August 6, 2026
The Jetmore City Council met in regular session on August 6th, 2026. Mayor Bill Goebel called the meeting to order and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call was answered by Councilmen Cole Buffo, Jeff Channell, John Neeley, & Kenton Ubelaker. Also attending were City Administrator Michael Ort, City Clerk Casey Dansel, City Attorney Clayton Kerbs, Sheriff Jared Walker, Jared Borger and Cory Gaston & Alexa Hazelton with Kirkham Michael.
Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the consent agenda containing the June minutes & Appropriation Ordinance #2026-07. Councilman Ubelaker seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
SHERIFF’S REPORT:
Sheriff Walker presented the council with his monthly report. Councilman Ubelaker inquired about where the sheriff’s office purchases fuel. Council discussed concerns with electric bikes and scooters with the sheriff.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT:
Clayton informed the council we have seen an increase in tickets now that the highway has reopened.
BUSINESS ITEMS:
Cory & Alexa with Kirkham Michael presented the council with information regarding the airport lighting project. We did receive an award for the project and it will be 90% funded by the state. The new lighting will be pilot controlled. They also informed the council that the runway patchwork project will begin this fall. Councilman Channell made a motion to approve the Airport Lighting Project Engineering Agreement with Kirkham Michael. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Council discussed Economic Development. Council would like to come up with a plan before making any decisions.
Mr. Ort informed the council that he didn’t receive the final draft of the water conservation plan yet so that would be moved to next month’s agenda.
Michael presented the mayor and council with several forms for the appointment of current housing board members. This was a step that had not been done in the past couple years and was an oversight in their office. Mayor Goebel formally appointed the current members of the Housing Board; Kim Shewry, Connie Olson, Larry Steinbring, John Ewy & Earlene Tatman. Councilman Ubelaker made a motion to approve the appointments. Councilman Buffo seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Afterward the forms were signed and returned to the housing office.
Administrator Ort presented the 2027 budget and informed the council that the next step would be to publish it for a public hearing. Councilman Buffo made a motion to hold the 2027 City of Jetmore Budget Hearing on September 4th, at 7pm. Councilman Ubelaker seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Neeley made a motion to suspend the regular council meeting and open the meeting of the Land Bank Board of Trustees. Councilman Ubelaker seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to hold the 2027 Lank Bank Budget Hearing on September 4th, at 7pm. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to close the meeting of Land Bank Board of Trustees and resume the regular business meeting of the city council. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Mr. Ort presented information about offering an incentive for the LSLI to encourage customers to return their forms. The suggestion was for a $250 Visa gift card. Councilman Buffo made a motion to offer the incentive of a drawing for a $250 Visa gift card as presented. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous. Mr. Ort & the city council would be excluded from the drawing and City Clerk Casey Dansel said she would also exclude herself from the drawing.
CITY ADMINISTRATOR REPORT:
*Golf Course Chemicals-Jared and Kenton have been talking recently about the chemicals that Jared uses at the
golf course and the possibility of buying those same chemicals from Kenton and Pride Ag. Over the last couple of weeks this has been discussed and it was ultimately determined that it was in the best interest of the city to maintain the relationship with our consultant and continue to buy some chemicals from him and look for opportunities to buy some from the co-op, to save the city some money on those items.
*Main St. Parking Update-Michael informed the council that he was told by KDOT district engineer, Joe Finley, over the phone that they do not usually approve that change as the problem exists that the travel lane would be too narrow. According to Mr. Finley, the desired travel lane width is 14’, which is more often than
not impeded by a change from parallel to angled parking. Mr. Finley said that he would let us know as soon as he had more information and some guidance on the correct procedure for the city making that formal request if we should choose to do so.
*Airport Pavement Project Update-Mr. Ort told the council that the pavement project contractor has given the engineers a tentative date of “this fall” for the project. The engineer did press for something more definite but “fall” was all they were able to provide at this time.
*Airport Lighting Project Update-There was one development in the lighting project this month in that the agreement with KDOT-Aviation was received on July 13. Michael signed that agreement on behalf of the city and returned it to KDOT the following day. The fully executed agreement was then returned to him on the 27th, along with the authorization to proceed with the project, thus the engineering agreement presented as part of this month’s business meeting for approval.
*LSLI Update-Michael shared with the council that, at the request of EPA Region 7 staff member Adam Hendrickson, the lead service line inventory has been submitted to KDHE and EPA in its current form, with about 17% of the system having been recorded. With this having been done, the city is now in compliance with the rule and EPA order, and are free to continue engaging with JEO staff to complete the project with a bit less scrutiny. KDHE staff will continue to engage with us, as the survey is not complete, but they are very much acting as partners with JEO and the city, as has Mr. Hendrickson from EPA. Michal told the council that he participated in another status meeting with JEO staff on July 31st. Another is scheduled for late August, after another round of advertising/mailing to encourage more participation.
GOVERNING BODY COMMENTS:
Mayor Goebel asked Michael to research the possibility of a franchise agreement with United Wireless.
Councilman Buffo made a motion to adjourn. Councilman Neeley seconded the motion; vote unanimous.
Meeting adjourned at 8:51 p.m.