May 4, 2026 Commission Minutes

GOODLAND CITY COMMISSION

Regular Meeting

May 4, 2025                                                                                                              5:00 P.M.

Mayor Jason Showalter called the meeting to order with Vice-Mayor J. J. Howard, Commissioner Angie Cloyd and Commissioner Brook Redlin responding to roll call.  Commissioner Sarah Artzer was reported absent.

Also present were Dustin Bedore – Director of Electric Utilities, Tim Wright – Assistant 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 and Kent Brown – City Manager.

Mayor Showalter led Pledge of Allegiance

PUBLIC COMMENT

CONSENT AGENDA

  1. 04/20/26 Commission Meeting Minutes
  2. 04/29/26 Special Commission Meeting Minutes
  3. Appropriation Ordinances: 2026-09, 2026-09A, 2026-09B and 2026-P09

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

PRESENTATIONS & PROCLAMATIONS

  1. National Police Week Proclamation – Tim stated, I am proud of the work officers are doing.  We are fully staffed and appreciate them.  Mayor Showalter proclaimed the week of May 10th through 16th as National Police Week in the City of Goodland.
  2. Building Safety Month Proclamation – Mayor Showalter proclaimed the month of May as Building Safety Month in the City of Goodland.

FORMAL ACTIONS

  1. Staff request to Issue Invitation to Bid to clean up 517 Sherman Ave: Environmental Code Violations – Zach stated, property was discussed in February and we have been working with property since middle of last year.  I previously received a response from owner but progress is now at a standstill.  This request is to put property out for bid.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, we have given them more than enough time and need to move forward with property.  Mayor Showalter asked, after we get bids what is next step?  Zach stated, we previously held a public hearing to give property owner time to develop a plan, but they did not proceed.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, do we pay for cleanup?  Zach stated, the commission awards bid for cleanup and the city will pay for cleanup.  The property owner will be billed for cleanup and have 30 days to pay.  If it remains unpaid the amount is assessed to the tax role.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to issue Invitation to Bid to clean up 517 Sherman Ave. for Environmental Code Violations seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0. 
  2. Quotes on Bellows for Catalysts at Power Plant – Dustin stated, several years ago we had catalysts installed on units at the power plant.  This is the second time they need to be replaced.  Mid-Continent Sales replaced them the first time so we reached out to them again.  Prices increased so we took bids.  Staff is recommending six of each size for a total of twelve and staff recommend the low bid from Bellows Systems in the amount of $22,278.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, is proposal within our budget?  Dustin stated, yes, but with price increase, this is a big hit on our maintenance line.  ON A MOTION by Vice-Mayor Howard to approve the low bid from Bellows Systems for twelve bellows in the amount of $22,278 seconded by Commissioner Cloyd.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.
  3. Abatement of Dead & Diseased Trees at 808 Kansas – Zach stated, at previous meeting we discussed removing two trees on property at 808 Kansas.  We received the following bids:  1. Zeb Smith in the amount of $7,000 for trees and $7,500 for trees with stumps; 2. Flatland Electric, LLC in the amount of $9,500; 3. Goody’s in the amount of $4,000 for trees and $5,500 for trees with stumps; and 4. Woodbender’s, LLC in the amount of $5,000 for trees and $6,200 for trees with stumps.  Staff recommends the low bid from Goody’s in the amount of $5,500 for trees with stumps.  Mayor Showalter asked, can we remove trees and leave stumps for property owner at a later time?  Zach stated, this is property we mow often so it will save our nuisance mower on time and equipment.  Vice-Mayor Howard asked, will this cost also be assessed to property?  Zach stated, yes if they do not pay within 30 days.  ON A MOTION by Commissioner Redlin to approve the low bid from Goody’s in the amount of $5,500 to remove the trees and stumps at 808 Kansas seconded by Vice-Mayor Howard.  MOTION carried on a VOTE of 4-0.

DISCUSSION

  1. Potential IRB: grain mill project: Set public hearing date – Kent stated, Golden Waves Grain has contacted Gilmore & Bell and city staff about getting an IRB intent resolution before the governing body, so they can apply for a sales tax project exemption certificate.  Kevin Cowan Bond Attorney with Gilmore & Bell indicated his preference is always to call for a hearing, which is for ad valorem tax abatement purposes, and then have the intent resolution adopted after the hearing.  IRBs are typically used for economic development projects.  The city is not responsible for any costs related to the IRB; we are just the conduit for the developer.  It appears the second meeting in May is the earliest possible time for the hearing/intent resolution.  Commissioner Cloyd asked, what is the downside to an IRB?  Kent stated, only that sales tax is not collected and distributed to local agencies.  The developer pays for the cost of IRB.  Mayor Showalter stated, this was one of the requests in the initial discussion for an incentive to developer.  Kent stated, a cost-benefit analysis would need to be produced and be available at the hearing, which is the responsibility of the developer.  The analysis must be done before bonds are issued.  Mayor Showalter stated, I feel it makes sense to be part of the package of a business bringing jobs and revenue to our community.  Consensus of Commission is for staff to work with Kevin Cowan to schedule public hearing. 
  2. Finalize date for joint City/County meeting: Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) project – Kent stated, the development group wanting to build on lots north side of Topside Manor wants to present at joint city/county meeting.  The dates provided have not worked out with everyone involved so looking to schedule sometime in June.  I will work out a date and let commission know.
  3. Water Conservation: Review City Code – Kent stated, at previous meeting the commission discussed water conservation concerns with how dry it has been.  In your packet is information outlined in the code for steps that the commission can take for conservation.  In addition, the Governor proclaimed the entire west half of Kansas is in a drought warning and counties north of us are in an emergency.  There are steps the commission can take to declare a water watch, warning or emergency and tools requesting voluntary compliance.  From there, we can proceed with mandatory restrictions outlined in code.  There is information for a surcharge on excess consumption at certain levels.  Often times an additional rate will affect behavior more than just having rules.  I want to be sure commission is aware of information in code.  We will be informing the public of daily water usage.  This year we have increased usage earlier than in years past.  Neal stated, since midnight we have used 1.4 million gallons today, and the day is not over.  Mayor Showalter stated, so the plan now is to inform public.  Jake stated, Ground Water Management District is going to start enforcing restrictions and include City’s in the LEMA program.  Mayor Showalter stated, I feel the steps you put in place are a good place to start to inform public of other options.  We need to communicate with public.  Commissioner Cloyd stated, I feel we should include recommendations to the public for education.  What type of communication mode are you talking about?  Kent stated, Facebook, our website and if we needed, we can have a special mailing.  We will start with awareness before we resort to restrictions.  Mayor Showalter stated, we should keep this as a discussion item at each meeting to keep public informed.

REPORTS

  1. City Manager – 1.  Manager memo and police monthly report are in the packet.  2. As a reminder, spring cleanup is May 7th and 8th.  Kenton stated, I talked to Rod Roeder at the County and we are good with the landfill.  We may run into a problem with forecasted moisture and trucks dumping in C & D.  Operation will start Thursday with two crews starting on 17th Street.  One will run east to west and other north to south.  Everything needs to be at the curb.  We will not go on private property.  If there is something at curb you do not want hauled, we need to know about it in advance.  3.  City received a KDOT Aviation grant for Fuel System Project at airport.  4.  Budget calendar will be presented soon.  After all legislative discussion, the governor vetoed the final bill that would have changed the timing for the budget process.  This year we will follow same process as in previous years.  We will need to be done before the second meeting in July as we have to let County Clerk know by 5:00 on July 20th of our intention with RNR.  5.  Need to clarify extension of contract with Merchant McIntyre for EDA grant.  The grant application was submitted April 30th.  We are waiting on feedback for both the EDA grant and congressional directed spending request.  Is the commission in favor of staff submitting a planning grant on safe streets for all?  It is due end of May.  Mayor Showalter stated, as long as we are under contract I feel we need to use them.  6. At KMU conference the boundary between Midwest Energy and the City service area was discussed.  We need to contact KCC to clean-up the boundary map and get an updated official map.  From the initial discussion, there is a process that can resolve the issue.  This was brought to light because the boundary runs through the middle of Industrial Park.      
  2. City Commissioners

Vice-Mayor Howard – 1.  No Report.

 Commissioner Artzer – 1.  Absent, No Report.

Commissioner Cloyd – 1.  No Report.

Commissioner Redlin – 1.  I feel we had a good response to incident at Walmart from the City, County and KHP.  I appreciate the communication following protocol.   Tim stated, an unknown caller called Walmart stating that pipe bombs were in the building.  There was an immediate evacuation of premises and we contacted KHP bomb squad.  Within eight hours Walmart resumed operations and we are glad it all turned out well.

Mayor Showalter– 1.  No Report.

ADJOURNMENT WAS HAD ON A MOTION BY Commissioner Redlin seconded by Mayor Showalter.  Motion carried by unanimous VOTE; meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.  Next meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2026.

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ATTEST:                                                                               Jason Showalter, Mayor

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Mary P. Volk, City Clerk

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