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March 17, 2025 City Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

March 17, 2025                                                                                                                         5:00 P.M.

Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard called the meeting to order with Commissioner Ann Myers, Commissioner Sarah Artzer and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call.  Mayor Jason Showalter 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.

Vice-Mayor Howard led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC HEARING

  1. Unfit Structure at 2218 Commerce Road – Vice-Mayor Howard opened public hearing for unfit structure at 2218 Commerce Road at 5:01.  Zach stated, Jack Patel and Francis Schneider present via zoom are dealing with the hotel.  Francis stated, there is active litigation going on with this property.  Jack runs RAM Hospitality and was property owner.  He sold property to Goodland Hospitality who let it go bad.  We were not aware of the condition of the property.  We are hoping to foreclose on property within next month, but cannot get into confidential information.  Jack is taking lead on property now that he is aware of property condition.  Jack stated, I will be in Goodland tomorrow.  We are going to get roof tarped up to avoid further damage.  We will need to replace but no plan in place at this time.  We are hopeful to have plan in next few weeks after we assess property.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, property has caused us grief and was housing vagrants.  The property is an Iscor and there needs to be something done.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I want to make sure Jack has right to be in property with legal action in process.  Francis stated, Goodland Hospitality has ownership right now.  We have permission to be in property but will not make repairs until have proper ownership of property.  Commissioner Myers asked, is your goal to open property?  Francis stated, we are uncertain at this time.  When Jack sold property to Goodland Hospitality, they have not maintained property.  Jack stated, I am concerned about condition of property and need to assess repairs to determine next steps.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we need a plan but understand you need to see property first.  You need to bring a plan back to commission as soon as possible.  I feel it is a good structure and do not want to see property tore down.  Jack stated, I will check it out tomorrow.  We will be here next meeting if commission would like.  Zach stated, call me when you are on site.  I will email copy of resolution if it is adopted tonight.  I will contact Jason to access building.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I appreciate you keeping us up to date on property so we can answer questions from the public.  Vice-Mayor Howard called Michael Robinson.  Michael stated, the property is owned by my brother Rick Robinson of Goodland Hospitality.  I manage property but Rick is involved in a legal suit with property.  I understand he is agreeing to a mortgage release on property and we will not be involved in the property much longer.  We were there and tried to clean up property but there were issues with insurance.  The property is not in a good place.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we will email you a copy of the resolution if adopted tonight.  Michael stated, Rick had plans for property but insurance fell through and he has exhausted all resources.  He would like the mortgage holder to take over property.   Vice-Mayor Howard closed the public hearing for unfit structure at 2218 Commerce Road at 5:15.

PUBLIC COMMENT

  1. Bruce Gleason: Discuss City Utility Bills – Bruce was not present at meeting.

PRESENTATIONS

  1. Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center: Dionicio (Don) Rivera for 2026 Budget Request – Don stated, we are the only mobile child advocacy center in Kansas.  We get involved immediately following report of child abuse.  We work with law enforcement, County Attorney and DCF.  Our goal is one interview so child is not traumatized multiple times and thinking they did something wrong.  DCF helps determine what needs to be done to keep child safe.  We advocate for the families.  95% of children know or have a relationship with individual involved.  We also provide therapy for children after court.  Our closest office is in Colby which is reason mobile unit is so important.  The more service we supply to the child, the less the child feels victimized.  In Sherman County we have performed 17 forensic interviews in a safe setting, held 138 advocacy sessions for 27 children, performed 7 medical exams and held 185 therapy sessions for 16 children.  One of our units is a medical unit if we need a medical exam with interview.  It is crucial we get into rural communities.  Our 2026 budget request is $1,000 for fuel and upkeep of units.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we have given money in past.  Kent stated, we have provided funding of $1,500.  Consensus of commission is to try to maintain funding at $1,500 level because of services provide, but your request will be reviewed during budget process. 

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 03/03/25 Commission Meeting Minutes – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve March 3rd Commission Meeting Minutes seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2025-06, 2025-06A and 2025-P06 – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Appropriation Ordinances: 2025-06, 2025-06A and 2025-P06 seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 2026-13: 2218 Commerce Road Unfit Structure Zach stated, with this being a commercial structure and litigation process, I am requesting 90 days for this property.  Commissioner Artzer asked, who have you been calling regarding this property?  Zach stated, Rick Robinson because he is listed for title to property.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, we need to push forward.  They are in process of taking property back and will probably be back next meeting.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 2025-13: 2218 Commerce RoadUnfit Structure seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Quit Claim Deed to S4C, Inc. for Child Care Project – Kent stated, the quit claim deed is based on past discussions.  Formal approval is required.  The reversion clause of four years is written in deed.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I feel child care is needed and this is a good use of property.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the quit claim deed to S4C, Inc. for child care project seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. MOU with Sherman County for use of the Police Range – Kent stated, MOU is between the City of Goodland and Sherman County Sheriff’s Department.  We have one modification as the insurance limit for Tort Claims Act is $500,000, so that will be changed.  Jason stated, thank you to Kenton and his crew who built us a new range, the first good range we have had.  I offered Sheriff Mann and his employees use of the range.  MOU shows the County has insurance while using range.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, it is nice to see you working together instead of having two ranges.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Myers to approve the MOU between the City of Goodland and Sherman County Sheriff’s Department seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. BASE Grant: Remainder of Grant Funds – Kent stated, we completed the original project and have remaining grant funds in the amount of $50,745.05.  In closeout, Mary mentioned to Kansas Department of Commerce there is grant money remaining.  The state encouraged the City not to return grant funds if we can utilize the money under scope of grant.   We spoke with Andrew Brunner to determine what can be done with remaining money.  Andrew stated, as part of the Industrial Park project we already addressed detention pond for drainage on one side.  We did not touch the drainage on the other side and it will be a need as park develops.  We have to take care of stormwater drainage.  This was one of the options for which the funds could be used.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, where will we go with dirt?  Andrew stated, spread around the middle area which is a lower lying area.  We would probably double or triple the size of the existing detention pond but will work with money available.  Everything is silted in so need to make it big enough for multiple property drainage.  Commissioner Artzer stated, I feel this follows scope of project.  The second entrance needs to be addressed but do not feel it is feasible use of grant funds.   Kent stated, that will take some time and this option fits time line for grant.  Consensus of commission is to proceed with detention pond for drainage with State approval. 
  2. Set Date for Work Session on Strategic Planning – ON A MOTION by Commissioner Artzer to table discussion until all commissioners are present seconded by Commissioner Myers.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo is in the packet.  2. February month end and Police monthly activity reports are in the packet.  3.  Thank you for the efforts of city crews involved in event Friday.  It was mainly the Police Department, but Street and Electric Departments helped as well.  4.  Spring Cleanup is scheduled for May 1st and 2nd. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  Appreciate all the hard work in Fridays devastating accident.  It really affected a lot of people.  That was a lot for anyone involved; applaud everyone on the work.  Is there anything we can do to help staff to deal with event?  Jason stated, 10-33 Foundation came in Sunday and will be back in couple weeks.  There is also an EAP program available. 

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Echo Kent’s comment for departments involved.  Thank you for your help.  We are willing to help if anything we can do.

Commissioner Myers – 1.  Echo comments on Friday’s accident.  Thoughts and prayers with everyone having to deal with situation.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  Grateful for people assisting in the accident.  A lot happened and appreciate everyone that helped. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Commissioner Myers.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for April 7, 2025. 

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ATTEST:                                                                                J J Howard, Vice-Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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