January 2, 2024 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

January 2, 2024                                                                                                                    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 Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Kenton Keith – Director of Streets and Facilities, Danny Krayca – Director of Parks, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Jake Kling – City Attorney, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 12/18/23 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-01, 2024-01A, and 2024-P01

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

COMMISSION LEADERSHIP TRANSITION & OATHS

  1. Oath of Office and Installation of New Elected City Commissioners – Mary administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Thompson, Commissioner Howard and Commissioner Myers as new elected City Commissioners.  Commissioner Thompson congratulated commissioners and stated, I look forward to the New Year.
  2. Election of Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Howard to appoint Commissioner Thompson as Mayor for 1 year term seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  3. Oath of Office: Mayor – Mary administered Mayor Thompson the Oath of Office.
  4. Election of Vice-Mayor for 1 year term – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to appoint Commissioner Howard as Vice-Mayor for 1 year term seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  5. Oath of Office: Vice-Mayor – Mary administered Vice-Mayor Howard the Oath of Office.

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Introducing Sergeant Porter and newly promoted Sergeant Luther – Jason stated, Sergeant Porter started employment with City at time of prior Chief Hayes’ passing so unable to schedule introduction to Commission.  Sergeant Luther was promoted last week so I wanted to introduce them to Commission and make you aware of promotion.  They are doing a great job.  Commission congratulated Sergeant Porter and Sergeant Luther.  Sergeant Porter stated, Sergeant Luther and I have made history as first female sergeants and first team of female sergeants in Goodland.  Commission stated, we appreciate your willingness to serve.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Welcome Center Lease Agreement Renewal – Kent stated, SCCD has indicated they would like to continue lease with city.  It has worked out well.  Mayor Thompson stated, I believe this is a good use for the building and additional support for economic development.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve renewal of the Welcome Center Lease Agreement seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. 2025 Airport Capital Improvement Plan Approval – Darin Neufeld, EBH Engineer (via zoom) stated, due to SRE approved last year we had to use all AICIP funds and upcoming BIL money so building project was moved back a year.  We will not have a new project this year.  Extension of runway and taxiway are scheduled in future with FAA but have to be coordinated with FAA Tech. Op’s.  This plan is for FY25, which the building is scheduled in FY25 program.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve the 2025 Airport Capital Improvement Plan seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.   Darin stated, the loader is in and bucket is due to arrive in couple weeks.  Remaining attachments are to be delivered in next twelve months. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Set Date for Strategic Planning Workshop – Kent stated, we used extra date in January for joint meeting with Planning Commission.  The majority of Planning Commission approved January 29th for joint meeting.  We have scheduled strategic planning workshop in past years, would commission like to continue workshop?  Mayor Thompson stated, I feel it is good to set goals and see where we are and what we have accomplished.  I believe we should schedule in February so the commission has time to think about workshop.  Opposite Mondays in February are 12th and 26th.  Kent stated, on January 29th we would also like to have a short Planning Commission meeting prior to joint meeting for a variance request.  Commissioner Showalter stated, see what works for planning commission and schedule joint meeting accordingly.  Kent stated, the variance request requires public notice so need to get it scheduled.  Consensus of Commission is in agreement with Commissioner Showalter.
  2. Police Department Vehicles – Jason stated, we previously discussed purchasing Durango’s from KHP for the department, but I came up with another solution to continue with Ford Interceptors in fleet.  Trego County Sheriff informed me of Asia Motors in Illinois who have used vehicles available.  We found two vehicles to purchase and they ship vehicles free.  We have tax lid money in MERF and the money transferred from Sewer for the pickup, then an additional $20,000 set aside for 2024 vehicle transfer to MERF.  Total money available is $81,478.68.  We would need about $5,000 for equipment to completely outfit each vehicle.  Mayor Thompson stated, we looked at KHP and these vehicles are comparable in mileage and price.  I prefer to keep continuity in department for fleet.  Jason stated, I sat down with Levi for assistance to pick the vehicles.  Ford can work on them if needed and Levi is familiar with the vehicles.  Mayor Thompson asked, where does Asia Motors get vehicles?  Jason stated, I believe from retired departments in Illinois before they go to auction.  They provide the car facts on the vehicles.  Jason stated, I am moving quickly because they are hard to find.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I do not like purchasing used vehicles for emergency services.  I am a fan for new vehicles; do you know when Ford will be back in production?  Mayor Thompson asked, what is the condition of vehicles rotating out?  Jason stated, Unit 9 is my old unit and is about 100,000 miles, the two 2016 vehicles are upper 80,000 miles.  Sergeant Porter’s is a 2018 at about 40,000 miles.  I am trying to rotate 2016 models out.  High mileage in vehicles today is not like it used to be because we take care of them.  We will see how long Unit 9 will last but I am going to keep it going as long as we can.  Kent stated, in the next budget we need to schedule one vehicle purchase for the department because the vehicles are getting high in mileage.  One of the two vehicles we are purchasing will work good for the Assistant Chief rather than an officer.  Mayor Thompson asked, will these two used vehicles tie us over until the next time we can order a vehicle?  Jason stated, Dan Brenner indicated we may be able to order late 2024 or beginning of 2025, but will still have delivery time.  It really is unknown at this time.  Consensus of Commission is to grant permission for Jason to move ahead with purchase from Asia Motors in Illinois at this time. 
  3. Alcohol Sales on Sunday – Mayor Thompson stated, I have been approached for businesses to have the ability to sell alcohol on Sunday.  I am not saying it matters either way to me, but if State allows it, we can get out of the way and let them sell if business chooses to.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I understood the statute pertains to the prohibition of sales if profits do not come from food sales.  I would like the county to move away from that requirement.  Mayor Thompson stated, yes that is part of the statute.  Is this something the Commission would like to discuss?  Kent stated, it might be good to have input from liquor stores and whether they want to have the ability or not.  Some of them appreciate a day off.  Mayor Thompson stated, I agree, but they have the ability to decide whether or not they want to open.  I do not feel the City should be the stumbling block.  Consensus of Commission is to look further into the issue. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. Community Matters Executive Summary is included in packet, presentation at next meeting.  3.  Holiday Party is Saturday January 6th.  4.  City offices are closed on January 15th in observance of Martin Luther King Day.  Next Commission meeting will be moved to Tuesday January 16th.  5.  Free Animal License Day is January 16th in City Hall.  6.  Date for joint meeting with the Planning Commission is January 29th.  7.  Sunflower Wholesale Member Tariff information is included in packet.  Have changes for different charges but need to receive a bill to see how it affects our bill.  8.  I completed grant application to Kansas Water Office last week.  9.  Emergency shelter opened last week with I-70 closed and hotels full.  Police Department worked well with the operation.  Crissy Ridnour, Sherman County Communication Director stated, the Health Department looks over the shelter.  We had 150 people sign in.  Several of them had pets, which Kathy Schermerhorn transported to the shelter.  There were about 105 people that stayed overnight.  Police Department assisted getting cots to the church.  We had several donations of snacks and businesses were open for people to eat.  We had many volunteers to help wash blankets the following morning.  Commissioner Showalter asked, why do they not use church at I-70 exit since it is closer?  Crissy stated, it is new since the last time we needed a shelter.  That location was brought up for the next shelter discussion.  Last time we used a shelter was about 5 years ago, so it does not happen often.  With the holiday, the hotels filled fast.  Because of the time of year, there was a lot of families. Kent stated, in the end it worked out well.  10.  Commissioner Showalter asked, has there been any movement on the building on Center Street across from the park?  Zach stated, I spoke with him and he will have information by next meeting.  Jason stated, we have people starting to break down the doors again, so it is not secure.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I did not feel information provided at public hearing was sufficient and I feel we need to discuss next steps for property.  Zach stated, we need to determine a time line. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  It was good to see community come together with the shelter and everyone working together. 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

  1. EXECUTIVE SESSION – Under the Authority of KSA 75-4319 (b) (1) for personnel matters of non-elected personnel – Mayor Thompson made a motion at 5:45 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel not to exceed ten minutes.   I request only the City Commission present.  Commissioner Showalter seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 5:55 p.m. Mayor Thompson made a second motion at 5:56 p.m. to recess into executive session under authority of K.S.A.75-4319 (b) (1) to discuss personnel matters of non-elected personnel not to exceed ten minutes.   I request the City Commission and City Manager be present.  Commissioner Showalter seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 6:06 p.m.
  2. Action from Executive Session – ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve two year contract between Kent Brown and the City of Goodland in the amount of $100,000 annually effective January 1, 2024 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve a one-time bonus for Kent Brown in the amount of $3,000 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 6:08 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday January 16, 2024. 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

Contact Us

Important Information

Community Links

Skip to content