfit structure.  Then commission determines how to proceed with property to allow the City a time frame for structure.  If commission chooses to proceed as unfit, they can give code enforcement thirty days to proceed for resolution on property. Mayor Thompson stated, the property has been on our radar for some time and have had several updates from Jeff.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to declare structure at 106 N. Caldwell as unfit to begin process on property seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.  Mayor Thompson stated, please inform us what needs to be addressed within next thirty days.  This gives City the ability to decide best resolution for property and provides a time table to ensure something will be done.  This gives anyone interested to improve property to time to purchase property and have a plan.  The property is still in possession of owner so you need to work directly with owner.   

DISCUSSION

  1. Work Session – Kent stated, this is follow up on goals from strategic planning work session in 2022; see what has been complete and additional goals commission would like to achieve.  Mayor Thompson stated, last year Monday nights seemed to work for everyone, do we want to try an off Monday again for this month or in February?  Consensus of Commission is to schedule work session for Monday January 23, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.  Mayor Thompson stated, I look forward to discussion.
  2. Sewer System Recommendation/Staff Direction – Kent stated, we have recommendations for sanitary sewer repairs that were discussed when sewer cleaning occurred.  Johnson Services has provided recommendations to the City as a result of their 2022 project.  Neal stated, the last few years they have been cleaning Goodland’s sewer mains, then the past three years they have taken video each year of problems in our system.  The repairs we are looking at are approximately $350,000.  The repairs include lines that go under a church and a school and some mains that have deteriorated in the system.  I have worked with Andrew Brunner from EBH Engineering who has experience with a pipe lining system used in other communities.  Andrew stated, in the past they used clay tile pipe which has broken, deteriorated and allowed tree roots to grow.  We worked with a system in other communities that inserts a pipe in the line and expands, allowing another layer inside pipe to cure problems.  Kent stated, this system will provide a solution by creating a liner that expands and fills the inside of the pipe, creating another layer the inside of the pipe.  Two sections of pipe are specifically a problem including underneath the education wing of the Catholic Church and underneath West Elementary School.  Those sewer mains service other properties which if those mains failed, it would cause a problem for other properties.  We estimated about 6,000 linear feet of pipe needs repaired.  Neal stated, Andrew went through estimate today and 6,000 linear feet is fairly close.  There are also seven flush basin manholes which are not useful in our system so they need to be turned into regular manholes that are useful in our system.  There may be more in our system that we are unaware of but this is all we have found so far.  We are on outskirts of the system, but I feel it will be worse when we get to old section of town.  We just do not want to get too far behind with repairs.  Andrew stated, many lines run under streets that need repaired.  There are points of repair that the City needs to fix before Johnson Services can insert another pipe.  A point of repair requires digging up twenty to thirty feet of pipe to patch.  Putting this patch in place will help so there are not problems further down the line.  Kent stated, staff is asking for direction from Commission.  This is a decent size project that qualifies for the ARPA funding.  Johnson Services has provided camera work and cleaning for the City for years and has experience with our system.  We have confidence in their work and they know what repairs are needed.  We need direction as to whether to proceed with Johnson Services on project or whether we go out for RFP.  Mayor Thompson stated, anytime we can do an infrastructure project with funds available I feel we should use the funding.  This project qualifies for the funding.  I am torn as we need an RFP with this size of project but this company has worked with our system for a number of years so they are familiar with the system.  I like the RFP for large projects, but this is continuation of an ongoing project.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I feel we should do an RFP to be sure we are good stewards of the funds.  I believe our purchasing policy requires an RFP.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I am in favor of the RFP.  Consensus of Commission is to put project out for bid with an RFP.  Commissioner Redlin asked, are there more pressing issues for ARPA funding?  Kent stated, the allowable uses of the money are water and sewer improvements.  Funding allows broadband projects which does not apply to Goodland since the City is not involved in broadband.  Another project that may come up is repair of roof on standpipe.  We are getting an engineer opinion on cost for that project, but unknown at this time.  Mayor Thompson asked, what is the amount of remaining ARPA funding and timeline for spending?  Mary stated, approximately $421,000 and we must identify use for funding by 2024, then funds need to be spent by 2026.  Commissioner Redlin asked, what is longevity of this project?  Andrew stated, we have had good luck with these systems.  Neal stated, Johnson Services has a project in Benkelman; they would like to split the expenses between two communities by completing projects at the same time.  Kent stated, staff will return to the Commission with RFP information and a schedule.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is included in packet.  2. Next Commission meeting is Tuesday January 17, 2023 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  City offices are closed January 16th.   3.  Demolition of 1514 Caldwell is in process by Goody’s.  He wanted to have demolition complete but weather has not cooperated and he broke his hand.  He anticipates completion by January 31st.  4. Cost share agreement with KMEA and Tantalus is in packet.  Mary stated, last meeting Commission approved KMEA hosting Tantalus system, this document outlines costs and who is paid.  5.  Free animal licenses are January 17th.  6. Sunflower Electric has given notice that wholesale tariff has been adjusted; I do not feel will change costs much. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  Thank Jeff for his work, it is a thankless job and you keep us moving forward. 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Thank City crews for hard work.  The cold weather is hard on everything but they are make sure utilities are operating. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION –  Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for Personnel Matters for Nonelected Personnel – Mayor Thompson made a motion at 6:00 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 City Commission, be present.  Commissioner Showalter seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:20 p.m. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:21 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 17, 2023.

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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