July 15, 2024 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

July 15, 2024                                                                                                                         5:00 P.M.

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

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Jason Erhart –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, Zach Hildebrand – Code Enforcement/Building Official, Mary Volk – City Clerk and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 07/01/2024 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. 07/08/2024 Joint Commission Meeting Minutes
  3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-14, 2024-14A and 2024-P14

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. IFB 122 W. 14th Street – Zach stated, we received three bids for removal of demolition debris at 122 W. 14th Street.  Bids are B & K Pumping $9,850; Goody’s $8,000 and S & M Repair $5,000.  Mayor Thompson asked, have we had any more contact with owner?  Zach stated, I have had no contact since last meeting, when they said it would be done by today.  Commissioner Showalter stated, it is time to move forward.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve the bid from S & M Repair in the amount of $5,000 for removal of  demolition debris at 122 W. 14th Street seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

DISCUSSION

  1. Follow up from Joint Commission Meeting: Wolak Building and Fire Vehicles – Kent stated, at the joint meeting with Sherman County we discussed ownership of Wolak Building and title of fire vehicles.  Sherman County Commission asked if it is possible for them to have ownership of building since county services operate in building.  In your packets I included the building agreement, inter-local agreement on merger and resolutions previously approved with Sherman County.  Commissioner Showalter stated, when we first discussed this last year, I did not care who owned building, but as I continue to think about it and reasons brought up by Mayor at joint meeting I feel ownership should remain with city.  There is no other use for the building but fire and EMS and I do not feel any commission would uproot the agreement or them operating from building.  If we give up ownership, we give up right to money for improvements we put in building from sale, if it came to that.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, can we amend contract past 30 year timeline and add that they can make changes or improvements to building they believe are good for operations.  Commissioner Myers asked, did they want a longer term on agreement?  Mayor Thompson stated, there was some mention of extension, but the agreement is 30 years and rollover for another 30 years.  Commissioner Showalter stated, only thing with the building that is non-negotiable is the name has to remain same but they can do what they need with building to help operation.  Commissioner Myer stated, members of the community do not want to lose meeting room, yet in talking to county it is not used often.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, the contract does not say they have to have meeting room but the name must remain the same.  Mayor Thompson stated, I felt we were unprepared for the meeting.  If they want to do more improvements to building, they can.  I understand when they say they do not want to make improvements if they do not own building.  It seems like focus of improvements were for EMS.  If they want to move forward, I do not feel we will have an issue with improving building.  On the fire vehicles there was a question in signing titles over to county.  When we signed merger we knew some adjustments would need to be made.  Maybe we need to re-evaluate merger to determine what is working and what is not.  I feel it is working and they have a good operation.  If we sign ownership of vehicles over to county but departments split, I feel we need to get back what we put into the merger.  Kent stated, if you agree to transfer vehicles it should be in writing, not verbal to ensure transition is smooth.  We have not had any incidents with county employees driving city vehicles.  I believe if we transfer title, the city and county should agree and the value is spelled out in agreement.  Mayor Thompson asked, what do you think about looking at merger and discussing with fire what is and is not working to modify agreement?  Commissioner Showalter stated, I want to make sure everything is working the way they want because it is a good operation.  Kent stated, I will invite Chief James to a meeting in August for discussion. 
  2. 2025 Budget – Resolution 1640: A Resolution of the City of Goodland, Kansas regarding the Governing Body’s intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate –Kent stated, included in your packet is budget set at 50.923 mills with RNR of 49.374.  The 2024 budget is 50.154 mills.  The commission needs to decide tonight what rate they want as we have to send notice of intent to county clerk by July 20th.  We included all recommended changes by staff to date.  If you have concerns with any of the changes or want to make changes, please let us know.  Staff has an additional list of cuts to get to last year rate, but it is difficult.  If commission wants to leave budget as presented tonight, the resolution spells out information for hearing.  If we publish budget at 50.923 mill rate, that is maximum allowed to approve budget and notice is sent to all tax payers in city.  Mayor Thompson asked, with your document of changes, is this the rate presented to us last meeting?  Kent stated, no this version is a little less.  We made a couple changes with personnel and couple other items that lowered the rate.  Mayor Thompson stated, my thoughts remain same as last meeting.  We are back to bear minimum budget with no excess spending on projects.  We have done well obtaining grants for projects but we need to build our reserve for local share on grants.  I also believe we need to look at utility rates later in the year which I hope will help with next budget cycle.  I feel pretty comfortable where we are at this point.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I cannot imagine finding additional cuts and asking department heads to cut more from the budget.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, one of these days we may have to raise levy a little bit to get accounts where they should be to get services where we need them.  Kent stated, we are within about $32,000 to get to same mill rate as last year, but will need more to get to RNR.  As staff continues to look at it, we may find corrections that need done.  We have cut nearly $500,000 from the budget.  To get to RNR you are impacting delivery of services.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we are not like a normal business that sells parts and provides labor; funds have to come from somewhere.  I appreciate the services we provide patrons.  Kent stated, as discussed before the budget is built on sales tax, property tax and utility fees.  We have to meet our targeted revenue.  Main question now is the property tax rate and have we done what is right for the community to succeed.  Commissioner Showalter stated, we have to play our part having a safe city with good infrastructure for people to move here.  Consensus of commission is to submit information to county clerk exceeding RNR at a mill rate of 50.923 as presented.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Showalter to approve Resolution 1640: A Resolution of the City of Goodland, Kansas regarding the Governing Body’s intent to levy a property tax exceeding the revenue neutral rate seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  3. Building Official Report: Grant Historical Residences, LLC at 520 W. 12th Street – Zach stated, I was at the facility and a resident showed me room with water leak.  It looks like water stains not mold, but I do not know what is under tiles.  I sent them notice last week that repairs needed to be done or we will proceed requiring improvements.  I did not see any damage in the remainder of building I was able to access.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is a nice apartment facility.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I appreciate staying on top of situation because this kind of damage can hurt someone’s health.  Commissioner Myers asked, is this the community room?  Zach stated, this is on second floor and there is an apartment below.  Commissioner Showalter stated, on another property, I have received phone calls about weeds at OYO.  Zach stated, I spoke with owner who did not take care of weeds.  They received letter and if not mowed by next week we will have it mowed. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo, police monthly activity report, Municipal Court quarterly report, building permit quarterly report and2nd quarter financial report is are the packet.  2.  We received the dividend check from EMC for the KMU safety program in the amount of $24,677.28.  3.  Want to confirm Commission wants to host community BBQ with the last Park N Play Concert at Steever Park on August 16th?  Mayor Thompson stated, I have enjoyed doing it and would like to keep scheduling with the concerts.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I agree.  4.  On the gun club lease we will need to renew lease including additional area.    5.  Industrial Park project for BASE Grant started last week.  Water department has started our part of project with sewer on south side.  Entrance to 21st Century Bean has remained open.  The bases for north side of project have been delivered but not south so we are on hold temporarily.  We need to set man holes before extend any more pipe.  Installation should not affect timeline. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  I would like to thank Chief and police department.  We worked with officers on situation at college and officers were knowledgeable and easy to work with.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report 

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Absent, No Report 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Vice-Mayor Howard seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for August 5, 2024. 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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