August 19, 2024 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

August 19, 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 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, Jake Kling – City Attorney, Mary Volk – City Clerk, Shauna Johnson – Deputy City Clerk/Utility Billing and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Thompson led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Pat Allamon citizen stated, I encountered a homeless person at Pioneer Park over the weekend.  I thought it was a prank but an officer came and made contact with individual who was not in dire straits so she left.  What does Goodland do about the homeless?  I should not complain about them but I was not confident enough to continue walking my dogs in park.  They need help but I am a little afraid of them.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is not unusual to be apprehensive.  There is ministerial alliance that may help in some way.  Jason stated, we contact Hopes Place and Ministerial Alliance.  The Sheriff’s Office is very willing to help transport the individuals to the next county.  Unfortunately they county hop until they can get services they need.  This year we have seen a lot of them but if they have not done anything wrong we cannot do anything with them.  We offer assistance when can and try to get them out of town as soon as possible.  You did the right thing by contacting dispatch. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 08/05/24 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2024-16, 2024-16A and 2024-P16

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

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Fire Chief Brian James – Mayor Thompson asked,how do you feel the joint meeting went?  The Commission briefly discussed the meeting.  Brian stated, everything has worked very well the last two years.  I have been Rural Fire Chief twelve years and City Fire eighteen years.  The departments have been working together awhile, but officially 2.5 years.  The one thing that seems to be a hiccup is county employees operating City equipment.  We recently used City capital outlay to pay for half of the new apparatus we purchased.  This is the first apparatus purchased jointly and should arrive in November.  Old City engine 2 will be auctioned off.  For City vehicles we have the ladder truck, engine 1, which is main pumper in city, hazmat unit, ARFF truck and the chief’s vehicle.  Is it worth City holding on to the equipment?  We continue to update equipment but the ladder truck is starting to show its age.  We would like to purchase another used unit in next five years.  Engine 1 is a 2007 model and if it is maintained it will last, but parts are getting expensive.  We keep maintenance up to date on all units.  In my opinion it makes sense to transfer the vehicles to the county.  The City is insuring them when it can be the county.  Budget is a hot topic.  We cannot continue at same rate and need to look at increasing City share a little to help split costs.  The building situation is what it is.  The County Commission needs to decide whether they will allow us to make improvements.  We have a nice facility that the city and county went in jointly for the operations, but the county is hesitant to make improvements when County does not own.  Mayor Thompson stated, I am more than happy with operations and how they are working.  I feel like we need to evaluate from time to time if some things are not working.  Brian stated, in Colorado the Fire Department was its own governing body.  It makes sense to me for the department to be its own agency funded by a mill levy.  It will clean things up but that is another topic.  Mayor Thompson stated, for things to work correctly, I agree it needs to operate in that manner.  Brian stated, I will have to do more research to see if you want to go that direction.  I extremely appreciate your support for the department.  I also appreciate the fire board.  They recognize we are all in this together to have protection need.  Commissioner Showalter stated, thank you for doing what you do in maintaining vehicles, it saves tax dollars.  I would like to get the vehicles transferred to the county.  Consensus of commission is in agreement to transfer vehicles.  Mayor Thompson stated, I recommend board look at the contract for the date to submit requests for increase as it is earlier than I stated in joint meeting.   

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 1642: Updating Commission Livestream Policy – Kent stated, resolution has changes with some of the terms; it does not change policy. Joshua stated, this resolution eliminates reference to cityofgoodland.org that we no longer use.  We are eliminating the link.  Section 5 outlines changes in policy to update small changes on website.  Mayor Thompson stated, wording in Section 5 allows changes by Commission and/or City Manager.  I like how things are so we are transparent to public.  I would like to leave changes at discretion of Commission to require discussion.  Joshua stated, we can strike Section 5 so that changes require another resolution to commission.  Mayor Thompson stated, it is important the public know where meetings are streamed.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to approve Resolution 1642: Updating Commission Livestream Policy with the amendment to eliminate Section 5 seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  2. Ordinance 1781: An Ordinance amending the Renewable Parallel Generation Policy – Kent stated, staff attended a seminar hosted by KMU.  They put together a new tool kit for parallel generation which updated and revised a few policy standards.  Parallel generation is for municipalities that have electrical utilities.  Investor owned utilities such as Evergy or others have standards for net metering policy.  These are standard requirements for citizens that put solar or wind generation on their property to meet when connecting with our utility.  This protects our crews.   The standards were approved years ago and due to changes in legislation or court cases, they have a few critical changes.  Dustin stated, there is not a lot that changed.  They do not want discriminatory charges so the capacity charge will be taken off our billing.  Avoided costs remain at 150%.  Shauna stated, only other change is the previous ordinance did not allow units installed if parallel generation equals or exceeds 4% of City’s peak load.  Now we can permit the installation, the City just does not have to credit customer for electricity.  Kent stated, we only have six customers using solar.  The 4% is a standard and requires many more customers.  There is a problem if you get a saturation of customers in one area.  Dustin stated, a large saturation in one area could cause problems with the transformers and equipment.  We had two back to back but fed them off two different transformers to prevent issues.  It will be a while before we get to the point it will become an issue with saturation in one area.  We can require feasibility studies at customer expense to see what is needed.  The information is good for customers.  We have had six installs by six different companies.  Shauna stated, we likely will not have a lot of customers because parallel generation is not as beneficial to the customer.  Dustin stated, one statement in policy is that the system must be sized so that it is load appropriate for the customer.  Kent stated, the CCCF details the ordinance changes but the ordinance was not included in packet so we will have on next agenda.  ON A MOTION by Mayor Thompson to table Ordinance 1781: An Ordinance amending the Renewable Parallel Generation Policy until next meeting seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Ordinance 1782: Rezone 1601 Kansas Ave. from R-1 to C-1:  – Zach stated, property is located across the alley to the west of property recently rezoned to C-1 to build storage units.  Applicant owns lot to the south of 1601 Kansas which is already zoned C-1 up to 17th Street.  Owner would like to rezone this lot to build storage units.  Mayor Thompson asked, lots to west are C-1?  Zach stated, yes lots to west and south are both C-1.  Mayor Thompson asked, when were south lots rezoned?  Zach stated, I am unaware of the timing but house at 1601 Kansas was demolished by City in 2017. The other two lots used to have a house in middle they say was torn down in 1970’s but foundation was there.  Owners have improved property by cleaning up foundation.  Kent stated, there are three lots neighboring on Grand that are residential but the property is surrounded by commercial zoning.  They want to match zoning district and combine lots to build units to avoid 25’ setback rule.  Mayor Thompson asked, if its commercial and they are combining lots it is not an issue.  However, lot on corner is only about 5,000 square feet which is smaller than required for property zoned C-1.  What is game plan?  Zach stated, they are going to combine two lots and use all lots for storage units.  The owners of the island of residential lots on Grand are deceased and the children are trying to get lots in their name to rezone and swap lots to build storage units.  Mayor Thompson asked, have you heard from neighbors?  Zach stated I had received 4 calls, but they had no concerns.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I received feedback from a citizen in the area concerning property values if we continue to allow them to build storage units.  Mayor Thompson stated, I can see that, we have a lot of storage units, but at same time this property has not been improved over the last few years with anything else.  They are improving the area.  My biggest concern is following the rule for size of lot.  Zach stated, once lots are combined it will meet requirements.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, it looks better than it was before.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve Ordinance 1782: Rezone 1601 Kansas Ave. from R-1 to C-1 seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. 8th Street Project Preliminary Plans – Kent stated, Andrew Brunner EBH Engineer prepared two cost estimates for the 8th Street Sales Tax Project.  The base bid is from D’Lao to Main Street with three add alternates.  First add alternate is K-27 tie in, second is Main to Caldwell, then Caldwell to Cherry Street.  One estimate is to match current width of street and a second estimate is more narrow with the street 36 feet wide.  Andrew stated, one estimate is to replace existing street from D’Lao to Kansas to 45 feet and 2.5’ curb on each side, then Kansas to Cherry a 50’ street.  Do we need wide streets like this?  Many streets are functional at 36’ width.  Andrew continued, we have sales tax numbers for one year.  Current cost estimates come in less than projected revenues for twenty years.  The main point for discussion is D’Lao to Caldwell, but also have old water line we would like to replace.  Estimates are only costs for concrete.  I did not include asphalt because concrete holds out longer.  Mayor Thompson asked, you looked at twenty year projection for more expensive project?  Andrew stated, correct, matching existing street.  There is only one water main directly under street on west end between Cattletrail and Kansas Street.  Sewer only crosses under street in one place until you get to east end of street.  Both estimates include sidewalks and ramps on both sides.  If we are able to get away from the back of the curb there would be a 5’ wide sidewalk if there is a buffer area.  If not KDOT has given guidance on other projects where you widen it out an additional foot to give 6’ to back of curb.  We can make buffer work if decrease width but if go with existing width there will be items we need to consider.  Commissioner Showalter stated, I like idea of decreasing width; the sidewalks would be a great addition.  Mayor Thompson asked, if we decrease width there are sidewalks on both sides of street?  Andrew stated, both estimates have sidewalks on both sides.  It is just easier to work with buffer with decreased width.  Mayor Thompson asked, if we go with 36’ street, what happens to extra area?  Andrew stated, it becomes more green space and sidewalks.  Citizen’s access and roadways will be extended.  As we get closer to Main Street we will taper street back out.  We will not be replacing intersections at Main and Caldwell.  We are still evaluating how we can better manage storm water because the water that heads to Caldwell begins where project is starting.  Trying to alleviate some of the storm water, especially at 8th and Main.  Commissioner Showalter asked, if we decrease width of road and have sidewalks on both sides will it have an effect on snow removal?  Kenton stated, it should actually be better because the crown will be removed.  Now we slide a lot when removing snow.  Commissioner Redlin stated, I am trying to visualize a 36’ street?  Andrew stated, in the Industrial Park we are constructing 36’ streets or 17th Street in front of elevators.  Kent stated, we do not have many people park on 8th Street until we get closer to Main.  Commissioner Showalter asked, how will it work with residential drives that are too short to get to road?  Andrew stated, we would match to road access which really should help them.  Commissioner Showalter asked, what is seeding line item in estimate?  Andrew stated, we seed areas needed with fescue type seed unless citizen has well established lawn then we may consider something else.  As we continue design we are looking at options to improve street.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I would like to see drawings of the project to see how it looks if it is a narrow street.  Andrew stated, I can get them for commission.  The only jog would be around county shop but not that major.  Kenton stated, if we pile snow in middle of street like we do now it would make it tight for traffic.  Andrew stated, they should not be parked there since it is an emergency route. 

Mayor Thompson stated, I see this as an opportunity to do what we can to make entrance to the city more attractive.  Andrew stated, we talked about medians and turning lanes on street.  It makes me nervous with the number of drives to access property along 8th Street.  If commission has ideas we will look at them.  Mayor Thompson stated, I feel if we want to pursue options, the wider street would help with more space.  Commissioner Showalter stated, it is a good opportunity to explore more signage in area to welcome people to our community.  Mayor Thompson stated, the K-27 tie is important to match with street in project.   Kent stated, the stretch from Caldwell to Cherry Street was added because we have more of same problem and need to clean up dips.  Andrew stated, these are preliminary estimates, we can always evaluate bids to get what will work.  Kent stated, I asked Andrew for estimates to determine whether we want to complete entire project as one big project or split into smaller projects?  It is over $7,500,000 for wider street and $6,800,000 for 36’ street.  If we decide to complete entire project, we need to get financing then use the sales tax to pay bonds.  We have received sales tax revenues for twelve months and bonding will take some time.  Does commission want staff to start talking to bond attorney to move forward?  It will be beneficial to provide visuals of what this would appear at ground level to determine street width.  Both estimates include pedestrian path on both sides of street but does not include a bike path or other beautification commission may want.  Interest rates have increased, but need to look at future, how secure will it be?  Commissioner Showalter stated, from public perspective I would like to complete entire project at once.  If we break up project, it is going to have the road tore up a long time.  I would rather have a bond and get it done.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I agree, we do not know what prices will do, but we need to complete entire project at once.  Mayor Thompson stated, I also agree since we have a dedicated source of income.  We have an idea on the amount of money coming in barring any major change in community.  Kent stated, I will have Andrew come back with visuals and have initial discussions with bond attorney.  If commission wants to look at other items please let staff know.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  I apologize manager memo was not in the packet.  2. Police monthly activity report is in the packet.  3.  Andrew stated, contractor completed first part of curb line on Industrial Park Project.  They will be pouring 100-150’ road tomorrow.  Once they make corner they will make good time with street.  4.  The Caldwell Cost Share Grant Project is an asphalt mill overlay.  Contractor plans to start September 9th or 16th and will be done by Flatlanders Festival.   
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  We had a good turnout for park event, appreciate everyone that helped.

Commissioner Showalter – 1.  BBQ went well and good to see staff outside office. 

Commissioner Myers – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Thanks to Andrew for informative reports and oversite on projects.  2.  Saw electric guys replacing a pole, it went well and quick.  Thank your guys for their work. 

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 6:53 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 fifteen minutes.   I request the City Attorney, City Manager, Jason and City Commission be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 7:08 p.m.  Mayor Thompson made a second motion at 7:09 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 five minutes.   I request the City Attorney, City Manager, Jason and City Commission be present.  Vice-Mayor Howard seconded the motion.  MOTION carried by a VOTE of 5-0.  Meeting resumed at 7:14 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE, meeting adjourned at 7:15 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for September 3, 2024. 

_____________________________

ATTEST:                                                                               Aaron Thompson, Mayor

_______________________

Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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