April 6, 2026 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

April 6, 2026                                                                                                                         5:00 P.M.

Mayor Jason Showalter called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Angie Cloyd, Commissioner Sarah Artzer 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 and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 03/16/26 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. Appropriation Ordinances: 2026-07, 2026-07A and 2026-P07

ON A MOTION by Commissioner Artzer to approve Consent Agenda seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. Public Safety Communicators Week – Kent read the proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicator’s Week April 12-18, 2026 in the City of Goodland.  Mayor Showalter stated, Michelle Roe is representing the department.  Michelle stated, we appreciate the city recognizing our department. Mayor Showalter thanked the department for all they do to keep system organized. 
  2. SCCD Annual Report: Matt McKenzie, SCCD Board President – Matt presented the SCCD annual report to the commission.  Our effort is to provide more visibility of our hard work because we are proud of 2025.  In our mission statement, we represent all of Sherman County.  We were formed in 2019 to bring economic development, business enrichment and travel and tourism together.  For 2025 for business retention and expansion we conducted 138 business visits and assisted 10 companies with expansion or operational improvements.  We also partnered with Retail Strategies to get our name out to businesses that want to establish in Sherman County.  We have asked for their assistance to market the Steak and Shake building and work with other chains interested in Goodland.  There is interest in property around Walmart.  We hosted 4 networking events to support business enrichment and worked with Kansas Commerce facilitating access to capital totaling $1,079,000 to support those 10 businesses.  Travel and tourism had 4,987 visitors sign the book at the welcome center in 2025, but not everyone signs the book.  We provide downtown information to the visitors.  We also participated in Highway 24 garage sales, downtown holiday events, Park N Play events, Freedom Fest, midway entertainment, Flatlanders Fall Festival and Main Street Crawl in partnership with USD352 and the college.  We pushed out grant projects in 2025 and will continue them in 2026 securing $10,000 for community revitalization, concentrating on the mural projects.  We have 13 murals on map to tour around town, 4 of which are supported by SCCD.  We appreciated the city helping to put up new Christmas lighting.  In regional collaboration we continue to strengthen partnerships with the city, county, foundation, regional chambers and state agencies.  We participated in Hansen forum to strengthen regional planning efforts and represented the county on NW Kansas Travel Council, Highway 24 Alliance and Kansas I-70 Association.  A business highlight for their cool story is Traditions who revitalized an under-utilized building.  It was a building that had use and now has a better story and remains home to the veterans at no cost.  Another highlight is drawing a new veterinarian, Aryssa Walkinshaw to Goodland who concentrates on small animals.  She will be graduating in May and has improved the face of the building.  2025 Community project building brilliance recipients for Main Street façade improvements are Stasser Properties LLC for Freedom Hall, Goodland Furniture and Sleep Center for signage and landscaping, MJJC LLC for Hotel Neu awning, Jacques Hallmark for storefront and windows, Rod and Michelle Cooper for awnings and Linton Financial for new storefront and door.  It has helped the appearance of our Main Street.  Our financial overview in 2025 consisted of total revenues of $444,715 from grants, public funding, private contributions and program services.  Expenses totaled $458,000 for program services but our large expense is administration.  We have been drawing down some of our cash in 2025 as it is not doing us any good in the bank and liabilities for organization are limited.  Board of Directors in 2025 were Geremy Cloyd-Vice-Chairman, Amy Sederstrom-Treasurer, Kent Brown, Ashley Mannis, Gennifer House Bill Biermann and myself.  Gennifer and Bill’s terms have expired.  They provided assistance with direction.  We have new board members willing to serve.  Staff in the office moving us forward who really do all the work are Jessica Dinkel-Tourism and Events Director and Bert Mosier-Economic Development Director.  The City and County provide financial support and we are working to partner with foundation to utilize their dollars.  We are going to continue to work on expanding businesses and invite new business.  We are also working with businesses looking to retire for ways business will continue in future.  We plan to continue working with Retail Strategies to get our name on the map.  We are working to become a Main Street community which is a network association to work with existing businesses and expand your Main Street.  It is competitive and requires a lot of work and operates like a Chamber of Commerce used to.  This is way to obtain grant money available through the Main Street program.  If continue to have success we will need more support.  We are hoping to add a Main Street Director which would be another salary, benefits and a budget.  Our investment from the city and county is $140,000.  We had Kansas Commerce run an analysis on the money with accomplishments in 2025 and we are getting 791.7% return on investment.  If we want to continue to move ahead with Retail Strategies, we need $30,000 more in 2026 and $70,000 in 2027.  We appreciate you giving us time because there is a lot to talk about.  Commissioner Cloyd thanked the board and employees for hard work.  Mayor Showalter asked, I understand Retail Strategies is a service that gets our name out but it also provides opportunities for things we cannot get because of our limitations.  Matt stated, yes and cost is $45,000 per year and markets companies from national stage that we do not have opportunity to make contact.    It is a 3-year contract where year 1 is an analysis, year 2 is warm leads of businesses interested in NW Kansas and year 3 we focus on 1 business that would like to come to Goodland.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, does contract have to continue in order to get information on leads?  Matt stated, yes, they have given us time but we are to point we have to give them an answer.  Mayor Showalter stated, we appreciate your leadership.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

  1. Resolution 2026-08: Authorizing Submission of an EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grant Application – Kent stated, this authorizes the City to submit a grant application for Disaster Supplemental grant funding to address the economic challenges faced by a community recovering from a natural disaster and improve economic conditions.  The grant will assist city in delivering power to grain mill and bakery.  Commissioner Artzer asked, which step is this?  Kent stated, authorizing submission of grant application to provide electric service for project.  Mayor Showalter stated, they feel the disaster grant was the leader in grants for the grain mill bakery.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve Resolution 2026-08: Authorizing Submission of an EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental Grant Application seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Quotes to replace media at the Water Treatment Plant – Neal stated, last time we changed media in plant was 2020.  Previous media lasted 10 years.  We took sample of media and it is declining and needs replaced.  It is a process that the City of Scott City helped us replace in the past.  Mayor Showalter asked, should we expect to replace the media every six to eight years?  Neal stated, yes, it depends on our nitrates and the dirt that comes in with the salt.  We have worked with Layne Christenson in past but have looked at different companies.  We received two quotes: Carbon Enterprises Inc. for $119,150 then Layne Christensen for $140,600.  Carbon Enterprises Inc. is a new company with different media but it will work.  Staff recommends the low bid from Carbon Enterprises Inc.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the bid from Carbon Enterprises Inc. in the amount of $119,150 seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0. 
  2. Proposals to replace City Shop Roof – Kenton stated, we received bids for replacement of the roof at City Shop.  Bids received are Miller Construction in the amount of $137,000, if guttering needs replaced and $119,000 if guttering does not need to be replaced then Roofmasters in the amount of $132,888 for a seamless overlay, eliminating the guttering.  Miller Construction is willing to assess the guttering to determine if it needs replaced.  Staff would like to use the local contractor as he is willing to evaluate the guttering.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, what is warranty of metal?  Matt Miller, Miller Construction stated, manufacture warranty is 20 years and I guarantee my work.  We need to assess integrity of gutter once we get into project.  Kenton stated, when new addition was added on shop the gutter was wrapped between the two buildings.  Water is leaking through the gutter inside shop.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, you will assess once remove everything?  Commissioner Artzer stated, we budgeted $160,000, the bid for $137,00 is also replacing gutter.  If we do not need to replace guttering, it is $119,000?  I believe we should spend $5,000 extra for local contractor to assess guttering.  Kenton stated, correct Miller Construction will assess whether the guttering needs to be replaced.  Funds for the project are in the Capital Improvement Reserve Fund.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the bid from Miller Construction in the minimum amount of $119,000 and a maximum amount of $137,000 seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.
  3. Contract Mowing bids –Zach stated, this invitation for bid is to mow abatements when we have to enforce properties with grass and weed violations.  We received one bid from Travis Jones in the amount of $50.00 per hour. I recommend approval of the bid. ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the bid from Travis Jones for contract mowing in the amount of $50.00 per hour seconded by Commissioner Artzer.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

D.  Library Board Appointments – Kent stated, Brad Schick has volunteered to serve on the Library Board and Joy Hayden volunteered to a reappointment on the board.  Brad Schick is replacing Craig Boggio who has fulfilled his two terms on the board.   Karen Gillihan, Library Director, recommends both applicants for approval. ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the appointments of Brad Schick and Joy Hayden to the Library Board seconded by Commissioner Redlin.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 5-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. County request to trade right of way acquisition to the city in exchange for ownership of Wolak Building.  Kent stated, the commission discussed this last meeting.  Commissioner Redlin stated, I feel we need to determine value assessed to building and right of way.  Vice-Mayor Howard stated, I talked to a realtor and for dry land farm ground close to city the going rate is $3,500 to $5,000.  The right of way is about 3 acres so $15,000.  The Wolak Building. is valued at much more.  I feel they are short on the trade.  Commissioner Artzer stated, this idea is to build 2nd street out to Highway 27.  I feel there is negotiating room as I see this will benefit many.  We need a joint meeting to discuss.  Mayor Showalter stated, I initially met with Bret Mangan and felt this could be beneficial but I am apprehensive and want to look at agreement.  We have worked toward transferring our equipment and personnel to the county.  That is our only leverage in this situation for bargaining.  We have no plans to change operation and it is a fire station, but it is our insurance if something goes south with operation.  We will not always be the ones sitting on this commission.  We need to partner with county to develop area but not at the expense of building.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, I do not feel like it is a fair trade.  Commissioner Redlin stated, they want to update and make improvements to building and it is hard to do if you do not own building.  Can we work around that in the agreement to make it work?  Commissioner Artzer stated, we need land to develop in Goodland and it is not often there is land to purchase.  Mayor Showalter stated, I agree we need to partner and I am 100% in favor of development, but I do not want the fire station as a bargaining tool.  We need to discuss how we can partner with them. Kent stated, I would not want the public expectation to be that the road will be built in near future because it will cost a significant amount and we need development of area first.  Mayor Showalter stated, I had a conversation with county resident on this issue.  They believe we need the street during the 8th Street project for traffic control.  Andrew Brunner, EBH Engineer stated, you do not need a multi-million-dollar street for traffic control.  We work with EMS tor traffic control when we do the project.  Mayor Showalter asked, are there any other needs but a road for the property?  Kent stated, yes if the area is developed with housing there will need to be utility and other easements.  I am also not familiar with water rights, but that would be an additional cost.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, the right of way can be a separate conversation from Wolak Building.  Mayor Showalter stated, in a nutshell the city and county merged fire under county to provide services.  They own all equipment, hire personnel and we pay an annual subsidy to them and retain ownership of the Wolak Building.  We should discuss the issue as it is valuable to both of entities.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, if they want to upgrade building, that needs to be tied to the agreement and handled separately.  Mayor Showalter stated, in different conversations I have had I feel they have questions with solidity of agreement, but I felt like we made it clear in the past if they want to make improvements to the building we would approve.  Commissioner Redlin stated, we need to look into what they want to do to building. 

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo, police activity report, March Fund Balance reports and copy of insurance dividend check in the amount of $37,387.48. are in the packet.  2.  3.  As a reminder the commission tours of City facilities is April 8th at 4:30 p.m.  We will meet at the swimming pool and end at police department.    4.  We have scheduled spring cleanup for May 7th and 8th.  We will inform residents what can be included.  Commissioner Artzer asked, what can we do to help?  Commissioner Cloyd stated, we can share information with community.  Kenton stated, we do not take hazardous waste, batteries, oil, tires, refrigerant, yard waste or concrete.  We pick up limbs, furniture and regular household items which must be at curb weekend before.  Commissioners are more than welcome to come out and help.  5.  Zach provided updates on properties at 408 W. 6th St., 806 W. 15th St., and 810 W. 15th St. for environmental code violations.  I received complaints on 408 W. 6th St. which past commission has addressed.  They are making progress at this time so I am working with them.  The other two properties have same owner.  At 806 W. 15th they are working on siding.  At 810 W. 15th the roof to the garage is collapsing.  I am trying to get a timeline and cost estimate from owner to see if they can complete work. 
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Thank you to Police Department for Easter egg hunt.  It was fun and well attended.

Commissioner Cloyd – 1.  No Report

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  I have had comments of appreciation for building checks by Police Department. 

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Mayor Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for April 20, 2026. 

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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