August 5, 2024 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

August 5, 2024                                                                                                                            5:00 P.M.

Mayor Aaron Thompson called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Jason Showalter and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call.  Commissioner Ann Myers was reported absent.

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Jason Erhart –Chief of Police, LeAnn Taylor – Municipal Court Clerk/Judge, Joshua Jordan – IT Director, Neal Thornburg – Director of Water and Wastewater, 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. 07/15/24 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-15, 2024-15A, 2024-15B, 2024-P15 and 2024-P15A

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Ordinance 1779: Adopting 2024 Standard Traffic Ordinance – LeAnn stated, Section 201.1 is replaced with 201.2 regarding suspended and restricted licenses.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Ordinance 1779: Adopting 2024 Standard Traffic Ordinance seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  2. Ordinance 1780: Adopting 2024 Uniform Public Offense Code – LeAnn stated, there are a few changes in Section 9 regarding marijuana and other controlled substances.  In the past we have elected not to adopt these changes but send charges to District Court.  I believe the changes with disorderly conduct are due to a Supreme Court ruling.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Ordinance 1780: Adopting 2024 Uniform Public Offense Code seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  3. Resolution 1610 Unfit Structure 1526 Caldwell – Zach stated, resolution gives property owner 30 days to abate or bring structure up to code.  After such time we are able to solicit bids for demolition.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 1610 Unfit Structure 1526 Caldwell seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Change Order #3: AIP 3-20-0026-23 Reconstruct Runway 5-23 – Kent stated, change order is required because FAA Tech Op’s requested additional items during construction.  Basically it is changing from old PAPI location to new location.  Darrin Neufeld EBH Engineer stated, when Tech Op’s was onsite in May, their field staff noticed the PAPI needed grounding cable protection.  The change order also adds fourteen days to contract.  The electrician will not order materials until change order is approved, then they also have to have Tech Op’s schedule an inspection.  Mayor Thompson asked, are increased costs still paid 100% by FAA?  Darin stated, everything on the project so far has been 100% FAA.  If that money is still available change orders will be funded at 100%.  If not it will be 90/10 split.  Mayor Thompson stated, the worst case scenario is City is responsible for $3,172 with change order.  Do you feel this project is going to get finished?  Darin stated, I hope soon but when they were recently onsite they identified this grounding system problem.  If they do not identify additional problems we will be able to wrap up project.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I share your frustrations, with the extended time that potentially could cost the City money.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Change Order #3: AIP 3-20-0026-23 Reconstruct Runway 5-23 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. Runway 5/23 Engineering Contract Amendment #3- Darin stated, this change order is also Tech Op’s driven.  We are requesting equivalent of time extension.  Originally we were not planning to be onsite entire time Tech Op’s were here.  However, Tech Op’s informed us we will be out there full time as we are the liaison for City with contractor.  Tech Op’s is not allowed to talk to contractor because the contract is with the city.  Mayor Thompson stated, that is frustrating.  Should this have been in plans and Tech Op’s should have known ahead of time?  Darin stated, non-field personnel for Tech Op’s indicated they would monitor project and if a change was required we would have to talk to contractor.  Mayor Thompson asked, is funding for this the same as previous situation?  We have sufficient funds in airport fund but if we can get funded at 100% like rest of grant that will be good.  Darin stated, yes and there will be a final change order to adjust to quantities at the end of the project.  As of now, the airport side of contract is under budget.  Mayor Thompson stated, amount of amendment is $50,240 for additional days.  Darin stated, that is a not to exceed amount.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Runway 5/23 Engineering Contract Amendment #3 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.  Darin stated, seal and paint project of the main runway and apron has started.  The main runway will be shut down for couple weeks but crosswind runway will remain open.  
  3. Pay Estimate #1: Goodland Industrial Park Improvements – Kent stated, Industrial Park project has started.  This is pay estimate #1 to Miller Construction in the amount of $254,333.94, which includes stored materials for a large portion of project.  They are progressing well on project.  Andrew Brunner, EBH Engineer stated, the south portion of sewer lines and manholes are installed.  Plan is to start on street tomorrow.  They will complete area by sunflower plant and west, then jump over to north side of park.  City crews were able to get water lines started quickly.  When contractor moves to north portion of project city crews can complete final tie in on water.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve Pay Estimate #1: Goodland Industrial Park Improvements to Miller Construction in the amount of $254,333.94seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  4. Purchase Poles – Dustin stated, we received three quotes for the purchase of poles in our replacement program in older alleys.  Bids were received from Bridgewell Resources, Koppers and Thomasson Company.  The price for poles has increased.  Bridgewell Resources was the low bid in the amount of $42,856.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve the bid from Bridgewell Resources in the amount of $42,856 for purchase of electric poles seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Building Official Report: Grant Historical Residences, LLC at 520 W. 12th St – Zach stated, there has been no response on the property to date.  There is black mold starting to show through the ceiling.  If nothing is done by next meeting we will move ahead with process. Commissioner Showalter asked, is building manager local?  Zach stated, she is only in office for set time Tuesday and Thursday, otherwise she is in Colby.  Commissioner Showalter asked, who is the parent company?  Jake stated, Kohen Company, the project was federally subsidized. 
  2. Low Income Rates for Utilities – Mayor Thompson stated, as we discussed rates during budget I have been thinking how an increase will effect low income citizens.  I wanted the commission to look at the ordinance to see if we want to adjust the income level.  The threshold for household income is $18,000.  I wondered if the federal poverty guidelines would be a better manner.  The federal level for one person is $19,500, two person household is $26,000 and it goes up from there.  The energy rate is a set KWH rate while water is a percentage of existing rate.  Is this something we need to look at and adjust?  Commissioner Showalter stated, we need to look at it; might be surprising how many of our citizens may fall into these boundaries.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, does anyone request it?  Mary stated, yes about 13 customers.  Last time commission discussed the threshold, federal poverty guidelines were considered.  Commissioner Showalter is correct, there are many that meet the poverty level threshold.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I feel it is important to look at for the citizens.  Consensus is the Commission is to review threshold.
  3. Utility Incentives for New Businesses – Mayor Thompson stated, I requested this on the agenda also.  The Commission previously discussed but I feel we need to look at incentives and discuss again.  We tried a couple different things in past, some worked, some did not.  Commissioner Showalter stated, Barbara Cole from CMI gave us a couple ways to address incentives so that you do not give them free money we never see back.  I would like to look at those for discussion.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. July month end fund balance report is in the packet.  3.  Reminder community BBQ and last summer concert are August 16th at Steever Park.  Staff will assist but appreciate commission participation.  Public is invited.  4.  Topside Trail received recreational grant for lighting on the trail in the amount of $145,605.35.  They need to complete information from State Historical Office and an environmental review before project can proceed.  The carpentry and electrical departments at the college are donating labor for project which I believe seeing two entities work together helped the application.  Lighting will be on college property and in the park.  Hopefully project will be complete by next summer.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is exciting to see this type of grant received.  Andrew stated, there is no cost to city for project.  I believe utilizing college labor as match helped grant approval.  The college will work with Dan, Kenton and Dustin on project. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  Thanks to Neal and crews for addressing work on Industrial Park Project quickly.  Thanks to all crews working in the heat, it has been miserable.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  Absent, No Report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2024.

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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